If you're living abroad, securing a reliable expat health insurance plan is essential to protect yourself and your family from the high cost of healthcare. Additionally, a global life insurance policy offers further financial security.
Expatriate insurance provides comprehensive coverage, including health, medical care, life, disability, and income protection. It safeguards against unique risks expats face, such as illness, accidents, and emergencies. With options for global coverage, including medical evacuation and repatriation, expat insurance ensures access to high-quality healthcare anywhere in the world.
In this article, we’ll explore the best insurance options and answer common questions about applying for coverage. Follow the links below to learn more and request a personalized quote.
If you're living abroad, securing a reliable expat health insurance plan is essential to protect yourself and your family from the high cost of healthcare. Additionally, a global life insurance policy offers further financial security.
Expatriate insurance provides comprehensive coverage, including health, medical care, life, disability, and income protection. It safeguards against unique risks expats face, such as illness, accidents, and emergencies. With options for global coverage, including medical evacuation and repatriation, expat insurance ensures access to high-quality healthcare anywhere in the world.
In this article, we’ll explore the best insurance options and answer common questions about applying for coverage. Follow the links below to learn more and request a personalized quote.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
What is Expatriate Insurance?
An expatriate is typically defined as someone living outside his or her country of citizenship. They are commonly assigned to a foreign location for work purposes, but there are various reasons why someone would choose to live abroad, so the definition can be broader.
Expatriate insurance is an insurance plan that provides coverage and benefits to someone living in a foreign country. Plans include health, life, and travel insurance plans. Expats may also need additional plans to cover auto, disability, or workers' compensation.
How Does Expat Health Insurance Work?
Expat health insurance provides medical coverage for individuals living outside their home country, ensuring access to healthcare services abroad. Here's how it works:
- Plan Selection: You choose an international health insurance plan based on your needs, such as coverage for emergency medical care, routine checkups, specialist treatments, or even evacuation services. Plans vary in the range of benefits, from basic to comprehensive, and you can often customize your coverage.
- Medical Underwriting: Insurers may require you to undergo an underwriting process, during which they assess your medical history to determine eligibility and set your premium. Some pre-existing conditions might be excluded or come with higher premiums.
- Access to Care: Once insured, you'll have access to a network of hospitals, clinics, and doctors in your host country or globally, depending on the insurer's network. Many expat health insurance plans offer direct billing, so the insurer pays the healthcare provider directly, saving you the hassle of upfront payments.
- Claims Process: If you seek medical care outside the insurer's network, you can typically file a claim for reimbursement. Insurers usually require receipts and documentation from healthcare providers.
- Ongoing Coverage: Your coverage is usually renewable annually, and you can adjust your plan or renew it based on changing needs or health conditions. Some plans may require re-underwriting when you file claims, particularly for pre-existing conditions.
Why Do I Need Expat Health Insurance?
Having expat health insurance ensures access to quality healthcare while living or working abroad. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Limited or No Local Coverage: In many countries, your home country’s health insurance won’t cover medical expenses abroad. Local healthcare systems may also exclude non-residents or offer limited services to expatriates.
- High Medical Costs: Healthcare costs in some countries can be prohibitively expensive, especially for serious medical emergencies, surgeries, or specialized treatments. This type of insurance protects you from the financial burden of these unexpected costs.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Expat health insurance can provide more extensive coverage than local plans, including access to private hospitals, specialist treatments, and international medical care, ensuring you receive high-quality healthcare wherever you are.
- Medical Evacuation: In the event of a severe illness or injury, you may need to be evacuated to a nearby country with better healthcare facilities. Expat health insurance often covers medical evacuation, which can be extremely costly without insurance.
- Travel Flexibility: Many expat plans offer global coverage, so you’re protected in your host country and during trips to other countries.
Do You Need Coverage for Your Expatriate Employees?
If your organization employs two or more international staff members, we can assist you in researching and securing a comprehensive group expat health insurance plan.
This will ensure your expatriate employees have seamless global coverage, tailored to meet the diverse healthcare needs of an internationally mobile workforce.
With our expertise, we help you navigate complex global health insurance options to find the best solution for your organization.
