
TL;DR
Navigating the world of international private medical insurance (IPMI) can feel complex, especially when trying to budget for your life abroad. As specialist UK-based private medical insurance brokers, the team at WeCovr understands that your primary concern is often the cost. With over 900,000 policies of various kinds issued, we have the expertise to demystify the pricing structures of leading providers like Expatriate Group.
Key takeaways
- Your Age: The older you are, the higher the statistical likelihood of needing medical care.
- Your Region of Cover: Healthcare costs vary dramatically around the world.
- Your Chosen Benefits: The more comprehensive your cover, the higher the price.
- Your Excess Level: The amount you agree to pay towards a claim.
- Your Underwriting Option: How the policy treats your past medical history.
Navigating the world of international private medical insurance (IPMI) can feel complex, especially when trying to budget for your life abroad. As specialist UK-based private medical insurance brokers, the team at WeCovr understands that your primary concern is often the cost. With over 900,000 policies of various kinds issued, we have the expertise to demystify the pricing structures of leading providers like Expatriate Group.
This guide provides a clear, practical breakdown of the costs associated with Expatriate Group's individual IPMI plans. We will explore the key factors that determine your premium, helping you make an informed decision for your health and financial wellbeing while living overseas.
A practical guide to pricing for individuals – how age, region, benefits, excess and underwriting influence Expatriate Group IPMI costs
Understanding your Expatriate Group IPMI premium isn't about finding a single, fixed price. Instead, it's about seeing how different components of your policy are combined to create a premium tailored specifically to you.
The final cost of your international health insurance is a direct reflection of the level of risk the insurer takes on. This risk is calculated based on five primary factors:
- Your Age: The older you are, the higher the statistical likelihood of needing medical care.
- Your Region of Cover: Healthcare costs vary dramatically around the world.
- Your Chosen Benefits: The more comprehensive your cover, the higher the price.
- Your Excess Level: The amount you agree to pay towards a claim.
- Your Underwriting Option: How the policy treats your past medical history.
By adjusting these five levers, you can customise a policy that fits both your healthcare needs and your budget. Let's explore each one in detail.
Who is Expatriate Group? A Quick Overview
Before we delve into pricing, it's useful to know who you're dealing with. Expatriate Group is a UK-based, FCA-regulated insurance provider that specialises exclusively in creating insurance products for the international community.
Unlike generalist insurers who may have an 'expat' add-on, Expatriate Group’s entire focus is on people living and working outside their home country. This specialisation means their products are built from the ground up to handle the unique challenges of international healthcare, such as medical evacuation, multi-currency claims, and 24/7 global assistance. They are known for their straightforward policy wording and flexible plan design.
The 5 Core Factors Driving Your Expatriate Group IPMI Premium
Every quote you receive from Expatriate Group will be a unique calculation based on the following elements. Understanding them is the key to controlling your costs.
1. Your Age: The Most Significant Cost Factor
This is the most straightforward and impactful element of your premium. Insurers use extensive data to correlate age with the probability of making a claim. As we get older, the risk of developing health conditions that require treatment increases.
Your age is the single most significant factor in determining your IPMI premium.
Premiums are therefore structured in age bands. You will see a noticeable increase in cost as you move into a new band (e.g., from 35-39 to 40-44). This reflects the higher statistical risk associated with that age group.
Example: Estimated Monthly Premiums by Age
The table below illustrates how a premium can change based on age alone, assuming all other factors (mid-level cover, Europe region, £250 excess) are kept constant.
| Age Band | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 25-29 | £95 |
| 35-39 | £130 |
| 45-49 | £190 |
| 55-59 | £310 |
| 65-69 | £550 |
Disclaimer: These are illustrative figures for estimation purposes only. Your actual quote will vary.
Insider Tip: If your birthday is approaching and it will push you into a new, more expensive age band, it's wise to secure your policy beforehand to lock in the lower rate for the first year.
2. Your Region of Cover: Where You Live and Travel Matters
The second major cost driver is geography. The cost of a medical procedure can vary by thousands, or even tens of thousands, of pounds from one country to another. A knee replacement in Spain, for example, costs significantly less than the same procedure in the United States.
Expatriate Group, like all IPMI providers, groups countries into pricing zones. You select the zone that covers where you will be living and potentially travelling to.
Common Expatriate Group Regions of Cover:
- Europe: Covers residence and travel within European countries.
