overseas travel insurance bupa

• Travel Insurance

Bupa Travel Insurance Review

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Updated: Aug 8, 2023, 1:29pm

Bupa is a well-known name in the Australian insurance scene, and its travel insurance option is no different. With no age limit on policies and unlimited medical cover (including dental), Bupa comprehensive travel insurance is a responsible choice for all types of trips and travellers. Bupa offers three kinds of coverage: comprehensive, essentials and domestic. This review focuses on the comprehensive policy.

• Unlimited medical, hospital and dental cover
• No maximum age limit
• All pre-existing conditions need to be assessed to determine if they will be covered
• Reviews state lengthy waits for claim payments

Table of Contents

About bupa travel insurance, what is covered, who should take out this insurance.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Bupa Travel Insurance is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd, and the policy is very similar to the Allianz Comprehensive Travel Insurance offering. The travel insurance policy offered to Australians by Bupa is via Bupa Asia Pacific, a part of the global Bupa Group.

Along with travel insurance, Bupa also offers Australians health insurance, car insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, landlord insurance, valuables insurance, among others.

In relation to its Bupa travel insurance policy, which is analysed in detail below, customers have rated the policy 3.9 stars out of 5 from 138 reviews via Australia’s independent consumer opinion site, ProductReview.

Bupa offers its comprehensive travel insurance policy to all Australians, with no age limits in place for travellers wishing to take out their comprehensive option, although pre-existing medical conditions require assessment before being covered. The lack of an age limit is particularly helpful to senior travellers as well as families, especially considering that dependent children are included in the policy up to the age of 25–provided they are not in full time employment and will be travelling with you 100% of the time.

In terms of financial cover, Bupa covers credit card fraud up to $5,000, while personal liability is covered up to $5 million.

Delays and missed connections are an inevitable risk of travel, which is why Bupa’s travel delay cover includes coverage for missed connections: for delays of more than six hours there is $250 per person allocation and a further $250 for each additional 24-hour period after the initial six hours. The delay cover, however, is limited at $2,000 total for all travellers on the policy, and maximum per person of $500 after the initial six-hour delay.

When taking out your Bupa Travel Insurance policy, travellers can also opt for cancellation cover, with the amount chosen by the customer.

Lost luggage

Bupa’s comprehensive travel insurance policy includes lost luggage cover up to $10,000, however, sub limits apply for certain items. Policyholders do have the option to increase item limits for high value items if required. Check the pds for further details.

The last thing you want to think about on a trip is having to access medical services, but it’s important for Australians heading overseas to ensure this is included on a travel insurance policy for peace of mind.

Bupa covers overseas medical and hospital expenses, so you will not be out of pocket if you need to access medical care while abroad. If you have a pre-existing condition, however, you will need to be assessed by Bupa prior to your trip to determine if they can be covered with the policy.

Is dental cover included in medical?

Yes, Bupa does include dental within its unlimited medical and hospital expenses cover. A lot of insurance providers don’t choose to include dental within medical cover, so it is a benefit of Bupa’s policy.

Does it Cover Me for Covid?

Yes, Bupa’s travel insurance includes covid cover under its medical expenses. In terms of cancellations, these are only covered due to Covid-19 if the trip cancellation is due to a government-enforced border closure or if the policyholder has to complete quarantine due to Covid.

What about Pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant while travelling, you’re going to want to ensure your travel insurance policy covers pregnancy. With Bupa, you are covered until week 24 of your pregnancy, provided that you do not have complications with the pregnancy or a history of complications.

This cover is included under the unlimited medical expenses, however, childbirth is not covered.

What about Sports and Activities?

When taking out Bupa’s travel insurance, there are 38 activities automatically included in your plan. These include golfing, river cruising, gymnastics and more. Certain conditions apply to these automatic inclusions, such as safety provisions and terrain restrictions (or claims made would be void).

In addition to the 38 included activities, policyholders can also add on activity packs to suit their trip type for an additional cost.

