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How Do I Buy Medical Insurance?

3 ways that expats commonly buy expat health insurance — from using a comparison website, to financial advisors, to going direct to providers.

3 min read

Finding the right expat health insurance can feel overwhelming, but there are three main routes available to you.

Below is what you need to know about each one.

1. Use ExpatInsurer.com

You can visit ExpatInsurer to search for quotes from the comfort of your own home. You can change requirements such as excess or the number of people insured to find the plan best suited to your needs.

Our quote comparison system searches through hundreds of thousands of plan options. As an individual, you would be unable to search so many plans on your own.

Once you have chosen the plan best suited to you, you can apply directly or request more details.

If you would prefer to speak to a representative, or have questions about which plan to choose, one of our advisors will be able to help. They will assist you in searching the market and guide you through the application process.

Why use a comparison website?

  • Instant access to hundreds of plans from 50+ insurers
  • Filter by excess, coverage area, room type, and more
  • No sales pressure — compare at your own pace
  • Free, independent advice from licensed brokers

2. Use a Financial Advisor

Financial advisors will assess what type of plan you need. They will compare insurance plans to find the closest match to your specifications.

They can compare plans and make recommendations. However, financial advisors may have preferred plans they always suggest. This could be because they only work with a small number of insurers, or because the commission they receive is higher for certain plans.

Make sure you ask your financial advisor:

  • Why they believe the recommended plan is best for you
  • Whether they have alternative options available
  • How many insurers they compare across
  • Whether they earn a higher commission on their recommendation

3. Go Direct to the Providers

You can approach insurance providers directly. They will only be able to sell you the plans they provide, so you cannot impartially compare their products against others in the market.

Going direct may be suitable if you already have a strong preference for a specific insurer. For most expats looking for the best value, comparing the whole market is the better approach.


Ready to compare? Use our free comparison tool to search hundreds of expat health insurance plans from 50+ providers in Hong Kong, China, and across Asia.

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Quotes from 50+ insurers. No obligation.

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