- Worldwide excluding USA: Their most popular option, providing global cover except for the USA.
- Worldwide: The most comprehensive and expensive option, including cover for treatment in the USA.
Why does the USA make such a difference? The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world by a significant margin. Including it in your plan dramatically increases the potential cost of claims, and your premium will reflect this.
Example: Estimated Monthly Premiums by Region
Using a 40-year-old individual with a comprehensive plan and £100 excess, here's how the premium might differ by region:
| Region of Cover | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Europe | £180 |
| Worldwide excluding USA | £230 |
| Worldwide including USA | £450 |
Disclaimer: These are illustrative figures for estimation purposes only. Your actual quote will vary.
Practical Advice: Be realistic about your needs. If you don't live in or travel to the USA, there is no need to pay the substantial extra premium for worldwide cover that includes it. Choosing "Worldwide excluding USA" is one of the most effective ways to manage your IPMI cost.
3. Your Level of Cover: Customising Your Benefits
This is where you have the most flexibility to tailor the policy. Expatriate Group IPMI is modular, allowing you to build a plan that matches your priorities. The core of every policy is in-patient cover.
- In-patient Cover (Core): This is the essential foundation, covering costs when you are admitted to a hospital bed. This includes surgery, accommodation, specialist fees, cancer treatment, and advanced imaging like MRI and CT scans.
You can then choose to add optional benefit modules:
- Out-patient Cover: This covers consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments that don't require a hospital admission. Think specialist visits, physiotherapy, and prescriptions. Adding this will increase the premium.
- Medical Evacuation: A crucial benefit for many expats. This covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest centre of medical excellence if local facilities are inadequate. For those living in remote areas, this is non-negotiable.
- Dental & Vision: Covers routine check-ups, restorative dental work, and costs for glasses or contact lenses. This is often seen as a 'quality of life' add-on.
Table: Comparing a Basic vs. Comprehensive Plan
| Benefit | Basic Plan (In-patient Only) | Comprehensive Plan |
|---|---|---|
| In-patient Care | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Cancer Care | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Medical Evacuation | ❌ Add-on | ✅ Included |
| Out-patient Care | ❌ Add-on | ✅ Included |
| Dental & Vision | ❌ Add-on | ✅ Included |
| Estimated Monthly Premium | £150 | £240 |
Disclaimer: Based on a 42-year-old in 'Worldwide excl. USA'. Figures are illustrative.
Working with an expert broker like WeCovr can help you analyse these options. We can help you decide if the extra cost for full out-patient cover is justified, or if a more basic plan supplemented by paying for smaller consultations out-of-pocket might be more cost-effective for you.
4. Your Excess (Deductible): Sharing the Cost
An excess (known as a deductible in some countries) is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of your treatment in any given policy year before the insurer starts paying. It’s a form of co-payment.
Choosing a higher excess will directly lower your annual premium.
The logic is simple: by agreeing to handle smaller claims yourself, you reduce the insurer's administrative burden and financial risk, and they pass these savings on to you.
Expatriate Group offers a range of excess options, typically from £0 up to £5,000 or more.
Example: Impact of Excess on Premiums
For a 45-year-old with a comprehensive plan, the premium might change as follows:
| Annual Excess | Estimated Annual Premium | Potential Saving |
|---|---|---|
| £0 | £3,000 | - |
| £250 | £2,700 | 10% |
| £500 | £2,460 | 18% |
| £1,000 | £2,100 | 30% |
| £2,500 | £1,650 | 45% |
Disclaimer: Figures and percentages are illustrative estimates.
Client Mistake: A common error is choosing a £0 excess to have "everything covered." This results in the highest possible premium. A more balanced approach is to choose an excess you could comfortably afford to pay in a worst-case scenario (e.g., £500 or £1,000). This can lead to significant premium savings year after year.
5. Your Underwriting Choice: How Pre-existing Conditions are Handled
This is a crucial concept in all private medical insurance, both in the UK and internationally. An insurer needs to know about your medical history to assess risk. Expatriate Group typically offers two main underwriting options for individuals.
Crucially, standard IPMI policies are designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy begins. They are not designed to cover pre-existing or long-term chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU):
- How it works: You complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring your full medical history. The underwriting team assesses this information.
- Outcome: They may accept you on standard terms, add a price loading (an extra percentage on your premium), or, most commonly, place an exclusion on your policy for specific pre-existing conditions and any related issues.
- Pros: You have complete clarity from day one about what is and isn't covered. There are no grey areas.
- Cons: The application process is longer, and you may have permanent exclusions on your policy.
-
Moratorium Underwriting:
- How it works: You do not declare your medical history upfront. Instead, the policy automatically excludes treatment for any medical condition you have had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in a set period before the policy started (typically 5 years).
- The "Moratorium" Clause: These exclusions can be lifted if, after starting your policy, you go for a continuous period (typically 2 years) without needing any treatment, symptoms, or advice for that specific condition.
- Pros: The application is quick and simple. You may be able to gain cover for a past condition after the 2-year waiting period.
- Cons: There is a degree of uncertainty. A claim might be delayed or rejected while the insurer investigates whether it relates to a pre-existing condition.
The choice of underwriting does not usually have a major direct impact on the initial price, but it has a massive impact on what you can claim for. A WeCovr adviser can walk you through the pros and cons of each option based on your personal health history.
Putting It All Together: Real-Life Cost Scenarios
Let's see how these factors combine for different individuals.
Scenario 1: The Young Digital Nomad
- Person: Chloe, 28, a freelance writer living in Lisbon, Portugal.
- Needs: Peace of mind for major medical events but happy to pay for GP visits herself.
- Policy Choices:
- Age: 28 (Low cost)
- Region: Europe (Low cost)
- Benefits: In-patient Only (Basic plan)
- Excess: £1,000 (High excess for big savings)
- Underwriting: Moratorium (Simple application)
- Estimated Monthly Premium: £70 - £90
Scenario 2: The Family Relocating
- People: The Smith family. David (45), Sarah (42), and two children (10, 8), relocating to Dubai.
- Needs: Comprehensive cover for the whole family, including out-patient care and medical evacuation. They don't travel to the USA.
- Policy Choices:
- Age: 45, 42, 10, 8 (Mid-to-high cost driver)
- Region: Worldwide excluding USA (Mid-cost)
- Benefits: Comprehensive Plan with Out-patient (High benefit level)
- Excess: £250 per person (Low excess for more coverage)
- Underwriting: Full Medical Underwriting (Clarity for family health history)
- Estimated Monthly Premium (for the family): £650 - £800
Scenario 3: The Retiree in Asia
- Person: Robert, 67, retired and living in Thailand.
- Needs: Solid in-patient and out-patient cover, but wants to keep costs manageable.
- Policy Choices:
- Age: 67 (High cost driver)
- Region: Worldwide excluding USA (He wants the option to visit family in Australia)
- Benefits: In-patient and a mid-level Out-patient plan.
- Excess: £500 (A balanced choice)
- Underwriting: Full Medical Underwriting (To be clear on cover for age-related checks)
- Estimated Monthly Premium: £480 - £600
How WeCovr Can Help You Find the Right Expatriate Group Policy
As you can see, the 'cost' of an Expatriate Group policy is not one-size-fits-all. It's a dynamic figure that you can influence. Trying to navigate these choices alone can be overwhelming, which is where an independent broker adds immense value.
At WeCovr, our service is free to you. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and our expert advisers can:
- Explain Your Options: We'll walk you through each pricing factor in plain English.
- Compare the Market: While Expatriate Group is an excellent specialist, we can also compare their quote against other leading IPMI providers like AXA, Bupa Global, and Cigna to ensure you're getting the best value.
- Tailor Your Plan: We help you find the sweet spot between comprehensive cover and an affordable premium, ensuring you don't pay for benefits you don't need.
- Assist with Applications: We can help you navigate the underwriting process, whether you choose FMU or Moratorium.
- Provide Ongoing Support: We are here to help if you have questions or need to claim.
Furthermore, WeCovr clients gain complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, and can benefit from discounts on other insurance products like life or income protection cover.
Is Expatriate Group cheaper than Bupa Global or AXA?
Will my Expatriate Group premium increase every year?
Can I add my family to my individual policy later?
What isn't covered by a standard Expatriate Group IPMI policy?
Ready to find out exactly what your Expatriate Group IPMI policy would cost? The next step is a personalised quote.
Contact a friendly WeCovr adviser today for a free, no-obligation discussion and market comparison. We’ll do the hard work for you, ensuring you get the right cover at the best possible price.












