You do not want to get stranded in a foreign country without proper travel medical insurance. So while it is not mandatory to get travel medical insurance to tour Mexico, it makes sense to get better safety. The US State Department says: "We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel."
Many travelers commit the mistake of not bothering to take Mexican medical insurance and end up paying out of their pockets for their treatments. No matter the severity of the medical emergency you may suffer, quality healthcare is necessary. And as a foreigner, you may have little information and direction as to approaching healthcare facilities and what constitutes fair payment for the medical services you receive. But there are many real-life stories where travelers end up paying more than they should during an accident or get stuck in Mexico as they couldn’t pay up for the piling treatment costs.
Having travel medical insurance provides you with informed options of quality healthcare, and makes sure you are not unguarded in case of an unforeseen medical emergency: IMG describes its Patriot plans as including global emergency assistance services.
Types of Insurance in Mexico That Provide Medical Coverage
Different types of insurance can provide medical coverage in Mexico.
Travel Medical Insurance
These are comprehensive insurance products that primarily deal with emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and personal liability coverage. These may also offer theft protection, disaster coverage, and accidental death coverage as well. IMG's Patriot plans are travel medical insurance; IMG says they include global emergency assistance services and exclude pre-existing conditions. For medical evacuation, read the plan's evacuation terms or see our separate medical evacuation page.
Trip Protection
Trip protection is a separate product from travel medical insurance. See our trip protection page, and check any plan's wording for what, if anything, it pays toward medical expenses.
Auto Insurance
If you are taking your car into Mexico, you also need Mexican auto insurance: vehicles on Mexican federal roads must carry third-party liability insurance (Ley de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, art. 63 Bis). Insurance is not among the documents the Consulate General of Mexico in Montreal lists for a temporary vehicle import permit. Baja Bound's auto page lists medical payments for the driver and passengers; check your policy for the limit, and treat it as a supplement to, not a substitute for, travel medical insurance.
In many ways, comprehensive travel insurance is the best choice for medical expense coverage while in Mexico. Such insurance products can provide you with more options of hospitals to choose from and flexible terms. Get a quote for your own dates, age and the coverage you want. You will have to compare the various insurance products offered by travel insurance providers and choose the best that suits your needs. Do take due diligence and decide to buy from genuine vendors who have a good trust score.
Heading to Mexico soon? Get a travel medical insurance quote.