Global Benefits for Organizations
- Offering group plans for international health, life and travel
- Request a quote from the leading insurers around the globe
- A licensed agent will provide quotes and expert advice
The Best Health Insurance for Expatriates
Many international workers lack coverage under a corporate or group plan. For these individuals or families, securing an international health insurance policy is essential.
These policies offer medical coverage either worldwide or within specific regions and can include valuable benefits like trip insurance, medical evacuation, and repatriation services.
Leading insurers provide access to extensive global networks of healthcare providers, with the added convenience of direct payment to hospitals and medical professionals, ensuring smooth and hassle-free care wherever it's needed.
Cigna Global Expat Insurance
The Cigna Global Health Insurance plan is an excellent choice for expat health coverage for several key reasons. Its flexible, modular design allows clients to customize their policy by selecting only the benefit packages they need, while excluding those they don’t.
Moreover, the exceptional service is a standout feature, ensuring prompt claims processing and a seamless experience. Cigna also boasts a robust global network of doctors and hospitals, providing extensive access to high-quality healthcare worldwide.
GeoBlue Xplorer–Worldwide Medical Plan
GeoBlue Xplorer is a top-tier health insurance plan tailored for U.S. expats living abroad and international citizens residing in the U.S. It provides access to the extensive Blue Cross Blue Shield network of doctors and hospitals within the U.S. and a select network of providers worldwide.
For U.S. citizens living overseas, the GeoBlue Xplorer plan offers up to 9 months of coverage for expatriates while in the U.S. – the most generous option available among international health insurance policies.
IMG Global Medical Insurance Plan
IMG offers an extensive range of products, from trip cancellation plans to long-term international medical coverage. Their expatriate medical insurance options are competitively priced, making them ideal for younger clients and digital nomads.
For over 20 years, IMG has been a trusted provider of expatriate medical insurance and travel plans, offering affordable and reliable coverage to the global community. Today, they continue to serve clients in more than 170 countries worldwide.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
What Does International Expat Health Insurance Cover?
International expat health insurance provides comprehensive coverage to meet the medical needs of individuals living and working abroad. The coverage typically includes:
- Inpatient and Outpatient Care: Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, consultations, and diagnostics (including advanced imaging like MRIs and CT scans).
- Prescription Medications: Coverage for prescribed drugs, often with options to enhance benefits for higher limits.
- Cancer Treatment: Comprehensive cancer care, including preventative cancer screenings, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
- Mental and Behavioral Health: Coverage for mental health treatments, including therapy, counseling sessions, and wellness coaching.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: If adequate local treatment isn't available, plans cover medical evacuation to centers of excellence.
- Maternity and Newborn Care: Coverage for prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, as well as coverage for complications.
- Preventive Care: Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings for diabetes and cancer.
- Dental and Vision: Optional coverage for routine and major dental treatments, eye exams, and vision care.
- Global Provider Network and Direct Pay: Access to extensive international networks of healthcare providers with direct billing options to minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
- Repatriation and Accidental Death Coverage: Includes coverage for repatriation of mortal remains and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
This type of insurance offers expats peace of mind and ensures they receive high-quality healthcare wherever they are.
Exclusions in Expatriate Medical Coverage
When considering expatriate medical coverage, it’s essential to thoroughly review all aspects of the plan before purchasing. Carefully examine the policy certificate and terms to understand potential exclusions. These documents detail what is and isn’t covered, ensuring you’re fully informed.
Common exclusions in expatriate medical coverage may include:
- Pre-existing conditions: While some providers don’t list these outright, certain conditions may be excluded or have waiting periods following the underwriting process.
- Cosmetic and elective surgery: Procedures that are not medically necessary, including elective surgeries, are typically excluded.
- High-risk activities: Injuries from extreme sports or hazardous activities may not be covered or could require additional coverage.
- Fertility treatments: Some plans exclude fertility services such as IVF or limit coverage for related treatments.
- Experimental treatments: Non-standard or experimental medical treatments are often excluded from coverage.
By reviewing these details carefully, you can avoid surprises when filing a claim.
How Much Does Expat Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of expatriate health insurance can vary widely, ranging from as low as $50 per month for a basic plan covering only in-patient hospital care to over $1,000 per month for a comprehensive policy that includes most, if not all, medical expenses.