These are packs that cover activities designated for ‘adventure’, such as for cave tubing and rock climbing, ‘cruise’ for those going on a multi-day cruising holiday, and a ‘snow’ pack to cover certain winter sports.

Similar to the automatically included activities, certain restrictions apply to the purchase of the additional packs. Failing to meet these requirements could result in your claims being void, which is why it is essential to read your policy’s product disclosure statement.

Customer service

Bupa offers its customers 24/7 emergency assistance with Australian based doctors and nurses, so you can receive trusted medical guidance at any time while on your holiday.

For non-medical enquiries, Bupa has a separate contact telephone number and a call back option for those calling out of hours. Further, Bupa also has a WhatsApp channel which customers can use to get in touch with the Bupa customer service team while travelling.

Bupa has made the process of making claims easier for its customers, by allowing claims to be made online via the myBupa app (available on both iOS and Android, and via web browser).

Thanks to the well-known name and the non-existent age limit when taking out a policy, Bupa’s travel insurance is well suited to a wide variety of Australian families going on holidays together. This is especially true as children up to 25 years of age are included on the policy at no extra charge, pending the meeting of certain conditions. In any case, before you take out this insurance, Forbes Advisor recommends you read the product disclosure statement carefully so you can understand the various sub-limits and exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a discount for bupa travel insurance.

While there is no automatic discount for Bupa travel insurance, pre-existing customers of Bupa (such as those with an active health insurance policy) can get 15% off their premiums.

Does Bupa Travel Insurance cover COVID?

Yes, Bupa Travel Insurance covers COVID-19 as a medical condition under its unlimited medical and hospital cover. It also covers trip cancellations caused by Covid, on the basis that there are government enforced border closures or the traveller is required to quarantine.

How do I make a claim with Bupa Travel Insurance?

Claims can be made via the myBupa app on your mobile or webpage. You can also call the 24/7 Australian-based customer service team to submit a claim over the phone on 1300 992 694.

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

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Bupa Global

The next level of international health insurance for body and mind, at home or abroad.

Why Bupa Global?

With over 50 years of medical expertise and a network of just over 1.7 million healthcare providers worldwide, including the U.S., Bupa Global offers a premium range of private healthcare plans, meaning with us, you truly are a private patient - at home or away. At Bupa Global we believe that mental health and wellbeing are just as important as physical health. To support this, both annual and monetary limits across our plans for in-patient and day-patient mental health treatment are the same as for physical health. We also include cover for ADHD, addiction, and self-inflicted injuries. We also offer support via Global Virtual Care, available via the MembersWorld app, which provides you with access to a global network of doctors, offering medical guidance and consultations, plus same day virtual appointments – available 24/7.

Get direct access to specialist care from some of the world's leading medical experts without having to wait for a referral

The same premium level of medical cover for body and mind, whether you’re at home or abroad

Choose when and where you receive your treatment, within your area of cover

What else can my health plan include?

We don't cover everything though, so it’s important you understand the waiting periods, limitations and exclusions of your health plan .

How does Bupa Global support me?

Personal relationship manager to help you make the most of your plan

24/7 multilingual telephone assistance for support when you need it

The option to manage your health plan online via our MembersWorld website

Who is Bupa Global for?

Our premium health plans are designed for those wanting the highest level of cover available from Bupa; plans that suit their needs.

Ready to get International Health Insurance?

Global Virtual Care and Second Medical Opinion are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority nor by the Prudential Regulation Authority. These services are provided by a third party, directly to you. Bupa Global assumes no liability and accepts no responsibility for information provided by this third party; or the performance of the services. Support and information provided through this service does not confirm that any related treatment or additional support is covered under your health plan. These services are not intended to be used for emergency or urgent medical treatment.

Bupa Global is a trading name of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited which are registered in England and Wales at Companies House under numbers 3956433 and 3829851 respectively. The registered offices are Bupa, 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ, UK. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate the activities of Bupa Insurance Limited that take place outside of the UK. Bupa Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Registration numbers of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited are 203332 and 312526 respectively.

