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1. Can anyone buy International health insurance?
2. Is there an upper age limit?
3. How do I know what is the best policy for me?
4. Can I include my family?
5. Will my domestic health insurance plan cover me overseas?
6. Can I change my domestic health insurance plan for an interantional one?
7. What options are there for payment?
8. Can I pay in different currencies?
9. I'm told that I need specific health insurance policy for visa purposes. Is this correct?
10. Will I need any other health insurance policies?
11. Who do I contact if I need to make a claim?
12. Can I call any time of day or night?
13. Is everything covered on a policy?
14. I've got previous medical conditions; will I be able to claim for them in the future?
15. Can I choose where to have my treatment?
16. What is evacuation or repatriation?
17. The insurance is expensive, is there a way of reducing the cost?
18. What do I do in case of an emergency?
19. Is there a limit to the number of claims I can make?
Yes, subject to a few restrictions on age and location, anyone can buy international health insurance.
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Some insurers apply an upper age limit for new joiners. These can range from 65-79.
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Understanding the requirements around the globe can be confusing. As a specialist International health insurance broker, we will spend time getting to know your requirements and review the options available for you; only recommending what meets your needs.
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Yes, immediate family members can be enrolled onto a policy.
Some domestic insurance policies allow for emergencies overseas, but often with financial restrictions and for a limited period of time. Domestic plans are not suitable for extended stays overseas.
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This may be possible but will depend on which domestic insurer you are currently insured with. Not all will have an international equivalent, and even if they do it may not be suitable for your destination. Jelf International can help find what’s best for you and your circumstances.
Insurance policies are more commonly priced on annual premium rates although most insurers will allow the option to pay either monthly or quarterly. However, this sometimes incurs a surcharge.
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Common currencies accepted by insurers in addition to Pound Sterling are Euros and US dollars.
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Some countries apply strict insurance requirements before granting entry or accepting visa applications. What is required will vary from country to country; Jelf International can advise on these requirements for you.
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Some countries require a locally licensed policy to be purchased that has been approved by the local regulator. Jelf International can advise on these requirements for you.
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All insurance companies provide helpline numbers, details of which can be found in your policy literature, claim form or online on their website.
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Many insurers operate a 24 hour, seven days a week helpline service.
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Levels of cover will vary depending on what is purchased. As with any insurance policy, you must read the Terms & Conditions and Exclusions pages to fully understand what is covered and what is not.
You will need to declare past medical history when applying for a policy which may result in the Insurer placing underwriting restrictions. It may be possible to arrange for an insurer to cover a pre-existing medical condition however, they are likely to apply a premium ‘loading’. Please contact Jelf International for assistance.
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Some hospital/clinic networks are used by insurers. Most allow freedom of choice for treatment providers although it is always recommended to contact the insurance company in advance of receiving treatment as they will be able to advise accordingly.
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Where included and a valid claim is made, an insurer will Evacuate you to the nearest suitable medical facilities if none exist in your country of residence. Repatriation is where the insurer will transport you back to your country of nationality or your specified country of residence.
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Insurers offer different levels of cover and it may be possible to lower cover to help reduce costs. In addition, an Excess can be added which can reduce costs further. An Excess is where a policy holder agrees to fund the first part of a claim to an agreed value in exchange for a reduction in premium rate.
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Contact the insurer as soon as is practical. Contact details for the insurer can be found on policy literature or online on their website.
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No, although there may be monetary limits applied to certain benefits. It is important that you check your policy documentation carefully to fully understand your cover. Most insurers require claims to be pre-authorised so we recommend you contact the insurer for advice in advance of incurring any cost.
If you’d like more information on how Jelf International can help you, please call us on +44 (0) 333 920 8011 or you can email us at
