Find out more about William Russell
The field is empty.
With the ongoing situation in the Middle East & Eastern Med, we’re operating as normal. We remind our members that they have access to safety and security advice or help via Solace Secure. More information available on Facebook & LinkedIn.
With international health insurance, you have access to private healthcare in multiple countries. But what does ‘international’ really mean? Take a closer look at our coverage zones to learn more about where you have cover with our plans.
William Cooper
Marketing Director
The information on this page refers to health insurance policies starting in 2026. If you live in the UAE, please check out our information on coverage zones in the UAE.
A key feature of international health insurance is that you have cover for medical treatment in multiple countries.
This can include where you live, where you travel for work or leisure, and on trips you make home.
Take a closer look at where you have cover with our health insurance plans.
No. Where you have full cover depends on the coverage zone you select when you apply for your health insurance policy. There are seven zones. Some give you full cover in more countries, others give you full cover in fewer countries. The wider your geographical cover, the more expensive your premium. Zones with limited geographical cover give you a greater saving on your premium.
Most zones have a list of countries where you have restricted cover. These are typically countries where private healthcare is expensive. Restricted cover might mean cover for accident and emergency treatment only, or cover for treatment you receive on short trips.
The coverage zones are overlapping, and availability depends on the country where you’re living.
Select coverage zones below to see more information on where you have cover and to compare zones:
Zone 1 gives you full cover worldwide, except in the USA. In the USA, we restrict your cover to US$50,000 for accident and emergency treatment received during temporary trips.
With Zone 1, you have full cover for private healthcare in all countries except the USA. In the USA, we restrict your cover to US$50,000 for accident and emergency treatment you receive during temporary trips to the USA of no more than 45 days’ duration.*
Outside of the USA, you have freedom to choose any hospital, clinic, or doctor for your medical treatment. We’re different from other insurance providers because we don’t have a restricted network of preferred hospitals and clinics in each country. Of course, we can help you if you’re not sure where to go.
Zone 1 gives you the widest geographical coverage, so it’s the most expensive.
*If you reside in Indonesia, your coverage under Zone 1 varies depending on your plan type.
Medical treatment in the USA is extremely expensive and not everyone needs it. So, rather than make all our members pay for cover they don’t need, we restrict cover in the USA.
Yes. If you need additional cover for trips home, holidays or business trips, you can extend your cover in the USA. With USA-45, we cover you for medical treatment in the USA up to US$250,000 per policy year. There are a few caveats:
You can make as many 45 day trips as you like within the year but your cover there ends when a trip exceeds 45 days’ duration.
You have no cover for emergency medical evacuations to, from or within the USA (even if you select the USA-45 options).
Yes. If you’re resident in Indonesia, you have Zone 1, and you select the Bronze plan, you have full cover worldwide but no cover in the USA.
If you select the Silver or Gold plan, you have full cover worldwide and limited cover in the USA.
By limited cover, we mean cover for emergency, non-elective treatment up to US$25,000 that you receive on temporary trips to the USA of up to 30 days’ duration.
Zone 2 gives you full cover in most countries, restricted cover in countries where private healthcare is expensive, and no cover in the USA.
The cost of private healthcare drives the cost of health insurance premiums. If you have a worldwide health insurance policy, it’s likely that the cost of private healthcare in cities like Vancouver, Hong Kong, and Singapore is putting pressure on your insurance premiums. But if you live in a country where private healthcare is cheaper (e.g., Kenya, Vietnam), why pay for cover in more expensive countries that you may never visit?
With Zone 2, you have full cover in most countries around the world. In countries and regions where private healthcare is expensive, we restrict your cover to US$100,000 for accident and emergency treatment, plus cover for emergency medical evacuations. You have no cover at all in the USA.
Compared with Zone 1, Zone 2 gives you up to a 20% saving on your premium.
Here’s what cover looks like with Zone 2:
USA
Countries/regions where private healthcare is expensive*
All other countries
*Countries and regions where we restrict your cover under Zone 2: United Kingdom, all countries in the European Economic Area, Andorra, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore, certain hospital in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Caribbean countries and islands.
No. You have full cover everywhere, except the USA and the countries and regions below.
United Kingdom, all countries in the European Economic Area, Andorra, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore, certain hospitals in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Caribbean countries and islands.
Zone 3 gives you full cover in most countries, restricted cover in countries where private healthcare is expensive, and no cover in the USA. Zone 3 is only available to residents of Indonesia.
Zone 3 is like Zone 2; it restricts your cover in countries where private healthcare is expensive.
But there are a few differences between Zones 2 and Zone 3:
With Zone 3, you have full cover in most countries around the world. In countries and regions where private healthcare is expensive, we restrict your cover for elective treatment to 80% of costs. For accident and emergency treatment, we cover 100% of costs up to US$100,000. You have no cover at all in the USA.
