Expat travel insurance is an insurance policy that is geared towards expatriates, people who decide to reside either temporarily or permanently outside of their country of citizenship. This type of insurance policy is especially useful to them, as most “travel insurance” policies only cover short stays, typically under 30 day out of the insured person’s normal country of residence.

One of the main advantages that expat travel insurance provides is health insurance. This will cover most of the medical bills of an expatriate who is either ill or injured while out of the country. Health insurance is a very important item if you choose to live abroad for any period of time, as even a young and healthy individual can suffer an accident, or become ill from diseases that they would not typically find in their home countries. Depending on where you stay, even if hospital and medical services are free to citizens of that country, they are often very costly for foreigners who have to pay out of pocket, sometimes running into the hundreds of thousands of Dollars. Also, doctors in some countries may be reluctant to treat a patient until they provide immediate payment in cash or at least a guarantee of payment. Some policies may also provide for medical evacuation if the insured is suffering from a serious illness or injury in an area where the medical facilities fall short of “Western” standards.

Other items that may be covered by an expat travel insurance policy is the loss or theft of personal belongings, such as luggage. Many insurance companies will also provide help if your credit cards or travel documents are stolen, helping to arrange for a replacement and directing you to the nearest embassy or consular office of your country of citizenship. They may also help relay important messages from friends and relatives abroad, this can be of importance if the location you are staying in suffers from an outbreak of war, terrorism or a natural disaster.

There are several different companies which provide policies for expats, so it is important to first research and thoroughly read the policy to see what specifically is covered and what not, to ensure that you get all the coverage that you need.