International Life Insurance: Everything Expats Should Know

Most local life insurance plans stop covering you once you leave your home country. That means your loved ones could be left unprotected, just when they need help the most. That’s where international life insurance keeps your protection active wherever you go. It ensures your family receives the promised benefit, no matter which country you call home.

Key Takeaways

International life insurance policies give worldwide protection so your family gets a payout even if you die abroad.
You can choose term (for a set time) or whole life (for life) international life policies
Plans can be paid in different currencies and often let you add extra covers like critical illness or accidental death
The amount you need depends on today’s bills (mortgage, loans), future costs (kids’ school), and how much savings you already have
Top providers for expats include companies like HAYAH, MetLife, and Zurich International, which have a strong claim-settlement track record

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What is International Life Insurance?

International life policies provide financial protection to your family in case of your death, no matter which country you live, work, or travel in.

It works like regular life insurance in your home country: you pay premiums, and your insurer promises to pay a lump sum (called the death benefit) to your chosen beneficiaries if you pass away.

However, unlike local plans, international life insurance for expats provides global coverage. So, even if you pass away overseas, your family will still receive the payout.

Example: If you move from India to the UAE and have a normal local policy that says ‘this only pays in case of death at home’, your family could be left without help. An international life insurance policy avoids that problem.

Key Benefits of International Life Insurance Policies

Here’s why these global plans are becoming so popular among expatriates —

1. Global coverage

An international policy pays beneficiaries, irrespective of whether the insured dies in their home country, the UAE, or while travelling. This stops gaps that happen when domestic policies limit payments for deaths abroad.

2. Flexibility in plan choice and currency

You can often pay premiums in USD, GBP, or EUR. Moreover, you can also choose in terms of term vs whole life. That helps if your income or savings are in another currency.

3. Portability (it moves with you)

If you relocate from one country to another, your policy usually stays active. That’s important for expats, digital nomads, or families who split time between countries.

4. Extra benefits (riders)

You can add riders like –

Accidental death — extra money if the death is due to an accident
Critical illness — a lump sum if diagnosed with a specified serious illness
Disability cover — payouts if you become permanently disabled

These riders help cover medical costs, lost income, or care needs.

5. Choice of term or lifetime protection

Term plans are cheaper and great if you need large cover for a limited time (e.g., while kids are young). Whole-life plans cost more but guarantee a payout upon death and can build cash value.

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Types of International Life Insurance Policies

You can choose between two main types of international life insurance policies based on your lifestyle and budget —

Type	Description	Ideal For
Term Life Insurance	Provides coverage for a fixed period (5–30 years) Pays a lump sum only if death occurs within the term	Expats seeking affordable, temporary coverage
Whole Life Insurance	Covers you for your entire life, as long as premiums are paid Guarantees a payout to beneficiaries	Expats looking for lifelong protection and certainty

Who Needs an International Life Insurance Policy?

You might need the best expat life insurance in UAE if you —

Live or work outside your home country for an extended time
Travel frequently for business
Have family members or financial dependents living in different countries
Own assets or property overseas
Are a digital nomad or global entrepreneur

It’s especially important for —

Category	Why It Matters
Families	Ensures your loved ones have sufficient funds for expenses like debts, school fees, and daily living costs
Homeowners	Some mortgage lenders require a life policy before approval
Business Owners	Ensures continuity of business operations, employee salaries, and debt repayment

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How Much International Life Insurance Do You Need?

Your ideal coverage depends on your lifestyle, expenses, and family’s financial needs. Here’s a simple way to think about it —

Step 1

List immediate cash needs: Think of funeral, short-term medical bills, and any outstanding loans

Step 2

Consider your ongoing yearly needs: Housing, groceries, schooling, transport

Step 3

Think of future needs: This could be children’s university, spouse’s retirement income, and so on

Step 4

Subtract existing resources: Savings, pension, other insurance

Result = Coverage gap (the amount you should insure)

Add up all these costs and subtract any savings or existing insurance. The remaining gap is your ideal coverage amount.

Simple Example

Imagine a family needs AED 2,000 per month to live.

Monthly need = AED 2,000
Annual need = AED 2,000 × 12 — this comes to AED 24,000
If the family wants money to last 20 years: 24,000 × 20
- So total = AED 480,000
Subtract savings (say AED 80,000): 480,000 − 80,000 = AED 400,000 needed as insurance.

This calculation gives a simple idea. Naturally, you can add mortgage balances, school fees, and future costs to refine the number.

How are International Life Insurance Premiums Calculated?

The cost of international life insurance policies depends on several factors —

Factor	Description
Age	Younger applicants pay lower premiums
Health	Medical conditions can increase costs
Lifestyle	Smoking or risky hobbies may raise premiums
Country of residence	Living in higher-risk regions can affect rates
Coverage amount and term	Higher coverage = higher premiums
Add-ons	Riders like disability or critical illness increase costs

What Does International Life Insurance Cover or Not?

