Expat insurance is an umbrella term for the range of insurance products that cover individuals living and working outside their home country. Standard domestic insurance policies, whether health, contents, or life, are typically designed for residents of a single country and frequently do not provide meaningful coverage abroad. For anyone living internationally, understanding what coverage is needed and what is available is a practical necessity. For a full walk-through of what to expect when your company moves you abroad, see the complete guide to international employee relocation.

For a full pre-departure preparation framework covering immigration, finances, healthcare, housing, and family logistics, see our expat checklist.

This guide explains the main types of expat insurance, what each covers, and the questions most people have about coverage when living abroad.

International health insurance

International health insurance is the most important and most commonly required type of expat coverage. It provides access to medical care in the host country and, depending on the policy, in other countries as well.

• What it covers: Inpatient and outpatient treatment, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, maternity care, mental health services, emergency evacuation, and dental and optical coverage were included in the plan.
• What standard domestic health insurance typically does not cover: Routine treatment abroad, specialist care in a foreign healthcare system, medical evacuation, and in many cases any treatment outside the country of issue. Emergency-only travel insurance is also not a substitute for international health insurance: it is designed for short trips, not extended residence.
• What to look for: Coverage in the specific destination country, access to English-language medical providers if relevant, mental health coverage, family coverage where applicable, and a clear pre-authorisation process for specialist care. For a broader look at how organisations structure family support within a relocation programme, see our guide on expat relocation: supporting employees and families abroad.

Arranging international health insurance before departure is one of several pre-departure tasks that often get left too late. Our corporate relocation checklist covers each phase of preparation in sequence.

Contents and personal property insurance

Standard home contents insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for possessions in a foreign country. Personal property insurance for expats covers the contents of the expatriate’s home abroad, valuable items, and in some cases personal property during transit.

• What it covers: Household contents in the rented or owned home abroad, personal electronics and valuables, and personal liability for damage caused to rented property.
• High-value items: Jewellery, art, antiques, and specialist equipment typically require separate declaration or a specific endorsement on the policy. Standard coverage limits may not be sufficient for high-value collections.
• During the move: Household goods in transit are typically covered under the household goods provider’s insurance, but the coverage level and claims process should be confirmed before the shipment departs. Additional specialist insurance can be arranged for high-value items.

For country-specific practical detail, see our living guides for Singapore, Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, UAE, France, India, Brazil, and Malaysia.

Life insurance

Existing life insurance policies may or may not remain valid when the policyholder moves abroad. The terms depend on the insurer and the destination country.

• Notify your existing insurer: Before moving, inform your life insurance provider of the intended move. Some insurers will continue coverage with no change. Others may impose exclusions for certain destinations, apply additional premiums, or require a policy amendment.
• International life insurance: A life insurance policy specifically designed for internationally mobile individuals and families, which remains valid regardless of country of residence.

Personal liability insurance

Personal liability insurance covers the policyholder against claims made by third parties for accidental injury or property damage. In some countries this coverage is effectively mandatory: Germany, for example, has a strong cultural norm of holding personal liability insurance, and uninsured individuals can face significant financial exposure from everyday incidents. For a broader overview of what to expect when relocating to Germany, see our guide on moving to Germany.

• What it covers: Accidental damage to rented property, accidental injury caused to others, and damage to third-party property.
• Check local requirements: The legal and cultural expectations around personal liability coverage differ by destination. Research what is standard practice in the host country before arriving.

Travel insurance for expats

Standard travel insurance is designed for short trips and is not appropriate as the primary insurance product for someone living abroad. However, expats who travel frequently for work or leisure need coverage for trips taken from the host country.

• Annual multi-trip travel insurance: Covers an unlimited number of trips within a policy year, up to a defined maximum duration per trip. Most international health insurance policies provide worldwide coverage that overlaps with what travel insurance offers for medical expenses, but travel insurance also covers trip cancellation, lost luggage, and travel delay.
• Check the base country: Travel insurance policies typically require a defined country of residence. As an expat, the base country for the policy should be the host country, not the home country.

For HR and mobility teams ensuring employees have the right coverage in place before departure, MOVEPLUS™ coordinates every element of the relocation through our relocation service coordination offering including liaison with destination services providers on healthcare registration and settling-in logistics, managed through a single dedicated Advocate.

Get in touch to find out how MovePlus can support your next relocation.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need separate travel insurance if I have international health insurance?

For medical expenses abroad, probably not. International health insurance provides medical coverage in multiple countries. However, travel insurance covers non-medical trip costs: cancellation, delay, lost luggage, and missed connections. Whether you need both depends on how frequently you travel and the value of the bookings involved.

2. Where should I start when arranging expat insurance?

Start with international health insurance, as it is the most essential coverage and takes the most time to research and arrange. Then confirm the position on life insurance with your existing provider. Contents insurance for the host country property and personal liability coverage can be arranged once you have confirmed the destination and the type of accommodation.

3. Do I need international health insurance if the host country has a national health system?

Possibly not, if you are contributing to the local social insurance system through employment and receive access to public healthcare as a result. However, public healthcare quality and accessibility varies considerably by destination, and waiting times for specialist treatment in some systems make supplementary private coverage worthwhile. Confirm what your employment status entitles you to in the host country before cancelling existing coverage. Our guide on best countries for expats in 2026 covers how major destinations compare across healthcare access, cost of living, and quality of life.

4. Does my employer’s health insurance cover me abroad?

For corporate assignees, the employer typically provides international health insurance as part of the relocation policy. Confirm this before departure and check whether the coverage extends to family members, what the coverage limits are, and how to access care in the host country.

5. Can I get international health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes, but you must declare it at the point of application. Pre-existing conditions declared on application are typically covered subject to policy terms and any applicable waiting periods. Undeclared conditions may result in claims being denied. Be specific and complete when declaring your health history.

6. Does my home country’s insurance cover my belongings abroad?

In most cases, no. Standard UK and US home contents policies are designed for residential properties in the home country and do not extend coverage to a property abroad. Some policies provide limited worldwide coverage for portable items, but this is not a substitute for a dedicated expat contents policy for a permanent overseas residence.