Planning a move abroad from the UK? Understanding what happens to your private medical insurance is crucial. As an FCA-authorised broker, WeCovr has helped arrange over 900,000 policies of various kinds, and we're here to guide you through your options for health cover when you become an expat.
Steps for expats, portability options, and switching to global insurance policies
Moving to a new country is an exhilarating prospect, filled with new cultures, opportunities, and experiences. Amid the excitement of packing boxes and booking flights, one critical detail can be easily overlooked: your health insurance. Your UK Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is designed specifically for life in the UK, and once you become an expat, it's unlikely to provide the cover you need.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the limitations of UK PMI to the benefits of comprehensive international policies.
Understanding the Limitations of Your UK PMI
First, let's be crystal clear about what a standard UK private medical insurance policy is for. It is designed to cover the costs of treatment for acute conditions for residents of the United Kingdom, within the UK.
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of things like joint replacement, cataract surgery, or treatment for a serious but curable infection.
- Chronic Condition: A condition that is long-lasting and often has no known cure. It can be managed with medication and treatment but not resolved. Examples include diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.
- Pre-existing Condition: Any illness, disease, or injury for which you have experienced symptoms, received medication, or sought advice before your policy began.
Crucial Point: Standard UK PMI does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. Its purpose is to provide fast access to private healthcare for new, eligible medical problems that arise after you take out the policy.
When you move abroad, you are no longer a permanent UK resident, which fundamentally changes your relationship with your UK insurer.
Does My UK PMI Cover Me If I Live Abroad?
The short answer is almost certainly no.
A standard private medical insurance UK policy is geographically limited. It's priced and designed based on the UK healthcare system, its costs, and its regulations. While many policies offer a "travel cover" extension, this is intended for short holidays, not for permanent or semi-permanent residency in another country.
- Holiday Cover vs. Expat Life: A travel add-on might cover emergency medical treatment for a few weeks while you're on holiday. It is not designed to cover routine check-ups, planned treatments, or ongoing care in your new country of residence.
- Residency Status: As soon as you are no longer considered a resident of the UK, your eligibility for a UK-based PMI policy is likely void. Continuing to pay for it could mean you're paying for a service you can no longer use.
Real-Life Example:
Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, moved to Spain for a six-month "work-cation." She continued paying for her UK PMI, assuming the "overseas cover" clause would protect her. When she developed persistent back pain and needed to see a specialist, she was shocked to learn her claim was denied. Her insurer explained that her policy was invalid because she was residing outside the UK for an extended period, not just on a short holiday. She had to pay for her consultation and physiotherapy out of pocket.
Your Options When Moving Abroad: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you're planning a move, you need to be proactive. Don't wait until you've already left. Here are the essential steps to take.
This should be your first action. Contact your insurer at least a month or two before your move. You need to inform them of:
- Your planned departure date.
- Your new country of residence.
- The intended length of your stay abroad.
Failure to do so can be considered non-disclosure, which could invalidate your policy entirely. Your provider will explain their specific rules and guide you on your options.
Step 2: Review Your Policy's 'Portability' Clause
'Portability' sounds promising, suggesting you can take your policy with you. In reality, true portability for standard UK PMI is extremely rare. More commonly, you might be offered a "transfer" to an international plan offered by the same parent company, but this is effectively a new policy.
Check your policy documents for terms like "portability," "moving abroad," or "geographical limits." If you're unsure, a PMI broker like WeCovr can help you interpret the small print at no extra cost.
Step 3: Consider Suspending Your Policy (For Temporary Moves)
If you are moving abroad for a fixed, relatively short period (e.g., a one-year work contract) and plan to return, some insurers may allow you to 'suspend' your policy.
| Pros of Suspension | Cons of Suspension |
|---|
| Locks in Your Terms: You maintain your original underwriting. This means any medical conditions that develop while you're away won't be classed as 'pre-existing' when you return and reactivate your policy. | No Cover While Suspended: You will have no health cover from this policy during your time abroad. You'll need separate insurance. |
| Continuity of Cover: You avoid the hassle of applying for a new policy and undergoing a new medical assessment upon your return. | May Incur a Fee: Some insurers charge a small administrative fee to keep the policy suspended. |
| Maintains 'No Claims Discount': You can often preserve your accumulated no claims discount. | Time Limits: Suspensions are usually limited to a maximum of 12 or 24 months. |
This option is ideal for those on secondment or taking a sabbatical, but not for permanent emigrants.
