Travel Insurance For Expats – Coverage Options

If you are an expat living in a foreign country and planning a trip, you should keep in mind the importance of travel insurance because it provides you with security while traveling. Even if your insurance covers you in your current country of residence, you will still require proper international travel insurance because domestic policies typically only cover you in your current home and only for medical expenses.

Do Expats Need Travel Insurance?

Yes, everyone traveling abroad, including expats, should have travel insurance. Although you’re not legally required to have insurance (unless a visa application requires one), travel insurance for expats has several advantages, including:

• Being able to get medical coverage for any emergencies during the trip.
• Coverage for any lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or personal items.
• Coverage in case the trip gets canceled or delayed.

Types of Travel Insurance for Expats

Depending on the nature of your travel, you have the option to purchase one of the following types of insurance for expats:

• If you are traveling abroad as a tourist— you can purchase travel insurance that covers you only during your trip and offers medical coverage at Insubuy.
• If you plan to live abroad, you have to buy international expat health insurance if you plan to move overseas long-term.

Expat Travel Insurance If Abroad as a Tourist

You need to buy travel insurance if you plan on going on a trip as a tourist to visit and explore other countries. Depending on how long you stay, you can choose to purchase one of the following:

• Short-term insurance. This will cover you for your trip, usually only up to 180 days.
• Long-term travel insurance. You can purchase this type of insurance if you travel for more than 30 days, e.g., 12 months.

Expat Insurance if Living Abroad

If you intend to live abroad rather than just visit as a tourist, consider purchasing expat health insurance. When you move abroad, you will discover that most countries provide universal healthcare coverage. So, even if you are an expat, you are still covered by the public health system and do not technically need private health insurance. However, most expats prefer to have health insurance due to the additional benefits.

How Can Expats Buy Travel Insurance?

There are a few ways that expats can buy travel insurance:

• Go through an insurance company that specializes in travel insurance for expats.
• Get a policy from your current health insurance provider— provided it offers coverage for travels outside of your home country.
• Purchase travel insurance through an online broker.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Expats?

Travel insurance for expats can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, or between 4% and 9% of the total trip cost, depending on the level of coverage you select and the destination. Furthermore, travel health insurance becomes more expensive the longer you plan to travel, so keep in mind that several factors influence the cost of your travel insurance.

Can I Buy Travel Insurance If I’m Already Abroad?

You can still buy expat travel insurance even after moving or traveling abroad. However, you have to keep in mind that your insurance will only cover you for the accidents after you buy your policy. So, you won’t get coverage for anything that happened during your trip before you purchased your travel insurance policy.

What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Expats?

The best travel insurance for expats is one that covers you everywhere and includes medical coverage in case of an emergency. You can find this type of travel insurance if you intend to live abroad or simply travel as a tourist. It is critical to have travel insurance in case of an accident or medical emergency while away from home.

What are the Best Companies Offering travel Insurance for Expats?

Some of the best companies offering travel Insurance for expats include:

• TravelGuard.
• IMG.
• AIG Travel Guard.
• Allianz Global Assistance.

Whichever way you choose, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure that you are covered in any medical emergencies or accidents. Also, make sure that you ask your provider about how you can file an insurance claim to be prepared.

Does Expat Travel Insurance Cover Me Everywhere?

You can choose travel insurance based on your destination:

• Worldwide. Worldwide travel insurance covers you everywhere you travel. But, it can be more expensive, so if you are not planning to travel around the world, it’s unnecessary.
• Worldwide excluding the US. If you won’t be visiting the US but will travel worldwide, you can purchase travel insurance that excludes the US. Because medical care in the US is expensive, you can lower your premium price significantly if you exclude the US.
• Europe. If you plan on visiting any country in Europe, you can purchase travel insurance that covers you while you are there.

What Are the Benefits of Travel Insurance for Expats?

There are a few reasons why expats should purchase travel insurance:

• Firstly, travel insurance can cover you in any medical emergencies or accidents while you are away from home.
• Secondly, most expat health travel insurance policies offer additional benefits that standard health insurance policies do not, such as coverage for trip cancellation, lost or damaged items, or repatriation services.
• Finally, purchasing travel insurance is often much cheaper than paying for medical care out of pocket if something happens while on vacation.