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Life insurance for expats
Why do I need expat life insurance?
When moving abroad, this may be a time in your life when you need financial protection the most. Due to this, insurers are wary of the high chance you will need it when moving to uncertain parts of the world.
For example, a UK expat relocating to specific regions may find that insurance policies do not include war risks. Middle Eastern countries with volatile political situations, are another example.
So if the breadwinner of a family is working abroad while the family are in the UK, and the person that they rely on income for dies, it can lead to serious problems for the family in terms of finances.
Am I covered by my current insurance policy?
If expats are like the rest of the country, 34% of them will have life insurance at the point when they chose to leave the country. Make sure that you check whether your life insurance policy covers you in your new location.
A lot of providers require that you live in the UK for six months of the year, so you are covered for periods aboard that are shorter than that. You may not have to change anything other than providing the company with your new address.
However, many providers have limitations, so it’s important to clarify this. In some cases, expats have not done this, and their provider has refused to pay out when they passed away due to the country they were living in at the time.
Can I extend my life insurance policy so that it covers me abroad?
Generally, you can only extend your current coverage if you can give a date for your return. If you hope to move permanently, you will probably need to find a British firm who specialise in expat coverage or an international company who offer worldwide policies.
It’s crucial to inform the insurance company a few months before moving, and to obtain their agreement to cover you in writing.
What if my policy won't cover me?
If your insurance does not cover you, you should consider purchasing a new plan. It’s a good idea to buy one from a UK company before you move, because UK insurance companies often provide safeguards that are not in place in other countries. The main benefit of your present insurer covering you is convenience – in terms of saving money, you may find better deals if you shop around.
Where can I find expat life insurance?
International companies that offer cover include Friends Provident International, Scottish Provident International and HSBC. Friends Provident are known for their international term insurance. They offer different packages tailored to expats living in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For most customers, a plan like this is cheaper than one with a specialist based in the UK with the lowest level of cover being £10 per month.
Should I get term insurance?
With level term insurance, the policy pays a lump sum, determined by you at the outset, in the event of your death during the term of the insurance policy. This sum remains ‘level’ for the time covered, so the full amount would be payable regardless of when a death occurred during the cover.
Benefits of term insurance include initial premiums being lower than permanent insurance, which allows you to purchase more coverage at a younger age. It’s also ideal for a specific need over a period, such as children’s education costs or a mortgage. However, there is no build-up of cash value and premiums rise as you grow older. Whether you purchase term or permanent life insurance depends on different factors, and the decision will be different for everyone.
Death in service benefits
It may be better to choose life insurance instead, as a downside of relying on death in service benefits is that if you lose or leave your job before returning to the UK, all benefits will be lost. Also, cover from death in service is likely to be much less than that from life insurance and not adaptable to individual needs. This means that you cannot decide who it pays out to.
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