7 Best Travel Insurance Options for México + 2 Free Alternatives

 

Embarking on an exciting journey to Mexico is undoubtedly thrilling, but it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed with all the preparations. From booking flights and accommodations to planning activities and dealing with potential jet lag, one crucial aspect often gets neglected – travel insurance.

If you find yourself in this situation, fear not! Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about getting the perfect travel insurance for your Mexico trip. We’ll present you with a comprehensive list of the top and most budget-friendly options available!

But before we dive into the specifics…

 

Do I really need travel insurance for a trip to the Mexico? 

 

Absolutely, without a doubt!

Having comprehensive travel insurance is an absolute necessity, especially for adventurous travelers like myself, who often engage in activities that come with higher risks of injury and potential medical expenses.

Throughout my journeys, I’m constantly seeking thrilling pursuits such as mountain trekking, rock climbing, skydiving, scuba diving, and exploring everything that defines a perfect adventure!

Let’s imagine a scenario: picture yourself skiing in Switzerland without travel insurance, and unfortunately, you sustain an injury on the slopes, requiring a helicopter evacuation. Just glimpsing at the medical bill while lying in your hospital bed would likely be enough to induce a panic attack!

But here’s the reality: getting travel insurance is a wise decision, regardless of your travel destination.

During my travels, I’ve met numerous backpackers sporting the infamous “Thai Tattoo” – large scars on their legs caused by burns from scooter exhaust pipes in Thailand!

And honestly, do you really want to find yourself in a public hospital in the heart of Bangkok?!?! With travel insurance, you have the option to choose a private hospital where you’ll undoubtedly receive superior care. So, why take unnecessary risks? Ensure you’re covered and relish your trip to the fullest!

 

But do I actually need travel insurance? I don’t usually do any extreme activities or sports!

Pay attention: whether you’re gearing up for a shopping spree in Miami or any other trip, travel insurance is an absolute must!

While health insurance might not be required in Mexico, as it is in some other countries, there’s always an inherent level of risk when traveling. From simple mishaps like tripping on the street to more serious incidents like injuries or illnesses, unforeseen circumstances can arise.

Relying solely on Mexico’s health system (or that of many other countries) without any insurance coverage is like inviting a personal financial disaster.

Furthermore, be aware that several countries, including Mexico, may demand you to possess some form of health or travel insurance as a condition for entry.

And let’s not overlook the fact that travel insurance goes beyond medical emergencies. Depending on your plan, it can also provide compensation for lost luggage, flight delays, adverse weather conditions, and even assist with organizing your evacuation from a country in case of civil unrest.

So, before you embark on your journey, make sure you’re protected with the right travel insurance plan! It’s a smart decision that guarantees peace of mind throughout your adventures.

 

Update regarding travel insurance and the coronavirus (COVID-19)

While Covid-19 hasn’t been completely eradicated yet, you might be wondering if your travel insurance will provide coverage in case you fall sick.

Thankfully, at this point, almost every travel insurance plan available does include coverage for sickness caused by Covid-19. However, I highly recommend carefully reviewing the details of your policy before making the final purchase. Being well-informed about the exact coverage will give you the peace of mind you need throughout your travels.

(Or for more details, you can also take a look at our article here: Does International Health and Travel Insurance cover Coronavirus (COVID-19)?) 

 

Observation: While the travel insurance options mentioned above are tailored for tourists, if your purpose of travel to Mexico is educational, it’s crucial to explore international health insurance plans specifically designed for international students. On the other hand, if you’re heading to the US for work or as an immigrant, you’ll need a health insurance policy tailored for expatriates. You can find suitable options for these types of coverage at the end of the article linked here. Be sure to explore the available choices that align perfectly with your travel and residency needs.

 

How does the health system in the Mexico work? 

What are the best travel insurance options for a trip to Mexico? 

   1. The well-known, mid-priced travel insurance company:

IMG Global (accepts citizens from most countries!) 

