Property ownership in Mexico, as elsewhere, carries a number of responsibilities. For example, you have to actively maintain the house and grounds to protect your investment, keep it secure and, if the property is part of a gated community or condominium, pay home owner association (HOA) fees.
Protect your personal items and defend against litigation
Although home insurance is not obligatory by law in Mexico (if your property is mortgaged, the lender may insist the property is covered), it’s prudent to factor-in a property insurance policy to your annual budget to protect your assets and, importantly, to defend against third party liabilities.
Third party liability in relation to home ownership doesn’t seem as obvious a risk as it is with driving a car, but in the event of an accident or mishap involving your property, your liabilities as home owner to third parties will become apparent.
Storm damage can leave you liable
Consider the trees in your garden. Trees falling in a wind storm can come down with tremendous force, and will easily cause material damage to your own property—and possibly to your neighbor’s. In acute cases they can cause bodily harm or fatalities. Mexico experiences stormy days, even in the highlands away from the coasts, and some of those storms will cause trees to fall down. Garden walls can also be subject to sudden and unexpected collapse, especially during an earthquake, or if they are old or have weakened foundations.
Online insurance quote for your Mexican home
Get an online quote from our home insurance partners, MexPro, who offer comprehensive coverages at competitive rates, with policies issued in English by a licensed U.S. broker, and fully-underwritten by insurers in Mexico.
Condo unit ‘bloc’ coverages are limited
A common situation where homeowners unwittingly become exposed to liabilities is when they own a condominium, or live inside a gated community. They think the insurance policy —paid for through their Home Owner Association fees— that covers the building or the estate also covers them personally. It usually doesn’t. For example, when a water leak from the kitchen or shower room in your condo causes damage to units below yours, the repair bill becomes your responsibility.
Domestic workers and accidents
Another situation where homeowners can become liable is in relation to the domestic help they employ. A lot of foreign residents in Mexico hire maids and gardeners. If your maid falls down the stairs when she’s cleaning, or your gardener hurts himself while working in your garden, you become responsible to them in those situations. Read this article to learn more about insuring domestic workers in your home in Mexico and how an adequate insurance policy can cover you.
Home insurance as an integral part of your budget
Home insurance policies are often overlooked and sometimes ignored as an unnecessary expense by foreign homeowners here in Mexico, especially those with homes situated away from hurricane-prone areas. While hurricanes are among the most apparent risks in relation to property, powerful wind storms inland can also cause serious property damage, and give rise to third party liability in relation to events and people related to your home: if for no other reason, you should consider your insurance arrangements to mitigate those liabilities.
Get a quote and arrange your home coverage now
You can get an online quote and coverage for your home in Mexico (whether you own or rent) in minutes with our home insurance associate, MexPro.
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Learn more about caring for and insuring your home in Mexico
Mexperience publishes extensive information to help you plan and care for your home life in Mexico through guides, articles and free eBooks:
