Do Expats Need Travel Insurance?

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

• 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.
• 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 plan to live abroad instead of simply traveling as a tourist, consider purchasing expat health insurance. When you move abroad, you’ll find that most countries have universal healthcare coverage. So even if you are an expat, you are still covered by the public health system, and you don’t technically require private health insurance. However, most expats prefer to have their health insurance because of the extra 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.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Expats?

Travel insurance for expats can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars— usually between 4% and 9% of the overall trip— depending on the level of coverage you choose and your destination. Additionally, travel health insurance tends to get more expensive the longer you plan on traveling, so keep in mind that several factors affect the price 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 the type that covers you everywhere you go and includes medical cover for emergencies. You can find this type of travel insurance if you are planning to live abroad or just traveling as a tourist. It’s important to have travel insurance in case of any accidents or medical emergencies while you are 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.

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