Make sure you have the correct Mexico insurance before you go to work, live or travel in this vast and vibrant country. Drug-related crime and kidnapping are a major problem in some areas, and other risks can be presented by hurricanes, hazardous roads and disease.

Potential risks you might encounter in Mexico

Huge, colourful and diverse in both culture and landscape, Mexico is also the second largest economy in Latin America. Though badly hit by the global recession, the country is now recovering with foreign investment pouring millions into the country.

However its northern states are increasingly blighted by drug-related violence as cocaine is trafficked from Colombia in the south to the US in the north. Since 2006, it’s estimated that around 30,000 people have died as a result of this trade. Though most of this violence involves those directly involved in criminal activity it still poses a significant threat to visitors and most foreign companies employ private security.

Mexico has one of the world’s highest rates for kidnapping and, depending on where you are planning to work, it might be wise to include kidnap insurance in your Mexico insurance plan. The statistics for kidnap here are staggering. In 2007 the number of reported kidnappings stood at 438. In 2013, the figure reached 1,700. However, it is believed that these figures represent just 2% of the true total, since most victims don’t report abductions for fear of reprisals. This means that the actual number of kidnappings could be closer to 105,000 a year.  

While most drug-related crime is concentrated in the northern states, there can be occasional incidents of politically motivated violence in some of the southern states and you are advised to be cautious and avoid public demonstrations.

Street crime can be a problem in urban and tourist areas, and due to a rise in bus robbery and hijacking, visitors are advised to use only first class buses travelling on toll roads. If you are travelling about, don’t visibly carry valuables and ensure that your Mexico travel insurance provides adequate cover in the event of robbery.

Healthcare facilities vary and you should take precautions in areas where malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis A, typhoid and leptospirosis are prevalent. Comprehensive Mexico health insurance should include provision for evacuation by air ambulance for medical emergencies.

The hurricane season from June to November can see both east and west coasts battered by storms and you should ensure that you are properly informed about impending storms at all times.