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Bupa travel insurance review

There are 5 policies to choose from with bupa travel insurance, along with a heap of add-ons including adventure activities, snow sports and wide-ranging cruise cover..

In this guide

Compare your travel insurance quotes

What does bupa travel insurance include, bupa travel insurance features – an overview, comprehensive policy features, optional add-ons, more reasons to consider bupa, frequently asked questions.

Destinations

Our Verdict

• Enjoy the flexibility to pick between a wide range of policies and set your own trip cancellation limit
• If you're involved in an emergency while you're overseas, you can enjoy peace of mind you can contact Allianz Global Assistance for help at any time – 7 days a week.
• Bupa health insurance members can score a 15% discount on their travel insurance.
• Bupa's COVID-19 coverage is limited in comparison with brands such as Fast Cover and Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
• Its cover limit of $10,000 for theft or damage to luggage and personal belongings is decent, but some competitors offer $15,000.

Review by our insurance editor James Martin

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Bupa travel insurance is underwritten by Allianz. Bupa offers quality travel insurance that can bring peace of mind that you can make the most of your trip, while knowing you'll receive financial support if things do go wrong.

All policies come with a basic excess . In most cases, you'll pay this when making a claim. You have the option to vary this excess – by committing to a higher sum, you could reduce the cost of your insurance. Keep in mind that an additional $500 excess applies to Bupa's Adventure Pack and Snow Pack.

With Bupa, you can choose between a single, couple and family policy. This provider offers a cooling-off period of 14 days – you can cancel your policy within 2 weeks for a full refund.

• Overseas emergency assistance – unlimited
• Overseas medical expenses – unlimited
• Accidental death – up to $25,000 (or $50,000 with a family plan)
• Permanent disability – up to $25,000 (or $50,000 with a family plan)
• Trip cancellation costs – chosen by you
• Additional expenses – up to $50,000 (or $100,000 with a family plan)
• Travel delay expenses – up to $2,000 (or $4,000 with a family plan)
• Personal liability – up to $5 million
• Luggage, personal effects and valuables – up to $10,000 (or $20,000 with a family plan)
• Alternative transport costs – up to $5,000 (or $10,000 with a family plan)
• Travel documents, bank cards and traveller's cheques – up to $5,000 (or $10,000 with a family plan)
• Rental Vehicle Excess – up to $6,000
• Luggage & personal effects delay expenses – up to $500 (or $1,000 with a family plan)
• Theft of cash – up to $250 (or $500 with a family plan)

Additionally, Bupa offers multi-trip cover, a domestic policy and an entry-level Essentials plan. Finally, you can opt for a non-medical plan – a basic policy that's good if you want some insurance but without cover for a pre-existing condition .

• Adventure Pack . Available to those under the age of 75, this optional cover includes insurance for activities including abseiling, deep sea fishing, caving, quad bike riding, outdoor rock climbing and motorcycles/mopeds.
• Cruise Pack . Get cover while you cruise overseas and in Australian waters. In addition to features such as unlimited medical cover and unlimited evacuation cover, you can claim up to $1,000 if you need to cancel (for an unforeseen reason) any pre-booked tours.
• Snow pack . Available to those under 75, the Snow Pack comes with a range of snow sports activities including skiing and snowboarding. Overseas emergency assistance is capped at $100,000.

• Travelling when you know you are unfit or against medical advice
• Going to a country where a 'Do not travel' alert has been issued by the Australian government
• Breaking the law
• Being under the influence of alcohol or ilicit drugs
• Death, illness or injury from an existing condition (unless it's specifically covered by your policy)
• Any consequential loss or loss of enjoyment
• A loss caused by or in connection with a criminal or dishonest act
• Failure to take precautions after a public warning of strike, riot, civil commotion or natural disaster
• Driving a rental vehicle in an illegal or dangerous manner.

Be sure to read Bupa's PDS for a full list of exclusions. Learn more about travel exclusions here .

• Range of options. Bupa offers high-quality cover with a wide range of options to meet your travel needs. But you may also opt for lower-priced cover that will come with fewer and/or lower benefit limits.
• 24/7 assistance. If the unexpected happens while you’re travelling overseas, emergency help is available 24 hours a day. If you have any difficulties while you are travelling, you can contact the Emergency Assistance Hotline and you will be able to speak with one of Bupa's trained staff. You can call Bupa on +61 7 3305 7497 (overseas) or 1800 119 412 (within Australia).
• Discounts for existing members. Bupa health insurance members can receive up to a 15% discount on their travel insurance premiums.

Am I covered for pre-existing conditions?

You can get cover for some pre-existing illnesses. However, according to Bupa's policy wording, you'd need to have "disclosed the condition to Allianz Global Assistance and they have agreed in writing to include cover under your policy for the condition".

Be aware, you won't be able to get cover for pre-existing conditions under Bupa's Essentials or Non-Medical Plans.

Is there a cooling-off period?

Yes. If you change your mind about a policy, Bupa offers a 14-day cooling off period, in which time you can cancel your insurance and get a full refund, so long as you haven’t begun your travels or made a claim. If you wish to cancel or change your policy outside of this period, you can apply to Bupa online or over the phone.

How long do I have to make a claim?

If you wish to make a claim, you typically must phone Bupa within 30 days of completing or cancelling your journey.

James Martin

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).

More guides on Finder

Bupa is an international healthcare services provider that also offers insurance to cover car, home, life and travel.

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4 Responses

I have benign irregular heart beat. cardiologist letter says fit for travel. Which cover can I buy that covers this? John

Thanks for your inquiry.

There are brands that offer travel insurance to people with heart conditions . You can compare the costs and get more details about the cover by clicking on the “Get Quote” button. It is also best to contact your chosen insurer if you want to discuss more the level of cover.

Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, May

Do you cover missed flights due to illness? and providing you a medical certificate for proof?

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. Bupa Travel Insurance do provide cover for cancellation and yes you will need to be able to provide them with substantiating evidence that a claimable event did happen.

I hope this was helpful, Richard

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Home > Travel Insurance > Bupa Travel Insurance Review

Bupa Travel Insurance Review

Learn more about Bupa’s travel insurance policies to find out about their coverage and fees and compare them with other insurers today.

Fact checked

One of the world’s leading providers of insurance, Bupa offers its almost 40 million global customers protection for their health, home, and travel arrangements. In Australia, the company has about 4.7 million customers and is underwritten by CGU Insurance.

Savvy can help you compare Bupa's plans with those of other insurers in the market so you can find the best travel insurance for your next trip. You'll be able to compare everything from benefit caps to deductibles to coverage details.

Find out more about their services here before getting a quote with us today.

*Please note that Savvy does not represent Bupa for its travel insurance products.

More about Bupa travel insurance

What travel insurance policies does bupa offer.

Bupa offers four travel insurance policies, which include:

• Overseas Comprehensive: this comprehensive travel insurance policy covers you for overseas medical expenses, urgent dental work, loss of luggage and personal liability. You’re also insured against unexpectedly needing to cancel your global holiday, as long as your reason for doing so is among those covered.
• Overseas Essentials: this streamlined policy provides you with coverage for the basics including overseas dental and hospital treatment, personal liability, cancellation, and personal liability. The key difference with this policy compared to the comprehensive option is the claim limits are considerably lower.
• Domestic: Bupa offers a domestic travel insurance policy which provides you with cover for your luggage and personal items, trip delays or unexpected delays and personal liability. You may also be covered for the excess on a rental car. This domestic travel insurance is also open to seniors.
• Annual Multi-Trip Insurance: this multi-trip policy is tailored to those taking several holidays across the year. Bupa allows you to take an unlimited number of journeys over 12 months, but they individually can’t exceed 45 days. The benefits are the same as the comprehensive or domestic travel insurance policies.