Premiums are typically influenced by several factors, including your country of origin, age, medical history, and the country where you need coverage. Expat health insurance plans usually offer two main areas of coverage: worldwide coverage excluding the USA or worldwide coverage including the USA.
Some insurers also set different pricing based on specific regions and may exclude high-risk countries. When calculating premiums, insurance companies assess the risks associated with living in certain locations and the cost of healthcare in those areas. Countries with higher healthcare costs often result in higher premiums for coverage.
Below is a sample cost for one of our popular international medical insurance policies, Cigna Global. Policy premiums can be adjusted by choosing your own deductible and adding or removing specific benefits.
UK Expat Family Living in the Netherlands
Their Cigna Global Plan:
Monthly Plan Cost: $996.58
What to Look For in an Expat Insurance Plan
For expatriates, selecting a health insurance plan from a global provider with a vast network of international hospitals and healthcare facilities is crucial for comprehensive coverage.
A prime example is the Cigna Global Plan, which boasts a network of over one million hospitals, doctors, and healthcare facilities worldwide, ensuring access to top-tier care wherever you are.
When evaluating providers, prioritize those that offer 24/7 emergency hotlines for immediate assistance and medical advice – an essential feature included in all leading expatriate medical insurance plans.
Flexibility is also key – opt for a plan that lets you customize your coverage by choosing the benefits that suit your needs. If you don’t require a full package, the option to select a more affordable plan with essential coverage is important.
Whether you prefer premium service with extensive benefits or need to work within a budget, being able to mix and match benefits and costs is vital to ensuring the plan is the right fit for your unique situation.
An Overview of the Application and Underwriting Processes
Underwriting is the process of evaluating your expat insurance application to determine whether coverage will be approved or denied. If approved, the underwriters will also calculate your premium during this stage.
During medical underwriting, the insurer typically asks detailed questions to assess your medical history and determine what coverage can be offered based on your health status. You may need to provide documentation from doctors and healthcare providers as part of the review.
Suppose you are symptom-free at the time of approval or have not received treatment for a specific period. In that case, the insurer may grant coverage with the condition that you undergo the underwriting process again each time you file a claim.
Recommended Health Plans for Expats
Select Your Home Country to View the Best Options:
- New Zealand: Health Plans for Kiwis Living Abroad
- Canada: Tailored Plans for Canadians Living Overseas
- Australia: Comprehensive Medical Coverage for Aussies Abroad
- Spain: Health Care Options for Spanish Citizens Living Abroad
- France: Health Cover for French Expats
- Germany: Health Plans for Germans Living Overseas
- Ireland: Health Policies for Irish Expats
- Japan: Health Plans for Japanese Expats Abroad
- Sweden: Health Plans for Swedes Living Abroad
- Italy: Medical Cover for Italians Living Overseas
The Best Health Insurance Policies Based on Your Destination
Select Your Destination to Explore the Best Coverage Options:
- United States: Health Insurance in America
- Canada: Comprehensive Health Insurance in Canada
- Mexico: Health Insurance Cover in Mexico
- Germany: Health Insurance for International Residents
- France: Health Insurance Options in France
- Costa Rica: Medical Insurance in Costa Rica
- Italy: Health Insurance in Italy
- Brazil: International Health Insurance for Expats in Brazil
- China: Health Insurance for Foreigners in China
- India: Medical Insurance in India
- Singapore: Health Insurance Coverage in Singapore
- United Kingdom: Medical Insurance for Foreigners in the UK
FAQs About Expat Medical Plans
Expatriate health insurance plans are portable – you can bring them wherever you go and have the confidence that you are covered for medical care and emergencies worldwide. It will cover you in your country of residence as well as any country that you travel to, for business or pleasure. A global policy provides continuous coverage regardless of where you get sick and need medical attention.
If you need coverage in your home country as well, make sure you find a provider that can provide worldwide coverage. Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer are great examples of top insurance providers.
Additional benefits include faster access to care, the option to visit any medical provider of your choice, and direct payment to providers. Additionally, you will have a health helpline that you can call for advice one where to go to find doctors and care providers who speak your language.
When you leave your home country, you usually will not be eligible for coverage with your existing health plan. This means you have to find an international medical insurance plan to stay covered for emergencies.
Expat health insurance policies, also called International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), provide healthcare for this group of people.
