Puebla Enforces Third-Party Car Insurance After SCJN Ruling

Drivers in Puebla are now legally required to carry third-party liability insurance for their vehicles, after the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) upheld the constitutionality of the mandate. The ruling validates a 2023 reform to Puebla’s Mobility and Road Safety Law, which requires all motorized vehicles to have insurance covering damages caused to others.

During Monday’s session, the court ruled six to three in favor, confirming that the insurance requirement does not violate citizens’ right to free movement. “The Mobility and Road Safety Law of Puebla requires drivers to have third-party liability insurance. This does not restrict travel within the state or nationally, as it applies only to that specific means of transport,” the court stated.

The reform, known as the “Manu Law”, was inspired by Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Vara, a cyclist struck by a public transport vehicle in 2018. It prohibits driving without insurance. The SCJN also ruled that sanctions must be proportionate, upholding a one-year license suspension for driving under the influence but invalidating a provision that would have canceled licenses for up to ten years for failing to carry insurance, deeming it excessive.

The insurance—also called vehicle civil liability coverage—does not cover the driver’s own vehicle or injuries but covers economic damages to third parties, including personal injury, death, or property damage. According to the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (CONDUSEF), the policy  applies even if another person drives the vehicle with the owner’s permission.

“Whether through driving errors or distractions, if you cause a collision, hit someone, or damage property, the insurance covers those costs,” CONDUSEF said, emphasizing that coverage prevents financial burdens, as claims without insurance could result in debt or loss of assets.

The cost of third-party liability insurance in Puebla ranges from MX$2,000 to MX$35,000 (US$108–1,903) annually, depending on the vehicle, provider, and driver profile. Policies can be purchased through companies registered with the National Insurance and Bonding Commission or via online platforms.

Although federal law (Article 63 Bis of the Federal Roads, Bridges, and Motor Transport Law) mandates third-party liability coverage, enforcement is state-dependent. Puebla’s recent SCJN-backed ruling now makes compliance official at the state level.