International health insurance

If you live or work abroad, international health insurance will provide private healthcare cover for you and your family. It is a different type of cover to travel insurance, which only provides cover for short holidays or business trips.

What is international health insurance?

International health insurance provides an extensive level of private healthcare cover for anyone who has chosen to relocate from their home country.

There are various reasons why you may choose to move abroad. Perhaps you’re relocating for work, wish to spend your retirement in a warmer climate or would simply like to experience life in a different part of the world. Whatever your reason, the right international health insurance policy will ensure that your healthcare costs are covered, helping you to avoid large medical bills.

Moving abroad permanently means that you’ll no longer be entitled to receive free healthcare via the NHS. Healthcare systems around the world vary, and work differently depending on where you are.

Regardless of which country you move to, access to free or subsidised healthcare isn’t automatic for foreign nationals. You may face expensive medical fees, extensive waiting lists or a basic level of treatment that fails to meet your personal requirements. All of this can be avoided with the right international health insurance policy.

How does international health insurance work?

By choosing the right international health insurance, you can ensure that all your healthcare costs are covered while you live or work abroad.

Upon falling ill or suffering an injury, policyholders can choose how and where they receive medical care, from the hospital they are treated in to the doctor who delivers their care. Many policies also include access to 24-hour telephone support, providing peace of mind and assisting customers with problems and claims when they arise.

There are various levels of cover to suit your needs and budget. Typically, insurers offer three levels of cover: standard, comprehensive and fully comprehensive. Standard cover is the most affordable option; this usually includes inpatient and day patient treatments, recovery and emergency medical evacuation in serious circumstances.

Comprehensive cover includes all of the above as well as outpatient treatment, specialist consultations and access to alternative therapies, while fully comprehensive cover adds extra benefits such as routine dental treatment, maternity care and annual health checks.

How much does international health insurance cost?

The cost of international health insurance depends on a variety of factors, including your age, medical history, the type of cover you’re looking for and the country you are moving to. For example, healthcare tends to be more expensive in the United States than it is in Europe. As a result, international health insurance is likely to be more expensive for someone moving to the US than it will be for someone moving to France or Spain.

Do I need international health insurance?

If you’re planning to move abroad, international health insurance should be one of your top priorities. As well as ensuring that you receive adequate care in the country you relocate to, this type of cover will prevent you and your family from being faced with extortionate medical bills should one of you need treatment.

At ActiveQuote, we work in partnership with trusted names including Gocompare, Uswitch and MoneySavingExpert, to offer free, impartial advice on the best international health insurance policy to suit your needs.

How do I compare international health insurance?

To find the right policy at the right price for your circumstances, you can compare international health insurance using ActiveQuote’s free online comparison tool. As the UK’s leading comparison site for health and protection insurance, our unbiased advisors can help you to find the best policy for your travels!