The best expatriate health insurance plan is the one that can provide cover wherever you are, including your current country of residence and your home country. If you are living in France and you want to go to Spain, you do not need to apply for new coverage since you have an international healthcare policy that you can take with you anywhere you go.
A reliable global medical insurance plan will provide a cash payout should you pass away while covered. Other possible add-ons include auto and dental coverage.
If you are interested in getting comprehensive expatriate medical insurance, request a free quote from us today.
Expats can get medical help from several sources, depending on their location and the type of healthcare they need:
Private Healthcare Providers
Many expats prefer private hospitals or clinics, which often offer shorter wait times, higher-quality care, and English-speaking staff. Private healthcare facilities are typically part of international health insurance networks, making it easier for expats to access care.
Local Hospitals and Clinics
Expats can visit local hospitals or clinics in their host country for both emergency and routine medical care. Depending on the country, public healthcare facilities may be available to expats, though the quality and accessibility can vary widely.
International Health Insurance Networks
With expat health insurance, you can access medical help through your insurer’s network of approved doctors, clinics, and hospitals worldwide. These networks often include direct billing arrangements, meaning you won’t need to pay upfront for treatment.
Telemedicine Services
Many expat health insurance plans offer telemedicine options, allowing expats to consult with doctors remotely for advice, prescriptions, or follow-up care. This can be especially useful for minor issues or when access to a local healthcare provider is limited.
Emergency Services
In case of severe illness or injury, expats should call local emergency services for immediate medical help. Many countries have emergency hotlines, and expat insurance plans often provide 24/7 assistance lines for emergencies, including medical evacuations if needed.
Pharmacies
For minor health issues, expats can often get over-the-counter medications or prescription refills at local pharmacies. Some countries allow pharmacies to offer a wider range of services, including basic medical consultations.
Having expat health insurance ensures better access to these services, particularly in private and international facilities, where care may be more suited to the needs of expatriates.
Health Insurance for Short-Term Expat Assignments
Whether you're traveling for a few days or up to a year, our short-term travel insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage tailored to your needs.
These plans provide essential medical emergency benefits, coverage for trip interruptions, medical evacuation, and repatriation. They are ideal for a range of travelers, including tourists, business professionals, digital nomads, and expats on short-term assignments.
When applying, you must provide details of both your home country and your destination to ensure you receive the best coverage for your trip.
Short-Term Travel Health Insurance Options
Our short-term travel insurance plans offer financial protection and peace of mind to travelers who want to ensure they’re covered for medical emergencies and trip-related issues while abroad.
The WorldTrips Atlas Travel Insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage for individuals and families traveling outside their home country for leisure, business, or short-term international work.
With flexible options for trips ranging from 5 days to 12 months, this plan provides essential protection, including emergency medical coverage, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
IMG Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance
The IMG Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance plan provides elite coverage for international travelers seeking top-tier protection during their trips.
An excellent option for individuals, families, and groups traveling abroad for business, leisure, or extended stays, this plan offers comprehensive benefits, including high-limit emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation, trip interruption, and repatriation.
With flexible coverage options from 5 days up to 12 months, the Patriot Platinum plan ensures you have premium medical and travel support wherever your journey takes you.
GeoBlue Voyager–Travel Health Coverage for US Citizens and Residents
GeoBlue Voyager travel medical insurance is designed specifically for U.S. citizens and residents traveling abroad. This plan offers comprehensive short-term coverage and includes essential benefits like emergency medical care, evacuation, trip interruption, and repatriation.
Whether taking a short vacation or an extended overseas trip, GeoBlue Voyager ensures reliable medical protection and access to an extensive network of international healthcare providers, giving you peace of mind no matter where you travel.
Find the Best International Travel Insurance
- Get multiple quotes and coverage options
- Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation & more options available
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
FAQs About Expat Travel Insurance
Look for plans that cover a wide range of medical services, including emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and possibly preventive care and maternity coverage. Also, consider the insurer's global network of hospitals and doctors, the ease of filing claims, and the availability of 24/7 customer support.
Typically, short-term expat travel insurance is not valid in your home country and only provides coverage while traveling overseas. When you return home, your travel health insurance plan will terminate, and you will need to purchase a new travel policy for the next time you take a trip abroad.