Here’s what cover looks like with Zone 3:
*Countries and regions where we restrict your cover under Zone 3: China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the London area.
No. You have full cover everywhere, except the USA and the countries and regions listed below.
China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the London area.
Indonesia is one of the largest countries in South East Asia by population, and its popular with expats and tourists alike. It might surprise you to know that there are hundreds of companies in Bali operating in the health insurance industry.
But Indonesia poses a unique challenge for health insurance companies. It’s an archipelago of islands, some of which are incredibly remote and many of which have limited healthcare systems. As a result, island residents must often travel to Jakarta for medical treatment.
Sometimes, expats prefer to travel to foreign cities like Singapore and Hong Kong for their medical treatment. While there is nothing wrong with this practice (if international travel is medically safe), it does cause a problem for insurance providers.
Private healthcare in cities like Singapore is considerably more expensive than in Jakarta. So, we need a way to calculate premiums that are fair for expats who are happy to stay in Indonesia for most (if not all) of their medical treatment.
That’s where Zone 3 comes in. It’s perfect for expats in Indonesia who are happy to receive their medical treatment in Indonesia (or other countries in South East Asia where private healthcare is less expensive). In return for a 15% saving, Zone 3 restricts the cover you receive in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the London area.
Zone 4 gives you full cover across Africa and the Indian subcontinent, restricted cover in countries outside these regions, and no cover in the USA.
Zone 4 is great if you’re living in Africa or the Indian subcontinent and you’re not too worried about having full cover while you’re travelling outside these regions.
With Zone 4, you have full cover in all countries across Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Outside these regions, we restrict your cover to US$100,000 for accident and emergency treatment. You have no cover at all in the USA.
In return for these restrictions, you get up to a 30% saving on your premium.
Here’s what cover looks like with Zone 4:
Outside Africa & Indian subcontinent*
Inside Africa & Indian subcontinent*
*Countries that belong to the Indian subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Zone 5 gives you full cover across Africa and the Indian subcontinent, restricted cover in South Africa and outside Africa and the Indian subcontinent, and no cover in the USA.
Zone 5 is great if you’re living in Africa or the Indian subcontinent and you’re not too worried about having full cover in South Africa or while you’re travelling outside these regions.
With Zone 5, you have full cover all countries across Africa (except South Africa) and the Indian subcontinent. In South Africa and outside Africa and the Indian subcontinent, we restrict your cover to US$100,000 for accident and emergency treatment. You have no cover at all in the USA.
In return for these restrictions, you can receive a saving on your premium up to 40%.
Here’s what cover looks like with Zone 5:
Outside Africa & Indian subcontinent*, South Africa
South Africa is one of the most expensive and popular countries for private healthcare. If you’re happy to travel elsewhere for medical treatment (e.g., Nigeria, Kenya, India), then Zone 5 might be a good fit for you. In return, you can save up to 40% on your premium compared to Zone 4. If you need full cover in South Africa, then Zone 4 might be a better fit for you.
Zone 6 gives you worldwide cover, excluding the USA and with restricted cover in certain countries. Zone 6 is only available to residents of Indonesia.
Zone 6 offers worldwide cover to residents of Indonesia.
Cover excludes the USA and there is restricted cover in the following countries and regions:
United Kingdom, all countries that are members of the European Union, Andorra, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand (treatment is only restricted within the Bumrungrad Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Group facilities), China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, Canada, and the Caribbean countries and islands.
Cover in the countries and regions listed above is limited to:
That’s where Zone 6 comes in. It’s perfect for expats in Indonesia who are happy to receive their medical treatment in Indonesia (or other countries in South East Asia where private healthcare is less expensive).
Zone 7 gives you full cover in most countries across South East Asia, with no cover elsewhere.
Zone 7 is great if you’re living in South East Asia, looking for low-cost health insurance, and you’re not worried about having cover outside South East Asia or in countries that are expensive for private healthcare like Singapore and Thailand.
With Zone 7, you have full cover in most countries across South East Asia. Outside these countries, you have no cover at all—even for emergency medical evacuations.
In return for these restrictions, you get up to a 40% saving on your premium.
Here’s what cover looks like with Zone 7:
Most countries in South East Asia*
*Countries where you have cover: Brunei, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines or Vietnam.
With Zone 7, you have no cover for emergency medical evacuations if you’re not in one of the South East Asian countries listed above.
We look at some strategies for choosing the right coverage zone for you. The best coverage zone depends on where you will be spending most of your time.
If you expect to spend most of your time in countries such as Malaysia or Vietnam, where private healthcare costs are generally lower, Zone 2 might be a good place to start. Zone 2 gives you full cover in most South East Asian countries, along with accident and emergency cover when travelling in Europe and East Asia. Plus, you save up to 20% on your premium compared with Zone 1.
