Planning a longer trip overseas but have a pre-existing medical condition? Find out what to look for in an expat policy that will cover you for medical costs, plus other unwanted events like cancellations and lost baggage. Some products—such as those from Worldwide Insure—even let you take out cover after your trip has commenced.
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Looking to embark on a long-term overseas stay? If so, you’re not alone.
Reasons for living overseas are myriad, from enjoying an extended period of travel, to taking advantage of job opportunities—or simply avoiding the UK winter in favour of somewhere warmer. Indeed, estimates suggest up to 10% of the UK population are living overseas at any one time.
“estimates suggest up to 10% of the UK population are living overseas at any one time”
Some Brits looking to emigrate need expat travel insurance for the period before they settle into another country long-term. Indeed, 79,000 Britons emigrated abroad in the year to June 2024.
And according to a 2024 report by CurrenciesDirect, 23% of Brits—the equivalent of 12.3 million UK adults—are thinking about moving overseas in the next five years, with 12% planning to move in the next 12 months.
However, planning a long term trip overseas gets a little more complicated if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because ‘regular’ travel insurance may not cover you if you become unwell due to such a condition. As such, you need a policy that meets your needs, and offers sufficient coverage for things like extended hospital stays, specialised treatment, or being repatriated back to the UK.
Can I get coverage if I have a pre-existing condition?
Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t mean you can’t take out expat travel insurance. However, it may take longer to find a policy that meets your needs, and you may need to pay more for your cover compared to someone who has no pre-existing medical condition. This is because you’re more likely to make a medical claim while overseas.
“If you’re planning to live overseas for a long period and you do have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s critical your insurance meets your needs.”
Expat insurance with pre-existing condition medical cover from Worldwide Insure
Here are Worldwide Insure we can offer travel insurance to most people worldwide with our different policies. If you’re living in the EU then you can take out insurance for EU residents, or our International policy—depending on your needs. Our policies cover a wide range of pre-existing conditions, and can even be taken out if your trip has already started.
The best travel insurance for expats
If you’re planning to live overseas for a long period and you do have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s critical your insurance meets your needs.
With this in mind, when applying for cover, you’ll need to answer all questions honestly and in full.
If you don’t, and you become unwell due to a pre-existing condition, your provider may not pay out. This could mean you’re landed with a very large medical bill—particularly if you’re in the United States or Mexico at the time.
Some expat travel insurance policies may have restrictions—and it’s important you know what these are before you buy a policy. For example, some products may not cover over-75s, or those with certain medical conditions.
Others may insist that you take out cover while you’re still in the UK—i.e. you wouldn’t be offered cover if your trip has already started. However, Worldwide Insure is able to cover you if your trip has already begun – and is one of a small group of UK insurers that does so.
What should expat travel insurance cover?
- Medical coverage is the most important component of any travel insurance policy. Ensure it covers any pre-existing medical conditions, and includes hospital stays, surgeries, and outpatient treatments. It should also cover you for transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility, or back to the UK if necessary, including if you die while overseas; this is known as repatriation.
- You’ll also need cover for non-medical problems, such as cancellations, delays, curtailments, and lost or stolen luggage.
- Your policy should also align with the length of your stay abroad (short-term, long-term, or indefinite). And check that it can be renewed or extended if needed (Worldwide Insure products also include this).
- Check for policy exclusions, too. Some high-risk activities (e.g., extreme sports), pre-existing conditions, or specific treatments may not be covered.
- Casual work is another common exclusion—however, Worldwide Insure’s Longstay Travel Insurance does cover this.
- Find out if there are any co-pays, deductibles, or excess fees you’ll need to pay out of pocket.
For example, if you’ve bought a policy with “Worldwide excluding North America” coverage, you won’t be covered if you decide to visit the United States—unless you update your policy or take out a new one. The USA has some of the highest healthcare costs in the world; even minor treatments can be very expensive for visitors. And the cost of being repatriated to the UK from the United States is extremely high.
Enjoy complete peace of mind as an expat
We offer dependable insurance for expats travelling abroad, including those with pre-existing medical conditions, and older travellers.
Our policies give you the peace of mind that if the worst happens, you won’t have to pay large medical bills, while being covered for many other losses, too. What’s more, unlike many UK insurers, we can cover you if your trip has already started.
Don’t delay, get in touch today!