14th August 2006

International PMI Insurance Comparisons
According to the Office of National Statistics, a record 362,000 people left the UK for a new life abroad in 2003. This trend continues into 2006 with more and more UK residents leaving these shores and venturing abroad to live and work, both as individuals and families. In the wake of this (mass) emigration you can be sure that many individuals and groups will have taken out some form of insurance cover, to provide protection whilst abroad.

If you stopped and asked UK citizens at any airport what type of cover they have, most would reply that they have a standard travel insurance or personal accident policy. Many of those going abroad to live and work would possibly not of heard of international private medical insurance (PMI).

This could be a mistake as their are important differences in the levels of cover between international PMI and standard travel and personal accident policies. These gaps in protection could mean that there are many people living and working abroad on the wrong policy.

Their is increasing awareness of the benefits of an International PMI policy with brokers and providers reporting strong year-on-year growth. Regardless of whether you are being relocated at the request of your employer, or you are leaving the UK on a personal level it is worthwhile taking a close look at your current protection levels to assess if they are sufficient for your stay abroad.