How does insurance work in Mexico?
In Mexico, each party involved in a car accident must provide proof of valid insurance or financial responsibility. And, drivers in Mexico must have insurance from a Mexican company. Allstate works with insurance companies in Mexico to help provide coverage for you and your vehicle.
The healthcare system in Mexico is a blend of public and private institutions. The public sector provides healthcare for the uninsured through the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) and the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE).
No, U.S. auto insurance policies aren't valid in Mexico. If you'll be driving in Mexico, even for a short time, auto insurance is required by Mexican law, and you could end up in jail if you're involved in an accident and don't have it.
Liability car insurance in Mexico
You are required by Mexican law to have liability insurance. If you cause a car accident, this covers bodily injuries and property damage to others. You can typically choose a policy limit (up to a certain amount).
Your U.S. auto insurance won't cover you after crossing the border of Mexico. You'll need a special Mexican auto insurance policy to legally drive in Mexico, which can be acquired through an insurance agent.
Treatment Type | Price in USD $ |
---|---|
Routine Checkup | $12 to $15 |
Complete Blood Work | $50 to $80 |
X-Ray | $24 to $30 |
MRI | $300 to $500 |
Public healthcare has an elaborate provisioning and delivery system instituted by the Mexican government. It is provided to all Mexican citizens, as guaranteed by Article 4 of the Constitution. Public care is fully or partially subsidized by the federal government, depending upon the person's employment status.
A simple doctor's office visit costs about 400 pesos or roughly US$20. Diagnostic tests can cost up to a third less in Mexico compared to the United States or Canada. However, costs can quickly add up for more complicated procedures.
Since U.S. liability insurance is invalid in Mexico, you'll need proof of Mexico auto insurance for a road trip south of the border. AAA can help you get what's required through one of Mexico's largest and most reputable insurance companies.
Healthcare System in Mexico
The services offered by IMSS are free of charge for its beneficiaries. For temporary residents and tourists, private healthcare is available in Mexico. There are many private hospitals and clinics that offer high-quality medical services.
What happens if you don't have insurance in Mexico?
If you're caught driving in Mexico without this minimum coverage, you may face a fine of at least $200. If you cause an accident while driving uninsured in Mexico and cannot pay for the damages you caused, you could face jail time.
Mexico Insurance provides a customer with liability and asset protection necessary to be in compliance with Mexican law while visiting Mexico. Mexican law requires this insurance to drive into Mexico. Mexico insurance can only be purchased at the rental counter and not online.
Mexican law requires all drivers, including U.S. tourists who plan to drive in the country, to have liability coverage. The minimum requirements are: 100,000 Mexican pesos (around $5,000) for bodily injury and death liability coverage. 50,000 Mexican pesos (around $2,500) for property liability damage.
Immediate Steps After an Car Accident in Mexico:
Stay calm and call 911. Check to see if anyone is injured or hurt, offer help, if possible. Get the names and addresses of all the drivers involved in the accident. Get the license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved in the accident.
How Much is Mexican Car Insurance Per Day? The costs average between $2 and $40 a day. The cost depend on several factors including type of vehicle, length of stay and the type of coverage you choose. You can purchase a policy for a day, a month, or a year.
Similar to car insurance policies in the U.S., Mexican car insurance costs will vary from provider to provider and from person to person. For most providers, rates can be anywhere between $1 to $70 per day depending on your length of stay and vehicle type; we'll do a deep dive into both below.
United States of America | Mexico | |
---|---|---|
CT (computer tomography) | from $350 | from $304 |
Medical tourists from the United States most commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, and to several other countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The reasons people may seek medical care in another country include: Cost: To get a treatment or procedure that may be cheaper in another country.
USA health insurance coverage is not accepted in private hospitals of Mexico. The same is applicable for Medicare as well. Unless you have a USA health plan that covers healthcare in Mexico, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for availing medical services.
The Healthcare System in Mexico
Long waits to see a doctor or dentist are rare, results from tests are often given directly to the patient on the same day, and many medications are sold over the counter, with made-in-Mexico drugs costing less than half the price of their U.S. equivalents.
Why do Americans go to Mexico for healthcare?
“It's economics,” Néstor Rodriguez, an immigration studies expert and professor of sociology at the University of Texas at Austin told BBC. “Medicines and services are cheaper in Mexico, especially dental procedures. You can get your teeth cleaned or an implant for a fraction of the cost of what you get in the US.”
How does Mexico perform overall? 72% of the population is covered for a core set of services. 57% of people were satisfied with the availability of quality healthcare (OECD average 67%). Financial coverage, with 50% of spending covered by mandatory prepayment, was lower than the OECD average of 76%.
Standard Medicare A & B can be used only in the USA. No coverage is provided for Standard Medicare A & B in Mexico. Now what to do if you just have Standard Medicare A & B? Well, then you will have to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Supplement Plan.
United States of America | Mexico | |
---|---|---|
MRI of one area | from $1000 | from $365 |
That is because surgeons have lower costs overall in Mexico, savings they pass on to patients, Vequist said. That includes everything from lower costs for property and pharmaceutical drugs to lower salaries for medical staff, such as nurses and anesthesiology providers.
References
- https://altrus.org/healthcare-in-mexico-understanding-your-options-as-a-foreigner/
- https://www.pacificprime.lat/blog/what-is-the-cost-of-treatment-in-mexico/
- https://www.cignaglobal.com/where-we-cover/mexico
- https://us-uk.bookimed.com/clinics/country=mexico/procedure=ct/
- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/medical-tourism
- https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/travel-services/mexico-insurance.html
- https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/productservice/index.jsp?targetPage=mexico_insurance.jsp&leftNavUserSelection=globNav_3_5_1&selectedRegion=United%20States
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/auto/car-insurance-for-trip-to-mexico
- https://us-uk.bookimed.com/clinics/country=mexico/procedure=mri-one-department/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cheap-cosmetic-surgery-lures-us-citizens-mexico-kidnappings-reveal-dan-rcna73837
- https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/tips-for-driving-in-mexico
- https://www.oecd.org/mexico/health-at-a-glance-Mexico-EN.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Mexico
- https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/why-are-so-many-us-citizens-travelling-to-mexico-for-medical-care-what-are-the-dangers-involved-12271702.html
- https://www.lakemedicalgroup.com/blog/health-insurance-coverage-for-expats-in-mexico
- https://www.lakemedicalgroup.com/blog/how-to-use-medicare-in-mexico
- https://www.freeway.com/insurance-options/mexican-car-insurance/
- https://www.autoinsurance.com/articles/car-insurance-cost-mexico/
- https://internationalliving.com/countries/mexico/health-care/
- https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/mexico.php
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/auto/mexican-car-insurance
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/mexican-auto-insurance/
- https://www.puertopenascomexico.com/car-accidents-in-mexico/
- https://www.progressive.com/answers/do-you-need-car-insurance-for-mexico-trip/