Job Discussion Forums

TedSeastrom · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 21

I'm moving to DF in January. I probably won't be working for the first 90 days, but then hope to find a job teaching business English (after getting the TEFL and an internship). I'm a US citizen. However, since I will no longer be a resident, the health insurance I have in Washington state will not cover me.

Should I get travel insurance--specific recommendations? A policy based in Mexico? What are some of the approaches you have taken? Thanks.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Ted,

I've never bought travel insurance, so I can't advise you about that. I am planning to sign up with a Mexican insurance company recommended to me by a friend who's lived here for years. But he was told that I can't do that until I have an FM-3. In the meantime, visits to doctors here are very inexpensive in case you need some medical care before you purchase a policy.

MO

Looking forward to meeting you in January! Do you have any idea where you'll be living when you first arrive?

Gary Denness · Guest

Have you thought of looking at backpackers annual travel insurance? It can be gotten pretty inexpensively.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Ted, here is a website that offers insurance if you're living in another country. www.globalhealth-ins.com

Go to the website then in the middle of the page click where it says online quote. It gives different packages you can buy. I think they have a plan that allows you not only coverage in Mexico but in the States also if it's something you would feel like going to the States to correct. Not sure of the pricees. I'm heading to D.F. between February and April so I'm researching insurance also even though I'm only 39. one never knows whats around the corner.

If I find any other sites I'll post them.

John

TedSeastrom · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 21

Thanks for the advice. I called several companies and discovered that a number of them rely on the same underwriter: MNUI (http://mnui.com). So I called MNUI directly, which happens to be located in my hometown, Indianapolis.

The proof is in the pudding, as we say back home in Indiana. However, MNUI appears to offer a choice of policies with a range of coverage options. One issue for me is being able to go back to the US occasionally and still be covered. Since I will not be maintaining a residence in the US, I can't continue my current policy. Even if I could, it would only cover short trips abroad--and I don't want to pay for double health insurance.

On a broader note, it's interesting the process you go through when you decide to move to another country. Got rid of a lot of stuff--everything I own is going to fit into to bags "not exceeding 62 linear inches and 50 lbs." I've updated my will. I've completely virtualized my life: Online banking. International mailing handling service that will scan, forward, and archive snail mail. Skype for the phone. I'm scanning key books from my library.

It's a fun, and humbling, process. Kind of the ultimate spring cleaning!

notamiss · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject:

Since you are moving definitively, then why not investigate Mexican insurance for residents of Mexico rather than travel insurance options? See, for example, a search such as http://www.google.com.mx/search?hl=es&q=seguro+m%C3%A9dico+%22en+mexico%22

There are some past threads about this such as http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54772. It's also worth noting that a visit to a doctor is not expensive; 100 to 200 pesos is not unusual, so you basically only need to be concerned about insurance for major expenses (hospitalization).