Best Insurance for First-Time Expats

Top Picks for First-Time Expats

These options work best for people new to expat life:

What First-Time Expats Need to Know

International health insurance is different from what you're used to at home:

Two Main Types

Travel Medical Insurance

• Covers emergencies and new conditions
• Does NOT cover pre-existing conditions
• Does NOT cover routine care
• Cheaper ($45-200/month)
• Easy to buy, cancel anytime
• Examples: SafetyWing, World Nomads

Good for: Testing expat life, short-term stays, healthy people who mainly need emergency coverage.

Full Health Insurance

• Covers everything like "real" insurance
• Pre-existing conditions covered after waiting period
• Routine care, specialists, prescriptions included
• More expensive ($150-500+/month)
• Annual commitment typical
• Examples: Cigna, Bupa, Allianz, IMG

Good for: Long-term expats, people with health conditions, families, those who want comprehensive coverage.

Your Home Insurance Probably Won't Work

Common misconceptions:

• US insurance: Almost never covers you abroad
• UK NHS: Doesn't cover you outside the UK
• Travel insurance from home: Usually limited to short trips
• Credit card insurance: Very limited, short-term only

You need international health insurance designed for living abroad.

First-Timer Comparison

Detailed Reviews

SafetyWing — Best for Testing Expat Life

If you're not sure how long you'll stay abroad, SafetyWing is the easiest place to start.

Why it works for first-timers:

• Sign up in 5 minutes online
• No health questions
• Monthly billing—cancel anytime
• Only $45-85/month
• Covers 180+ countries
• Simple, easy to understand

Limitations to understand: This is travel medical insurance. Pre-existing conditions aren't covered. No routine care. If you have ongoing health needs, this isn't enough.

Best for: Healthy first-time expats testing the waters.

Read our full SafetyWing review

Cigna Global — Best for Committed Move

If you're making a real move abroad, Cigna Global provides comprehensive coverage.

Why it works for first-timers:

• Real health insurance, not just travel medical
• Pre-existing conditions covered after waiting period
• Excellent customer service
• Large global network
• Multiple plan levels to choose from
• Telemedicine included

Considerations: More expensive. Annual commitment. Requires health questions. Worth it for long-term moves.

Best for: First-timers making a committed move who want real coverage.

Read our full Cigna Global review

IMG Global — Best Budget Full Coverage

If you want full health insurance but budget is a concern, IMG offers good value.

Why it works for first-timers:

• Full health insurance at lower prices
• High deductible options to reduce cost
• Pre-existing covered after waiting period
• Multiple plan options
• Good catastrophic coverage

Considerations: Service not as polished as Cigna/Bupa. Network smaller. Claims may be slower. Good value for the price.

Best for: Budget-conscious first-timers who need real coverage.

Read our full IMG Global review

Common First-Timer Mistakes

Mistake: Assuming You're Covered

Many first-time expats assume their existing insurance covers them abroad. It usually doesn't. Check your policy—most home country insurance explicitly excludes coverage outside the country, or limits it to short trips.

Mistake: Going Uninsured

"I'm young and healthy, I don't need insurance." One broken bone, one appendicitis, one accident can cost $10,000-50,000+. Even in countries with affordable healthcare, serious emergencies are expensive.

Mistake: Waiting Until Something Happens

Once you have a health issue, it becomes a "pre-existing condition" that may be excluded or have waiting periods. Get insurance BEFORE you need it.

First-Timer Checklist

Before You Leave

• ☐ Get international health insurance (at minimum, travel medical)
• ☐ Save policy documents accessible offline
• ☐ Save emergency phone numbers
• ☐ Understand what's covered and what's not
• ☐ Get any needed vaccinations (often covered)
• ☐ Refill prescriptions for transition period

Choosing Your Insurance

• ☐ Decide: travel medical vs full health insurance
• ☐ Check if your destination has specific requirements
• ☐ Compare 2-3 options
• ☐ Read what's excluded, not just what's covered
• ☐ Check the claims process
• ☐ Verify your destination is covered

After Arriving

• ☐ Find nearby hospitals/clinics in your network
• ☐ Understand how to use your insurance locally
• ☐ Know: direct billing vs reimbursement
• ☐ Consider upgrading if you decide to stay long-term

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm only going for a few months—do I need insurance?

Yes. Even a short trip can result in expensive medical bills. At minimum, get travel medical insurance like SafetyWing ($45/month). It's cheap insurance against potentially devastating costs.

Should I start with travel medical and upgrade later?

This is a reasonable approach. Start with SafetyWing to test expat life, then upgrade to full health insurance if you decide to stay. Just be aware that any conditions you develop become "pre-existing" for the new policy.

What if I have a pre-existing condition?

Travel medical insurance won't cover it. Full health insurance will cover it after a waiting period (typically 12-24 months). If you have ongoing health needs, start with full insurance sooner rather than later.

How much should I spend on insurance?

Budget at least $50-100/month for basic coverage. For comprehensive full health insurance, expect $200-400/month. Don't go uninsured to save $50/month—one emergency can cost more than years of premiums.

Can I use my insurance in multiple countries?

Yes, international health insurance is designed for this. Check your "area of coverage"—most plans cover worldwide except US (cheapest), or worldwide including US (more expensive). Within your area, you can travel freely.

What's the easiest option to start with?

SafetyWing. Sign up online in 5 minutes, no health questions, starts immediately, cancel anytime. It's not comprehensive, but it's the easiest entry point for first-time expats.