Certainly! IMG (International Medical Group) is a renowned American insurance provider that offers travel insurance to individuals from over 190 countries.

This makes IMG an outstanding choice to consider when seeking travel insurance for your upcoming trip to Mexico, irrespective of your country of origin!

With their extensive coverage and worldwide reach, IMG is a dependable option for travelers who desire peace of mind throughout their journeys. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore their offerings and discover the ideal travel insurance plan that suits your needs, guaranteeing a worry-free adventure in Mexico!

They have one travel insurance plan available for Americans only (Patriot Travel Medical Insurance) and one available for non-American travelers (Patriot America Plus).

You have the flexibility to choose your desired level of coverage, ranging from US$50,000 to US$500,000, and there are deductible options available from US$0 to US$2,500.

When it comes to pricing, IMG’s rates are generally competitive. However, similar to some other options mentioned earlier, certain activities may not be covered under their policies.

To ensure that you have all the essential coverage tailored to your specific needs, I highly recommend thoroughly reviewing the policy details before making a final purchase. This way, you can travel with confidence and assurance, knowing that your chosen policy provides the comprehensive protection you require. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable journey!

Travel insurance for seniors (65+): one thing that makes IMG unique is that they offer a travel insurance plan specifically tailored to travelers aged 65 and over, called GlobeHopper Senior. 

 

IMGlobal travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

 

 

 

   2. The best, most comprehensive travel insurance company for backpackers and adventurous travelers:

World Nomads Travel Insurance

(5% discount coupon comfort5)

(P.S. If you’re anything like me and are also addicted to sports and adventure activities and want to make sure you have good travel insurance that covers them, here are two other articles you might like: 3 Best International Travel Insurance for Extreme Sports and Adventure Activities and 9 Tips to Stay in Shape During Your Travels.) 

 

WorldNomads travel insurance and coronavirus coverage

As of writing this article, World Nomads doesn’t explicitly address whether or not their insurance plans cover Covid-19 treatment. However, you can find their most up-to-date position on the coronavirus on their website here. 

 

 

 

   3. One of the cheapest travel insurance companies you’ll find anywhere:

WorldTrips (formerly Atlas Travel)

WorldTrips travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

 

 

   4. The new international travel insurance company for digital nomads and adventure/extreme sports:

 

Safety Wing

One thing that makes Safety Wing stand out is its focus on insurance plans that cover adventure sports and extreme activities. (Like WorldNomads!) 

Plus, their website is fun and allows you to easily and quickly get a quote. 

 

Safety Wing travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

 

 

   5. The best place to find & compare cheap travel insurance policies:

 

VisitorsCoverage

It’s a bit like Momondo, which lets you compare plane tickets from different companies. Or Rentalcar.com, which does the same rental cars. 

In other words, it makes it much easier to see all your options for travel insurance plans. And then ultimately compare, choose, and buy the best option for your trip. 

 

VisitorsCoverage travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

 

   6. Another great website to search for and compare cheap travel insurance policies:

 

TravelInsurance.com

 

TravelInsurance.com and coronavirus coverage

 

   7. A final “travel insurance portal” option to search for and compare policies to find the best deal:

AARDY

AARDY travel insurance and COVID-19 coverage

Since AARDY itself isn’t a travel insurance provider and is only a portal that lets you compare insurance from many companies, you’ll have to look into the individual insurance company before you buy your plan to see what their position is on Covid-19 coverage. 

 

 

Bonus option to find and compare many different travel insurance plans at once:

 

InsureMyTrip

It’s a lot like Momondo, which is an aggregator for airline tickets, or Rentalcar.com, which is an aggregator for car rentals.

But if you’re looking for a plan like this to complement your travel insurance, check out my article on the 5 Best & Cheapest Health Insurances for International Students or 5 Best International Health Insurances for Expats & Immigrants.

