Insurance in Mexico

With ‘spectacular insight and knowledge of the international insurance and reinsurance market’, boutique firm Colin Vega Fletes Abogados is a force to be reckoned with in the insurance sector, and is an undeniable heavyweight when it comes to litigation. Francisco Guerra-Fletes, who has recently been involved in several arbitrations in various jurisdictions, has broad experience advising insurers and reinsurers on complex claims related to environmental liability, professional liability, fraud, fidelity bonds, D&O, onshore and offshore energy (oil and gas) and construction liability.  In June 2021, fellow partner José Luis Colin Vega - who specialises in dispute resolution related to cyber risk, financial fraud, political risk, product liability and insurance, among other areas - moved to Madrid as head of the firm's Spanish office, reinforcing its international reach among European entities. The five-partner team includes other key practitioners such as Raquel Adriana Aguirre and Luis Valle. Recently, the department has been particularly busy handling Covid-related arbitrations.

Full-service firm Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enríquez, S.C. has established a leading reputation in several fields of law and industry sectors in Mexico, and insurance is no exception. The six-strong practice, headed by Leonel Pereznieto, is a popular choice for insurers and reinsurers for assistance in M&A, finance, corporate governance, regulatory and day-to-day matters, and is also increasingly active in contentious insurance matters. Pereznieto, who also regularly guides global insurance, reinsurance and broker groups in connection with their local set-up and acquisitions, is closely supported by counsel María José Pinillos, who is also highly regarded and focuses primarily on transactions and regulatory compliance issues.

Regarded as the ‘allies you want to have by your side in a complex negotiation’, Nader, Hayaux y Goebel, SC has a well-established practice in insurance, with a notable local presence in both Mexico and London. The department has vast expertise across various non-contentious mandates, including corporate, regulatory, transactional, compliance, product design and product development. It also shows good skills in contentious matters, including claims, coverage issues, and insurance and reinsurance recoveries, among other areas. Well-regarded practice head Yves Hayaux-Du-Tilly is well versed in transactional work, dispute resolution, product development, regulatory and corporate matters, corporate governance and compliance. Other renowned members of the team include Luciano Pérez, who covers the gamut of non-contentious insurance services; and London-based senior associate Juan Pablo Sáinz, who advises UK-based clients on Mexican law in relation to coverage and regulatory issues and international transactions. Since publication, Sainz has moved in house as deputy general counsel at Global Prametrics - effective as of April 2022.

Hogan Lovells has successfully established its footprint in the Mexican insurance market, showing prowess in both the transactional and regulatory aspects of the sector, and putting to good use its expertise in the formation and acquisition of insurance, reinsurance, surety, and brokerage companies and agents. The team is also skilled in handling day-to-day compliance and regulatory issues, including the development of insurance products, policies and contracts. Names to note include regulatory expert Carlos Ramos, Omar Guerrero and Luis Ernesto Peón.

With extensive experience in the market, Mexican boutique firm OCAMPO 1890, S. C. has established a solid reputation for insurance matters. Originally founded as a litigation-oriented firm, an area in which it continues to exhibit significant strength, the firm has over the years moved into regulatory and corporate matters related to insurance companies. Managing partner Aldo José Ocampo heads the five-strong team, which is largely focused on contentious matters, including claims, disputes, coverage determination, policy analysis and reinsurance contracts. For support on the non-contentious side of the practice, Ocampo relies on experienced associate Diana Ángeles, who handles mandates such as the development of insurance products, risk management, and the draft, review and registration of insurance and reinsurance contracts, as well as regulatory and corporate matters.

Compliance expert and founding partner Miguel Gallardo Guerra co-heads the department at Bello, Gallardo, Bonequi y García, S.C. in conjunction with fellow founding partner and seasoned litigator Juan Bonequi and senior associate Javier Pérez, who also leads the healthcare practice. The specialised insurance team, which ‘maintains constant communication and supervision’ with clients, is equipped to provide advice to insurance institutions and insurance brokers on compliance, the structuring of new insurance products, administrative procedures and litigation. The sizeable team also covers day-to-day corporate and regulatory matters, including via placing its lawyers on secondment with clients.

Galicia Abogados S.C.'s five-strong insurance department, which is jointly led by Rodrigo Zamora (who also heads the commercial litigation and arbitration practice) and transactional expert Humberto Pérez Rocha (who is also highly experienced in banking and finance, project finance and M&A), is a solid choice for many domestic and foreign entities and corporations for advice on insurance-related corporate matters and regulatory issues. Clients also seek the team's assistance in the analysis and negotiation of claims. The practice has developed extensive knowledge in the financial services, food and beverage, energy, oil and gas, retail and mining industries, and handles some interesting cases in state and federal courts, as well as before domestic and international arbitral tribunals.

Garnering praise from clients for bringing a ‘high level of attention and knowledge to matters’, specialised insurance litigation firm Martínez, Algaba, de Haro y Curiel is known for advising on a wide range of mandates, with particular knowledge of the life insurance segment, among other areas. Experienced partners Javier Curiel Obscura, Daniel Ortega and Javier Altamirano head the team, which combines commercial and regulatory knowledge, and is also a popular choice for advice on insurance products. Key support comes from senior associate Bernardo Basaldua.

The ‘agile, precise and very polite’ Francisco Torres, based in Monterrey, heads the department at Santamarina y Steta, which is highlighted for studying ‘not only the regulation but also what motivated the regulation’. The seven-strong practice advises local insurance companies and foreign carriers undertaking insurance activities in Mexico, in consultancy matters, insurance product review, regulatory authorisations, and contractual and policy document reviews. Key support comes from Mexico City-based partner Carlos Olvera, who brings his considerable skills in litigation.