Does my US health insurance work abroad?

Most US health insurance plans provide only emergency coverage outside the country, and many pay nothing at all for routine care abroad. Medicare specifically does not cover services received outside the US, except in rare cases involving Canadian hospitals near the border. Most employer plans through Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealth, and Cigna pay only for emergency stabilization (not follow-up care) and require you to pay out of pocket then file for reimbursement. For trips longer than 30 days or full expat living, look at dedicated international health insurance from Cigna Global, GeoBlue, or IMG Global, which start around $150 per month and cover routine care worldwide. Call your current insurer's international claims line before traveling to confirm coverage.

What should I do if I get sick or injured in a foreign country?

Go to the nearest hospital or clinic first, then call your insurer's 24/7 international claims line within 24 to 48 hours. Most US health plans require notification within a specific window (often 48 hours for emergencies) to maintain reimbursement eligibility. Pay the foreign hospital directly with a credit card, keep every receipt, and get a written diagnosis and itemized bill (many countries provide these in English on request). For serious emergencies, the US State Department's Overseas Citizens Services at +1 (202) 501-4444 can help locate hospitals and contact family. Medical evacuation back to the US through a service like MedjetAssist costs $295 per year and covers transport that can otherwise run $50,000 to $250,000.

Can I file an insurance claim online from another country?

Yes, every major US insurer (State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, USAA, Nationwide) accepts claims through their app or website, and the online flow is often faster than phone from abroad. You can upload photos, submit a written statement, and track claim status without waiting on hold. The exceptions where you must call: total losses, suspected fraud cases, life insurance death claims, and any claim involving a police report. State Farm's app uses your phone camera for damage photos and submits the claim in under 10 minutes. GEICO Express Claims works similarly. For questions or disputes after filing, the phone line at the company's +1 number is the next step.

Can I cancel or change my US auto insurance while living abroad?

Yes, you can cancel or modify US auto policies from abroad by phone, email, or your insurer's app, and many expats switch to a "storage" or "non-driving" policy that maintains continuous coverage at a lower rate. Continuous coverage matters because a gap in your record drives up rates significantly (often 20 to 40 percent) when you return and need a full policy again. State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive all offer reduced-coverage options for stored vehicles. If you sell the vehicle outright, cancel by calling the +1 number and request prorated refund for unused premium. Keep email confirmation of the cancellation date — some insurers continue billing on autopay if cancellation isn't documented.

How to Call US Insurance Companies from Abroad: Numbers, Tips, and Costs

Your US insurance company's 1-800 number won't work from abroad. Those toll-free numbers are blocked internationally, or they'll connect and charge you premium rates. Here's how to call your US insurance from abroad, file claims, and handle policy questions from anywhere in the world.

Why Your Insurance Company's Toll-Free Number Won't Work

US toll-free numbers (1-800, 1-888, 1-877, 1-866) typically don't work when dialed from outside the United States. They either won't connect at all, or your carrier will charge you international premium rates instead of free.

This isn't your insurer's fault. It's how toll-free numbers are designed. They're paid for by the US company, and that payment structure doesn't extend internationally. The fix is simple: find their regular +1 number and dial that instead. Some insurers publish international lines. Most don't. Either way, you can reach them.

Major Insurance Company Phone Numbers

Here are the claims phone numbers for major US insurers. For international calls, dial +1 before the area code.

Insurance Company	Claims Number	International Format
State Farm	800-732-5246	+1 (800) 732-5246
GEICO	800-841-3000	+1 (800) 841-3000
Allstate	800-547-8676	+1 (800) 547-8676
Progressive	800-776-4737	+1 (800) 776-4737
Liberty Mutual	800-225-2467	+1 (800) 225-2467
Nationwide	800-421-3535	+1 (800) 421-3535
Farmers	800-435-7764	+1 (800) 435-7764
USAA	+1 (210) 531-8722	+1 (210) 531-8722
Travelers	800-252-4633	+1 (800) 252-4633
The Hartford	800-243-5860	+1 (800) 243-5860
MetLife Auto & Home	800-854-6011	+1 (800) 854-6011

Source: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org)

USAA note: USAA publishes a dedicated international line at +1 (210) 531-8722 because they serve military members stationed overseas. They also have a toll-free number for callers in Germany: 0800-724-4196.

For other insurers: The toll-free numbers listed may or may not connect from abroad depending on your carrier. The safest approach is using a browser-based calling service that treats all US numbers the same.

What About Auto, Home, and Life Insurance?

Your US insurance policies follow you abroad, but with limitations.

Auto insurance: Your US auto policy doesn't cover vehicles driven overseas. It covers vehicles in the US and Canada only. If you're driving abroad, you need separate international auto insurance. Call your US insurer only for questions about your US vehicle or to maintain your policy for when you return.

Home insurance: You can maintain US home insurance while living abroad. If you need to file a claim (storm damage, break-in), call as soon as possible. Have photos ready. Many insurers also let you file claims through their online portal, which can be easier from abroad.

Life insurance: Beneficiaries can file claims from anywhere. If you're a beneficiary outside the US, you'll need additional documentation: an international death certificate, possibly consulate reports, and notarized translations. The death benefit is paid in US dollars, typically to a US bank account.

Best Times to Call US Insurance Companies

Most US insurance phone lines operate 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time, but many have 24/7 claims lines for emergencies.

Your Location	Time Difference	Best Call Window (9 AM - 5 PM ET)
UK / Ireland	+5 hours	2 PM - 10 PM local
Germany / France	+6 hours	3 PM - 11 PM local
Japan	+14 hours	11 PM - 7 AM local (next day)
Australia (Sydney)	+16 hours	12 AM - 8 AM local (next day)

Emergency claims: Most insurers offer 24/7 claims lines. If you're filing an urgent claim (car accident, property damage, theft), the numbers in the table above should connect you to a claims representative anytime.

How to Call Without Paying Roaming Rates

You have three options: pay your carrier's roaming rates, set up a VoIP subscription, or use browser-based calling.

Method	Cost	Setup Required
Mobile carrier roaming	$1-3/minute	None
VoIP subscription	$10-30/month	App, account, verification
Browser-based (World Dialer)	$0.04/minute	None

Carrier roaming: Your mobile carrier will connect the call, but you'll pay international rates. A 20-minute call to your insurance company could cost $30-60.

VoIP subscriptions: Vonage, Skype, and similar services offer international calling plans. You'll create an account, verify your email, download an app, and pay $10-30/month whether you make calls or not. If you only need to call your insurer once or twice a year, that's expensive.

Browser-based calling: Open World Dialer in your browser, enter the number, make the call. $0.04/minute. No app to download, no subscription required. A 20-minute call to your insurance company costs $0.80.

What to Have Ready Before You Call

Have these ready before you dial:

Policy number (on your insurance card or policy documents)
Details about your claim (dates, description, photos if applicable)
Your current contact information (phone number and email where they can reach you abroad)
Pen and paper (for reference numbers and next steps)

If you're filing a claim, the representative will walk you through their process. Having your policy number speeds everything up.

Make the Call

That's the whole thing. Find the number, skip the roaming rates, call during US business hours.

World Dialer connects your browser to US phone numbers for $0.04/minute. No subscription required. No app. We'll be here next time you need us.