Yes, short-term travel insurance plans allow you to add family members, such as a spouse or children, to your policy at an additional cost. This is beneficial as it ensures that all family members have health coverage while traveling abroad.
The cost of short-term travel health insurance varies based on several factors, including the amount of coverage, your age, additional members included on the plan, the duration of your trip, and any pre-existing conditions you want covered (if applicable).
Life Insurance for Expatriates
International life insurance offers essential peace of mind by ensuring your family's financial security if something happens to you while living abroad. Many domestic life insurance policies don't provide coverage if you pass away in another country, so an international plan fills that gap.
To find the best policy, assess your current and future expenses to determine how much coverage you need, then select a plan that fits your financial needs and budget. Explore our options below to help make an informed decision.
Does your life insurance plan protect you overseas? Read about The Importance of a Life Insurance Review for Expats.
Unisure International Life Insurance
Unisure plans provide global protection tailored to individuals and families living abroad. Whether you're an expat, a frequent traveler, or relocating permanently, these plans offer comprehensive life coverage designed to secure your family's financial future in the event of your passing.
With flexible policy options, high coverage limits, and added benefits like accidental death riders, Unisure ensures peace of mind no matter where life takes you.
William Russell Personal Protection Plan
The William Russell Personal Protection Plan offers comprehensive life insurance coverage designed for individuals living and working internationally.
This plan ensures that your loved ones are financially protected in the event of your death, providing peace of mind no matter where life takes you. Alongside life benefits, the plan includes optional accident benefits, offering additional protection against unforeseen events.
For those concerned about income security, the Income Protection Plan provides crucial support by replacing a portion of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury. This ensures you can continue to meet financial obligations even during challenging times.
Atlas Life
The Atlas Life Insurance Plan offers comprehensive international life insurance designed for individuals seeking reliable protection, no matter where they live.
This plan provides a lump sum death benefit, which includes an automatic terminal illness benefit if diagnosed. Additional options, such as critical illness and disability coverage, are available to safeguard your financial well-being further.
Quote Request: International Life Insurance
- Comprehensive coverage across multiple countries.
- Choose from flexible options.
- Request a quote to receive personalized advice from licensed agents.
How Much Does an Expat Life Insurance Plan Cost?
The cost of an international life insurance policy can vary widely depending on several factors, including:
- Age: Younger individuals typically pay lower premiums than older individuals.
- Health: Pre-existing medical conditions or a history of illness can lead to higher premiums.
- Coverage Amount: The higher the policy's death benefit, the more you'll pay in premiums.
- Location: Some countries have higher risk factors (e.g., political instability or limited healthcare access) that may increase premiums.
- Policy Length: A longer-term policy will generally cost more than a short-term one.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, hazardous occupations, or high-risk hobbies can increase costs.
- Riders or Add-ons: Additional benefits like critical illness or disability coverage can raise the premium.
Depending on these factors, premiums can range from $50 to several hundred or thousand dollars per month on average. It's best to get quotes from multiple providers to find the most suitable option for your needs and budget.
U.S. citizens and residents living in the U.S. can get free, no-obligation life insurance quotes through our trusted partner, Policygenius.
Get your Free Quotes now!
FAQs About Expat Life Insurance
In most cases, beneficiaries can receive the payout regardless of where they live. The insurance company will transfer the death benefit directly to the beneficiaries in their country of residence.
It’s important to confirm with your insurance provider that international payouts are allowed and check any tax implications in the recipient’s country.
Yes, international life insurance policies typically include exclusions for certain events that could result in death.
Standard exclusions include death resulting from:
- Participation in war or conflict zones
- Terrorism-related incidents
- Certain high-risk occupations or activities (e.g., aviation, scuba diving)
- Suicide (usually within the first two years of the policy)
- Pre-existing medical conditions, unless disclosed and accepted by the insurer
When purchasing an international life insurance plan, it's essential to consider your family's financial needs and goals. Typically, expats choose a coverage amount of 20x their annual income to ensure their family is protected if they pass away abroad.
Researching the insurer and reinsurer's financial strength and reputation is also important. Most insurers allow clients interested in purchasing a plan easy access to financial documents. Your broker can also assist in finding the right documents to help you with your research.
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Author / Editor: Joe Cronin, Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance. Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter.