TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised UK broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that navigating the world of insurance can be daunting. When planning a trip or a move abroad, one of the most common points of confusion is the difference between International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) and travel insurance. This guide explains everything you need to know.
Key takeaways
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Covers costs for accidents and sudden illnesses needing immediate attention. This is not for routine check-ups or planned treatments.
- Repatriation: The cost of getting you back home to the UK via air ambulance or with a medical escort if you're too unwell to travel commercially. This can cost tens of thousands of pounds without insurance.
- Trip Cancellation or Curtailment: Reimburses you for pre-paid flights and accommodation if you have to cancel or cut your trip short due to specific reasons like illness, bereavement, or jury service.
- Lost or Stolen Baggage and Belongings: Covers the cost of replacing your possessions if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Personal Liability: Protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while abroad.
As an FCA-authorised UK broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that navigating the world of insurance can be daunting. When planning a trip or a move abroad, one of the most common points of confusion is the difference between International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) and travel insurance. This guide explains everything you need to know.
WeCovr explains which is right for you abroad
Choosing the right cover isn't just about ticking a box; it's about securing your health and financial wellbeing when you're away from the UK. The protection you need for a two-week holiday in Spain is vastly different from the comprehensive healthcare required for a two-year work contract in Singapore.
Let's break down these two essential, but very different, types of insurance.
What is Travel Insurance? A Short-Term Safety Net
Think of travel insurance as your trip's emergency toolkit. Its primary job is to protect you from financial losses related to unforeseen events that can happen before or during a short-term trip, such as a holiday or a brief business visit. It is designed for travel, not for residence.
The core of a travel insurance policy is emergency medical cover. If you have an accident or fall suddenly ill while abroad, it covers the cost of your emergency treatment and, crucially, repatriation back to the UK if medically necessary.
Key features typically included in travel insurance:
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Covers costs for accidents and sudden illnesses needing immediate attention. This is not for routine check-ups or planned treatments.
- Repatriation: The cost of getting you back home to the UK via air ambulance or with a medical escort if you're too unwell to travel commercially. This can cost tens of thousands of pounds without insurance.
- Trip Cancellation or Curtailment: Reimburses you for pre-paid flights and accommodation if you have to cancel or cut your trip short due to specific reasons like illness, bereavement, or jury service.
- Lost or Stolen Baggage and Belongings: Covers the cost of replacing your possessions if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Personal Liability: Protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while abroad.
- Travel Delays and Missed Departures: Provides a small amount of compensation for long delays.
Real-Life Example: Sarah's Skiing Mishap
Sarah, a 32-year-old from Manchester, went on a one-week skiing holiday to the French Alps. She had a standard annual travel insurance policy. On the third day, she had a bad fall and broke her leg.
- Her travel insurance covered the mountain rescue team.
- It paid for her ambulance transport and hospital stay in France.
- It covered the cost of her surgery and pain relief.
- Because she couldn't fly on her original budget flight, the policy paid for a new flight home with extra legroom, as advised by the doctor.
Without travel insurance, Sarah's medical and transport bills could have easily exceeded £15,000. However, her policy would not have covered a routine GP visit for a cold or a pre-planned dental check-up. It was purely for the emergency. (illustrative estimate)
What is International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI)? Comprehensive Global Healthcare
International Private Medical Insurance, often called IPMI or international health insurance, is entirely different. It's not for a holiday; it's for your health while you are living or working abroad for an extended period (typically one year or more).
IPMI is essentially the global equivalent of UK private medical insurance. It's designed to give you comprehensive access to private healthcare in your new country of residence, from routine GP visits to major surgery and cancer treatment. It replaces the day-to-day healthcare access you would have had with the NHS and a UK PMI policy.
Key features typically included in IPMI:
- In-patient and Day-patient Care: Covers hospital stays, surgeries, and treatments where a hospital bed is required.
- Out-patient Care: Covers GP appointments, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and scans without a hospital stay.
- Cancer Treatment: Comprehensive cover for oncology, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Mental Health Support: Access to therapies and psychiatric care.
- Chronic Condition Management: Some plans can be underwritten to cover the ongoing management of long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma. This is a critical distinction from both travel insurance and standard UK PMI.
- Wellness and Preventative Care: Many policies include benefits for health screenings and vaccinations.
- Optional Add-ons: You can often add comprehensive dental, vision, and maternity cover.
Real-Life Example: David's Dubai Relocation
David, a 45-year-old engineer from London, accepted a three-year job in Dubai with his family. As they would no longer be UK residents, they would lose their automatic access to free NHS care.
His employer provided a family IPMI plan. Six months into their stay, David's son developed a persistent ear infection.
- Their IPMI policy covered multiple visits to a private paediatrician.
- It paid for the prescribed specialist antibiotics.
- When the issue didn't resolve, it covered a consultation with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist and a minor surgical procedure to insert grommets.
Later that year, David’s wife used the policy for routine health screenings. Travel insurance would not have covered any of this. The IPMI provided them with the same, if not better, level of healthcare access they were used to in the UK.
The Core Differences at a Glance: IPMI vs Travel Insurance
To make it simple, here is a direct comparison of the two types of cover.
| Feature | Travel Insurance | International PMI (IPMI) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | To cover unforeseen emergencies and travel mishaps on short trips. | To provide comprehensive healthcare for those living or working abroad long-term. |
| Duration of Cover | Short-term: single trip (days/weeks) or annual multi-trip (max 30-90 days per trip). | Long-term: annual policies that are designed to be renewed each year. |
| Medical Coverage | Emergency treatment only. For sudden illness or accidents. No routine or elective care. | Comprehensive care. Covers emergency, routine (GP visits), elective surgery, and chronic condition management. |
| Geographical Scope | Specific to your holiday destination(s). | Regional (e.g., Europe) or Worldwide. Can include or exclude expensive countries like the USA. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Generally excluded or require specialist declaration and a higher premium. Cover is for emergency flare-ups only. | Can often be covered, subject to underwriting (Moratorium or Full Medical Underwriting). |
| Non-Medical Cover | Yes. A key feature. Covers lost luggage, cancellations, delays, personal liability. | No. Purely a health insurance product. Does not cover travel-related problems. |
| Cost | Relatively low. From under £20 for a single trip to a few hundred for an annual policy. | Significantly higher. From £100 per month to many hundreds, depending on age, location, and cover level. |
| Ideal For | Holidaymakers, backpackers, short-term business travellers. | Expats, digital nomads, retirees abroad, international students. |
Who Needs Travel Insurance? The Holidaymaker and Short-Term Traveller
You need travel insurance if you are a UK resident taking a trip abroad for a limited time and plan to return home.
This includes:
- Holidaymakers: Whether it's a week on the Costa del Sol or a fortnight in Florida.
- Backpackers: For multi-country trips lasting a few months.
- Short-term Business Travellers: For meetings, conferences, or short assignments.
- City Breakers: For a weekend trip to Paris or Rome.
Don't Forget Your GHIC for Europe!
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is essential for trips to the EU. It gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare on the same terms as a local resident. However, the FCDO and all insurance experts are clear: a GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.
- It doesn't cover private healthcare.
- It won't pay for you to be repatriated to the UK.
- It offers no protection for cancellations, lost luggage, or theft.
Always have both a valid GHIC and a comprehensive travel insurance policy for any European travel.
Who Needs International PMI? The Expat, Digital Nomad, and Long-Stay Resident
You need International Private Medical Insurance if you are leaving the UK to live, work, or study in another country for an extended period, typically more than six months to a year. Once you are no longer considered "ordinarily resident" in the UK, your entitlement to free, comprehensive NHS treatment ends. You will typically only be able to access emergency A&E care.
This includes:
- Expats: Individuals and families relocating for work.
- Digital Nomads: People who work remotely while travelling the world long-term.
- Retirees: Those choosing to spend their retirement years in another country.
- International Students: For university courses or study programmes lasting a full academic year or more.
Living abroad without comprehensive health insurance is a significant financial risk. A serious illness or accident could lead to devastating medical bills, especially in countries with expensive healthcare systems like the USA. A reliable IPMI policy from a top provider ensures you can access high-quality care without the financial worry. Finding the right private medical insurance in the UK before you go is simple, but selecting a global plan requires specialist help. This is where an expert PMI broker like WeCovr can be indispensable.
The Critical Issue of Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions
This is one of the most important and misunderstood areas of insurance. How your existing health issues are treated differs enormously between policy types.
A Critical Point on UK Private Medical Insurance It's vital to understand that standard private medical insurance UK policies are designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started. An acute condition is one that is curable with treatment and is not long-term. Standard UK PMI does not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease that require ongoing management).
Travel Insurance and Pre-existing Conditions With travel insurance, you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions.
- The insurer might cover you as standard.
- They might charge an additional premium to cover the condition.
- They might offer you a policy but specifically exclude any claims related to that condition.
- They might decline to offer cover at all.
Failing to declare a condition can invalidate your entire policy. Even when covered, it's typically only for an unexpected emergency flare-up, not for routine management or medication.
International PMI and Pre-existing/Chronic Conditions IPMI offers more sophisticated and flexible options for handling your medical history, as it's designed for long-term health management. You will typically encounter two types of underwriting:
-
Moratorium Underwriting: This is a simpler application process where you don't declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the policy excludes treatment for any condition you've had symptoms, advice, or treatment for in a set period (usually the last 5 years). These exclusions are reviewed after a continuous 2-year period on the policy. If you remain completely symptom and treatment-free for that condition during those 2 years, it may become eligible for cover.
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You provide a detailed medical history questionnaire. The insurer's medical team assesses your health status and decides on the terms. They may:
- Accept you on standard terms.
- Add a "loading" (a percentage increase) to your premium to cover the higher risk.
- Place a permanent exclusion on the specific condition and any related ones.
For those with ongoing health needs, FMU can provide clarity from day one about what is and isn't covered. Some high-level IPMI plans are specifically designed to help manage chronic conditions, providing a level of care that travel insurance simply cannot offer.
How Much Does Each Type of Cover Cost?
The cost varies dramatically based on the type of cover and your personal circumstances.
| Factor | Travel Insurance | International PMI |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Price | £15-£50 for a single trip. £40-£300 for an annual multi-trip policy. | £100-£1,000+ per month. |
| Age | Premiums rise sharply for those over 65. | A major factor; costs increase significantly with age. |
| Destination | Worldwide policies, especially those including the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, are most expensive. | The country of residence is key. The USA can make a policy 2-3 times more expensive than one for Europe. |
| Level of Cover | Basic policies have lower limits and higher excesses. Comprehensive policies cost more. | Huge variation. In-patient only plans are cheaper. Comprehensive plans with out-patient, dental, and vision are much more expensive. |
| Health Status | Declared pre-existing conditions will increase the premium. | Will affect terms under FMU, potentially increasing premiums or adding exclusions. |
Making the Right Choice: A Checklist for Your Trip Abroad
Still unsure? Answer these four simple questions to find out which cover you likely need.
-
How long will you be out of the UK?
- Less than 3-6 months: You most likely need Travel Insurance.
- More than 6 months, or moving indefinitely: You need International PMI.
-
What is the main purpose of your time abroad?
- Holiday, visiting family, short business trip: You need Travel Insurance.
- Working, living, studying, or retiring: You need International PMI.
-
Do you need cover for routine healthcare like GP visits or health check-ups?
- No, just for emergencies: You need Travel Insurance.
- Yes, I want comprehensive access to day-to-day healthcare: You need International PMI.
-
Is cover for non-medical issues like lost baggage and flight cancellations important?
- Yes, I want that protection: You need Travel Insurance. (You may need IPMI as well if you're living abroad but still travelling).
- No, my only concern is my health: Your focus should be on International PMI.
The WeCovr Advantage: Expert Guidance at No Extra Cost
The world of international health insurance is complex, with dozens of providers offering hundreds of policy variations. Trying to compare them yourself can be overwhelming. This is where WeCovr can help.
As an independent, FCA-authorised broker, our job is to work for you. We are not tied to any single insurer. Our experts take the time to understand your unique needs—your destination, your health, your family, and your budget—and then search the market to find the best PMI provider and policy for you.
- Expert, Unbiased Advice: We simplify the jargon and explain the differences between policies.
- Market Comparison: We get quotes from leading global insurers to ensure you get the right cover at a competitive price.
- No Cost to You: Our service is completely free for you. We receive a commission from the insurer you choose, which is already built into the premium.
- Added Value: When you arrange your health or life insurance through WeCovr, we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered diet and calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, to support your wellness journey. You can also benefit from discounts on other types of insurance you may need.
With high customer satisfaction ratings, WeCovr is a trusted partner for thousands of UK residents planning their lives abroad.
Can I use my UK private medical insurance abroad?
What happens if I don't declare a pre-existing condition on my travel insurance?
Is International PMI worth it if my new country has a public healthcare system?
Can I have both types of insurance?
Ready to find the right protection for your life abroad?
Don't leave your health to chance. Contact a WeCovr expert today for a free, no-obligation quote and get personalised advice on the best insurance for your needs.
Sources
- NHS England: Waiting times and referral-to-treatment statistics.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Health, mortality, and workforce data.
- NICE: Clinical guidance and technology appraisals.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC): Provider quality and inspection reports.
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): Public health surveillance reports.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Health and protection market publications.












