Travel insurance if living abroad temporarily

Mortal_Wombat · 2 September 2011 at 12:15PM

Hi guys,

I'm moving to the Netherlands in November to work for a year. I'll be travelling to and from the UK regularly and I'm not sure what to do about travel insurance because my residence will be the Netherlands but this is only temporary. Can I just take out a normal annual multi-trip policy and treat my stay in the Netherlands as many long trips (so long as I get covered for stays of up to 60days (I'll probably come back for weekends every month or so)) or won't this cover me?

Any advice would be welcomed!

Thanks

Mortal_Wombat · 2 September 2011 at 12:16PM

Or I could get backpackers insurance for a year but I'm not backpacking!!!

jonnyjackov · 2 September 2011 at 12:59PM

Hi, afew years ago I was in a similar position to you, only I was staying in Spain. I was still registered at my UK address, and came home every 6 weeks or so for a number of days. I took out travel insurance that allowed 60 day trips, but luckily never had to claim.

One point worth noting, on asking a few questions to my insurance company, I was informed that before leaving for my trips, I had to also have my return ticket booked or would not be covered. I just made sure I always booked a return flight before leaving the uk, and as most budget tickets are cheaper in advance, this worked out quite well.

I wouldn't inform them you are 'living' there, but providing you return to the UK at least every 60 days you should be fine.

Hope that helps.

apt · 2 September 2011 at 1:34PM

I would read the small print of any annual travel policy as the number of days of an individual trip is not the only restriction. There might be residency and purpose of visit requirements that you would not meet and which could invalidate a claim.

martindow · 2 September 2011 at 4:36PM

Have you tried asking your employer to organise cover for you? I imagine they are paying your housing and transport costs and your salary so would not want you to be injured or ill and unable to work.