What happens if you don't have insurance in Mexico?
Mexico legally requires all drivers, including American tourists, to have liability insurance, and failing to purchase enough insurance could land drivers in jail should they cause an accident.
The only type of coverage you're legally required to have in Mexico is liability, and you'll need to get it through a specialized insurer.
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).
Although healthcare in Mexican private hospitals is only about half as expensive as it is in the United States it can still be too much to pay out-of-pocket, and so a good private health insurance policy is a must.
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.
The Cost of Health Insurance in Mexico
For foreigners living in Mexico, the average cost of a comprehensive health insurance plan is $5,900 per year. Most U.S. citizens also purchase additional coverage in the U.S., and so their premiums are higher.
Public healthcare system in Mexico
Those employed in Mexico are automatically enrolled in the IMSS system and their contribution to the scheme is deducted from their salary. Those who are not formally employed may voluntarily enrol in the IMSS system, in which case they will have to pay an annual contribution fee.
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.
For example, some include Mexico in a subset of countries that includes the United States, Canada and nations in the Caribbean – places notorious for high medical costs and therefore the most expensive for insurance purposes. A policy that covers every country is known as Worldwide.
And depending on many factors (including what car you're driving, how long you're staying, and which coverage options you choose), the cost ranges from $2 to $40 per day. If you're traveling south of the border for a week, you can get coverage for as little as $14.
Can I get Mexican health insurance?
You may be eligible for Mexico's public health insurance as a US citizen if you or a family member work in Mexico's public or private sector businesses and have temporary or permanent residency there.
The cost of Mexican car insurance for tourists can range from about $50 to $80 for liability-only coverage and $150 to $200 for full coverage. The specific price you pay depends on factors such as the value of your car, the length of your visit and the coverages you choose.
Mexico's public health service does not have reciprocal agreements with any other country, and US Medicare is not available here so visitors and foreign residents need to make specific provision for their health care needs.
Do Mexican hospitals accept USA coverage? 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.
After the program was enacted in 2003, Mexico's federal and state governments worked with civil society institutions to enroll more than 53 million people in the first ten years of the program, achieving universal coverage in 2012.
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.
A recent study reported that a single day in a hospital in the U.S. costs around $1,514 while according to the World Health Organization the healthcare costs in Mexico are less than $120.
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.
Popular Treatments
The savings from most medical procedures performed in Mexico range from 36% to 89% as compared to those in the U.S. While estimates do range, it's generally significantly cheaper to get medical procedures done in Mexico.
Mexico's healthcare system is of generally high standards – you can expect a good level of care at a relatively affordable rate, similar to many Latin American countries.
Is education in Mexico free?
Throughout all three levels of schooling, attendance is compulsory. Public schools in Mexico are free of charge and secular. Unfortunately, the schools are often underfunded and lacking in resources. This is especially true in rural areas, with urban centres being only somewhat better.
There are good doctors in Mexico, but you need to do some research. Public healthcare is cheap, but its quality varies. Private healtcare prices varies, but you can easily find hospitals or small clinics that are both really good, and cheap.
A 2020 research paper that surveyed some 427 Americans crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in California for medical services found that most of the respondents "felt that Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States, for a lower cost."
In 2020, approximately 47 million people in Mexico had access to the public health insurance system through Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). It reached more than 37 percent of the Mexican population that year.
As a developing market economy, Mexico has a lower cost of living than the U.S. and, consequently, lower wages. Energy, materials and transportation are also much more affordable in Mexico than in the U.S.
