Expatriate insurance essential, health insurance company say

Expatriates, those British people who leave the UK in order to live abroad or spend extended periods of time away, are being told that they should have special health insurance policies before leaving.

BUPA international, the global branch of the private medical insurance and health company, have warned that amongst all the things to remember when moving abroad, one’s health should not be amongst them.

Thomas Flygare, speaking on behalf of the firm, said that concerns over speaking a new language and adapting to another culture shouldn’t play second fiddle to making sure health insurance cover is in place.

Private health insurance cover allows expatriates access to the best possible healthcare in their country of origin, as well as the potential to be transferred back to the UK for treatment. Being uninsured and abroad can be expensive and worrying.

Flygare reportedly concluded: Even though the quality of health care is improving fast almost everywhere around the world, there are places where the standards are not as high as you may be used to.