What You Need to Know About Working Abroad Travel Insurance

Planning to work abroad on your next adventure? Whether you're taking a gap year, volunteering overseas, or heading off on a working holiday, it’s an exciting opportunity to gain new experiences. But before you set off, it’s essential to ensure you have suitable working abroad travel insurance. Without the appropriate cover, you could be left vulnerable to unexpected costs and risks.

Working abroad presents different challenges and risks compared to a standard holiday. Whether you’re working in a bar, picking fruit, or volunteering, travel insurance tailored for working abroad ensures you’re protected. Here’s what you need to know before you set off.

Who Needs Working Abroad Travel Insurance?

If you’re heading overseas to work—whether paid or voluntary—you’ll need Working Abroad Travel Insurance rather than a standard leisure policy. This type of cover is designed to meet the specific needs of those working abroad. For instance:

• Gap year travellers planning to fund their trip with casual bar work or fruit picking.
• Volunteers taking part in charity work abroad, such as teaching English or helping with conservation projects.

What’s Covered Under Working Abroad Travel Insurance?

A working holiday travel insurance policy is designed to offer protection for the unexpected. Here’s what you can typically expect with working abroad travel insurance:

• Emergency Medical Cover: Pays for hospital treatment if you’re injured or fall ill abroad, giving you peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
• Repatriation: Covers the cost of returning you to the UK if medically necessary, ensuring you get home safely if needed.
• Cancellation & Curtailment: Protects you if you need to cancel or cut your trip short, such as if you’re faced with an emergency back home i.e. unexpected illness of a relative.
• Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage: Financial protection for belongings that go missing or are damaged while you’re away, so you don’t have to bear the cost alone.

What Kind of Work Is Covered?

You might be surprised at how many types of jobs are included under working overseas travel insurance. Cover typically includes:

• Managerial, supervisory, sales, or administrative work
• Bar, restaurant, and catering staff
• Musicians and singers
• Fruit pickers (excluding use of heavy machinery)
• Casual light work
• Light agricultural work
• Supervised conservation projects
• Volunteer charity work, such as teaching
• Supervised animal sanctuary work, excluding any contact with dangerous wild animals like lions or tigers

What’s Excluded?

While Working Abroad Travel Insurance covers many different jobs, there are important exclusions to be aware of with working travel insurance, including:

• No cover for hands-on installation, repair, or use of electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic equipment
• No cover for building work, construction, or working above two storeys or 3 metres
• No cover for high-risk roles, such as heavy lifting or working on building sites

And if you’re planning animal volunteer work abroad, make sure your role is supervised and doesn’t involve dangerous animals.

Are Business Trips Covered?

If you’re running your own business and travelling for meetings or events, working holiday insurance isn’t the right fit. You’ll need a dedicated business travel insurance policy to cover business equipment and activities.

Does Working Abroad Travel Insurance Cover Personal Liability Claims?

Travel insurance for working abroad doesn’t protect you if you injure someone or damage property while working.

If you need liability cover for your work abroad, speak to your employer or consider a separate professional liability policy. This will help you manage the risks that come with your job responsibilities.

Get Your Travel Insurance with Voyager Plus

Ready to head off on your working holidays abroad? Make sure you’re protected with Voyager Plus working abroad travel insurance.

Voyager Plus policies offer four levels of cover, including Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip options. Key benefits include:

• Emergency Medical Expenses – up to £10 million
• Cancellation Cover – up to £10,000
• Baggage Cover – up to £3,500
• Access to GP on Demand services
• Cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions

Click here to find out more about our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance.

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.