Protex, Boomer's Insurance, etc.

My wife and I are looking for bare-bones, catastrohpic-only health insurance coverage (Mexico only). No interest in dealing with the nightmare that is the IMSS clinic in Chapala, Seguro Popular seems iffy in Jalisco too from what I can tell (it's excellent in Guanajuato where we were living before). That seems to leave private plans, and I'm looking into Protex and Boomer's insurance. Have had quotes from Seguros Monterrey and others before but the premiums are nearly U.S. level and for that we'd rather self-insure - which may be our best choice anyway.

Any experiences good or bad appreciated. We are young(er) and (knock on wood) in decent health but would like to insure against major catastrophes if we can.

Forget it, just self insure. Half the time these guys won't pay without legal action.

We use IMSS for catastrophes and have only used it once in 13 years. It worked out fine.

Other than that we have had NO good experiences with health insurance companies here, NONE. Keep in mind that medical costs are roughly, depending on the service and hospital roughly 10 to 20% of the costs in the U.S.

If you have insurance and go to one of the big hospitals your deductible will probably wind up costing more than paying cash and cutting a deal.

Listen to her, coffee guy, she's right!
Sign up for SP, self insure, and call it a day.

Thank you both very much!

Just read an article in the current Guadalajara Reporter about how the IMSS system is going to be broke in 2015. Cheery news for those of us who've been paying in for years, eh?

Before signing up for Seguro Popular.............I'd go check out the local facility and decide if you'd want to go there. This is probably comparable to the County Hospitals in the states. Just sayin'.

Thanks Gringal. If we do sign up for Seguro Popular it'd be for easy access to immunizations and other minor stuff at the local clinic as well as - maybe - some sort of nebulous back-up when we're traveling within Mexico. If something major happens and we need a hospital I have no doubt we'll have our excellent local doctor recommend the best private hospital for our situation in Guad and get ourselves there. As for IMSS, none of the doctors I've met who work or have worked for IMSS would go (or allow their families to go ) to an IMSS hospital in Jalisco.

Sorry to hear you've paid in for years. We only paid in for 1+ year before the ogress at the Chapala clinic (who I gather may have been replaced?) made it clear she'd make our lives hell if we ever did try to use the facilities. Plus the waiting area there in prime time is more reminiscent of a New Delhi train station than a health care facility.

Avoid Allianz and Parker Ins. for same. They were my agent, and told me decision had been made by Allianz, and as my agent had done all they were required to do! Hired Intercasa, and recovered my money 25,000 pesos wrongly with held by Allianz. Money received 4 months after I cancelled my policy.

Self insure. Self insure. Self insure. Self insure. Good advice even though there are extremely REPUTABLE insurance companies like Segurous Monterrey. Myself and simpcasa have had excellent luck with them.