However, no matter if you’re taking a holiday to the UK or just touring Australia, it’s a good idea to compare with Savvy so you can find the best travel insurance for your holiday.

What optional extras are available through Bupa?

Bupa, like many other travel insurance companies, provides optional extras for both international and domestic getaways. These include:

• Skiing and snowboarding: taking a European holiday to carve up the slopes? Bupa requires you to take out extra coverage for an additional premium so you’re covered for a range of winter sports , including skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing or tubing. This add-on covers you for emergency assistance, damage to your equipment and costs of hiring equipment.
• Adventure: deep sea fishing, caving, quad bike riding, outdoor rock climbing and motorcycles/mopeds are all covered under this extra coverage, which is available to anyone under the age of 75.
• Cruises: if you’re booked to take an international or domestic cruise, you’ll need to purchase additional coverage if you’re going with Bupa. This cover protects you from medical costs onboard the ship, ship-to-shore evacuation, cabin confinement and cancellations.
• Valuables: this optional extra allows you to increase the cover limit or expensive items you’re going to take on holiday with you. These can include cameras, camera equipment, jewellery, camping equipment or sunglasses.

What exclusions should I be aware of when buying travel insurance through Bupa?

It’s important to remember that even the most comprehensive policy draws a line at coverage in some unforeseen circumstances. As such, Bupa has a range of exclusions, including:

• Flying on a privately-chartered plane
• Taking part in a competitive sport
• Treatment for an unapproved pre-existing medical condition
• Elective surgeries
• Accidents caused by intentionally putting yourself at risk
• Knowingly travelling to a dangerous location
• Any incident that occurs while you’re driving solo
• Travelling against medical advice

If you’ve found a policy that catches your eye, make sure you review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you set your decision in stone.

What we think of Bupa travel insurance

What we like, flexible cancellation limits.

As is the case with some big-name insurers, you’re able to set your own cancellation limit on your travel insurance policy.

Discounts for health insurance members

By entering your Bupa membership number when you purchase a travel insurance policy, you can receive a 15% discount.

24/7 support

You can rest easy knowing that Bupa is available around the clock, seven days a week, should you ever find yourself in a bind when travelling abroad.

What we don't like

Pay extra for cruise cover.

Whether you’re cruising in Australian waters or setting sail around the UK, you will need to pay extra for cruise cover. Many big-name insurers offer this coverage automatically.

Modest travel delay coverage

Bupa offers a coverage limit of about $2,000 if your mode of transport is delayed. However, these limits are lower than some of their competitors.

Tough pre-existing condition requirements

Bupa's travel insurance plans automatically cover specific forms of diabetes and asthma. Still, if you have a more serious illness, like a heart problem, you need to see a doctor and get a medical assessment to be covered.

Types of travel insurance

International.

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Reputable insurance partners, fast and convenient online process.

You can complete the quote, comparison and purchase process online through Savvy quickly and easily.

Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Frequently asked questions about Bupa travel insurance

Yes – depending on the policy you choose, Bupa may allow you to get a full or partial refund if your travel plans are derailed because of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis , resulting in having to quarantine or accruing overseas medical expenses. In some cases, you may be covered if your travel plans are impacted by government-enforced border closures.

If something goes wrong while you’re on holiday, you can make a claim 24/7 through Bupa’s website. This involves completing an online claim form and providing ample detail about the incident and evidence through medical or police reports and receipts. Once you’ve filed your claim, Bupa’s website states it can take up to ten days for claims to be processed. They also advise that you must submit a claim within 30 days of the incident you’re claiming.

The cost of travel insurance premiums vary from one person to the next based on several factors, including:

• Your date of birth
• Your chosen destination
• The level of coverage you buy
• Any optional extras you need
• Pre-existing medical conditions you need to disclose
• The policy excess you choose
• The type of insurer and insurance policy you buy

You may take many trips within a year with yearly multi-trip travel insurance (often up to 60 travel days per trip), but you can only take one trip out and back with a single-trip policy. A one-way travel insurance coverage covers you for the duration of your trip, up to a year, but only if you are taking a single flight without a return date set in stone. Coverage may often be extended for another year.

