Who Buys Short-Term Insurance for Overseas Work?
Not everyone working abroad needs year-long cover. In fact, most don’t. Whether you’re heading out for a few days, a few weeks, or a couple of months, short-term insurance can give you peace of mind without locking you into a long policy.This guide looks at who typically buys short-term personal accident and emergency medical cover, what it includes, and how it’s used by individuals and organisations working overseas.
What Is Short-Term Overseas Insurance?
Short-term insurance is designed to protect people working outside their country of residence for a defined period — from as little as 3 days up to 52 weeks.
It usually includes:
- Accidental death and disablement cover
- Emergency medical expenses
- Evacuation and repatriation, including from conflict zones
- 24/7 crisis response support
This kind of policy is often used when there’s no long-term employer coverage in place, or when work takes place in higher-risk regions where standard insurance isn’t valid.
Who Typically Buys It?
1. Independent Contractors and Consultants
Short-term consultants are regularly engaged in development, infrastructure, risk assessment, and logistics roles overseas. They’re often responsible for arranging their own insurance or reimbursed for it by the client.
For example:
- A civil engineer doing a 2-week site visit in Kenya
- A governance consultant advising an NGO for 10 days in Lebanon
- A health and safety advisor supporting a project rollout in Papua New Guinea
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2. SMEs and Project Teams
Small and mid-sized organisations that send staff abroad for short projects need insurance that covers them while overseas — but don’t want the admin of a full annual corporate policy.
We work with:
- Environmental firms conducting assessments
- Surveying teams supporting infrastructure projects
- Education charities running short-term workshops or training abroad
When staff only need cover for their time in-country, daily insurance from around $11 per person becomes highly cost-effective.
Learn more about Group Personal Accident Insurance
3. Humanitarian and Development Organisations
Although many NGOs buy cover for longer periods, it’s common to insure:
- Local staff on fixed-term contracts
- Temporary hires for one-off missions
- Specialist advisors brought in for short assignments
These organisations often use our Cover for Local Teams product, which offers flexible cover without the need for long-term commitments.
4. Media Professionals and Production Teams
Short-term assignments are the norm for many media workers — reporters, producers, camera operators, and fixers alike.
We’ve insured people working for:
- International broadcasters
- Documentary crews
- Freelancers covering regional stories
These professionals often need 7–21 days of protection while working in areas where standard travel insurance won’t apply.
5. Travellers Visiting High-Risk Locations
We also see individuals who aren’t necessarily working but who are travelling to countries classed as higher-risk. They may be:
- Visiting family in conflict-affected areas
- Accompanying delegations or aid workers
- Doing research or volunteering in remote regions
Most standard travel insurance policies exclude cover in countries with FCDO or U.S. State Department warnings. Ours doesn’t.
Why Not Use Standard Travel Insurance?
Standard travel policies often exclude:
- War zones or conflict-affected regions
- Evacuation for non-tourists
- Work-related incidents
- High-risk activities like site inspections or convoy travel
Short-term personal accident insurance fills that gap — and includes medical evacuation, accident medical cover, and death or disablement payouts.
How Long Can I Be Covered?
You can buy cover from:
- 3 days to 52 weeks as an individual
- 1 day to 365 days if purchased via an organisation or group scheme
You can register online, get cover instantly, and only pay for the time you need.
What’s the Cost?
- Cover starts from US $11 per person per day, plus a US $10 policy fee
- For individuals abroad: from US $29.70 per week
- Group discounts and admin support available
All policies include crisis support and evacuation cover — even in hostile environments or during civil unrest.
External Resource
Control Risks – Security and Risk Forecasts
Helpful for organisations planning overseas work and assessing risk environments.
Summary
Short-term insurance is used by a wide range of people and organisations. It’s ideal for:
- Contractors, consultants, or specialists
- SMEs and NGOs sending staff abroad
- Individuals travelling to higher-risk regions
- Anyone who wants reliable, short-term protection with global support
It’s simple, flexible, and designed for real-world use.
Ready to get covered?
