Mexico City Eyes Liability Insurance for Public Parking Lots

The Congress of Mexico City is advancing a proposal that would require all public parking lots to assume financial responsibility for theft or damage to vehicles under their care. The initiative directs the city’s 16 boroughs, the Ministry of Mobility (SEMOVI), and the Institute of Administrative Verification (INVEA) to strengthen oversight and enforce existing laws mandating insurance coverage for parking operators.

Under the proposal, all parking establishments must maintain a valid civil liability insurance policy or bond covering damages, partial or total theft, and losses occurring while the vehicle is in custody. The coverage must reach up to MX$51,870 (US$2,800) for bicycles, MX$207,480 (US$11,200) for motorcycles, and MX$933,660 (US$50,500) for automobiles. Noncompliance will result in administrative sanctions under Article 48, Section IV of the Law of Commercial Establishments of Mexico City.

“It is estimated that six out of seven public parking lots in Mexico City operate outside the law, many without a license or the mandatory insurance policy,” said Deputy Jannete Guerrero, one of the lawmakers leading the discussion. She noted that this situation leaves consumers unprotected and allows operators to evade legal responsibility.

The reform also seeks to eliminate the widespread use of disclaimer signs in parking facilities stating that operators are “not responsible for partial or total damage or theft.” Such statements have no legal validity, as current law already establishes that operators are liable for incidents occurring within their facilities if the vehicle was entrusted to them.

Congress further urged the relevant authorities to launch information campaigns to raise public awareness of consumer rights, emphasizing the legal obligation for parking facilities to carry valid insurance. These measures aim to strengthen compliance and transparency in the service.

The National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Service Users (CONDUSEF) reiterated the same obligation, stating that “parking lot owners or operators must have civil liability insurance or a bond guaranteeing compensation for damages to the user, their vehicle, or third parties.” Coverage must be up to 9,000 times the Unit of Account of Mexico City, equivalent to approximately MX$645,000 (US$34,900) per vehicle.

The regulation distinguishes between two service categories:

• Self-service parking: Responsible for total or partial theft and damage to the vehicle, as well as fires within the facility when attributable to the operator.
   

• Valet parking: Responsible for total or partial theft or damage—including listed accessories—when the vehicle is handed over, as well as for facility-related incidents such as fire, if attributable to the operator.
   

Parking facilities must also issue a ticket containing the following information:

• Legal name and address of the operator
   

• Tax ID number (RFC)
   

• Contact numbers for complaints
   

• Classification and applicable tariff
   

• Ticket number
   

• Vehicle license plate number
   

• Entry and exit times
   

• Liability terms for damages
   

Failure to include this information or maintain proper documentation could result in penalties. The ticket serves as proof of custody and is essential for filing a claim or insurance request.