 

InsureMyTrip travel insurance and Covid-19 coverage

Since InsureMyTrip itself isn’t a travel insurance provider and is only an aggregator that lets you compare insurance from many companies, you’ll have to look into the individual insurance company before you buy your plan to see what their position is on Covid-19 coverage. 

 

 

But wait….you might not even need to buy travel insurance!

Here are two sneaky ways you might be able to get “free” travel insurance 🙂 

 

   1. Buy your return flight ticket with a credit card to (maybe) get free insurance for your trip.  

 

*CORRECTION:

According to a valuable comment from blog reader Alex on the Portuguese version of this article, if you possess a Visa Platinum credit card and use the accumulated miles to pay for ticket taxes and fees, you may be eligible for their worldwide travel insurance.

However, I recommend personally verifying this information with your credit card provider since the benefits offered by the same credit cards can vary based on the countries they are issued in. Thank you, Alex, for sharing this insightful tip!

Additionally, thanks to a comment from reader Ana Luisa, I’ve learned that the Visa Platinum insurance typically provides coverage for 60 days, which is longer than the usual 30-day coverage offered by most other credit cards.

Nonetheless, if your trip exceeds this duration, it is advisable to supplement the remaining portion of your journey with a regular travel insurance policy. With the Visa Platinum insurance, you can save some money during the first two months of your trip. Always ensure you have the appropriate coverage for the entire duration of your travels to ensure a worry-free journey. It’s essential to be well-prepared and adequately covered throughout your entire trip.

 

   2. Use your health insurance policy from your home country or country of residence. 

A quick note about travel insurance for cruising: 

Recently, someone inquired about whether any of these travel insurance plans could be used for cruise trips, so I conducted some research.

Based on the information I gathered, both WorldNomads and WorldTrips will cover you on a cruise.

WorldTrips has confirmed via email that their Atlas plan provides coverage for medical evacuation from a cruise ship if required, depending on the circumstances.

It appears that all travel insurance plans offered by WorldNomads also extend coverage to cruisers. However, please bear in mind that there is an age limit of 66 for their plans. On the other hand, WorldTrips has the advantage of not having any age limit for their coverage, making it an appealing option for older travelers.

As for the other companies mentioned, I am still awaiting confirmation from them regarding their coverage for cruisers. It’s always prudent to obtain clear and detailed information about your travel insurance options before making a decision. Safe travels, and I hope you find the perfect plan for your journey! It’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of your travel insurance coverage, especially when embarking on a cruise trip. Always verify the specifics with the insurance providers to ensure you have the appropriate protection throughout your cruise journey.

 

Fraud Warning! As previously mentioned, both WorldNomads and WorldTrips offer the flexibility of purchasing travel insurance even after you’ve begun your trip. However, it’s crucial to be cautious about potential fraudulent practices.

It’s important to understand that buying travel insurance after you’ve fallen ill or experienced an accident, in the hope of obtaining coverage for that specific incident, is not permissible. Insurance companies are aware of this possibility, and most policies contain an “anti-fraud” clause to prevent such actions. According to this clause, you can only utilize your insurance policy 48 hours after its purchase.

For instance, if you become seriously ill during your trip and decide to buy travel insurance then to cover your medical treatment, you’ll have to wait for 48 hours before your policy becomes valid for reimbursement. Furthermore, you’ll need to provide evidence to your insurance provider that the illness occurred after you purchased the policy.

However, in the case of an accident, you can use your insurance within the 48-hour window. Nevertheless, you must be able to demonstrate that the accident took place after you acquired your travel insurance plan.

To reiterate, attempting to deceive insurance companies by purchasing a policy and then swiftly seeking reimbursement for a pre-existing condition or recent incident is not a viable strategy. Insurance companies employ measures to investigate such situations and ensure they are not being deceived. So, it’s imperative to adhere to the guidelines and use travel insurance responsibly and honestly to guarantee appropriate coverage for your travels. Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen incidents, not to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions or incidents that occurred before obtaining the policy.