Step 4: Cancel Your UK PMI Policy
For most people making a permanent move, cancelling their UK PMI is the most logical and financially sensible step. Once you're no longer a UK resident, paying for a policy that won't cover you is a waste of money.
How to Cancel:
- Contact your insurer in writing (email or letter) to request cancellation from your moving date.
- Follow their specific cancellation procedure.
- Ensure you cancel any Direct Debit mandates with your bank to prevent further payments.
- Get written confirmation of the cancellation for your records.
Step 5: Switch to an International Health Insurance Policy
This is the most important step for safeguarding your health and finances as an expat. You must replace your UK-centric cover with a policy designed for global citizens: International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI).
Deep Dive: International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI)
IPMI is the gold standard for expatriate health cover. It's specifically designed to provide comprehensive medical cover to people living and working outside their home country. It is far more robust than travel insurance and more flexible than domestic health insurance.
Let's break down the key differences.
| Feature | UK PMI | Travel Insurance | International PMI (IPMI) |
|---|
| Purpose | Cover for acute conditions for UK residents within the UK. | Emergency medical cover for short trips abroad. | Comprehensive health cover for expats living abroad. |
| Duration | Annual, ongoing policy. | Per-trip or annual (for multiple short trips). | Annual, renewable, long-term policy. |
| Scope of Cover | In-patient, out-patient, diagnostics. Excludes chronic/pre-existing conditions. | Emergency treatment, lost luggage, cancellations. Limited medical scope. | In-patient, out-patient, wellness, dental, maternity, evacuation. Can sometimes include pre-existing conditions (subject to underwriting). |
| Geographical Area | Primarily UK only. | Specific country or region for a short duration. | Choice of geographical areas (e.g., "Worldwide excluding USA" or "Worldwide"). |
| Renewal | Annually renewable. | Not renewable; a new policy is needed for each trip. | Annually renewable, designed for continuity of care. |
Key Features of a Good IPMI Policy
- Global or Regional Coverage: You can choose a policy that covers you in a specific region (e.g., Europe) or worldwide. Policies that include the USA are typically more expensive due to higher healthcare costs there.
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: This is a critical feature. If you're in a country with inadequate medical facilities, IPMI can cover the cost of transporting you to the nearest centre of medical excellence or even back to your home country.
- Direct Billing: Top-tier IPMI providers have vast networks of hospitals and clinics worldwide. They can often arrange to pay the hospital directly, so you aren't left with a huge bill to pay out-of-pocket and claim back later.
- Choice of Currencies: You can often choose to pay your premium and receive claim payments in major currencies like GBP (£), EUR (€), or USD ($).
- 24/7 Support: Global insurers provide multilingual support lines to help you in a medical emergency, wherever you are in the world.
Choosing the Right International Health Insurance
Navigating the IPMI market can be complex. As an independent broker, WeCovr can help you compare policies from leading global providers to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.
Here are the key factors you'll need to consider:
-
Level of Cover:
- In-patient only: Covers you for treatment that requires a hospital bed (e.g., surgery). This is the most basic level.
- In-patient + Out-patient: Also covers consultations, diagnostic tests, and therapies that don't require an overnight hospital stay. This is the most popular choice.
- Comprehensive: Includes the above plus benefits like dental, vision, maternity care, and wellness checks.
-
Area of Cover:
- Be realistic about your travel plans. If you will never need treatment in the USA, choosing a "Worldwide excluding USA" plan can save you a significant amount of money.
-
Deductible / Excess:
- This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before the insurer starts paying. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly or annual premium.
-
Underwriting Options:
- Moratorium (MOR): You don't declare your full medical history upfront. Instead, the insurer will apply a waiting period (typically 24 months) during which they won't cover any pre-existing conditions you've had in the past few years (usually 5 years).
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You provide your complete medical history on the application form. The insurer assesses it and may exclude certain conditions permanently or charge a higher premium to cover them. FMU provides more certainty about what is and isn't covered from day one.
What About Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions as an Expat?
This is where IPMI truly differs from UK PMI. While standard UK private health cover is strict about excluding chronic and pre-existing conditions, the international market is more flexible.
- With Full Medical Underwriting, an IPMI provider might agree to cover a pre-existing condition, sometimes for an additional premium (a 'loading').
