Expat Travel Insurance: A Complete Guide (2025)
Medical care can be expensive when living and working in a foreign country, making it crucial for expatriates to consider comprehensive expat travel insurance.
Expatriate travel insurance or expat health insurance serves as a safety net, offering protection against unexpected medical expenses and other challenges that may arise during your time abroad.
So, let's dive into the realm of expat travel insurance, understand its coverage options, and explore the top choices available in Canada. You could use our comparator to compare multiple policies and get free personalized travel insurance quotes so you can pick a policy that truly suits you the best.
Expat Travel Insurance: 5 Key Takeaways
- Expat travel insurance typically includes medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip protection, and more.
- Types of expat travel insurance include annual multi-trip and single-trip policies.
- Comprehensive policies offer extensive coverage, while basic policies cover a narrower range of expenses.
- Notable expat travel insurance providers include Manulife, Blue Cross, AXA, Cigna Global, and World Nomads.
- The cost of expat travel insurance varies based on factors like the trip duration, age, activities, and coverage level.
What is expat travel insurance?
Expat travel insurance, short for "expatriate travel insurance," is a type of insurance designed to provide coverage and protection for individuals who are living and working in a foreign country, away from their home country or country of origin.
Expatriates are people who have moved to another country for an extended period, often for employment, retirement, or other personal reasons.
The specific coverage and benefits of expat travel insurance can vary significantly depending on the insurance provider and the policy you choose. Expatriate travel insurance can be vital for providing peace of mind and financial protection while living abroad, as healthcare systems and legal regulations can differ greatly from one country to another.
We recommend that you compare multiple travel insurance plans before zeroing in on one. While that may seem daunting, we've made it simple for you. Use our comparator below to compare coverages, policies, and get free personalized travel insurance quotes from the best providers in Canada, and in a few seconds.
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What does expat travel insurance cover?
Expatriate travel insurance offers a range of coverage options, which may include:
- Medical coverage: This is one of the most important aspects of expat travel insurance. It covers medical expenses in case of illness or injury while living abroad. This can include doctor's visits, hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, and emergency medical evacuation if necessary.
- Evacuation and repatriation: This coverage ensures that you can be transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility or even repatriated to your home country for treatment if the local healthcare facilities are inadequate or if you require specialized care.
- Emergency assistance: Many policies provide access to 24/7 emergency assistance services, including help with language barriers, locating medical facilities, and coordinating medical care.
- Trip cancellation or interruption: This coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses like airline tickets or accommodations if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered reasons, such as a medical emergency.
- Personal liability: It can cover legal expenses and compensation for damages in case you are held liable for injuring someone or damaging their property.
- Lost or stolen property: This coverage can reimburse you for lost or stolen belongings, such as luggage, electronics, or important documents.
- Personal accident insurance: This provides coverage in the event of accidental death or disability.
Some policies also offer legal assistance in case you encounter legal issues in your host country, such as visa problems or disputes with landlords or employers.
What does expat travel insurance not cover?
Exclusions in expat travel insurance are specific situations or circumstances under which the insurance policy will not provide coverage. It's crucial to understand these exclusions because they define the limitations of your insurance coverage.
While the specific exclusions can vary from one insurance policy to another, here are some common examples:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- High-risk activities such as extreme sports, skydiving or mountaineering
- Injuries or damage resulting from war, acts of terrorism, or civil unrest
- Any injuries or damages that result from illegal activities
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Excessive alcohol or substance abuse
Also, if you fail to follow prescribed medical advice or treatment recommendations, your insurance may not cover related expenses. For example, if a doctor advises you to have a specific medical procedure, and you refuse, the insurance may not cover complications that arise from your refusal.
How much does expat travel insurance cost?
The cost of expat travel insurance from these providers can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The length of your stay abroad
- Your age and health
- The activities you plan to do while you are abroad
- The level of coverage you want
- The exclusions and waiting periods
Here is a table of the estimated annual premiums for expat travel insurance from some of the leading providers in Canada:
| Provider | Annual Premium (USD) |
|---|---|
| Manulife travel insurance | $100-$500 |
| Blue Cross travel insurance | $150-$750 |
| World Nomads travel insurance | $200-$1,000 |
| AXA travel insurance | $250-$1,250 |
| Cigna Global insurance | $300-$1,500 |
These are just estimates. The actual cost of your insurance will depend on your individual circumstances and factors like the level of coverage, exclusions, and waiting periods.
We recommend that you get personalized quotes to find the perfect policy and for that look no further. You can simply use our comparator below and get multiple free travel insurance quotes from the best providers and in no time.
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What are the types of expat travel insurance?
There are a few different types of expat travel insurance available, such as expat annual travel insurance, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
| Type | Description | Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual multi-trip policies | Cover you for multiple trips within a year | Cover a wide range of expenses, including medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation | Can be more expensive than single-trip policies |
| Single-trip policies | Cover you for a specific trip | Can be a good option if you only travel occasionally | Typically less expensive than annual multi-trip policies |
| Comprehensive policies | Cover a wide range of expenses, including medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, lost luggage and emergency medical evacuation | Offer the most comprehensive coverage | Cover a wide range of expenses, including medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation |
| Basic policies | Cover a narrower range of expenses, such as medical expenses and trip cancellation and interruption | Less expensive than comprehensive policies | Offer less coverage |
What are the best Canadian expat travel insurance options?