 

 Can I use traveling insurance while living abroad as an expat or an immigrant? 

If you’re living overseas or traveling in a country for a short period, you might be okay with just travel insurance. 

But you’re looking for more complete coverage (travel insurance usually just covers medical emergencies), if you’re going to be living abroad long-term, or if you need proof of health insurance for immigration purposes, then what you actually need is an international health insurance plan for expats or immigrants. 

If you’d like to learn more about the differences between travel insurance and international health insurance, then you can take a look at our article about the 3 Best International Health Insurance for Expats & Immigrants.

Or, you can quote directly with some of these expat insurance companies here:

   Cigna

   IMGlobal

   Now Health International

 

Can I use travel insurance during my international exchange or while studying abroad?

If you’re an international student and think you might need one of these special medical insurance plans, then take a look at my page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Health Insurances for International Students & Exchanges to learn more.

Again, you can check out directly some of these international student insurance companies here:

   IMGlobal   

   Cigna for International Students

   Now Health International

 

International travel insurance coverage for terrorism

I’ve had a few comments in both the English and the Portuguese article asking if travel insurance covers acts of terrorism. 

I did  a bit of research, and here’s what I found out: 

Although WorldTrip’s basic travel insurance plan doesn’t cover terrorism, their Atlas Premium plan DOES cover “treatment of injuries and illnesses relating from an act of terrorism, up to the limit set forth in the schedule of benefits and limits.” So yes, they do appear to have terrorism coverage. 

If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being injured in a terrorist event while traveling, having WorldTrip’s Atlas Premium plan can provide essential coverage. This plan is designed to offer protection during unforeseen circumstances, providing you with a crucial safety net during challenging times.

Additionally, many of WorldTrip’s plans include a valuable “Crisis Response Cover,” which extends protection in the event of civil or political unrest, natural disasters, or other crises that travelers may encounter abroad. This comprehensive coverage even includes scenarios of “express kidnapping,” covering response expenses, ransom, and personal belongings surrendered.

It’s worth noting that while the “Crisis Response” feature is highly beneficial, it may not be available in certain countries. These countries include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, and North Korea. However, in most of these countries, your regular travel insurance coverage will still remain valid, minus the specific “crisis” aspect of the coverage.

As always, carefully review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to fully comprehend the extent of coverage and any limitations concerning your travel destination. Travel insurance serves as a vital safeguard, offering peace of mind and security throughout your journeys. WorldTrip’s Atlas Premium plan provides valuable protection during unforeseen events, and their Crisis Response Cover adds an extra layer of security for travelers facing challenging situations while abroad. Be sure to check the availability of the Crisis Response feature in your intended travel destination and have a comprehensive understanding of your coverage to travel with confidence and peace of mind.

 

General tips to help you get back your travel insurance reimbursement:

All the travel insurance companies I recommended above have extensive networks of hospitals, clinics, and doctors. The best approach is to seek treatment at one of these in-network facilities.

By doing so, you won’t be required to pay anything out of pocket, as the treatment bill will be directly submitted to the insurer for payment (unless the treatment surpasses the maximum coverage amount).

For this reason, in the event of any unexpected circumstances such as illness or an accident, it is crucial to promptly contact your travel insurance provider. They will guide you on which in-network doctor or hospital to visit for seeking treatment.

In situations where accessing an in-network medical provider is not possible, you’ll have to pay for the treatment upfront and then apply for reimbursement from the insurance company later on.

As you may know, dealing with insurance companies, whether for cars, homes, health, or travel, can be a bit challenging, and they often require precise documentation before releasing payments.

To assist you in the process, here’s a list of the documents that travel insurance companies typically request when you file a claim to seek reimbursement for medical expenses incurred during your trip: [List of required documents]. Providing the necessary documentation in a well-organized manner can expedite the reimbursement process and ensure a smoother experience with the insurance company.

