Do I need a health insurance broker as an expat?
If you are planning a move to a new country, it is likely that you are already dealing with a lot of paperwork. From organising housing, transport, finances and much more. There are multiple decisions that need to be made when preparing for living and working in a another country.Insurance can often be the last thing you are considering when you are finalising your plans, but it may end up being one of the most important parts of your travel preparation. When preparing for unexpected events or potentially life-changing issues it is important to not only be prepared, but also to feel secure in your next big move.
Read on to understand why international health insurance is particulary important for expats, and why a health insurance broker can help you settle into your new life.
See how we can help you book your expat health insurance
Do I need international health insurance as an expat?
You may not consider international health insurance as an immediate priority for your move abroad, but there are several reasons why investing in health insurance is an important decision.
- If you are uninsured arranging health treatment in an emergency may prove to be very difficult, and the likelihood of being able to see the appropriate doctors or specialist consultants are slim. Having health insurance in place can expedite treatment when you really need it.
- If you are moving abroad with your family, having the security of knowing that they will be cared for should an accident or other health emergency occur, is one less thing you have to worry about.
- If you do not have health insurance with the correct coverage, you may find yourself without any support for long-standing conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure or issues that may need long-term treatment, such as a cancer or heart disease. Having the correct health insurance can ensure that you will be seen by the right people, get the right treatment and be taken care of properly. As a new expat you might not know the culture, language or typical processes in your new country, a health insurance broker can help you with these problems.
- If accident or illness does happen you may be incapacitated and need assistance in organising your affairs. A health insurance broker will act on your behalf throughout this time of need, by liaising with your insurance company and medical providers, across languages and cultures, so that your treatment is not compromised.
Find out more about how ASN can offer you priority status and other exclusive benefits as your health insurance broker. (Link: https://asn-insurance.com/en/insurance-solutions/international-health-insurance)
How can I insure myself as an expat?
As an expat, you usually have three potential ways of insuring yourself.
Health insurance from your home country
Some expats decide to buy health insurance from their country of origin by using a domestic health insurance policy to cover any potential need abroad in their new location. This may cover the basics, but without a deep knowledge of your new country’s health systems, medical providers and more, any required treatment may be delayed with bureaucracy, meaning that you might not receive the highest quality of healthcare. Furthermore you may not be covered fully for further travel outside of your new country of residence, which might be a necessity if you are planning to travel frequently.
Travel insurance coverage
This is a good option if you are only planning to be abroad temporarily, however for expats this will only give you limited coverage for a short period of time. You might also miss out on ongoing treatment cover, as you will likely only have cover for accidents and emergencies. This may be the least expensive option but it also only provides you with the least amount of protection.
International health insurance
An international health insurance plan will offer you the most comprehensive cover you will require as an expat. You will be able to take your select the best healthcare facilities and practitioners in your new country of residence, and you will have coverage for journeys to and from your home country as well as other locations. Longer-term medical conditions together with any existing health issues can be covered comprehensively, no matter where you are.
When do you need to think about international health insurance?
An international health insurance plan will offer you the most comprehensive cover you will require as an expat. You will be able to take your select the best healthcare facilities and practitioners in your new country of residence, and you will have coverage for journeys to and from your home country as well as other locations. Longer-term medical conditions together with any existing health issues can be covered comprehensively, no matter where you are.
Ideally, you should organise your international health insurance before you travel. Being covered from the moment you touch down in your new location is the smart thing to do, as you never know when you may need to seek medical attention, for yourself or for your family.
You may also have an existing health issue that will need treatment or be planning on a life event that will require medical assistance, such as having children. Having coverage planned out to cover all eventualities can reduce the stress of moving abroad significantly.
Once you have the key details about your new location, your potential needs and the length of time you will need cover for, you can investigate which health insurance policy will best work for you.
Do I need a health insurance broker as an expat?
The answer is not always, you may not need a health insurance broker as an expat, but it helps to reduce the burden on your time and energy. Researching and finding a tailored health insurance plan that will cover everything you require does takes a lot of effort. It can be quite difficult to understand all the elements involved, and to be certain the insurance will do what you need when you need it. A health insurance broker can take this burden from you.
How can an international health insurance broker help you?
A great international health insurance broker works like a personal assistant, handling all the little details that need sorting.
Rather than having to trawl through many insurance providers and all the fine print, a health insurance broker can do the legwork for you. From giving you personal advice on the insurance options you have available, finding the best insurance for you and handling all the administrative work, a broker can make your life a lot easier.
Why ASN is the best health insurance broker for you
Not only do we provide you with help to find and set up your policies, but we also provide you with a concierge-like experience, no matter where you are settling down across the world.
From communicating with you in your chosen language, to liaising on your behalf with your insurance and healthcare providers we smooth the process of arranging and claiming from your health insurance. Your personal consultant can handle claims and renewal, and offer you their in-depth expertise to get you the comprehensive cover that suits your needs.
Best of all, with our many years of experience working alongside a network of reputable healthcare insurers, we are able to provide you with Priority Status, which gives you particular benefits and options that are not available to an individual without our access.
While you focus on your expat journey we focus on managing all aspects of your health insurance policy, at no additional cost to you. You can see our full list of services here.
If you would like to know more about how we can help, get in touch with us or read our dedicated page for more details.
