Mexico is a hot spot for tourists needing some sun rays and relaxation! Before you pack your bags and set off, it’s crucial to consider the potential risks and uncertainties that may arise during your travels. From unforeseen medical emergencies to trip cancellations and theft, Mexico presents unique challenges that make purchasing the Mexico travel insurance a smart move.
In this article, we’ll delve into the specific risks associated with traveling to Mexico and explore the essential types of travel insurance coverage that can provide peace of mind and financial protection throughout your journey.
Jumping Ahead
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Mexico?
Understandably, when traveling to a foreign country, there will always be risk. While we hope for smooth travels, having travel insurance can eliminate the risk of unexpected travel issues and costs. Here are some of the top risks when traveling to Mexico we recommend having travel insurance for:
Civil/Political Unrest
Unfortunately, there are high levels of civil and political unrest in Mexico due to widespread corruption, inequality, violence, and dysfunctional democracy. Some travel insurance can help supply assistance to safety and arrange a non-medical evacuation if needed.
Criminal Violence
Primarily due to criminal drug-trafficking organizations and corruption, criminal violence is high in certain neighborhoods. Travelers should avoid cities like Tijuana, Cuidad Juarez, and Acapulco, which all have greater criminal violence.
Pro Tip: Most places in Mexico don’t experience these issues, but if you’re looking for extra security threat coverage and travel assistance, consider opting for an enhancement plan called the CAP Tripside Assistance Service plan. This includes additional benefits not normally included with standard travel insurance coverage like blackmail/extortion, kidnap and ransom, and violent crime crisis support.
Medical Emergencies
Mexico does offer both private and public health care. Luckily, travel insurance can reimburse the cost of medical care for illnesses, injuries, or accidents in Mexico.
Trip Cancellations
if you had to cancel at the last minute, travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage is a way to recoup those lost costs. Check out our full article for more details on the most common covered reasons for trip cancellation to learn more.
Natural Disasters/Inclement Weather
You’ll find natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and floods are typical within Mexico. Especially when hurricanes ramp up, you’ll want to make sure you can get to your destination and that your accommodations aren’t damaged by a recent storm. If, for example, your flights are cancelled due to inclement weather, benefits like trip cancellation, trip interruption, or travel delay benefits could apply.
Stolen Personal Property
Most travel insurance plans include coverage for lost or stolen personal property. Petty theft is common in tourist and public transportation areas in Mexico, this benefit could help pay to replace these items. Fortunately, most travel insurance plans also cover if your baggage is lost or damaged.
Flight Issues
Your flight may be affected by a weather issue, mechanical breakdown, or unannounced strike. Travel delay coverage could reimburse your unused trip costs and pay for unexpected costs if the delay or cancellation requires you to spend overnight in a hotel and pay for extra meals.
Can I Use My US Health Insurance in Mexico?
Most health insurance plans in the States do not provide international coverage. However, some do if you have a specific policy, so it’s always worth a call to your provider to double-check. If your health insurance doesn’t cover medical expenses overseas, it’s wise to get travel insurance with medical benefits. Even just getting a travel medical plan, which is quite affordable, can give you a basic level of medical insurance.
Although a comprehensive travel insurance plan gives you a solid foundation, some travelers might require some upgrades for specific events. These insurance upgrades can cater to the unique needs of individual travelers and ensure a more tailored policy.
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): This cancellation insurance allows you to cancel for any reason at all and receive 50-75% of your nonrefundable trip costs back. You can learn more about this upgrade and why you might need it in our guide to CFAR.
Pre-Existing Conditions: If you’ve had any changes in your health history in the last six months, consider a policy with a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver. This eliminates the typical exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions.
Rental Car Damage Coverage: You might be able to skip the rental car agency coverage if you opt for the Rental Car Damage benefit with your travel insurance. This would protect any damage that occurs to the vehicle that is beyond your control.
Vacation Rental Damage Coverage: Worried about being on the hook for any potential damage at the lodging rental you’ve booked? Some policies include an upgrade that pays for any damage you might cause to the personal property within the rental
Average Costs for Mexico Travel Insurance
Typically, travel insurance costs, on average, 3-8% of the total cost of your trip. We’ve ran some quotes based on the following criteria to help you gauge what your policy might end up costing. Note that trip length, age, state of residence, and trip cost play a part in the premium calculation.
How to Get the Best Travel Insurance for a Mexico Trip
When all your travel concerns are covered under travel insurance, you can travel worry-free! Here are a few things to remember as you look for the best travel insurance when visiting Mexico:
Credit Card Coverage Likely Isn’t Enough
You might be lucky and have a credit card that has phenomenal benefits. The reality is this isn’t usually the case. Yonder’s done extensive research on this and found that relying on credit card coverage alone often isn’t enough when it comes to travel insurance.
Get Covered Based on Your Type of Trip
It’s wise to buy travel insurance coverage based on the type of trip you’re taking because different trips come with different risks and insurance needs. You can filter travel insurance policies based on your type of trip including Cruise and Family. We’ve curated our policies based on the benefits they offer and what types of travelers would find that coverage valuable for their trips.
Compare Your Options
With a plethora of travel insurance plans out there it’s easiest to get the best Mexico travel insurance via a comparison site for travel insurance. Additionally, each provider has varying benefits and pricing matrices, you can often find better coverage at a more affordable price using Yonder.
Medical Insurance Recommendations
The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance advise having at least $100,000 of medical expense coverage when traveling internationally. Most medical evacuations can cost at least $50,000+, so having a minimum of $100,000 of medical evacuation benefits is best. Therefore, if most of your time is in remote parts of Mexico, we’d recommend at least $250,000 of medical evacuation benefits.
Safety & Travel Tip Resources
U.S. Embassy in Mexico
Top 5 Hidden Gems in Mexico No One Is Talking About
Is it Safe to Travel to Cancun? Tip You Need to Know [GUIDE]
Now What?
If you haven’t already gotten travel insurance for your trip to Mexico, what are you waiting for? Yonder makes it easy to quote and compare policies from the top travel insurance providers. If you need a little extra help, reach out to our friendly humans for a policy recommendation or travel insurance advice.
As a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in the travel insurance industry, Meagan has honed her expertise in marketing and operations working for Yonder Travel Insurance.
Throughout her career, she's shown dedication assisting customers at every stage of their travel insurance journey, from the initial quote process to navigating the claims process. Her expert understanding of travel insurance equips her to provide unbiased and valuable insights, which help travelers find the best coverage and maximize its benefits.