 

But first, a few insurance terms to cover:

*make a claim: ask an insurance company for reimbursement for medical expenses

*insurer: the travel insurance company

*beneficiary = claimant = the insured: the person (you) who is asking the insurance company for money/reimbursement

 

List of documents usually requested by travel insurance policies when you seek reimbursement for medical expenses (if you were treated by an out-of-network provider): 

• Copy of the claimant’s national ID (driver’s license or other state-issued ID)
• Copy of Proof of Residency (any current proof – from the last 3 months – with the name of the claimant). If you don’t have this, send a declaration of residence that is completed, signed, and notarized by the insurer.
• For minors, a declaration of residence must be completed, signed, and notarized by the respective legal guardian (form provided by the insurer)
• Copy of the claimant’s voucher
• Original registration information form, signed by the beneficiary (form provided by the insurer)
• Copy of passport (ID page + page with entrance and exit stamps from the country where the accident happened) or other documentation that shows beneficiary was outside of habitual domicile when an accident happened (aka your home country) – for example: airplane tickets (by the way, you should always keep your boarding pass until the end of your trip, not only for filing a possible claim but also request your miles!)
• Presentation of the original medical report with descriptions of the procedures, provided by the health professional or medical center with a clear indication of the diagnosis, clinical history, and admission form, in the case of hospitalization
• Original prescription (if the pharmacy still has the prescription, send your x-ray or a document showing you picked up your medicine in exchange for the prescription)
• Invoice of the medical procedures or the pharmacy receipt with medications prescribed, which should match the quality and quantity of the provided prescription
• Report of medical care (explaining the reason, what happened and how the treatment went – both from the travel insurance staff as well the health providers), written by the beneficiary 
• A completed list of expenses (form provided by the insurer)
• Your contact phone number, address, and e-mail
• Proof of bank info (copy of bank statement header, check, or debit card)

 

To summarize, these as the best travel insurance companies for the Mexico:

1. IMGlobal
2. World Nomads Travel Insurance
3. WorldTrips
4. Safety Wing
5. VisitorsCoverage
6. TravelInsurance.com
7. AARDY
8. InsureMyTrip

 

My final advice:

Absolutely, without a doubt!

Having comprehensive travel insurance is an absolute necessity, especially for adventurous travelers like myself, who often participate in activities that come with higher risks of injury and potential medical expenses.

Throughout my journeys, I’m constantly seeking thrilling pursuits such as mountain hiking, climbing, jumping, diving, and exploring everything that defines a perfect adventure!

Let’s envision a scenario: picture yourself snowboarding in Switzerland without travel insurance, and unfortunately, you sustain an injury on the mountain, necessitating a helicopter evacuation. Just glancing at the medical bill while lying in your hospital bed would likely be enough to induce a panic attack!

But here’s the reality: acquiring travel insurance is a wise decision, regardless of your travel destination.

During my travels, I’ve encountered numerous backpackers sporting the infamous “Thai Tattoo” – sizable scars on their legs caused by burns from scooter exhaust pipes in Thailand!

And honestly, do you really want to find yourself in a public hospital in the heart of Bangkok?!?! With travel insurance, you have the option to choose a private hospital where you’ll undoubtedly receive superior care. So, why take unnecessary risks? Ensure you’re covered and relish your trip to the fullest!

Importantly, don’t forget to acquire travel insurance before your trip! If you’re already on the road and haven’t purchased insurance, make it a priority to do so as soon as possible. And if you’ve already secured a policy but need to extend it (which WorldNomads and WorldTrips allow), ensure you do it before it expires.

This way, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you’re covered for the entirety of your journey to Mexico.

Now, it’s your turn. Have you had any experiences with travel insurance? Have you ever needed to use your policy? If so, which company did you use, and how was the claims process? Or do you still have any questions about travel insurance in general?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and I’ll be sure to respond!

Wishing you safe and happy travels! (And let’s hope you never have to use that travel insurance plan you just purchased!)