Most international life insurance policies cover death due to —

Covered

Common medical deaths (heart attack, cancer)
Deaths while living or working overseas (unless excluded)
Accidental death (if included as a rider)
Terminal illness (often allows early payout)

Typically Excluded or Limited

Death from a pre-existing illness if not declared (depends on policy)
Suicide during the first policy year (many policies have a waiting period)
Death due to illegal activity, substance abuse, or criminal behaviour
Death in certain high-risk war zones or countries under travel advisories

Tip: Always read the policy wording carefully, as exclusions can vary by insurer and country.

How Does International Term Life Insurance Work?

Step 1: Choose Your Coverage

Decide how much you want to insure (up to $2 million with most insurers). You can also add optional covers like accidental death or critical illness.

Step 2: Name Your Beneficiaries

These are the people (family or business partners) who will receive the benefit.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application

Complete the digital form and medical questionnaire. Some insurers issue coverage within 48 hours for healthy applicants.

Step 4: You’re Covered

Once approved, your policy starts. Your family’s financial safety net is now active — anywhere in the world.

Best Expat Life Insurance in UAE

Here are some leading companies offering the best expat life insurance in UAE and globally —

Provider / Plan	What’s Good About It	Best For Whom
HAYAH – Term Life Protect	This plan gives flexible term cover (you can pick how many years you need), has optional add-ons like critical illness & disability, and allows payments in different currencies. Also, during the application, there’s temporary coverage (while waiting for approval).	Expats who want flexibility, need cover quickly, may travel or move, and don’t want to lock into a long policy before they decide
Zurich International – Term Assurance	It’s a strong global insurer — its plans include critical illness, disability riders, and multiple payout options.	Someone who wants high cover, global standing, and a provider with an international reputation
MetLife – Live Life Now	This plan combines life cover with global benefits — terminal illness, accidental death, optional riders, and good customer support. It has a good reputation in the UAE among expats.	Expats looking for strong support, multiple riders, servicing in different currencies; people who want stability and a big company behind their policy
LIC International – Life Protect Term Plan	A popular choice among Indian expats, it offers good critical illness cover with optional riders, flexible payments	Indian expats in UAE — those who prefer a provider they may already trust or know It’s also a good option for people who want affordable premiums with good add-ons

Tips for Expats Buying International Life Insurance

1. Choose the Right Money Type (Currency)

You can pay for your plan in different kinds of money, like dollars or euros. Pick the one that your family will use in the future, so they don’t lose money if exchange rates change.

2. Know What’s Not Covered

Each life plan has some rules. It might not cover you if —

You go to a country at war
You do dangerous activities like skydiving
You already had an illness before getting the plan

3. Pick a Good Company

Don’t just pick the cheapest plan. Check if the company is trusted, pays claims quickly, and helps people who live in other countries.

4. Add Extra Protection (Riders)

You can add special covers for more safety—

Accident cover: Extra money if you die in an accident
Critical illness cover: Money to help if you get diagnosed with a critical illness
Disability cover: Support if you can’t work again because of an injury

5. Review Regularly:

Your life changes — family grows, debts increase, or living costs rise. Make it a habit to review your policy periodically and adjust coverage to ensure it still meets your family’s needs.

Why Should Expats Review Their Life Insurance?

If you already have a domestic plan, check whether it still covers you after moving abroad. Many local policies stop working once you leave your home country.

Switching to an international life insurance policy ensures —

You stay protected globally
Premiums remain manageable
Claims are processed efficiently, regardless of where you live

Wrapping Up

If you’re living in the UAE and want to protect your family, the best expat life insurance is the one that fits your life story. Where you plan to live, what your budget is, and what risks you want to guard against.

Here are some immediate steps you can take —

Collect quotes from 2-3 of the providers above (e.g. HAYAH, Zurich, MetLife)
Use a comparison tool to see cost vs benefits
Read the fine print (exclusions, riders, waiting periods)
Revisit your plan annually, especially if your job, country of residence, or family situation changes

On Policybazaar UAE, you can do all of that and find the top plans in one place. Click the button below to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most international life insurance policies remain valid even if you relocate. These plans are designed for global mobility, ensuring your family stays protected no matter where you live. With that said, always confirm the details with your insurer before moving.

Yes, foreigners can buy life plans in most countries, although requirements vary. Permanent residents can easily qualify, while non-residents or visa holders may need specialised plans designed for global citizens.

It depends on the policy. International life insurance covers you globally as long as you pay premiums and meet policy terms. Domestic plans, however, may limit coverage or exclude claims once you move abroad.

You can usually pay monthly, quarterly, or annually in major currencies like USD, EUR, or GBP. Just make sure payments are made on time to keep your coverage active and your benefits secure.

The claim process is simple — submit a claim form, ID, and the required documents listed in your policy. Most insurers allow you to file claims online or via email, making it easy even when you’re overseas.

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