What travel insurance do I need to work abroad?

Key takeaways

• Working abroad travel insurance offers medical cover, repatriation, and cover for lost or damaged belongings

• Backpacker and long-term travel insurance may offer some cover for working abroad, but it might be best to get a specialist policyInternational health insurance is a good option if medical cover is your main concern, but it does not cover things like lost luggage or personal liability

• International health insurance is a good option if medical cover is your main concern, but it does not cover things like lost luggage or personal liability

What travel insurance do I need to work abroad?

If you are working abroad, a standard travel insurance policy will not cover you as most policies are designed for leisure. The type of travel insurance you’ll need depends on what kind of work you’re doing. You can choose between:

• Long-stay travel insurance (also known as backpacker insurance or gap year insurance): For low-risk activities such as working in a bar or restaurant or some office jobs

• Business travel insurance : If you’re travelling for a work-related event and want to cover business equipment

• Working abroad travel insurance: A specialist policy that covers a wider range of work

What happens if I don’t have working abroad travel insurance?

Working abroad without any travel insurance in place can mean that if the worst should happen and you need medical treatment or repatriation, you will need to pay for those costs yourself, which can rack up quite a hefty bill.

📣 Did you know? One travel insurance provider paid out more than £1 million to a customer who was admitted to hospital for emergency treatment in the USA, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) .

Does long-term travel insurance cover me to work abroad?

for working abroad but it depends on the type of work you’re doing. It could cover:

• Remote/digital nomad work

• Casual work such as fruit picking or working in a restaurant

• Certain types of volunteering

You need to check your policy to be sure what type of work is covered (if any) or ask your insurer.

If your policy does not cover working abroad or the specific work you aim to do while you’re abroad, you may need to take out a specialist policy.

What does working abroad travel insurance cover me for?

While all travel insurance policies are different and what you will be covered for varies, these are the common things you should look to be covered for:

• Medical cover: This includes treatment for an accident or if you fall ill

• Repatriation : The costs for getting you back to the UK will be covered by your insurer

• Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage : Cover should your baggage or personal belongings be lost, damaged, or stolen while you’re travelling, allowing you to claim for their full or partial value

• Cancellation and curtailment : You will be covered up to a certain amount in compensation if you need to cancel your trip due to bereavement or illness (these need to be accepted reasons listed in your policy)

Am I covered for personal liability claims while working abroad?

No, you won’t usually be covered for personal liability claims while working abroad. Standard travel insurance policies which include personal liability cover usually exclude incidents that happen in the workplace and even working abroad travel insurance may not cover you. You should check that your employer has adequate cover for you.

Is manual labour covered by standard travel insurance?

No, you will usually need to take out a specialist policy to get cover for manual labour while you are abroad. That’s because it’s considered higher risk than other activities such as working in a restaurant, bar or office. These kinds of low-risk activities may be covered by backpacker policies or even long trip travel policies.

Am I better off taking out international health insurance if I'm working abroad?

It depends on your personal circumstance whether you are better off taking out international health insurance (also known as international private medical insurance) or not. Consider:

• Is it an entry/visa requirement for the country where you’ll be working?

• What does healthcare cost in that country?

• How long will you be staying for?

• How often do you require healthcare? International health insurance covers routine appointments not just emergency treatment

However, you might still want to take out travel insurance to cover things such as lost or stolen belongings.

Can I use my GHIC if I’m working abroad?

Yes, you can use your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or, if it’s still valid, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) while you’re working abroad. But remember that this only covers you for state-provided healthcare in certain countries and doesn’t cover you for:

• Private medical costs

• Mountain rescue

• Medical repatriation

• Lost of stolen belongings

• Accommodation

• Flights

Why should I compare travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket?

There are lots of reason you should Compare travel insurance policies and premiums with MoneySuperMarket:

• Flexible to suit your plans: Get fully comprehensive cover for as long as you need it, whether that's one day or a few months

• Quick and easy to use: Simply pop in a few details about where you’re off to next, pick the best deal for you and get insured for your next trip

• Save money: Compare quotes from the UK's leading travel insurance providers and filter through a range of policies that match your needs as well as your budget