Insider tips for frequently asked questions: how to make the most of your international health insurance

If you are a frequent traveller, is it better to get an annual policy or insurance for specific trips?

For short trips of perhaps a week or two, simple travel insurance that covers your health emergencies should be fine. However, if you are traveling often or for a longer period, you will need more comprehensive health insurance, as travel insurance only covers emergencies.

If you need outpatient care for ongoing health issues, checkups etc., or you are going for a longer period where you might need medical care, we recommend international health insurance that covers all eventualities.

Is it better to get broad coverage or very specific coverage for your international health insurance?

Obtaining coverage that is specific to your needs is always better. You do not want to be paying for extras you will not make use of or be caught out by having insufficient coverage.

As a broker with agreements with recognised health insurance partners, we can guarantee that everyone gets the right insurance for their needs. That might not always be the case if you go directly to an insurer, who have less tailored packages to offer.

How hard is it to find all the necessary information when arranging your insurance?

It can be a bit intimidating to source all the information you might need for international health insurance coverage, and may be quite difficult to get the information because of the location you are traveling to.

If you travel to Honduras for example, it can be tricky to get the information you require to compare insurers and get the right coverage for you. This might be because of a language barrier, a lack of knowledge about what to look for, or not knowing which companies are recommended in the area.

No matter where you are going, always do a market review and compare the benefits of each policy. Bear in mind that when you choose something cheap, you are almost always picking a policy that lacks all the key benefits. Spending more in advance is usually worth it in the long run.

This is why using a broker can help you. They have the experience in different locations and languages and can really research to find the best option for you at the best price. You can not really go wrong!

What advantages are there for getting international health insurance through a broker rather than a local insurer?

As ASN is a preferred partner for health insurers, we can give our clients quicker access to their products, otherwise, you are just one person in a network of thousands of insured people who are all seeking the insurer is time and response. We can always guarantee quick access and answers in every case.

Additionally for our clients, it is especially useful to have the option of using multiple languages. For example, we provide services in German, Italian and French as well as English which makes it helpful for our clients who might be traveling to regions that they are not familiar with or have no language skills for.

The other main advantage is that as a broker, ASN is independent. We can compare and market review all insurers, and we can guarantee to offer the right international health insurance product for each client. We are not restricted to a particular insurer or product and not limited in the options that we can offer.

Is it better to set a higher excess amount for a lower health insurance policy?

We recommend choosing an international health insurance policy without an excess or deductible.

If something serious occurs with your health, and you require inpatient treatment at the hospital, your insurer will issue a guarantee of payment and may sometimes issue the amount required with the excess deducted.

This can cause problems, depending on the hospital. Sometimes the hospital will not accept this guarantee of payment, and when you are dealing with an urgent health issue, you do not want to be fighting with your insurer about an administrative matter.

Are there insurance options that people often overlook?

When you are in the process of moving or working abroad, you are often busy handling several important tasks at once. That means that when you are choosing your insurance, you might not think of all the eventualities that you will need to cover.

As an insurance broker, we often find that clients forget about these areas where they might need cover, such as dental cover, optical cover, wellness benefits like regular checkups, and evacuation and repatriation. Vaccinations should also be covered by your international health insurance.

What medical options should your international health insurance cover?

Ideally, your insurance gives you the choice of the best medical treatments and doctors available, no matter where they are located.

For example, in Switzerland, we have some of the best medical facilities in the world, and as a Swiss national, you may wish to return home to receive your treatment and will need coverage that allows you to do so.

Or, for example, you might need a specific treatment only provided in certain hospitals in another country. With international health insurance coverage, you will be able to access that, rather than restricting you to where you are currently residing.

Is there a « better » time to get healthcare procedures?

The quality of the treatment that can be provided should dictate when you book procedures that are not urgent.

For example, if you need dental work, getting it done sooner abroad might mean that the quality of the work done is not as good. Waiting until there is availability for reputable treatment back home in Switzerland or wherever you reside from might be wiser in the long run. You do not want to have to get the procedure done twice.

Is it cheaper to get combined cover for you and your dependents?

Your premium is always calculated based on the individual and their age, so if your family situation changes, it is best to see what family options you can get for less expensive insurance. Otherwise, you will be paying for individual insurance for multiple people. This particularly applies if you have children, remembering that most of our insurance partners will apply a family discount, for example.

Do not forget to add your child to your policy as soon as practically possible as sometimes people forget to. Also, remember that social systems are different the world over. In Switzerland, for example, if something happens to you, your partner and child are well cared for by the social system in place. This might not be the case elsewhere, so plan accordingly.

How often should you review your health insurance policy?

Every two years seems sensible. With a broker, you can review every year, and you will always have a representative available to help you go through your policy.

Any tips for filing a claim on your health insurance?

When you choose ASN we handle the claims for our clients. This is not typical for most insurance brokers, so we offer more to our clients that way. With preferred and priority access, we are also able to get clients refunded quicker after claiming.

Claiming online, or through apps, can mean you are one of many people waiting for a response or a refund. You often must answer additional questions as the invoice is not usually enough. Using a broker can mean you get the issue resolved faster.

How ASN can help you to choose the best international health insurance?

Avoid the stress and difficulty of finding the best international health insurance for your needs by using ASN.

We can help you find a policy that meets your needs exactly, without any hassle. Your personal consultant will provide you with:

• Easy-to-understand information: We make sure that you understand exactly what you are paying for with your insurance policy.
• Insights from years of insurance expertise: We have 25 years of experience working with the best insurance providers across the globe, meaning you can trust us with finding the best policy for you and your family.
• A friendly and personal approach: Do not be one of thousands of people waiting for insurers to get back to them. When you need us, we are here for you 24/7 and can get you the answers you need quickly.

Our expert consultants will help you to arrange the best international health insurance for your needs. Get in touch with us now to start the process, or go to our international health insurance page to find out more.