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iTravel Medical

International travel insurance, customer service.

in the US & Canada

+855 884-9655

When you and your family travel overseas outside your home country, all you expect is a great trip, but anything can happen in today's dangerous and unpredictable world.

iTravelMedical.com / The INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MEDICAL advisors provide the best IHI BUPA Travel Medical Insurance that is designed to protect International Travelers, including Executives Frequent Flyers, Government Officials, Students, Professors, Vacationers and Families traveling outside their home countries.

You can purchase your IHI BUPA International Travel Medical insurance policy online (Annual for Frequent Flyers or per Single Trip Coverage for Vacationers) by clicking the Banner below, or you can send us an Email and one of our Representatives will gladly help you.

Take out Single Trip

USD 70 / 5 Days

If you travel for one defined period, you only pay for the number of days you are away up to 12 months.

Take out Annual Travel

USD 185 / Year

If you travel more than once a year, this plan covers multiple trips of up to one month per trip.

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International Citizens Insurance (ICI) introduces prospects to Bupa Global (BG). ICI do not carry out any activities on behalf of BG other than displaying marketing material provided by BG and collecting your basic data and information to be passed on. ICI will not carry out any other activities on your behalf beyond those necessary for the initial introduction. BG contact eligible individuals in the UK and EEA to discuss your needs, and to carry out all activity prior to and after any insurance contract is concluded.

Bupa Global Overview

We provide our customers with premium international coverage with a range of exceptional products and services, giving them direct access to world-leading specialists and medical providers, at home or abroad.

Our founders were medical professionals. Their focus on quality care and service still drives all that we do today. Bupa continues to remain free of shareholders, re-investing profits back into our healthcare services around the world. This means our focus is on the needs and care of our customers and it fuels our drive to improve our services and offering access to cutting-edge care.

With over 50 years of medical expertise, we’re dedicated to helping you live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.

Why Bupa Global?

Richness of cover.

With Bupa Global your health plan travels with you, providing you with the same level of cover whether at home or abroad. If the treatment you need isn't available where you are, we can evacuate you to a hospital where you can receive the treatment you need.

Our plans provide a truly private health journey with direct access to any recognised private provider, clinic or hospital in the world without having to wait for a GP referral, including in- hospital cover for private rooms at renowned facilities such as London’s Harley Street and Cromwell Hospital.

Global Virtual Care

We know how important it is to get the healthcare you need when you need it. In addition to the extensive network of doctors and facilities available on your health plan, Global Virtual Care provides you with on demand access to a team of international doctors 24/7, and in multiple languages, by telephone or video call.

Second Medical Opinion

When you’re facing unexpected health challenges, you want to know that every option has been explored before making any big decisions on your care pathway. That’s why we’ll connect you with leading independent medical experts to provide a full review of your situation, giving you extra reassurance when you need it most.

24-Hour Medical Help

We have a team of advisers, doctors and nurses based around the world, helping us provide a multilingual service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our specialised teams enable easy access to medical professionals, approval of treatment, health advice and evacuation services.

Bupa Global Health Plans

• International Private Medical Insurance for persons residing in United Kingdom, EEA, and Monaco
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ICI acts as an introducer. Request for your quote will be handled by Bupa Global who will be in touch to discuss your needs.

Global Virtual Care and Second Medical Opinion are provided by a third party, Teledoc Health, directly to you. Bupa Global assumes no liability and accepts no responsibility for information provided by this third party, or the performance of the services.

In this document, Bupa Global is a trading name of the insurer Bupa Insurance Limited (BINS) and insurance intermediary Bupa Insurance Services Limited (BISL), in addition to the insurer Bupa Global Designated Activity Company (Bupa Global DAC).

BINS is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Arranged and administered by BISL, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.

