Protection Planning

Financial Protection for Expats

Protect yourself, your family, and your income against the unexpected. Credible Life provides independent protection planning for expats — covering life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection designed for life abroad.

Protecting What Matters Most as an Expat

Many expats are significantly underinsured. Policies taken out in the UK may no longer be valid once you move abroad. Employer-provided cover may not be sufficient, may not travel with you, and will not be there if you change jobs or employers.

As an expat, you may be far from family support networks — making financial protection even more important. A serious illness or loss of income abroad can be financially devastating without the right cover in place.

Credible Life provides independent protection planning for expats — reviewing your current cover, identifying gaps, and sourcing appropriate solutions from across the international protection market.

What We Cover

✓ Life insurance for expats
✓ Critical illness cover
✓ Income protection insurance
✓ Total and permanent disability cover
✓ Family income benefit
✓ Keyperson insurance for business owners
✓ Review of existing protection policies

Protection Products for Expats

Life Insurance

Ensure your family is financially protected if you die. As an expat, it is essential to have life insurance that is valid in your country of residence and structured to pay out to your beneficiaries efficiently — ideally written in trust to avoid probate delays and IHT.

Critical Illness Cover

A critical illness diagnosis can impact your ability to work and lead to significant unforeseen expenses. Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum on diagnosis of specified serious conditions — providing financial breathing room when you need it most.

Income Protection

If illness or injury prevents you from working, income protection replaces a proportion of your earnings — typically up to 70% — until you can return to work or until the policy term ends. Essential for expats without employer sick pay entitlement.

Family Income Benefit

Rather than a lump sum, Family Income Benefit pays a regular tax-free income to your dependants if you die — providing predictable, manageable income for your family rather than a large sum they need to manage themselves during a difficult time.

Business Protection

If you own a business, the death or serious illness of a key person can have catastrophic financial consequences. We advise on keyperson insurance, shareholder protection, and loan protection tailored to business owners living and working abroad.

Existing Policy Review

We review all your existing protection policies — including employer-provided cover — to identify what is valid abroad, what gaps exist, and where you may be paying for cover that no longer meets your needs as an expat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my UK life insurance valid if I live abroad?

It depends on the specific policy and insurer. Some UK policies remain valid after emigration; others become invalid or pay out at a reduced level. We review all existing policies and advise on whether they remain appropriate for your current expat circumstances.

Can I get critical illness cover as an expat?

Yes, though options are more limited than for UK residents. Some specialist international insurers offer critical illness cover for expats. We source cover from the international protection market and ensure the conditions covered are appropriate for your circumstances.

How much life insurance do I need?

This depends on your income, debts, mortgage, family situation, and long-term financial plan. Your adviser will help you calculate the right amount based on your complete financial picture and the specific needs of your dependants.

Should life insurance be written in trust?

Yes, in most cases. A policy written in trust pays out directly to named beneficiaries outside of your estate — avoiding probate delays, inheritance tax on the proceeds, and ensuring your family receive the funds quickly when they need them most.

Get a Comprehensive Protection Review

Book a free protection review with a Credible Life adviser. We will assess your existing cover, identify any gaps, and ensure you and your family are properly protected wherever you live in the world.