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Frequently Asked Questions

Get clear answers to the most common questions about international health, life, and travel insurance. Learn how coverage works when living or traveling abroad, explore plan options for individuals and groups, and understand when to buy travel medical or global health insurance.

Doctor in white coat with stethoscope and tablet, symbolizing global health services and medical support for international travelers.
Doctor in white coat with stethoscope and tablet, symbolizing global health services and medical support for international travelers.

FAQs About International Health, Travel, Life, and Group Insurance

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about international health, life, and travel insurance. If you are new to these types of plans, the process can feel confusing, so we’ve included links to detailed articles that explain complex topics in an easy-to-understand way. If you don’t find the information you need, you can always contact us to speak directly with an expert.

Our global team of international insurance specialists is here to support you wherever you are in the world. We offer both individual and group coverage to help you secure the right global benefits for your move, trip, or long-term life abroad.

  • As a global broker with licensed agents who specialize in international insurance, we can guide you through every step of the process, answer your questions, and support you both during enrollment and throughout your coverage. We work for you, not the insurance company. Since plans cost the same when purchased through our website, you gain expert assistance at no additional cost.

    You benefit in several important ways when you work with our team:

    • We partner with a wide range of insurance companies, allowing us to source and tailor plans that fit your needs and budget.
    • You receive guidance from specialists in international insurance, offering expertise that local agents typically cannot provide.
    • You are assigned a dedicated consultant who supports you throughout the entire process and remains available during your policy period should any issues arise.
  • We offer a wide range of international insurance products for travelers, expats, families, and global organizations, including:

    If you need a more specialized type of coverage, our team can help you explore additional options or connect you with a trusted partner.

  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance protects the financial investment in a trip, including lost baggage and trip cancellation. Travelers may be more likely to avoid travel when sick if they know their financial investment in the trip is protected. Depending on the policy, this type of insurance may or may not cover medical expenses abroad, so travelers need to carefully research the coverage offered to determine if additional travel health and medical evacuation insurance is needed.

  • When traveling, your private health insurance coverage may not fully meet your health needs abroad. Some policies may restrict the coverage available to you outside of the U.S., and a travel medical policy helps supplement your current coverage while you are outside of your home country.

    Travel medical plans provide healthcare coverage for travelers for a limited period. Most people purchase these plans when they leave the country for international trips, whether for business, holiday, or vacation. Short-term travel health plans may not be renewable.

  • For individuals, expatriates, families, or groups who will be abroad for an extended period (typically two years or more), a global medical plan may be the best option. Usually, these are annual renewable plans that cover the insured individual for a period of 12 months (or one year). These plans are comparable to the standard medical plans you might receive from your employer.

  • Pre-existing conditions are not always covered, and coverage varies by plan. A pre-existing condition is any illness or medical condition you had before your insurance application, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or pregnancy. Many travel medical insurance plans exclude these conditions entirely, while some global health insurance providers offer pre-existing condition benefits after a waiting period or with specific plan options. Be sure to review each policy’s terms carefully to understand what is and isn’t included.

  • Maternity coverage is typically not included in travel insurance plans, as pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition. However, global medical insurance plans can provide maternity benefits, usually after a required waiting period. If you need maternity coverage while living abroad, a long-term international health plan is the best option, as it offers comprehensive benefits once the waiting period has been met.

  • To find a doctor while abroad, expats and travelers should start by reviewing the network of doctors available through their insurance plan. Most international insurance providers offer access to a wide list of vetted medical professionals and facilities around the world. You can also call the assistance number on your insurance card for help locating a doctor, confirming availability, or getting support in an emergency.

Learn More About International Insurance

Explore our most helpful resources to understand and compare your international insurance options:

Long-term international health insurance provides comprehensive medical coverage for expatriates, global nomads, and individuals living abroad for a year or more.

These plans function like domestic health insurance but offer worldwide benefits, global provider access, and ongoing renewability.

Travel insurance protects you during short-term international trips, covering emergency medical care, evacuation, and unexpected expenses.

These plans are ideal for vacations, business travel, or trips under one year.

International life insurance provides global financial protection for individuals and families living abroad.

These plans ensure your beneficiaries are supported, no matter where life takes you.

Global group insurance offers comprehensive benefits for organizations with international employees or operations.

Employers can protect their teams with worldwide health, travel, and life coverage tailored to global workforces.

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