There are some countries in which assisted dying is already legal, while many other countries are engaged in conversation as to whether or not it should be legalised. At the time of writing, more than 400 million people have the legal right to access assisted dying worldwide. 

Assisted dying is a sensitive topic. In this article, we’ll explain a bit about what it means, and we’ll also tell you how it may affect your life insurance policy.

What is assisted dying?

Assisted dying is also known as assisted suicide. It is the process of a person voluntarily ending their own life with the help of another person.

A person may consider assisted dying when they are living with chronic, untreatable and unbearable pain that is affecting their quality of life, and/or if they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Assisted dying can be an active or a passive act. In active acts, a third-party performs an action that directly results in the person’s death, for instance by administering a lethal dose of a drug.

In passive acts, a third-party intentionally does nothing to prevent a person’s death, for instance by ceasing life support and allowing the patient to pass away of natural causes.

How do you know if you need life insurance?

Find out if international life insurance is right for you

In some cases, a person may not be able to execute their suicide through their own power, for instance if the person has become physically incapacitated. They may therefore call upon another person to perform an action that will either result in their death, or directly end their life. Or, they may direct a person responsible for their care to stop taking action that keeps them alive. 

In other cases, a person may be able to perform the decisive action themselves, but will depend upon another person to provide them with the means to end their own life.

Assisted dying is a legal and moral grey area, especially because no two assisted deaths are ever the same. In some countries, assisting in another person’s suicide is considered tantamount to murder or manslaughter.

In other countries, the act is decriminalised under certain conditions. Only a few countries explicitly allow assisting in another person’s death, so long as the actions taken are within the confines of the law.

Could international life insurance benefit you?

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Which countries allow assisted dying?

Different countries have different laws regarding assisted dying. These laws determine the cases and circumstances where assisted dying can be considered permissible. 

Some countries explicitly allow assisted dying and have enshrined the right to assisted death in law. Other countries have simply decriminalised the practice, meaning there is no legal framework for physicians to work under but they can avoid prosecution for their actions. In other countries, assisting in another person’s suicide can be considered illegal and may incur legal penalties.

In countries where assisted dying is legal, the law usually states that a patient must present with an illness that is causing intolerable pain diminishing their quality of life, and that there is no hope of the patient recovering.

Countries where assisted dying is legal under specific circumstances

In other countries, assisted dying may be considered legal or decriminalised under certain exceptional circumstances.

This typically covers only patients who already have a terminal illness and wish to end their lives before the illness runs its natural course. It may also involve legal precedents that theoretically permit assisting in another person’s suicide, but are not explicitly enshrined in law.

Frequently asked questions about life insurance

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When might a person seek assisted death?

Assisted death is a serious decision. Countries that allow assisted death typically require the patient to undergo extensive evaluations prior to approving the request.

This can include:

• Psychiatric tests to determine that the patient is of sound mind
• Multiple stages of application to determine the seriousness of their request
• A waiting period to ensure the patient has time to change their mind

Even at the point of terminating a patient’s life, it is important that the patient reaffirms their intentions. Physicians in countries that allow assisted suicide may also withdraw their consent to act in support of a patient’s decision for any reason.

Even so, there are several circumstances under which a person may choose to end their life. This usually occurs when the patient is:

• Experiencing unbearable and chronic pain
• Has little to no hope of recovery

Some of the circumstances under which a person may seek assisted suicide include:

Unbearable pain

If a person has an illness or injury that causes them constant, unbearable pain, they may seek to terminate their life early. In many countries that allow assisted dying, the cause of this pain must be untreatable and lifelong.

Serious and terminal illness

A person who has a serious illness that is certain or almost certain to result in their death may seek assisted dying as a means to ‘go out on their own terms.’ The Australian Centre for Health Law at Queensland University of Technology found that the most common reason people sought assisted death was because of:

1. Cancer – 66.5% of cases
2. Heart conditions – 6.8% of cases
3. Lung conditions – 4.9% of cases

Diminished quality of life

In many countries, a person whose quality of life has been severely diminished has grounds to seek assisted dying. The grounds for what counts as a diminished quality of life are subjective, but typically mean the patient has lost autonomy, dignity or the ability to do the things they love.

This could be because the person has been disabled or paralysed by an injury, or an illness such as motor neurone disease (MND). A study in the Netherlands found that 32% of patients with MND sought assisted dying.

Neurological distress

It’s not just physical pain that can lead a patient to seek assisted death. Neurological illnesses are the second-most common cause for patients to seek assisted death (8.1%). A study in the Netherlands and Belgium found that a small but significant percentage of patients seeking assisted death (around 1–3%) cited Alzheimer’s as the primary cause.

What are the implications for life insurance?

As more countries start to allow assisted dying, life insurance providers are weighing up how it affects their policies.

The key question for insurers is whether assisted dying counts as a form of suicide, or a natural form of death.

Since insurers typically have standard exclusions for suicide in their terms and conditions, there are many cases where a person who dies of suicide may not be eligible for life insurance.

Right now, most insurers view assisted dying as a form of suicide. This means it may be subject to the same limitations. It’s now up to life insurance providers to create special terms in their policies to cover instances of assisted dying.

But this is made challenging by the special circumstances surrounding assisted dying. In a fast-changing legal context, it can be difficult to judge assisted dying equally around the world. Life insurers therefore need to consider factors such as:

• Is assisted dying legal in the country where the death occurred?
• Did the person(s) involved travel to another country to undergo assisted death? Is that legal according to the laws of their home country?
• In which country is the life insurance contract based? Is assisted dying legal in that country?
• Did the life insurance policy cover the deceased overseas?

Insurers must also be aware of other concerns, such as if the beneficiary receiving the benefit assisted in the act, and whether their participation was legal.

Ultimately, life insurance providers do not want to stand in the way of assisted dying. But they must also design their policies in a way that is fair.

At the moment, most insurers – including us at William Russell – write a clause into their policies that life insurance will only cover death by suicide after the policy has been held for over a year. Since assisted dying is considered a form of suicide, that clause still applies. 

So, while policies may change in the future, for now it’s important to read and understand your policy wording and speak to your life insurance provider in order to understand policies around assisted dying.

It’s important to understand what’s not covered by your insurance

Learn more about what’s not covered by our life insurance

How we view assisted dying at William Russell

We’d like to clarify our own position on the matter.

While we recognise the unique circumstances around assisted dying, like other insurance providers, we treat it in the same way as suicide.

This means we cannot honour claims where a person has died through assisted suicide if the death occurred within the first 12 months of their policy, or in the 12 months following an increase in coverage.

For clarity, we exclude all claims where the cause of death is judged as suicide or attempted suicide, or comes about through self-inflicted injuries, whether or not the person was mentally sound at the time, in the first year of a policy.

However, it’s important to say that this is only the case for now. We remain open to updating our policy terms in the future.

