Terrorism An Increasing Concern For Expats

by Carla Johnson, Investors Offshore, London

28 March 2007

With an increasing threat of global terrorism, nearly a third of brokers questioned in a MediCare International research survey said that they would not consider healthcare policy if it did not provide some level of war cover.

MediCare International has a ‘stand out’ benefit that really makes a difference to those expatriates living and working in world hot spots. For these individuals, MediCare International provides ‘passive war’ cover including terrorist attack, in contrast to other insurers whose policies have a full war risk exclusion.

Passive war cover is likely to be of particular interest to aid agencies and rebuilding contractors working in the Gulf area, especially in Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait or indeed Africa. Policyholders will benefit from the full range of MediCare International services, including hospital benefits and evacuation, in the event of injury by terrorists or as part of a broader war conflict.

MediCare International’s research also shows that for 75% of expatriates, the spouse will also be living abroad and in over half of cases, the family will have children.

Medicare says that whether it is private individuals moving overseas to capitalise on new markets and opportunities, or companies moving divisions to capitalise on lower labour costs, high up on the list of factors which determines whether life overseas will be successful or not is healthcare, particularly if the spouse and children are included.

Cover which includes choice of treatment location and cover for everyday costs are important features when looking at family healthcare. David Pryor, Senior Executive Director, MediCare International comments, “We understand how the costs for even seemingly mild illnesses can mount up, especially when children are involved. That’s why we like to offer tangible benefits for our policyholders, such as our recent introduction of a first free claim outside the outpatient policy excess, which might be a visit to the doctor or consultant. With more and more families moving overseas, it makes sense to take out a policy which helps with the day-to-day business of being ill.”

With many placements now including countries such as India and China, healthcare has increasingly come into sharp focus, especially for companies looking to provide specialist cover for employees. Perceptions of the quality of local facilities are paramount, so companies increasingly need to develop tailored healthcare solutions enabling staff to be treated where they want to be, in the event of emergencies. Hot and humid climates allied to poor sanitation and infrastructure conditions are a prime cause of infections, particularly amongst expatriates who will not have the same level of immunity to such illnesses as either locals or other longer term residents.

In such circumstances, a company may well find itself having to develop one level of benefits for a management grade in one country and a quite different set of benefits for the same grade elsewhere.

MediCare specialises in designing flexible medical insurance cover backed up with the assurance of 24-hour emergency medical assistance for clients and their families. Help, advice and support are only a telephone call away where trained professionals can authorise treatment/settle bills direct with medical facilities, or arrange medical evacuation when necessary – wherever you are in the world.

For details of MediCare’s international health insurance plans visit www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare@medicare.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7816 2033.

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