Business · Economy · 6 hrs ago
Violence drives up car insurance costs in Sinaloa
Violence and vehicle theft in Sinaloa, Mexico, are making car insurance harder to afford.
By the end of the second quarter of 2026, the number of auto policies sold had not grown from a year earlier.
One Culiacán driver said his annual premium rose by more than 9% to 3,700 pesos, but his policy covers damage to others, not theft.
An economist said some car insurance prices rose by as much as 50% in the past year, and some companies stopped offering coverage in the state.
She said about 12,000 vehicles had been stolen in Sinaloa since the current period of cartel violence began.
In 2025, 84% of insured vehicle thefts in Sinaloa involved violence, compared with 55% nationally.
Many residents therefore lack insurance that covers theft or vandalism, leaving them exposed to major losses; the available information does not say when prices may fall.
Violence and vehicle theft in Sinaloa have driven up car insurance costs and left many drivers with limited coverage.
Car policies in the state had no year-on-year growth in sales by the end of the second quarter of 2026, according to figures cited by Expansión.
One Culiacán driver said his annual premium rose by more than 9% to 3,700 pesos, but his policy covers damage to third parties and not theft.
A university lecturer said premiums had risen by as much as 50% in the past year and that her insurer stopped operating in Sinaloa.
The article cites data showing that 84% of vehicle thefts in Sinaloa involved violence in 2025, compared with a 55% national average.
- Who
- Drivers and transport operators in Sinaloa, along with insurers.
- What
- Violence and vehicle theft are increasing insurance costs, while many drivers have only limited coverage.
- When
- Figures cited include 2025 and the second quarter of 2026; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Sinaloa, Mexico, including Culiacán.
- Why
- The article links higher costs and limited insurance availability to high vehicle theft and insecurity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Right now, nobody dares to leave home with a fairly recent-model car and without good insurance because you go out on the street and there is a risk that they will take your car.
More than 12,000 vehicles have been stolen during this period of high violence, and that has undoubtedly caused significant losses for insurance companies.
I used to take out my policy with one company. Then I could no longer use that same one because it stopped operating in Sinaloa.
The insurer says that if your vehicle is stolen at gunpoint and you handed over the keys, the insurance cannot apply with the deductible.
Sinaloa recorded an 84% share of vehicle thefts involving violence, compared with a national average of 55%, according to the article.
Car policy sales in Sinaloa showed 0% year-on-year variation.
Expansión published its report on rising insurance costs and reduced coverage in Sinaloa.
- Annual premium
- 3,700 pesos for one Culiacán driver, after an increase of more than 9%
- Premium increase
- Up to 50% in the past year, according to Cristina Ibarra
- Vehicle thefts
- About 12,000 units stolen in Sinaloa during the period of high violence cited by Ibarra
- Violent theft share
- 84% in Sinaloa in 2025
- National average
- 55% for vehicle theft involving violence in 2025
- Policy sales
- 0% year-on-year variation at the end of the second quarter of 2026
Sources
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