Our terminal illness benefit

At William Russell, we are able to offer one alternative to support people with terminal illnesses. This is our terminal illness benefit, which is included with all group and individual international life insurance policies.

This benefit allows you to take your full life insurance payment early if you have been diagnosed with a terminal condition and have been told you have less than 12 months to live.

If you are eligible to take an early payment of your life insurance under the terms of our terminal illness benefit, you could take the money and then undergo an assisted death without any loss of compensation.

While we understand that not all people who choose an assisted death have a terminal illness, and others may have a prognosis of longer than 12 months, we hope this new terminal illness benefit can go some way towards supporting many of those people who choose to undergo an assisted death.

Will our policies change?

It’s possible that they will. The legality of assisted dying is still a matter of debate in many countries around the world. This makes it challenging for international life insurance companies to create policies that benefit people who choose an assisted death.

In the future, we expect to see many advances in assisted dying legislation, which could help to remove some of the barriers we face. This could allow us to update our policies.

As more countries start to fully legalise assisted dying, we will start to see more formal approaches towards assisted dying pathways, which will be enshrined in law and therefore considered legitimate means of death. The most desirable outcome will be to separate assisted death from the notion of suicide entirely.

What actually is expat life insurance?

Read everything you need to know in our full guide

International life insurance from William Russell

At William Russell, we’ve been providing international life insurance to people all over the world for more than 30 years.

If you have any questions about what our life insurance covers, contact our friendly team today—we’d be more than happy to help.

The post How Does Assisted Death Affect Life Insurance? appeared first on William Russell.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits we offer is dentistry. That’s because, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 50% of people in the world suffer from oral diseases, and these numbers are on the rise – especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease are set to pose a massive health concern in the future. Not only can they affect your quality of life and well-being, they have also been linked to other diseases in the heart, brain and lungs. Yet despite this concern, 39% of people in the UK admit to not going to the dentist regularly.

Accessing dentistry services in a foreign country can be both difficult and expensive. That’s why it’s important to think about choosing a health insurance package that offers dentistry too. Let’s go over some of the benefits of adding dental health insurance to your international health insurance policy.

Dental health benefits: what’s included?

As a William Russell member with international health insurance, your plan will always provide cover for emergency dental restorative treatment that you receive in a hospital (e.g. if you break your teeth in a road traffic accident and require hospitalisation). 

If you have chosen a Silver or Gold plan, you will also be covered for dental treatment following an accident that doesn’t require hospitalisation (e.g., if you break your teeth and later have them repaired at a dentist’s surgery).

You also have the option to add additional dental benefits to your plan, covering you for a wide variety of dental treatments.

Want to add dental cover to your existing policy?

Speak to our award-winning customer service team today

We offer two optional benefits plans, Dental Basic and Dental Plus.

Dental Basic is included as standard on all Gold plans, and is an optional extra for SilverLite and Silver plans. Dental Plus is an optional extra for Gold and Silver plans.

Our dental insurance benefits include cover for a variety of dentistry treatments administered at a private practice, including:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Scaling and polishing
• Extractions
• Dentures*

Our optional dental benefits are not separate policies. Rather, they can be included alongside your international health insurance policy. That means you can make a claim for any dental treatments covered by your benefit through your health insurance policy.

*Some procedures are only included with Dental Plus. Click here to compare policy options.

Want to find out more about dental insurance benefits?

Learn more about dental benefits from William Russell

5 reasons to add dental benefits to your health insurance

Dental insurance can benefit your life and well-being in many ways. Here are five of the best reasons to consider choosing dental benefits:

1/ Dental health is slowly getting worse

Do you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly? It seems that oral health is generally declining around the world. Right now, nearly half the world’s population is suffering from some form of oral disability, including 34% living with tooth decay.

There are many causes for the declining standards of oral health. Chief among them seems to be the increasing amount of sugar in our diets, which is largely found in processed foods, fizzy drinks and alcohol. The Oral Health Foundation in the UK found that 79% of people in Britain eat sugary foods at least three times a day, with 45% also regularly drinking sugary drinks, including tea, coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages.

Another cause of poor oral health is smoking, and while the number of adult smokers worldwide has dropped significantly in recent years, around 1 in 5 – or 1.25 billion people globally – still use tobacco products regularly.

Another thing to consider is exposure to fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent your teeth from decaying by protecting and remineralising enamel, killing bacteria and stopping plaque from producing acid. Many communities around the world add fluoride to tap water to ensure people are regularly exposed to this helpful mineral. But, if you live in an area that does not add fluoride to tap water, you may need to supplement your fluoride intake in other ways, such as with dissolvable tablets.

All this being said, it’s easy to see why the quality of oral health seems to be declining around the world – and why it’s important for us all to take steps to help ourselves. Having access to the best quality dentistry, no matter where you move in the world, is one way to ensure you can mitigate the risk of oral health conditions. Your dentist will not only treat the symptoms of tooth decay, they’ll help you to take preventative action to protect your teeth too.

2/ The cost of dentistry is skyrocketing

With the cost of living crisis stretching household budgets around the world, and with the cost of healthcare going up generally, it’s more important than ever to ensure you can afford healthcare as and when you need it – and this includes dentistry too.

Research in the UK found that the cost of dentistry has increased between 14–32% over the last two years, with all types of procedures now much more expensive. Even the cost of a routine consultation has jumped 23% from £65/US$80 to £80/US$100.

And based on current trends, it’s likely the cost of dentistry will continue to become more and more expensive. With dentists investing heavily in new technology, an increasing need for specialised treatment, and escalating overheads brought on by the cost of living crisis, your dentist is likely to charge even more in the near future.

That could make the cost of dentistry unaffordable for you and your family, pushing you towards lower-quality treatment or even causing you to avoid going to the dentist altogether.

Choosing dental insurance benefits can help to protect your budget while also ensuring you’ll always have access to high-quality dentistry. Employers can also support their teams’ dental wellbeing by offering group health insurance, which can include dental cover.

Worried about the cost of international health insurance?

Find out how to budget your health insurance when living abroad

3/ Dental emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere

Whether it’s a dental abscess, an infection, gum bleeding or a toothache, you’ll know when a dental emergency strikes – the pain is enough to keep Britons off work for a combined 23 million working days a year, with 10% saying they have had to take a whole week off due to toothache.

In fact, according to the British Medical Journal, one in every 140 medical emergencies is for a dental problem, making them one of the most common causes of acute pain.

Experiencing a dental emergency can be even more concerning if you are living and working in a foreign country. You may not be able to find a dentist who can provide the treatment you need, and you may be liable to pay huge costs if you require an emergency appointment. Even if you are seen, you may then encounter long waiting lists before you are able to receive the necessary treatment.

