In 2 1/2 weeks I am planning to go to Mexico with my family(30 hour drive) and the car that my hubby and I are planning to take is still getting paid at Bank of America, and its only under my name. Do, I have to call them to let them know that I’m taking the car out of the country? Also, as far as getting insurance does it HAVE to be with Bank of America? Or can it be with my current auto insurance(Progressive) cause either way I’m only getting insurance for those 2 weeks that I will be at Mexico. Thank you. Also…
When getting the permit at Tijuana can my hubby get it, and I could write a note saying that he is my husband and he’s the one that will be driving the car(I’ll be in too but won’t drive). Since the car is only under my name I’m thinking of just writing that letter, I don’t have much time to go to Tijuana and my husband can easily go any day since he works in San Diego most of the time. Thank you.
You probaly would want to call them just to double check. It’s best to cover yourself so that if you get in an accident there is no question about it
Only the registered owner may take a car into Mexico. When you get the permit, if the car is financed, you must have a letter of permission from thefinancierr stating you have their permission to take the car into Mexico…so you need to call them and request this letter. Usually takes them 2 to 3 weeks to get that letter to you. You either have to have the title for the car, or that letter of permission. They will not give you the permit without it. You will NOT buy ins. to cover you in Mexico from your U.S. ins . agent. You buy it from a Mexican ins company. There are many. I put the site for my favorite below. You would find it extremely helpful to have a Mexican road atlas, the Guia Roji. You can buy it at large book stores or order it from Amazon.com. See other sites for more info.
First of all, it’s a LOT MORE INVOLVED than what you are trying to do.
You will need a MEXICAN INSURANCE for the car.. which will cost you about $200. You will need COPIES of ALL THE PAPERS for the car.. including the TITLE and registration. You will have to POST A BOND.. Since the car IS IN YOUR NAME… then YOU will have to be the one to APPLY FOR THE TOURIST PERMIT… the mexican government really doesn’t CARE if you don’t have the time… If you husband shows up with just a letter from you.. he will come home WITHOUT A TOURIST CARD
You will ALSO need an ORIGINAL LETTER from the Bank that owns your car, stating that you have THEIR PERMISSION to take the car into Mexico, which will also give all their requirements for doing so.. and which you will have to show proof of having complied.
Don’t even THINK about just going anyway and doing it your own way because if they catch you MORE THAN 25 MILES from the border.. AND THEY WILL… you will get your car IMPOUNDED and you will end up in a MEXICAN JAIL.
The SMARTEST thing you can do, is go to the nearest mexican consulate and get the proper paperwork to take the car into mexico. If you do all the paperwork… YOU WILL ALSO NEED YOUR PASSPORT… ahead of when you actually plan to cross the border, it will make it a lot easier because you can easily spend a couple of HOURS on the U.S. Side of the border taking care of all the paperwork before you cross over.
It’s not like you were going to Des Moines to visit Grandma… they are taking border crossings VERY seriously and, when cars and trucks are involved they get REALLY serious.
Mikey say if you can’t find it on this page than it does not exist
http://www.rollybrook.com/vehicle_permits.htm