Expat Assure

What Expat Assure is

Expat Assure is an independent insurance broker, not an insurer. The site footer states: "EXPAT ASSURE is the trading name of SIP MFO Ltd, which is part of the SIP Group of Companies that is trading under the name SIP Medical Family Office, authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority under No. 989310." The about page says the business is "Based in London," is "a multilingual international health insurance broker," and that "In early 2024, SIP Medical Family Office acquired the brand Expat Assure due to the retirement of the previous owners."

The parent group, per the same page, has worked in the field "Since 1997," is "based in Zurich, Switzerland," and has "further group companies in London and Liechtenstein that are licensed as medical insurance intermediaries for the EU/EEA and the United Kingdom." The international medical insurance page adds that "SIP MFO Ltd is the London based and FCA regulated group company, specializing on expats coming to and leaving the United Kingdom." The about page says the team speaks English, French, Russian and German, among other languages.

As a broker, Expat Assure places policies with insurers and does not carry the risk. The site states, "Expat Assure is not owned by any of the insurance companies," and "Our consultants are not paid on a commission basis but have a fixed salary." The firm itself is paid by the insurers: "As we are paid a commission by the insurance companies (the amount of which we are happy to divulge on request)," the policy price is "exactly the same" whether a client goes direct or through Expat Assure.

What it arranges

The international medical insurance page describes the market Expat Assure brokers rather than a house plan. "All international medical insurance providers offer hospitalisation, out-patient, dental, maternity care and assistance-repatriation cover. Some plans are offered as a package and some are modular." Depending on the area of cover, the home country can be included. On limits it is plain: "As with all private medical insurance plans, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered (sometimes a surcharge may be applied to cover a pre-existing condition)," and "Most health insurance companies apply waiting periods for certain benefits, like maternity and dental." Alongside health cover, it offers "expat income protection insurance and expat life insurance."

The page publishes three sample premiums, each tied to a profile. A "Single person going to Brazil," age 30, worldwide cover excluding the USA, with maternity and dental, at €2,986. A "Couple going to Singapore," ages 29 and 32, same area and features, at $12,045. A "Family going to the UK," ages 40 and 37 plus three children, with European cover and the same features, at £10,397. Those figures belong to those profiles only.

The site says it works with "reputable insurance companies who are long-established in the expatriate insurance industry," and that "All the international insurance companies we work with have both individual and corporate plans." Its guide on choosing a plan names April, Aetna, Axa, Allianz, Bupa and Cigna as examples of the many companies in the market, without saying which of them Expat Assure places business with. When comparing insurers, the broker says it "considers the financial status of the insurance provider, the quality of their services as well as their claims process, whether the client services speak your language and if they can reimburse you in the currency of your choice."

How buying and service work

The process starts with a call. "As an independent insurance broker, we will send an impartial selection of health insurance policies from different companies to choose from, after having discussed your situation and requirements on the telephone." The homepage calls it "a one-to-one service provided by our specialised consultants, rather than an automatic insurance comparison tool," taking into account medical history and the destination's healthcare system. The about page says the service suits "companies and individuals who are moving abroad for longer than 12 months," and the homepage has a group section for "Companies, NGOs and Embassies."

After the sale, "We are at your disposal throughout the duration of the policy," and "Expat Assure is able to act as a mediator between you and the insurance company if ever you experience a problem in the handling of your insurance policy." A yearly review is offered: "Every year, if you would like, we can discuss your policy." The site's guide explains the usual pattern in this market: "In the event of a hospitalisation, most international health insurance companies will establish a direct settlement with your hospital. However, for outpatient treatment, most international insurance companies require you to pay and then claim."

The guides

Expat Assure publishes guides on waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and country health systems. Its guide on choosing a plan says the majority of insurers "apply waiting periods for dental, optical, preventative and maternity care," and that some "may apply a general wait period of three months" during which only unplanned illness and emergencies are covered. Its Switzerland guide explains the compulsory LAMal basic insurance, which a resident must join "within three months of arriving," with a deductible of "at least 300 Swiss francs" a year and up to 2,500, a 10% share capped at 700 francs a year, and a statement that international cover "will not exempt you from subscribing to the KVG if it is obligatory for you." Its Mexico guide says healthcare costs there are "estimated to be 25 to 30% lower than in the United States," describes the IMSS system, notes that the IMSS "applies waiting periods or excludes some pre-existing medical conditions" for voluntary applicants, and warns that hospitals in Mexico "can refuse to accept patients who cannot offer a financial guarantee, even if the patient has medical cover in place." The homepage also notes that "Visitors staying for more than 6 months in the UK must pay an 'Immigration Health Surcharge'," which it says now includes European citizens. These describe national systems, not an Expat Assure product.

Who it suits

Expat Assure fits an individual, family, company, NGO or embassy arranging international medical cover for a move abroad of more than 12 months, who wants an FCA-regulated London broker, a phone consultation and a shortlist from several insurers rather than an instant online quote. The published sample premiums give a sense of scale for three profiles. Named insurers, exact premiums and policy terms come with the broker's shortlist.