International PMI Calculator UK

Planning healthcare abroad? Discover how our International Private Medical Insurance Calculator helps UK expats estimate costs and make informed decisions

Moving abroad is an incredibly exciting chapter in life. Whether you're relocating for a new job, retiring to the sun, or simply seeking a new adventure, there's a world of new experiences waiting for you.

But amidst the excitement of packing boxes and booking flights, it’s crucial to plan for the practicalities. One of the most important is healthcare. The NHS we rely on in the UK won't be there to support you in your new home country. Relying on local state healthcare can be a lottery, with varying standards, long waiting lists, and potential language barriers.

This is where International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) comes in. It's your health safety net, giving you peace of mind and access to high-quality medical care wherever you are. The big question is: how much does it cost?

That’s why we created the International PMI Calculator. This simple tool is the perfect first step for any UK resident planning a move abroad, giving you an instant estimate of your potential insurance premiums.

What is International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI)?

Think of IPMI as Private Medical Insurance (PMI) but with a passport. While standard UK PMI covers you for private healthcare within the United Kingdom, IPMI is specifically designed for expats and people living and working abroad for extended periods (usually a year or more).

It's far more comprehensive than standard travel insurance, which is only intended for short trips and medical emergencies. An IPMI policy is designed to cover a wide range of healthcare needs in your new country of residence, including:

• In-patient and day-patient hospital stays
• Consultations with specialists
• Diagnostic tests, like MRI and CT scans
• Cancer treatment
• Emergency medical evacuation

A critical point to understand: Like its UK counterpart, IPMI is designed to cover acute conditions that begin after your policy has started. It does not typically cover pre-existing conditions (illnesses you already have) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses that need ongoing management, like diabetes or asthma).

Why You Need to Estimate Your IPMI Costs

The cost of an IPMI policy isn't one-size-fits-all. Premiums can vary significantly based on a range of factors. Understanding these factors will help you see why using a tool like our International PMI Calculator is so valuable for budgeting.

Key factors that influence your premium include:

• Your Age: Premiums generally increase as you get older.
• Your Destination: Healthcare costs differ enormously from country to country. For example, medical care in the USA, Hong Kong, and Switzerland is far more expensive than in Spain or Thailand.
• Level of Cover: Policies are often tiered. A basic plan might only cover hospital stays, while a comprehensive plan could include out-patient visits, dental care, and maternity cover.
• Area of Cover: You can choose a policy that covers you in Europe only, worldwide excluding the USA, or worldwide including the USA. Including the USA will significantly increase the cost.
• Excess: This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before the insurer steps in. A higher excess usually means a lower monthly premium.

How to Use Our International PMI Calculator

Our calculator is designed to be quick and easy to use. In less than a minute, you can get a reliable estimate to help with your financial planning.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Enter Your Details: Start by telling us the ages of everyone you want to include on the policy. You can add yourself, your partner, and your children.
2. Select Your Destination: Choose the country you are planning to move to from the dropdown list. This is one of the most significant factors in determining the cost.
3. Choose Your Level of Cover: Select the level of cover you're interested in.
   • Basic: Typically covers essential in-patient care.
   • Standard: A mid-range option often including some out-patient cover.
   • Comprehensive: The highest level, offering extensive in-patient and out-patient benefits.
4. Pick Your Area of Cover: Decide on the geographical region you need cover for. If you don't plan on travelling to or living in the USA, choosing a "Worldwide excluding USA" plan is a great way to manage costs.
5. Set Your Excess: Choose the excess level you'd be comfortable paying. Remember, a higher excess will lower your estimated premium.

Your Result

Once you've filled in the fields, the calculator will instantly display an estimated monthly and annual premium. This figure gives you a clear and immediate idea of how much you should budget for your healthcare protection abroad.

Worked Example: The Jones Family's Move to Dubai

Let's imagine the Jones family are moving from Manchester to Dubai for a new job opportunity.

• The Family: David (42), Sarah (40), and their daughter, Emily (10).
• The Plan: They want a good level of cover but need to keep an eye on their budget. They don't plan on travelling to the USA.

Their Calculator Inputs:

The Result: The International PMI Calculator provides an estimated annual premium. This gives the Jones family a concrete figure to factor into their cost-of-living budget for Dubai, helping them plan their finances with confidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using the calculator, it's easy to make small errors that could give you a misleading estimate. Watch out for these common slip-ups:

• Choosing the Wrong Area: If you plan to travel frequently to the USA for work or holidays, not including it in your cover could leave you dangerously exposed to huge medical bills.
• Forgetting the Family: Calculating a premium just for yourself when your partner and children also need cover.
• Setting an Unrealistic Excess: Choosing a very high excess (£2,000+) to get the lowest premium, without considering if you could comfortably afford to pay that amount if you need to make a claim.
• Treating the Estimate as Final: The calculator provides an excellent guide, but it is not a formal quote. Your final premium will be based on a detailed application, including your medical history.

What to Do After You Get Your Result

The calculator's estimate is your starting point. Here are the next steps to take to secure the right cover.

1. Analyse Your Estimate: Does the estimated premium fit within your overall budget? If it's higher than expected, try adjusting the level of cover or the excess in the calculator to see how it changes the cost.
2. Speak to an Expert: This is the most important step. An estimate is great, but navigating the complexities of different IPMI policies is best done with a specialist. An expert broker like WeCovr can compare policies from a wide range of leading insurers, explaining the pros and cons of each one.
3. Get a Personalised Quote: WeCovr can help you complete a full application to get a formal, binding quote from the insurer that best suits your needs and budget. This will give you a final price and the full policy details.

Connecting Your IPMI to Other Protection

Your health abroad is paramount, but it’s just one piece of your financial protection puzzle. As an expat, you should also consider other types of insurance to create a complete safety net for you and your family.

• Private Medical Insurance (PMI): If you plan to return to the UK, or split your time between countries, you may need a UK-based Private Medical Insurance policy. This gives you fast access to private medical care back home, avoiding NHS waiting lists for eligible acute conditions.
• Life Insurance: Moving abroad doesn't remove your financial responsibilities. A Life Insurance policy can be vital for an expat. It pays out a cash lump sum if you were to pass away, helping your family to pay off a mortgage, cover living costs, or fund your children's education, no matter where they are in the world.

At WeCovr, we believe in joined-up protection. When you arrange your international health or life insurance through us, we can often secure discounts on other policies you may need. Plus, all our valued clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app to help you stay healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What's the difference between International PMI and travel insurance? Travel insurance is for short-term holidays and covers medical emergencies, lost luggage, and flight cancellations. IPMI is for long-term residence abroad (12+ months) and acts as your primary health insurance, covering everything from routine check-ups to major surgery.

2. Will my IPMI policy cover my pre-existing medical conditions? Generally, no. IPMI, like UK PMI, is designed to cover new, acute conditions that arise after your policy starts. Most standard policies will exclude pre-existing and chronic conditions, although some insurers may offer cover for them with a higher premium after a detailed medical assessment.

3. Why is cover including the USA so much more expensive? The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. A simple doctor's visit or a short hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars. Insurers price this high risk into their premiums, which is why "Worldwide including USA" policies are always the most expensive option.

4. Can I keep my policy if I move from one country to another? Yes, most IPMI policies are portable. However, you must inform your insurer of your move. If you move to a country with more expensive healthcare (e.g., from Spain to Switzerland), your premium will likely increase at your next renewal.

Take Control of Your Health Abroad

Planning your healthcare shouldn't be a source of stress. It should be an empowering step that gives you the confidence to embrace your new life abroad, knowing you're protected against the unexpected.

Ready to take the first step?

Use our free and instant International PMI Calculator to estimate your costs today. Then, contact a friendly WeCovr advisor for a free, no-obligation chat to compare the market and find the perfect policy for your adventure.