While your international health insurance policy always provides cover for restorative treatment received in a hospital, our optional dental benefits ensure you’ll be able to cover the cost of non-restorative emergency dental surgery too. With the option of worldwide coverage, you can even be sure that you’ll be able to visit a dentist for an emergency appointment when you’re travelling abroad.

All William Russell plans come with medical evacuation as standard

Learn more about emergency medical evacuation insurance here

4/ Our dentistry needs are becoming more complex

Not only is the population of earth still growing, many of us are now living longer into our old age. The global life expectancy is now around 73 years, and is expected to increase another five years by 2050.

With so many aging people in the world, dentists are finding themselves under pressure to meet the more complex needs of older people. For instance, around 19% of us now wear dentures – that’s almost 1.6 billion people on earth. Older people are also more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease.

Furthermore, more people than ever are developing long-term conditions associated with aging. Arthritis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, for example, can make it harder for older people to care for their teeth and visit their dentist.

Thankfully, dental technology is evolving to meet the ever-growing needs of an older population. Artificial intelligence, 3D printing, teledentistry and advanced laser treatments are just some of the innovations on the horizon. But these technologies require dentists to invest considerable amounts of their time for advanced training, to adapt to new regulatory frameworks, and of course huge financial sums too.

As such, it’s likely that you will start to notice waiting lists growing longer at your local dentist’s surgery, not to mention increasing fees. Choosing dental insurance benefits today can therefore help to ensure you won’t be impacted by these trends – that you can continue to access dental services when you need them, and that the cost of your dentistry can continue to be covered by your health insurance policy. 

This may become especially important as you grow older, and your own dental needs start to become more complex and more frequent.

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5/ Dental cover gives you flexibility

One of the reasons many of us put off going to the dentist is that we simply forget. Scheduling regular dentists appointments into our busy schedules can be difficult, especially for expats living abroad. In the UK, 15% of people admit they only go to the dentist for ‘occasional’ check-ups, while 18% say they only go when they have an immediate need, such as toothache.

If a lack of flexibility is stopping you from visiting your dentist more often, dental insurance benefits help to ensure you will always be able to access dentistry services as and when you need them.

At William Russell, our dental insurance gives you an annual benefit that you can spend on a range of treatments, such as regular check-ups, routine cleaning, dental screenings, and dental procedures such as fillings, extractions and root canal treatments. If you choose our Dental Plus plan, you will also be able to use your budget towards new dentures, dental implants, crowns and dental bridges.

Your dental benefits entitle you to choose any dentist within your coverage zone. You can also opt for a private dentist, ensuring you won’t be subject to long waiting lists. Even in some parts of the UK, the average waiting time to see a public dentist can be as high as four years.

With so much flexibility in your policy, you’ll find it easy to visit your dentist more regularly and get the treatment you need – even when you are living abroad.

Looking for a healthier lifestyle abroad?

Here’s our list of the healthiest diets from around the world

Make sure you’re getting the most out of your dental benefits

Despite rising costs and an ever increasing number of patients with oral health problems, William Russell data shows that our members around the world are actually using their dental benefits less.

Since 2020, the percentage of claims we’ve processed related to dentistry has dropped from just 2% to 1%.

As a William Russell member, you may not realise you are entitled to claim against dental expenses if you have added dental benefits to your policy. Be sure to check your policy wording or contact our award-winning customer service team if you’re not sure.

And remember, with our dental insurance benefits, you are free to visit any dentist at any time and file a claim with us after the work has been completed. So long as the type of procedure is covered by your plan, and your claim is within your annual benefit cash limit, we’ll cover the cost of any dentistry work you’ve had done. All you have to do is fill in our claims form and submit it to us.

This is an especially important time for dental health around the world, with more people than ever suffering from tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure you’re taking care of your oral health by making the most of your dental health insurance benefits from William Russell.

There is a very broad definition of health

What is health? And how does insurance protect it?

Dental health insurance, tailor-made for expats

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance to expats like you.

Our optional dental health insurance benefits give you access to the highest-quality dental care around the world, covering both the costs of regular check-ups and many common procedures. With the option of Dental Basic and Dental Plus plans, you are free to choose a policy that suits your needs and your budget.

Find out more about our dental health insurance benefits, available with our international health insurance policies, and get a quote online in under two minutes.

The post 5 Reasons To Add Dental Benefits To Your International Health Insurance appeared first on William Russell.

In this guide, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know about taking out international life insurance as a smoker, vaper and ex-smoker.

Life insurance and smoking

Whether you’re an occasional smoker, a heavy smoker, someone who vapes, or someone who smoked in the past, insurance providers will take this into consideration when assessing the risk level of your application. 

The first step when someone dies abroad is obtaining their death certificate.

Do smokers need life insurance?

Smoking increases your risk of developing life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and smokers die on average 10 years younger than non-smokers.

Even so, smokers are just as entitled to take out life insurance as non-smokers – however, you should expect to have to pay more for your premiums, since your life insurance provider will consider you a higher risk.

While you may not like to think about the worst-case scenario, having life insurance ensures your family won’t be left struggling financially if something happens to you.

With William Russell, you can insure your life for up to US$2 million. For added peace of mind, you can also include our optional accidental death and permanent disablement cover when setting up your policy. This provides an extra payout of up to US$1mn if your death was the result of an accident, or a lump-sum of up to US$500,00 if you suffer a serious injury resulting in disability—on top of your core life insurance payout

Ultimately, life insurance cover is all about protecting your family and ensuring they’re looked after. For many expats, there’s comfort in knowing that, if the unexpected happens, their loved ones will be cared for.

How do you know if you need international life insurance?

Here’s how life insurance could benefit you and your family

How does smoking impact my policy?

Smoking can have a noticeable impact on both the cost of your premiums and your eligibility for life insurance. Insurance companies see smokers as a higher risk due to the health issues linked to smoking, like heart disease, cancer, and lung problems.

As a result, you might notice your premiums are higher than for non-smokers.

It’s important to be honest in your application for life insurance. You may be tempted not to declare yourself a smoker on your application in order to secure a lower premium, but it’s very likely your insurer will learn about your smoking habits after your death – especially if you pass away from a smoking-related illness. Remember, pathologists and coroners can easily identify smokers from non-smokers during a post-mortem examination.

If you have not declared yourself a smoker but are later found to have smoked, this could invalidate your claim, not only leaving your family without your life insurance benefit, but also putting to waste all the money you’ve paid in premiums up to that point. 

Being upfront about your smoking habits ensures your policy is valid and will protect your loved ones when it matters most.

Want to know more about how international life insurance works?

Check out our step-by-step guide to international life insurance

Still unsure of whether you should take out international life insurance?

Here are 8 reasons to take out life insurance when moving abroad

The cost of life insurance for smokers

The exact cost of life insurance for smokers varies depending not only on how often you smoke, but on factors like age, the amount of cover you need, and your general health. 

