When you travel in Mexico, whether it's for pleasure or business, you will need to be properly insured for your health.

If you live in Europe or Australia and are used to free health care at point of delivery (or through a Government-based insurance program) be aware that Mexico does NOT have reciprocal agreements with any other country for health care services.

You must buy travel insurance in your country of residence. It can be purchased at airports and convenience stores, but at a higher premium than if you buy ahead of time, online.

This guide will give you an excellent overview of what you need to know to get properly insured at the best possible price in Mexico.

Mexico does not have any reciprocal health care agreements with any other country in the world. This means that you MUST pay for any treatment you receive from private medical professionals as well as medicines and support services from private clinics and hospitals. Private health care is expensive in Mexico and all private medical facilities require a credit card and/or proof of insurance before they will treat you. Being properly insured for medical care when you visit Mexico is essential.

It's also important to check what services they have in place to support you once you are abroad. The key questions to ask are: Does the policy cover you overseas -- and specifically in Mexico? Does your medical plan provide a Mexican toll-free access number with English-speaking operators on standy-by to assist you anytime? What choice of clinics and hospitals do you have? Does your plan cover specialist care and any special reuqirements you or your family may have? What are the limitations and what are the excess fees? How many days may you be abroad before the cover expires?

Check with your health care company to ensure you're properly covered (see our Buying Guide, below, for guidelines). If their policy falls short, you may usually purchase a top-up plan or find a specialist provider who can supply you with the right cover for your specific needs.

Visitors & Travelers Medical Insurance
Eligibility:   All Nationalities
Coverage: Worldwide Including US & Canada, (15 days to 3 Year)

Travel Insurance -v- Travel Assistance
When you're buying travel insurance, it's important to check what support services the insurance plan offers you once you are in Mexico. Who do you call in an emergency? Is there a single point of contact? Will they help you find a doctor, a private clinic, a lawyer if you need one (for example, if you are involved in a nasty accident)... Will they call your loved ones at home to pass on any messages if you are unable to do so personally? Check for the extra services on offer when you're choosing your cover plan. Many insurance companies offer "bread and butter" (standard policy) cover for roughly the same price. However, when you're in an emergency situation, it is the extra support they have (or perhaps don't have!) in place that could make all the difference to you.

As a general guide, you should look for a policy that covers at least:

Medical Expenses to at least US$5m:
This should include the costs of repatriation back home should you or members of your family require it. If you have a health care plan which covers the major costs once you get home, you may only need a top-up insurance plan to pay your repatriation costs. Commercial airlines will not fly you home if you are seriously ill or incapacitated -- a private air charter will be required. They are expensive and an insurance plan should allay those fees.

Personal Accident Cover:
Your insurance should provide cover for personal bodily injuries. Material losses - for example, loss of plane tickets, delay and / or cancellation of flights should also be included.

Theft of personal items:
These should include luggage and small amounts of cash (usually up to a couple of hundred dollars). If you are carrying items of particularly high value (e.g. a very expensive watch) be sure to check this is covered explicitly in the policy.

Third Party Liability:
Your plan should cover your liability to third parties in case you accidentally hurt them in some way; this is normally standard in a comprehensive insurance plan. Your insurance should also cover legal assistance costs, should you need them while traveling in Mexico.

Travel Assistance:
Check carefully to see what travel assistance is offered by your plan. Travel assistance is different from insurance per se: Assistance includes things like putting you in touch with appropriate local doctors, finding a local lawyer who speaks English if you need one, and getting messages to loved ones back home if you cannot do that yourself.

High Risk Activities
In addition to the comprehensive insurance outlined above, you need to take out additional cover for you and your family if you are planning (or may have a chance of) taking part in any adventurous activities, or activities that insurers consider to be "high risk"...

If you are taking part in (or there is a possibility that you might take part in) any adventure activities, such as (but not limited to) Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Power-boating, Jet Skiing, Mountain Biking, climbing, caving, bungee jumping and the like, be sure to check your existing cover (if you have medical and travel insurance already).

Make absolutely sure that any high risk activities are explicitly specified on your insurance policy documentation as being covered in the event of an accident. You will need to pay an additional premium to get cover for activities defined as adventurous or high risk by insurance companies - even if you personally don't consider them to be high risk!

If you are doing anything that may be considered "high risk" by an insurer (that is, out of the scope of 'normal vacation activity'), be sure check with your insurer and cover yourself and your family accordingly.

If you are unsure, ask your insurance company and, if necessary, get agreement of the specific activity included in the wording of the policy between you and the insurer.

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