Bupa Global DAC is a designated activity company limited by shares registered in Ireland under company number 623889. Registered office: Second Floor, 10 Pembroke Place, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Bupa Global DAC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Global Virtual Care and Second Medical Opinion are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority or by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Celebrating 25 years of supporting the globally mobile, global telemd tm a simple way for our members to get remote access to care, anywhere in the world., geoblue. trusted provider of health insurance coverage and technology-smart solutions that help world travelers stay safe and healthy wherever they roam., when your company is globally mobile, geoblue solutions keep world-class healthcare at hand., geoblue provides the healthcare protection you need to make the world your classroom., when you travel, work or live outside the u.s., geoblue keeps you connected to world-class care., geoblue has an elite network of doctors from almost every specialty ready to meet with members in over 180 countries. allow us to introduce a few.

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Private health insurance market grows by £385m in a year amid NHS crisis

Demand for private treatment booms as NHS waiting lists remain long, while more people also sign up for dental cover

Britain’s health cover market has grown by £385m in a year as the NHS crisis prompted more people to seek out private medical treatment and demand for dental insurance increased, according to a report.

The total health cover market, including medical and dental insurance and cash plans, grew 6.1% to £6.7bn in 2022, the latest year for which figures are available, according to the health data provider LaingBuisson.

About 4.2 million people were subscribed to medical cover schemes. Including dependants on the policies, 7.3 million people were covered – the highest number since 2008.

Since the market’s Covid-driven drop in 2020, when it declined by 2.2%, it has grown considerably faster than historical norms. Average annual growth was 6.1% between 2020 and 2022, compared with 1.7% between 2008 and 2019.

The NHS waiting list in England continued to lengthen , to a peak of nearly 7.8m last September. In February, it was still 7.5m and half of the patients had been waiting for 18 weeks or longer.

Private medical insurance, the largest part of the health cover market, grew by 6% year on year in 2022 to £5.3bn, more than triple the average annual growth rate of 1.8% between 2008 and 2019. After a decade of decline until 2018, more people signed up, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic which led to a backlog of major procedures such as hip and knee replacements .

Tim Read, author of the report, said: “Demand began to increase in 2018, as the NHS waiting list began to rise out of control. A new Labour government is likely to aim to tackle it but will have limited fiscal headroom to make substantial progress.

“With people still struggling to access NHS services and the waiting list remaining stubbornly high, there is little likelihood that demand for health insurance is going to fall any time soon.”

Read added: “Growth is led by company-backed schemes, which may suggest an increased awareness of the impact of employee ill-health on a business – and possibly frustration at the impact that an inaccessible NHS is having on productivity.”

Growing numbers of people are also paying out of their own pockets for medical treatment, despite the high cost of some procedures, such as knee operations which typically cost between £12,000 and £15,000.

Dental insurance and capitation plans (fixed monthly payments) have shown the highest growth of the market, up 9.7% year on year in 2022. However, most people who see a dentist privately pay for treatment without any cover.

The emergence of “dental deserts ” – swathes of the UK where NHS dentists are not taking on new patients – means hundreds of thousands of people have turned up in hospitals or at GPs with severe tooth decay .

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The average health insurance premium went up to £1,225 in 2022 from £1,203 in 2021, according to LaingBuisson. Premiums on work policies went up to £975, while individual premiums rose to £2,252.

Insurers have flagged premium rises of more than 10%, with one placing them as high as 40% this year and possibly beyond. This reflects a rise in claims and higher medical costs. Some people who could not get what would have been a cheaper treatment option during the pandemic are now suffering from more expensive conditions to treat, Read said.

The UK health insurance market is dominated by Bupa, France’s Axa Health , Aviva and Vitality Health, which is owned by South Africa’s Discovery.

In dental insurance, the main players are Bupa, Simply Health and Unum, after Cigna left the UK market.

Read said: “I don’t think that the NHS is going to fall apart overnight or that the private sector is going to run rampant overnight. But I do think as people as customers, rather than people as taxpayers, are beginning to reconceptualise the value of paying additionally for healthcare entitlements, which technically they should get on the NHS.”

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