When searching for the best Canadian expat travel insurance options, it's essential to consider your specific needs and circumstances, such as where you're living abroad, your health status, the activities you plan to engage in, and your budget. Here are some reputable Canadian insurance providers and types of policies to consider:
- Manulife travel insurance
- Blue Cross travel insurance
- World Nomads travel insurance
- AXA travel insurance
- Cigna Global insurance
Manulife travel insurance: Medical expenses up to $5 million
Manulife travel insurance offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Their plans include coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical evacuation. They also offer a variety of add-on benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and lost passports.
Here are some of the features of Manulife's expat travel insurance plans:
- Medical expenses up to $5 million
- Trip cancellation and interruption up to $5,000
- Coverage for lost luggage up to $1,000
- Emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions with an additional premium
- Protection for lost passports with an additional premium
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage
- Variety of plans to choose from
- Competitive prices
- Good customer service
Cons
- Some plans may not be as comprehensive as others
- Add-on benefits can be expensive
- There may be waiting periods for certain coverages
Blue Cross travel insurance: Medical expenses up to $10 million
Blue Cross travel insurance also offers expat travel insurance plans for Canadian citizens. Their plans are designed for people who live and work outside of Canada, and they offer a variety of coverage options to suit different needs and budgets.
Here are some of the features of Blue Cross's expat travel insurance plans for Canadian citizens, which include coverage for:
- Medical expenses up to $10 million
- Trip cancellation and interruption up to $5,000
- Lost luggage up to $1,000
- Emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million
- Pre-existing conditions with an additional premium
- Lost passports with an additional premium
- Repatriation of remains
- Dental and vision care
- Prescription drugs and mental health services
- Worldwide travel
Here are some of the pros and cons of Blue Cross's expat travel insurance for Canadian citizens:
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage
- Variety of plans to choose from
- Competitive prices
- Good customer service
- A global network of providers
- Coverage for worldwide travel
Cons:
- Some plans may not be as comprehensive as others
- Add-on benefits can be expensive
- There may be waiting periods for certain coverages
You can weigh multiple expat travel insurance plans against each other right here using our comparator below. You can also get tailor-made quotes for these plans in seconds.
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World Nomads travel insurance: Designed with expats in mind
World Nomads travel insurance, offers travel insurance designed with expats in mind, allowing for flexibility in coverage duration. You can tailor your insurance to your specific needs, whether you require it for an extended period or a shorter trip.
The convenience of World Nomads' online travel insurance is a significant advantage. It's accessible to most nationalities, regardless of their location outside their home country. This means you can purchase coverage while abroad, and you don't need to be physically present in your country of residence to do so.
Here are the pros and cons of World Nomads travel insurance:
Pros:
- Flexible travel insurance options
- Accessible online even when you've left your home country
- Comprehensive coverage for various activities and events
Cons:
- Depending on your trip's duration, you may face higher premiums
- There are specific policy conditions to consider
- May not be the ideal choice for expats with highly specialized needs or living in high-risk areas
Good to know
What is expat travel medical insurance?
Expat travel medical insurance, also known as expatriate travel health insurance, is a specialized type of insurance designed to provide medical coverage and protection for individuals who are living and working in a foreign country, away from their home country or country of origin. This type of insurance primarily focuses on covering medical expenses and related healthcare costs that expatriates may incur while residing in a foreign country.
AXA travel insurance: An affordable option
AXA is a large insurance company that offers a variety of travel insurance plans, including plans for expats. Their plans are generally less expensive than some of the other options, but they may not offer as much coverage.
Here’s what AXA travel insurance covers:
- Medical expenses
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Lost luggage
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Baggage delay
- Personal liability
- Cancellation of connecting flights
- Missed connections
- Accidental death and dismemberment
Pros of AXA travel insurance:
- Generally less expensive than some of the other options
- Offers a variety of plans to choose from, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget
- AXA's website and customer service are easy to use
Cons of AXA travel insurance:
- AXA's travel insurance plans may not be as comprehensive as some of the other options.
- There may be waiting periods for certain coverages, such as pre-existing conditions.
Cigna Global Insurance: International network
Cigna Global is a well-known and respected insurance company that offers a variety of international health insurance plans for expats. Their plans are comprehensive and cover a wide range of expenses, including medical, dental, and vision care, as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Cigna Global covers:
- Medical expenses
- Dental and vision care
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Maternity care
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
Pros of Cigna Global:
- Offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of expenses
- Has a global network of providers, so you can get care wherever you are in the world
- Provides 24/7 support, so you can get help when you need it
- Has a good reputation for customer service
Cons of Cigna Global:
- One of the more expensive options for international health insurance
- There may be waiting periods for certain coverages, such as pre-existing conditions
Good to know
Staysure expat travel insurance is for Brits living in France, Spain, or Portugal, covering pre-existing medical conditions. It also covers medical emergencies and repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, baggage claims, personal liability, and more.
