Costa Rica and Mexico boost insurance payouts for landslides and floods

The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) in Costa Rica paid a total of ¢489.7 million in 2025 to compensate owners of 164 insured homes damaged by landslides, lightning and hurricane‑force winds. Landslides accounted for 79 % of the payouts (¢385.9 million), averaging one insured home affected every ten days. San José province received the largest share of payments (45 %), while Alajuela recorded the most claims (52 cases) and continued to lead in 2026 with 17 claims and ¢14 million paid by April. By early 2026 the INS had processed 49 additional claims and disbursed more than ¢33 million.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s INFONAVIT is urging borrowers whose homes in Puebla were damaged by recent rains and floods to activate the Damage Insurance included in their mortgage financing. Eligibility requires loans to be current at the time of the event; borrowers with arrears may sign a regularisation agreement. Claims can be filed within two years of the incident at service centres in Puebla, Tehuacán and Teziutlán. The policy covers damage from rain, floods, storms, cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, hail, fallen trees, volcanic eruptions, explosions and sudden ground movement.