Someone who smokes a pack a day will likely pay more than someone who only has the occasional cigarette. Similarly, the type of tobacco product you use – whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco – can also influence the premium.

On the other hand, a heavy smoker who is young, in good health, and who chooses a lower level of cover will end up paying less than an older non-smoker with declining health and a high level of cover. It all comes down to your overall risk, rather than any individual factors.

Here are some example premium costs for smokers vs non-smokers with international life insurance from William Russell*:

*These are example 2025 premium prices.

How much life insurance do you need?

Find out with our life benefit calculator

Lying about smoking on your life insurance application

When you apply for life insurance, insurers rely on the information you provide to assess your health risks and determine your premiums. 

If you’re a smoker but you claim to be a non-smoker when you apply for a policy, you’re taking a risk that your insurer won’t pay your beneficiaries’ claim if you die during your policy term.

Your insurer will request your medical records in the event of a claim and, if you have smoked, it’s usually quite easy to tell – especially if your smoking had an impact on your death.

Honesty is always the best approach. If you’re a smoker, you’ll still have access to international life insurance policies tailored to your needs. And if you quit smoking, you can explore reduced premiums in the future.

Do you have assets in more than one country?

Here’s how to write your will as an expat living abroad

Wherever you go, go with total peace of mind

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience of providing international life insurance exclusively for expats like you.

Become a member today to enjoy worldwide coverage, giving you total peace of mind wherever you move to live and work.

The post Can You Get Life Insurance If You Smoke? appeared first on William Russell.

In this article, we’ll guide you through what happens when someone passes away overseas, including how international life insurance can impact the process, the logistics of repatriation, how to obtain an expat’s death certificate, and arranging a funeral in your home country.

Getting a death certificate for an expat

The first step when someone dies abroad is obtaining their death certificate.

This document is formal proof that the person is deceased. It will be required to move ahead with legal and administrative processes such as repatriation, inheritance, and insurance claims. 

Where to obtain a death certificate

The death certificate must be issued in the country where the individual passed away. Local authorities, such as the civil registry office, or equivalent government department, are responsible for issuing the death certificate.

If the person died in hospital or under medical supervision, a doctor typically initiates the process by providing a medical certificate of death. This can be taken to a registrar, who will then provide a formal death certificate. 

If the death occurred outside of a medical setting, you may need to consult local law enforcement. They may need to conduct an autopsy to establish the cause of death before a death certificate can be provided.

If you are having trouble obtaining a death certificate, your national embassy or consulate may be able to help.

How can your embassy help you as an expat?

Learn more about embassies and consulates

Steps to obtaining a death certificate

To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into steps:

1/ Contact local authorities

Begin by reaching out to the local registry office or its equivalent in the country where the death occurred. If you are unsure of the process, your national embassy or consulate may be able to help.

2/ Provide required documentation

In order to apply for an expat’s death certificate, you will typically need to provide:

• Identification for both the deceased and the person reporting the death (passport, ID cards, etc.)
• The medical certificate of death, if one has been issued by a doctor or coroner
• Any additional information or forms required by local regulations

3/ Request a multilingual certificate

If the death certificate is issued in a language other than your native language, you may need to have it translated and certified.

You may be able to request a multilingual death certificate. If not, you can obtain an apostille through the local authorities, which can simplify its use for international legal purposes.

4/ Register the death in your home country

While not mandatory, it is advisable to register the death with your home country’s authorities. For UK expats, this should be done through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

Registering the death in your home country will enable you to get a local death certificate, which can make financial and legal processes easier.

Is it difficult to get a death certificate when someone dies abroad? 

Some countries may have more complex processes than others when it comes to registering a foreign death. This may involve additional documentation or longer waiting periods, slowing the process of organising repatriation or arranging a funeral.

Language barriers and unfamiliar legal systems can also pose challenges, especially if you are trying to organise everything over the phone.

Seeking the assistance of your national consulate or a legal representative familiar with local procedures can help you to navigate these difficulties and ease the stress during a difficult time.

Life insurance is there to protect your family if you pass away

Find out more about how international life insurance works

Does having life insurance make a difference?

Whether or not the deceased had international life insurance can make a huge difference in how the situation is managed. Let’s consider both scenarios:

If someone dies abroad with insurance…

To activate a life insurance claim, the family or nominated beneficiary needs to inform the insurer as soon as possible, providing necessary documentation such as the death certificate, proof of identity, and sometimes a medical report detailing the cause of death.

If the deceased held an international health insurance policy at the time of their passing, their insurance provider may be able to help with the process of repatriating their remains, or organising a local burial or cremation. Speak to your insurance provider to understand whether they might be able to help.

If your loved one was a William Russell member, and they had added the funeral and repatriation benefit to their life insurance policy, we’ll pay an additional US$5,000 to their lead beneficiary, who can then use these funds to organise their repatriation. If you would prefer to organise a funeral or cremation in the country where your loved one died, we’ll also pay a benefit to help cover the cost of a local funeral.

If someone dies abroad without insurance…

If someone dies abroad and they do not have a life insurance policy in place, the family will need to shoulder the logistical, administrative and financial responsibilities themselves. This includes the costs of repatriating their loved one’s remains and organising a funeral.

There are many companies around the world that specialise in supporting families whose loved ones have passed away in a foreign country. These companies can help with the process of repatriation and in organising a funeral. A funeral arranger in your own country may be able to help organise this, even if your loved one has passed away abroad.

Families may also wish to organise a local funeral or cremation for their loved one. This may be a more affordable option, although the costs of funerals around the world can range up to US$25,800/£20,000, depending on the country in which their loved one died, and the circumstances around their death.

How much life insurance do you need?

Find out with our life benefit calculator

Repatriation after death

Repatriation is the process of returning a person’s remains to their home country for burial or cremation. While it provides closure for families by ensuring their loved one rests in their chosen location, repatriation can be complex and costly, especially if there is no life insurance cover in place. 

How much does it cost to repatriate a dead body? 

The cost of repatriating a dead body depends on a number of factors, including the countries you need the body to travel between, the distance to be covered, type of flight and the type of coffin. 

The average cost of repatriating remains worldwide is between US$3,800 and US$7,800 (£3,000 and £6,000). These costs are determined by a number of factors, including:

• The cost of storing the remains in preparation for transport to another country
• The cost of transporting the remains to and from the mode of international transport
• The cost of transporting the remains overseas, which will vary based on which mode of transportation you choose
• The cost of storing the remains on the other side of this journey

If you’re planning on a cremation and are happy for that cremation to take place overseas, repatriating ashes is usually less expensive, costing around US$1,300 to US3,800 (£1,000 to £3,000). 

Remember to check your loved one’s will before committing to any decision, as they may have outlined specific wishes concerning their funeral.

When choosing a repatriation service, there are a few things that should be included in the price. These include:

• Local transport – The cost of transporting your loved one from their current resting place to an intermediate space for mortuary care, and then onwards to their international mode of transport
• Mortuary care – Preparing and dressing your loved one ready for repatriation
• International embalming – Preparing your loved one’s remains for travel by air
• Coffin – Safe repatriation typically requires a coffin that is lined with zinc or has a zinc cladding. This helps to ensure the safety and hygiene of your loved one during transportation, as well as the safety of fellow passengers
• Free from infection certificate – This document will be issued by a medical professional, confirming that your loved one is safe to travel

Still unsure of whether you should take out international life insurance?

Here are 8 reasons to take out life insurance when moving abroad

Funeral arrangements

When a loved one passes away abroad, deciding on funeral arrangements is an important step in honouring their memory. One key decision is whether to hold the funeral in the country where they passed away, or bring them home for burial or cremation.

A local funeral can sometimes be quicker and easier to organise, especially in countries with clear legal and cultural frameworks for handling the deceased. However, it’s worth considering whether the local customs align with your family’s wishes and traditions.

If your loved one’s final resting place is to be at home, you’ll likely organise the funeral after their repatriation. Many funeral directors in your home country can coordinate repatriation services to ensure a smooth process, allowing you to focus on planning a meaningful service for family and friends.

How much do funerals cost around the world? 

The cost of a funeral can vary significantly depending on the location, cultural traditions, and the services chosen. If the deceased wished for cremation, this may be a less expensive option in many regions, but the costs still depend on local practices. For example, cremation is often more common and affordable in countries like India or Japan, whereas burial might be the standard in Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, or Catholic countries such as Italy and Poland. 

To get an idea of how funeral costs differ around the world, we’ve put together a list of the average cost of a funeral in 20 countries:

Do you have assets in more than one country?

Here’s how to write your will as an expat living abroad

Checklist: What to do if someone dies abroad

1/ Contact the local embassy

Regardless of whether there is a life insurance policy in place, the first step is to contact the local embassy or consulate. They will be able to provide you with guidance on local procedures and legal requirements.

2/ Get a death certificate

You’ll need a death certificate from the local authorities in the country where the death occurred. This document is essential for repatriation, legal processes, and settling financial matters. If the certificate is not in your language, you may need to arrange for a certified translation.

3/ Contact the deceased’s insurer

If your loved one had international life insurance, now is the time to give their insurer a call. Many policies include support for repatriation, funeral costs, or other assistance that can help ease the burden during this difficult time.

4/ Check their will

Locate your loved one’s will, if they had one, to understand their wishes regarding funeral arrangements, distribution of assets, and other important matters. The will can provide some comfort and guidance during a challenging time. 

5/ Decide if you want their body repatriated

Consider whether you wish to bring your loved one back home or have the funeral in the country where they passed. Repatriation requires coordination with a funeral director experienced in international transportation and may involve additional costs and paperwork.

6/ Prepare for their funeral

Whether the funeral is held abroad or at home, you’ll need to coordinate with funeral directors to make arrangements that respect your loved one’s wishes. Consider cultural and religious traditions, as well as any preferences they may have expressed about burial or cremation.

7/ Inform family and friends

Once key decisions have been made, inform relatives and close friends. They may want to help with arrangements or attend the funeral, whether in person or remotely.

International life insurance designed with you in mind

Our international life insurance policy is tailor-made for expats. It offers worldwide coverage, so no matter what happens while you’re living or travelling abroad, you can enjoy total peace of mind.

For over 30 years, William Russell has specialised in helping expats like you get the insurance they need at a great price. We are proud of our award-winning customer service and our comprehensive policies that have helped families live their lives to the full.

The post What Happens If I Die Abroad As An Expat? appeared first on William Russell.

Are you thinking of changing your health insurance provider?

Switching your health insurance provider can be a long and complicated process if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

So if you’re thinking moving to a different provider, we’re here to help. Here’s a quick guide to switching providers if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

What counts as a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any medical condition for which you’ve sought medical advice or treatment—or for which you’ve experienced symptoms—at any time prior to the start of your new health insurance policy.

A pre-existing medical condition can be diagnosed or undiagnosed. An undiagnosed pre-existing condition could mean one the following:

• A genetic abnormality or hereditary illness that runs in your family and you have not yet medically ruled out the possibility of you having it
• Symptoms that could indicate a long-term condition but for which you’ve not yet sought medical advice
• A situation where you’re waiting the results of a diagnostic screen or health assessment

Thinking about purchasing international health insurance?

Here’s everything you need to know about pre-existing conditions

Examples of pre-existing medical conditions

The following conditions are examples of possible pre-existing medical conditions. Please note it’s not an exhaustive list!

You may have heard certain myths and rumours about health insurance

We debunk 6 common myths about health insurance

Switching to William Russell with a pre-existing medical condition

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we’re here to make the switching process simple and straightforward.

There three ways to switch to William Russell. These are known as Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME), Full Medical Underwriting (FMU), and Moratorium.

Let’s explore these options in more detail, so you know what to expect.

1/ Switching with Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)

If you want to switch to William Russell from your current health insurance provider with no break in coverage and approximately the same level of cover, then CPME could be right for you.

How do I switch with CPME?

To switch with CPME, the underwriting type of your policy with your current health insurance provider must be full medical underwriting or moratorium. Not sure of your policy’s underwriting type? Your certificate of insurance should tell you.

Simply complete our CPME application form, and return to us with a copy of your certificate of insurance and a benefits table from your current health insurance provider. We’ll then take care of the whole switching process for you.

2/ Switching with Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)

You’ll need to switch health insurance policies with FMU if:

• you’ve been diagnosed with a new pre-existing medical condition since the start of your last insurance policy;
• you have a history of major illness;
• you’re taking out international health insurance again after a break in coverage; or
• you’re not eligible to switch with CPME.

How do I switch with FMU?

When switching with FMU, we’ll ask you to complete an application form that asks questions about your medical history and lifestyle.

Based on your responses, we’ll decide the terms on which we can offer you an insurance policy. It’s important that you disclose full details about any pre-existing medical conditions that you’re aware of—both for yourself and your dependants.

Once we’ve reviewed your application, we may accept you for a policy with standard terms or we may exclude certain medical conditions from your policy and increase your premium.

3/ Switching with Moratorium

If you’ve suffered non-serious or non-chronic medical conditions in the past, and you’re not eligible for switching with CPME, you could consider switching with Moratorium.

With Moratorium underwriting, we may cover your pre-existing medical conditions if:

• you haven’t consulted a doctor;
• you haven’t taken medication; or
• you haven’t experienced symptoms of them for 2 years or more.

How do I switch with Moratorium?

When switching with Moratorium, we’ll ask you to complete a simple application form. Moratorium is only available if you’re under age 39 and you’ve selected a Bronze or Silver plan.

Are you comparing different expat health insurance plans?

We guide you through the process so you get the right cover for you

Want to know more about how international insurance works?

We’ve created a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process

Choose William Russell for your international health insurance

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance to expats like you.

We are proud of our exceptional customer service, which has earned us the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. We believe in offering a personal touch with every policy, providing all members with their own dedicated account manager and access to our 24-hour claims line. Read why so many of our members recommend us here.

If you’re thinking about changing health insurance provider, take the stress out of it by choosing William Russell. Find out more about our international health insurance policies and get a quote online in under two minutes today.

The post Can You Switch Health Insurance Provider With A Pre-Existing Medical Condition? appeared first on William Russell.

We know this, because we often get asked about these things by William Russell members. Sometimes it’s because a friend or colleague has told them that their health insurer will try everything possible not to pay out on their claim, or that if they do claim their premiums will skyrocket next year.

We’d like to debunk some of the most common rumours and myths that seem to circulate about insurance. This is to reassure you that the right health insurance policy will always be a benefit to your quality of life and well-being, especially if you are living abroad as an expat.

Myth: Health insurance only benefits me if I make a claim

Truth: Health insurance is just like any other form of insurance – there for when you need it

We do not overlook the fact that, for many people, health insurance can be a significant expense. In 2023, the average yearly premium for an individual insured with us was US$4,871.

And while there are many ways to lower the cost of your health insurance premium, you may question whether you are seeing any value at all from these expenses. For instance, if you go a year without making a claim, you may wonder what you’ve actually spent your money on.

You may even think that you are supposed to claim on your health insurance, in order to derive value from your policy. So, whether it’s a slight cough, a stubbed toe or a small scald from the kettle, you might be inclined to visit the nearest emergency room, simply to ensure you’re making use of your expensive health insurance policy.

But health insurance is a form of insurance, and insurance is there to do one thing: mitigate risk.

Health insurance covers you against the kind of expenses you could not otherwise afford, such as life-saving and emergency treatments for major illnesses and injuries. Health insurance ensures you’ll have access to the high-quality treatments you need, when you need them.

So, yes, you can buy a health insurance policy that covers you for doctor visits and routine check-ups. However, you’ll end up paying more for that cover in the form of higher premiums.

Having health insurance is important not because it gives you access to lots of small expenses, but because it can help to pay for astronomical expenses—such as treatment for major illnesses and injuries. This is when you’ll derive value from your health insurance. 

The cost of healthcare is increasing around the world

Learn more about rising healthcare costs

Myth: If I claim, my premiums will skyrocket

Truth: William Russell won’t increase your premium because you make a claim—but prices rise for everyone if we receive more claims than expected

We can’t speak for all insurers – because we know some insurers do increase their members’ premiums after they’ve made a claim – but at William Russell, we never hike an individual’s premiums after they make a claim. Let us explain why…

It might be useful to imagine William Russell as a pot of money. Each year, our members fill that pot with their premiums. 

When a member makes a claim, we’ll dip into the pot of money to pay their expenses.

If a lot of members need to make a lot of claims, the pot of money may deplete faster than expected. In this case, we may increase the cost of premiums across the board, so that we can refill the pot. In other words, if the pot empties faster than it fills, we’ll ask everyone to chip in a little more.

What we will never do is penalise one individual for making a claim. That’s what the money pot is there for, after all! We feel this is the fairest way to provide insurance. You buy a policy from us in good faith – if we were to penalise you for using your policy in the way it was intended, then we’d be nothing more than sharks.

Furthermore, if we penalised a member with higher premiums, we would eventually make their policy unaffordable—leaving them without insurance cover.

That’s a lose-lose situation for everyone: they have to give up their health insurance, and the pot loses out on their contributions. So, we make sure to avoid that scenario.

There are other reasons your premiums may increase over time, but with William Russell making a claim will never be one of them.

The fee you pay for your health insurance policy is called a premium

We explain how we calculate your health insurance premium

Myth: I can get away with lying on my application form

Truth: Not really, and even if you could it would be a terrible idea

When taking out health insurance for the first time, you’ll be given a medical questionnaire to fill out.

This is the first step in a process called underwriting. We use this process to figure out your level of risk – in other words, how likely you are to make a claim.

Some people believe that they can get away with lying at this stage. For instance, if someone knows they have a long-term back condition, they might choose to downplay their condition or not to declare it at all, knowing that if they do they will either:

1. Have to pay a higher premium
2. Be denied health insurance altogether
3. Have their back condition excluded

This is known as non-disclosure, which is a form of insurance fraud. This could lead to several consequences, including claims not being paid, or the whole policy being cancelled.

As an insurance provider ourselves, we go to great lengths to prevent fraud. This is not just to protect our own financial interests, but the interests of all our members.

When going through the underwriting process, we make a calculation of each member’s risk. We depend on their honesty to give us a fair picture of their health, in order to calculate this risk accurately.

If someone lies about or tries to cover up a known condition, we may end up under-charging them. When they make a claim, they will be effectively taking money from the pot that every other member has paid into fairly.

When someone is dishonest, it’s usually very easy to spot. For example, if a member makes a claim for treatment related to type-1 diabetes a few months after their policy starts, it’s quite likely that the member has been a long-term sufferer of diabetes.

At William Russell, we have software that flags unusual activity and strange patterns in claims. Fortunately, we find that instances of bad faith claims are very rare, but we do have policies for dealing with them when they arise.

Rest assured we take a firm approach to fraud for the benefit of all our members. We don’t want anyone paying the price for someone else’s deception, and we’re proud to say we have paid out on 100% of all legitimate claims.

Are you thinking about switching health insurance providers?

What should you do if you have a pre-existing medical condition?

Myth: I can just set some money aside every month to pay for my own medical treatment if I need it

Truth: While you may be able to afford minor costs like doctor appointments, the cost of treatments for major illnesses and injuries is way outside most peoples’ budgets

So, you’re moving to another country and you’re thinking about whether or not to take out health insurance.

While some people choose not to take out insurance and rely on their own income or savings, this passes all the risk onto their own finances.

If you choose to go this route yourself, you’ll need to be comfortable with the fact you may end up paying huge expenses out of your own pocket – especially if you will be living in a place where the cost of healthcare is very high. 

To put the potential costs in perspective, we have previously paid out a single claim that totalled over US$390,000.

There are, of course, other options. You could subscribe to your new home country’s state healthcare system. For this, you will need to make sure you are eligible, which may be difficult as a new expat – some countries even require expats to have private medical cover. 

You’ll also need to think about the quality of state healthcare where you’re moving. Will you have access to top-quality medical equipment, highly-trained staff and clean, comfortable hospitals? Does the country have long waiting lists for treatments or overcrowding in hospitals? Will you be able to speak with medical professionals who are fluent in English?

If you would prefer private medical care, but don’t want to take out health insurance, you may consider keeping some of your own money aside in case you do need to go to hospital.

Another thing to think about is what to do if you fall sick or become seriously injured while out and about. With William Russell’s private health insurance, you’re covered for medical evacuation to a top-quality medical facility if you’re facing a life or limb-threatening emergency and local treatment isn’t available. But if you are covering your own expenses, you may have to call upon a very expensive rescue and ambulance transfer out of your own pocket.

Health insurance is designed to protect you from these potentially extreme costs, should the worst happen. If you are thinking of covering your own expenses, you may want to calculate the cost of any potential worst case scenario before you commit to foregoing health insurance.

See how an emergency medical evacuation works in practice

Read about how we airlifted a family from Mauritius to South Africa for emergency treatment

Myth: With a health insurance policy, I shouldn’t have to pay a penny for healthcare

Truth: Your insurance can cover anything and everything, but it’s best to only use it for the ‘big’ stuff

We’ve talked about how health insurance can help cover the cost of expensive treatments like cancer. But what if you want to cover the cost of the less expensive things too, like routine health check-ups, visits to the doctor and physiotherapy sessions?

The short answer is that you can choose a level of cover that includes smaller expenses. Some refer to this as a ‘never out of pocket’ approach to insurance.

If you choose to use your insurance like this, it’s important to remember that what you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts; for a higher level of cover, you’ll also pay a higher annual premium. In the end, the added cost to your premium may outweigh the value you gain.

On the other hand, if you take out private health insurance while still being prepared to pay minor expenses out of your own pocket, you can actually reduce the cost of your policy by setting a higher excess. This is the amount you will pay out of pocket when making any claim, and you can only claim for treatments that cost more than your excess.

By setting a higher excess and receiving a lower premium, you may end up making a net saving overall—even if you pay for a few low-cost treatments out of your pocket over the course of the year.

Therefore, choosing a health insurance policy that only covers major expenses may end up being the more economic option for you.

All health insurance policies come with exclusions

Learn more about what our policies don’t cover

Myth: My insurer is just going to reject my claims anyway

Truth: At William Russell, we will never deny a legitimate claim

Unfortunately, many people have a poor opinion of insurance companies. The 1997 film The Rainmaker, starring Matt Damon, has a lot to answer for there.

And while it is true that some insurance companies have a bad reputation for denying claims, the good news is that this rarely happens when the customer takes out an insurance policy with a reputable company in a country with robust contract laws and consumer protections.

Insurance is, after all, a contract – and is subject to all contract laws in the territory where it is purchased.

For this reason, it’s important to only take out an insurance policy for a reputable provider based in a territory you know and trust. Before taking out a policy, you should know where your insurer is based, and what the laws surrounding insurance contracts are in that country. 

In the best case scenario, you’ll want to find an insurance provider based in a country with a strong rule of law and a robust system of financial services regulation.

Ideally, there should be a governing body, such as an ombudsman, who you can refer to in the case of a dispute. You may also want to choose an insurer based in a country where you are familiar with the local legal language, e.g. English.

It is also up to you to follow your insurer’s proper procedure when making a claim.

Make sure you keep a copy of your insurance certificate and membership card on hand. If your policy states you must receive treatment at a certain hospital or clinic, don’t try to claim for treatment you receive at a different hospital.

Be aware of exclusions in your policy and understand that these will not be covered. Make sure you keep all receipts and paperwork, and that you file every claim accurately and on time.

They will always offer to help you to file a correct and accurate claim as this is for your benefit as well as theirs. At William Russell, we’re proud to offer fair and transparent services to all our members. We have paid out 100% of all legitimate claims, and we will continue to do so.

Choose William Russell for your international health insurance

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience providing international health insurance to expats like you.

We are proud of our exceptional customer service, which has earned us the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. We believe in offering a personal touch with every policy, providing all members with their own dedicated account manager and access to our 24-hour claims line. Read why so many of our members recommend us here.

Take the stress out of health insurance by choosing William Russell. Find out more about our international health insurance policies and get a quote online in under two minutes today.

The post 6 Common Myths About Health Insurance – Debunked appeared first on William Russell.

International health insurance is a specially-designed policy intended for people who intend to live in another country, including international and foreign exchange students. International health insurance offers worldwide coverage, giving you access to the highest-quality medical facilities if and when you need them. That means you can relax and enjoy your time studying in another country without worrying about the cost of healthcare.

International health insurance can also help you to secure a student visa in countries that require foreign students to have private health insurance. In this article, you’ll discover which countries require students to have health insurance if they intend to live and study, and how to choose the right international student health insurance.

Which countries require health insurance for international students?

While only a few countries specify that international students must have health insurance, universities tend to recommended that all international students look into private health insurance.

According to TU Delft, international students are significantly more likely to phone for emergency services than their non-international counterparts, highlighting how anxiety-inducing it can be to experience a medical episode in a foreign country, and the extra reassurance you might need to feel comfortable and secure.

International health insurance guarantees that, if you need medical attention while living abroad, you will always be referred to the highest-quality medical treatment centre, without being left out-of-pocket for the expenses. Many policies also include the option of mental health and maternity care support, for extra reassurance.

International health insurance is a great option to have no matter where you study, but if you’re moving to one of these countries, it could be absolutely essential.

Looking for international health insurance for studying abroad?

Here’s what William Russell’s international health insurance covers

Australia

Students studying in Australia will need to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their stay. OSHC is a government-mandated policy.

You will need OSHC in order to apply for a visa, then maintain it continuously for the entire length of your stay in Australia. OSHC is mandatory for international students of all nationalities, except citizens of Belgium, Sweden and Norway, who are covered under reciprocal health insurance schemes.

When moving to Australia to study, you will have two options. You can either choose the OSHC policy recommended by your university, or you can choose a private OSHC provider. The advantage of choosing a private provider is that you could benefit from country-wide cover, while sticking with your university’s recommended provider may only give you cover in one state.

OSHC typically costs around AUD$478/US$300 for 12 months of cover for a single person, or AUD$2,600/US$1,640 for 12 months of couples cover and AUD$4,200/US$2,650 for 12 months of family cover

Taking out international health insurance for the first time?

Our step by step guide explains how it works

Canada

As an international student coming to Canada, you may need to take out private medical insurance for the duration of your stay, depending on which province you’ll be moving to.

While Canada is widely praised for its healthcare system (it’s one of the top 10 healthiest countries in the world), the North American country is not in the business of just giving it away.

Before you move to Canada, you should check with the government of your province to determine whether you will need health insurance, and how much coverage you’ll need. Some provinces offer public health insurance for international students who intend to be in the country for longer than 6–12 months, while others will require you to have private health insurance at all times.

See the table below to understand whether you will be eligible for public health insurance as an international student in Canada:

Province

Public health insurance available?

Terms

Alberta

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) available to students staying longer than 6 months. Only covers basic expenses

British Columbia

Medical Services Plan (MSP) available to students staying longer than 6 months. Must apply as soon as you arrive in Canada; applications take 3 months to purchase

Manitoba

Private health insurance essential

New Brunswick

Medicare available to students staying longer than one year

Newfoundland and Labrador

Medical Care Plan (MCP) available to students staying longer than one year

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Healthcare (NWTHC) available to students staying longer than one year

Nova Scotia

Private health insurance essential

Ontario

Private health insurance essential

Prince Edward Island

PEI Health Card available to students staying longer than 6 months, however students can only apply for the card after they have lived in the province for 3 months, during which time private health insurance will be required

Québec

Some students may be eligible for state healthcare under a reciprocity agreement. All others will be automatically enrolled onto their university’s own healthcare scheme, unless they choose private health insurance

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Health Card available to students staying longer than 6 months

Yukon

Health insurance will be provided by Yukon College, unless you choose private health insurance

Your college or university may be able to help you by offering their own health insurance schemes for international students. But if you want to guarantee the best policy at a great price, with coverage that extends across the whole country and worldwide, it’s a good idea to shop around for your own international health insurance policy.

China

International students in China must have both private medical insurance and accidental death and injury insurance for the entire duration of their stay.

You will need to take out your health and accident policies soon after you arrive in China, but you won’t need proof of insurance in order to acquire an entry visa.

If you intend to study in China for longer than a year, you will need an X1 visa, for which you will need to undergo a medical assessment.

International health insurance is important to have in China, as the quality of healthcare can be hit-or-miss depending on where you study. Especially in rural areas, hospitals may seem under-equipped and short-staffed (China has the fifth lowest number of nurses per person in the world). Some hospitals in major cities have ‘VIP’ sections for foreign nationals, where you may find doctors who can speak English, but you may still find waiting lists to be very long for these services.

Therefore, it’s recommended you take out a comprehensive international health insurance policy that will allow access to high-quality private medical facilities. William Russell’s international health insurance policy includes personal accident cover as an additional extra, and can help to ensure you’ll have access to our network of medical facilities while you study in China.

Learn more about moving to China in our essential handy guide

Here’s everything you need to know about living in China as an expat

Germany

As an international student, you won’t be eligible to use public healthcare services until you achieve settled status in Germany and start paying national insurance.

Germany has an excellent public healthcare system, and is particularly renowned for the quality of its mental health services. However, these services are only available to permanent residents.

Therefore, in the meantime, you will need to take out private medical insurance. In fact, you will need to demonstrate that you have health insurance before enrolling at your German university and applying for your student visa.

There are some exceptions. Naturally, citizens of the EU will be able to move to Germany visa-free and won’t need a private health insurance policy. You will also be able to transfer your existing state policy to Germany if you are moving from one of these countries;

• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Morocco
• Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Serbia
• Tunisia
• Turkey

Germany offers international students a reduced rate for access to the state national insurance scheme, at a cost of €110/US$115 per month. Once you complete your third year of university, or turn 30 years old, you will need to pay the full rate of €190/US$200 per month.

Prioritising mental health has never been more important

Germany is on our lists of the best countries for mental health

South Korea

Health insurance is a must-have if you are over 20 years old and intend to study in South Korea for longer than one year.

While applying for your D-2 or D-4 visa, you will need to register with the country’s official health insurance scheme and start paying for this service monthly, to the tune of US$30 per month.

You are also free to choose your own health insurance policy, if you wish to receive a higher quality of care. South Korea is among the best countries in the world for the quality of its healthcare, but waiting lists can be exceptionally long and there is no guarantee you will have access to English-speaking medical professionals, even in major cities. If you choose a private health insurance policy, you may still be obligated to pay into the state-funded health insurance system.

Seoul in South Korea is one of the best cities in the world for healthcare

Find out the best and worst cities for healthcare

United Kingdom

International students in the UK will need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in order to access the healthcare system.

While the UK is known around the world for its excellent state-funded healthcare system, the NHS, international students will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £470/US$570 a year in order to access this service.

Furthermore, if you only intend to study in the UK for less than six months, you will not be eligible to apply for a student visa and will therefore need to take out short-term private health insurance.

Either way, international students may find they benefit from a comprehensive private health insurance policy. Waiting lists in the UK can be notoriously long, and the quality of health services can vary dramatically by region.

Private healthcare in the UK comes with a cost

Learn more about healthcare options and average costs

United States of America

International students studying in the USA require private medical insurance.

While it should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the American healthcare sector, it bears mentioning that international students will absolutely require private medical insurance if they intend to study in the USA.

In fact, during the process of applying to your college or university in the United States, you may find that the institution automatically enrol you onto one of their own health insurance programmes. According to Forbes, these policies can cost as much as US$5,000 per year. However, you are not obligated to accept these plans, and you can often find a better deal by searching elsewhere.

When it comes to finding health insurance in the USA, you will need to find a specialist health insurance provider. Because the cost of healthcare is so expensive in America, many international health insurance providers (including us at William Russell) do not include the USA in their areas of cover. Some international health insurance providers offer USA-only plans, or you could try looking for local health insurers in the state you’ll be moving to.

The cost of prescription medication is rapidly increasing

Discover which US states are spending the most on healthcare

Countries where health insurance is not mandatory but essential

Brazil

While health insurance is not mandatory in Brazil, and international students will be eligible to apply for state-funded healthcare, it’s highly recommended you take out private medical insurance if you intend to study in Brazil. The Brazilian healthcare system is notoriously under-funded, leading to poor quality medical care and long waiting lists. With up to 75% of the country’s hospitals being private, the best way to ensure access to high-quality healthcare in Brazil is through a private health insurance policy.

France

As an international student, you will be eligible to apply for French social security after living in the country for four months, after which you will be able to partake in France’s excellent state-funded health system. However, during this initial period, you will need to show that you have private health insurance. This is an essential stage in the application process for a French student visa. EU citizens will not need to apply for health insurance if they hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Learn more about international student health insurance

Read our full guide on health insurance for students

Health insurance tailor-made for international students

If you’re thinking about moving abroad to study, go with total peace of mind. William Russell’s international health insurance is designed with international students like you in mind.

With William Russell, you’ll have access to an extensive network of over 40,000 medical facilities worldwide, offering you the highest-quality, flexible healthcare, wherever you need it. Our policies includes optional mental health cover, plus up to US$500,000 of benefits if you are injured in an accident.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer discounted rates to students. However, with William Russell you can be sure you’ll always receive the best quote relative to your age, general health and living situation.

Get an online quote today and start your studies overseas with total peace of mind.

The post Where Will You Need International Health Insurance For Overseas Study? appeared first on William Russell.