Health Insurance for Expat Families

Family Coverage Needs

When you're moving abroad with a family, health insurance becomes even more important. Kids get sick, accidents happen, and you need the peace of mind that comes with knowing everyone is covered.

Family coverage abroad involves considerations you might not face as an individual:

• Pediatric care and well-child visits
• Vaccinations and immunizations
• Maternity coverage if you're planning to have children
• Dental and vision for kids
• Access to English-speaking pediatricians
• Emergency evacuation for the whole family

What to Look For

When evaluating international health insurance for your family, prioritize these features:

Comprehensive Pediatric Care

Make sure the plan covers routine pediatric visits, not just emergencies. Kids need regular checkups, vaccinations, and often get minor illnesses that require doctor visits.

Good Provider Networks

Check if the plan has pediatricians and family doctors in your destination. Access to English-speaking providers can be crucial when explaining symptoms for young children.

Maternity Coverage (If Needed)

If you might have children abroad, verify maternity benefits carefully. Most plans have waiting periods and specific coverage limits for pregnancy and delivery.

Dental and Vision

Kids need dental checkups and often need glasses. These are usually add-ons but worth considering for a complete family plan.

Emergency Evacuation

Ensure the plan covers medical evacuation for all family members. In a serious emergency, you want everyone transported together.

Maternity Coverage

Planning to have a baby abroad requires careful insurance planning. Here's what you need to know:

Waiting Periods

Most international plans have a 10-12 month waiting period before maternity benefits kick in. This means you need to have coverage in place well before getting pregnant.

What's Typically Covered

• Prenatal visits and tests
• Delivery (vaginal and cesarean)
• Hospital stay for mother and baby
• Postnatal care
• Newborn coverage for first 30 days

Coverage Limits

Maternity coverage often has separate limits from your main medical coverage. Typical limits range from $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on the plan. Cesarean deliveries usually have higher limits than vaginal births.

Adding a Newborn

Most plans allow you to add a newborn within 30 days of birth without medical underwriting. After that, the child may need to go through standard enrollment.

Recommended Plans

Here are international health insurance plans commonly chosen by expat families. Prices are estimates for a family of four (two adults, two children).

Note: Prices vary significantly based on ages, location, deductible, and coverage level. Get personalized quotes for accurate pricing.

Best Overall for Families

Cigna Global and BUPA Global are popular with expat families for their comprehensive coverage, good provider networks, and reliable claims processing. Both offer strong maternity and pediatric benefits.

Read our Cigna Global review

Best Value for Families

Allianz Care and IMG Global offer more affordable options while still providing solid family coverage. Consider higher deductibles to reduce premiums further.

Cost Considerations

Family coverage abroad isn't cheap, but there are ways to manage costs:

Choose the Right Deductible

A higher deductible significantly reduces premiums. For a healthy family, a $2,500 or $5,000 annual deductible might make sense—you pay for routine care out of pocket but have protection against major expenses.

Consider Regional Coverage

If you're settling in one area, a regional plan (e.g., Europe only) costs less than worldwide coverage. You can always upgrade later if your plans change.

Exclude the US

Plans excluding US coverage are significantly cheaper. If you won't be spending time in the United States, there's no reason to pay for that coverage.

Use Local Care for Routine Needs

Many families use their international plan for major issues while paying out of pocket for routine visits to local doctors. Healthcare costs in many countries are much lower than in the US.

Compare Family vs Individual Policies

Some insurers offer family rates, while others price each family member individually. Do the math both ways to find the best value.

Common Questions

Are vaccinations covered?

Most comprehensive plans cover routine childhood vaccinations. Check if your plan covers the specific vaccines required or recommended in your destination country.

What about pre-existing conditions for my child?

Children's pre-existing conditions are handled similarly to adults. Moratorium underwriting is common, meaning recent conditions may be excluded initially. Disclose everything during enrollment to avoid claim denials later.

Can my teenager be covered on my plan?

Most plans cover dependent children up to age 18, or 23-26 if they're full-time students. After that, they'll need their own policy.

What if we have a baby abroad?

With proper maternity coverage, your baby is typically covered from birth. Make sure to add the newborn to your policy within the specified window (usually 30 days) to maintain continuous coverage.

How do claims work with kids?

The same as adult claims. You'll typically pay upfront and submit for reimbursement, though some providers offer direct billing at network hospitals. Keep all receipts and documentation.

Should we get dental coverage for the kids?

It depends on your location. In some countries, dental care is inexpensive enough to pay out of pocket. In others, dental add-ons provide good value, especially if your kids need orthodontia.