- Some plans may offer cover for the management of chronic conditions, like diabetes or hypertension, up to a certain annual limit.
This is a crucial consideration for anyone with an ongoing health issue. It's essential to be completely honest during your application to ensure you have the cover you think you do.
Returning to the UK: Re-establishing Your Health Cover
Life as an expat may not be forever. If you decide to move back to the UK, you'll need to sort out your health cover again.
- Re-register with the NHS: As a returning UK resident, you are entitled to use the NHS. You'll need to register with a local GP as soon as you have a permanent address. According to ONS data from 2020, Spain, Australia, and the USA are top destinations for UK expats, and the process for returning is similar regardless of where you've been.
- Applying for New UK PMI: If you cancelled your old policy, you will have to apply for a new one. This is a critical point: You will be subject to new underwriting. Any medical conditions you developed while living abroad (e.g., high blood pressure, a new joint problem) will now be considered 'pre-existing' and will likely be excluded from your new UK policy.
- The Benefit of Hindsight: This is where suspending your original policy, if possible, would have been highly advantageous. By reactivating a suspended policy, you could have retained your original underwriting terms, ensuring those new conditions were covered.
Wellness and Health Tips for Expats
Moving to a new country can be stressful, and it's easy to let your health and wellness routines slide. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy in your new home.
- Understand the Local System: Before you have a medical need, research the local healthcare system. Find your nearest hospital, GP-equivalent, and pharmacy. Keep emergency numbers saved on your phone.
- Stay Active: Explore your new surroundings on foot or by bike. Join a local gym or sports club—it's also a great way to meet new people.
- Mind Your Diet: Trying new cuisines is a joy of expat life, but it's important to maintain a balanced diet. Use a calorie and nutrition tracking app to stay mindful of your intake. WeCovr is pleased to offer our PMI and Life Insurance customers complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie tracking app, to help you stay on track.
- Prioritise Sleep: Jet lag and the stress of a move can disrupt sleep. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a restful bedroom environment, and avoid caffeine and heavy meals late at night.
- Build a Social Network: Combat feelings of isolation by actively building a community. Join expat groups on social media, attend local events, and connect with colleagues.
By purchasing your private medical insurance UK or Life Insurance through WeCovr, you may also be eligible for discounts on other types of cover, helping you protect your family and finances more affordably.
The Final Word: Don't Leave Your Health to Chance
Moving abroad is a major life event. Your domestic private medical insurance is part of the life you're leaving behind. It is not fit for purpose for an expatriate.
The single most important takeaway is this: you must arrange a dedicated International Private Medical Insurance policy before you move. This ensures you have seamless, appropriate, and comprehensive cover from the moment you land in your new home. It protects you from potentially crippling medical bills and gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on enjoying your new adventure.
Can I pause my UK private health insurance if I move abroad temporarily?
Yes, some UK insurers allow you to 'suspend' your policy for a fixed period (often 12-24 months) if you're moving abroad temporarily. This is beneficial because it allows you to retain your original underwriting terms. When you return to the UK and reactivate the policy, any conditions that developed while you were away will not be treated as new pre-existing conditions. You will not be covered by the policy while it is suspended, so you will need separate international cover for your time abroad.
What's the main difference between international health insurance and travel insurance?
The main difference is purpose and scope. Travel insurance is for emergencies during short trips and holidays; it covers things like lost baggage and flight cancellations alongside emergency medical treatment. International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is comprehensive, long-term health cover for people living abroad. It covers routine doctor visits, planned surgery, wellness checks, and ongoing care, much like a domestic policy but on a global scale. It is designed for residency, not tourism.
If I return to the UK, will I have to be re-underwritten for PMI?
If you cancelled your UK PMI policy when you moved abroad, then yes, you will have to apply for a brand new policy upon your return. This involves a full new underwriting process. Any medical issues, symptoms, or treatments you had while living overseas will be considered pre-existing conditions by the new insurer and will almost certainly be excluded from your new cover. This is why suspending a policy, if possible for a temporary move, is so valuable.
Ready to explore your international health insurance options? The world of global health cover can be confusing, but you don't have to navigate it alone.
Contact WeCovr today. Our expert, FCA-authorised advisors will provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the best PMI providers to find the perfect policy for your new life abroad. Get your personalised quote now and move with confidence.