The advantages of international private health insurance (or international private medical insurance or international PMI) are manifold. The following is but a brief overview of the key advantages that international private health insurance can offer:
International private health insurance is not only for expatriates
Even if you have no intention of moving abroad, you would do well to choose a private international health insurance policy in lieu of a local private health insurance. The public health service of many countries is inadequate, in many cases offering only basic services with no free choice of doctor worldwide. Comprehensive cover is strongly recommended in such cases and can often be better assured by an international health plan than by local health insurance, which normally have many restrictions that are not worth paying for.
International insurance cover – independent of country of residence
In many countries, private health insurance cover is restricted to local residents. This is normally lost when they move abroad. They are left with a choice of finding another local insurer in their new country of residence or of turning to an international health insurer. While good local health insurance is available in many countries, it can be difficult to find a policy that permits a truly unrestricted choice of doctors and hospitals worldwide.
Experience shows that the (often only slightly) higher cost of an international policy is more than balanced by its many advantages.
Wherever your life may take you, whatever you may do, only with good health insurance cover can you ensure that all your expenses are paid in the event of illness and an accident – anytime, anywhere.
It makes sense to take out private health insurance as early in life as possible
Anyone over the age of 60 or who has health problems may find it difficult to find new health insurance cover. So it’s already advisable to think about an international insurance policy at an early age before the first signs of age-related health problems begin to appear.
Benefits of International Private Medical Insurance
- Worldwide coverage for all nationalities
- Worldwide coverage regardless of residence
- Free choice of hospitals, clinics, doctors and specialists and access to private wards in hospitals
- Full cover for all business and leisure activities
- Cover for congenital, hereditary and chronic diseases
- Worldwide provider network (hospitals/doctors); direct payment agreements; advise on choice of clinics worldwide
- Multilingual 24 hour helpline (medical advice available) at any time, day or night, 365 days a year
- Medical assistance inclusive of evacuation/repatriation, country guides and use emergency centers