Quintana Roo Insures 400km of Beaches and Reefs

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The government of Quintana Roo has renewed and strengthened its parametric hurricane insurance policy, a specialized financial tool designed to protect over 400 kilometers of beaches and reefs along the Mexican Caribbean. With an investment exceeding 40 million pesos, the updated policy—now in effect—expands coverage to include damage caused by Category 1 and 2 hurricanes, marking a significant advancement in the state’s environmental resilience strategy.

Expanded Coverage for Lesser Storms

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (Sema), explained that the adjustment addresses a critical gap: lower-intensity hurricanes still inflict considerable harm on coastal ecosystems but previously did not trigger payouts. “Before, the policy could only be activated for Category 3 hurricanes. This modification gives us flexibility for more frequent, less intense events,” he stated.

The policy’s term begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and remains active for one year, with renewal planned for June 2026. Rébora emphasized that the coverage stems from an agreement signed during the UN Biodiversity Conference, reinforcing its technical legitimacy.

A National First

Quintana Roo is the only state in Mexico with this comprehensive environmental insurance. Originally established in 2018, the policy has been progressively refined based on lessons from recent storms. For example, Hurricane Beryl in 2024 enabled the state to access 8 million pesos from the policy. These funds not only addressed initial damage but also helped finance the current cycle’s premium, creating a sustainable funding model.

Prepared for the 2025 Hurricane Season

Rébora confirmed the policy is active and ready for any contingencies during the 2025 hurricane season, which officially starts in June. “We are prepared to act swiftly if our reefs and beaches—key ecological and economic assets—are damaged,” he said. “This expanded coverage reflects a shift toward prevention, not just reaction.”

The policy underscores Quintana Roo’s commitment to safeguarding its natural resources, which are vital to both biodiversity and the tourism-driven economy.