If you plan to spend most of your time in Singapore and Thailand, your only option is Zone 1. This is because private healthcare costs in these locations are comparatively high (similar to places such as Hong Kong, Europe, or Canada for certain treatments).
If you plan to spend most of your time in Indonesia, you can choose Zones 1, 2, or 3, depending on your coverage needs and where you expect to access treatment.
If you want to keep things simple and you have the budget, Zone 1 gives you worldwide cover, excluding the USA. This means you would have full cover if you wish to travel to locations such as Singapore or Thailand for treatment.
Depnding on where you expect to live, you may be able to reduce your premium by choosing Zones 2 or 3. These provide full cover in Indonesia and most Southeast Asian countries, with limited cover in higher-cost locations such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
If you’re looking for a lower-cost option and plan to spend most of your time within eligible South East Asian countries, then Zone 7 might be a good fit for you. It restricts your cover to South East Asia (excluding Thailand and Singapore), which can result in a lower premium.
East Asia (also known as the Far East) typically includes China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Japan.
If you expect to spend more of your time in South Korea or Mongolia, you may wish to consider Zone 2. This option gives you full cover in those two countries, along with accident & emergency cover elsewhere in the region and when travelling to locations with higher healthcare costs (e.g., Europe, Australia).
If you plan to spend most of your time in other East Asian countries, Zone 1 may be the appropriate option, offering worldwide cover with restricted cover in the USA.
We define the Indian Subcontinent as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
If you expect to spend most of your time in one of these countries, Zone 2 might be suitable. This option provides full cover across the Indian Subcontinent, Africa, and most of South East Asia, with restricted cover for treatment when travelling outside these regions.
If you require full cover in Europe or in higher-cost locations in South East Asia and East Asia (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong), then Zone 1 might be more appropriate.
Alternatively, Zone 5 offers full cover across the Indian Subcontinent and most parts of Africa, with restricted cover elsewhere.
If you only need cover while you’re in Africa, then Zone 4 might be a good option for you. If you’re willing to forgo full cover in South Africa, you could even look at Zone 5 (for an even larger premium saving).
With these zones, you have cover across Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, and cover for accident and emergency treatment when travelling outside these regions.
If you need cover outside Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, Zone 1 or Zone 2 may be more suitable, depending on where you expect to use your plan most frequently.
If you only need full cover while you are in Latin America, Zone 2 might be a good option for you. You’ll have full cover across Central and South American countries (including Mexico), along with accident and emergency cover when travelling in Canada and the Caribbean.
If you’re looking for cover in the USA, you can consider Zone 1 with the option for extended cover in the USA.
If you expect to spend most of your time in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, Zone 1 is the only available option, which gives you full cover worldwide with restricted cover in the USA.
If you relocate to a different country, your coverage zone may need to be updated.
Remaining in a zone that no longer reflects your country of residence or expected treatment locations could result in reduced or restricted benefits or in declined claims.
It is important to notify William Russell if your country of residence changes so we can ensure your cover remains appropriate for your circumstances.
"*" indicates required fields
9:00am – 5:00pm
6:00am – 6:00pm
8:00am – 5:30pm
The quickest way to reach us is by email.
All the benefits on this webpage are per member per policy year, unless we state otherwise. We show the benefit limits in US dollars, but we can also denominate your policy in pounds sterling or Euros. You won’t find complete information for our plans on this webpage, nor the full T&Cs, limitations, and exclusions that would apply if you purchase a health insurance policy. You can find complete information in the plan agreement, which we suggest you read together with this webpage. We work hard to ensure the information we provide on this webpage is accurate and up-to-date, but inaccuracies are possible. We rectify errors as soon as we become aware of them. The T&Cs that apply to your policy are those found in your plan agreement.
At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience of helping expatriates move abroad and settle into their new lives overseas by providing world-class international health insurance.
Joe Holden Global Relationship Manager
If you’re ready to see prices for health insurance, click on ‘Get a Quote’ below to head on over to our online quote tool.
We’ll ask you a few details (your age, your location), and then we’ll show you prices—it only takes a few minutes!
A couple of days after you’ve received you quote, Joe will email or call you to find out how we can help you further. Joe won’t bug you, and you can opt out at any time.
It’s filled with handy information and tips for expats.
We were one of the first insurance providers to cover people living abroad, and we’ve earned a reputation for our wonderful customer service.
The insurer behind our policies is part of the Allianz group
We’re proud of our award-winning service and our members rate it highly
You will get your own dedicated adviser when you join
If you’re not happy with your health insurance policy or the service we provide, and you haven’t yet made a claim, then we’ll refund the premium you’ve paid—no questions asked.
More results…
