Frequently asked questions when living abroad

How should I prepare for my expatriation?

Look into the material handed to you by your employer and our alarm central. Make sure to save the necessary contact information needed if something would occur while on your expatriate assignment. Download our travel card to your mobile phone with the direct number to our alarm center and your policy number.

Where can I find my insurance number?

Please contact your employer for more details about your expatriate insurance.  You need your policy number e.g. when you report a claim to If or when you contact the alarm center.

How can I get the insurance card?

Go here to download your insurance card

Which clinics can I use abroad?

We recommend that you to contact our alarm center, who will advise you on the nearest recommended clinic.  The contact information for our alarm center is stated on the insurance card.

Is it safe to travel to the destination?

Please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country to get information about your destination. Also, follow your employer's travel guidelines. 

Covid 19 tests and certificates

The insurance covers Covid-19 testing for persons with symptoms compatible with the infection as a part of the medical treatment of an illness. 

Where can I find information about my expatriation coverage?

Please contact your employer or you can log on to My employee pages for more detailed information.

I need a medical check-up before I start my assignment. Is this covered by the insurance?

The insurance is activated when your expatriation assignment begins.  Checkups, vaccinations, and other medical examinations made before the assignment has begun are not covered by the insurance.

I have a chronic condition. Am I covered by expatriate insurance?

In case of unexpected acute deterioration of a condition, the insurance covers medical treatment to alleviate the acute situation. Expected and predictable deterioration or planned non-acute medical care is not covered by the insurance. 

How is my insurance valid during the expatriation?

The insurance is valid during the whole expatriation and during the business trips related to your work tasks of the expatriation assignment. The insurance is also valid during leisure time journeys both domestic and worldwide.
The insurance also covers family members. Check with your employer to make sure that your family is included in the expatriate insurance. 

Changes in the family situation

If your family situation changes during the expatriation assignment, please notify your employer to make sure you have the right insurance coverage. Children born during a posting abroad will have automatic insurance coverage during their first 30 days after birth, provided that the pregnancy has been covered by the insurance. If the insurance cover is to continue for the newborn baby, a complete health declaration must be sent to If as quickly as possible.

Treatment in China can be expensive depending on the treatment place. This is why it is essential that you contact our assistance partner before you book medical care in China.

Our alarm center has a wide network of clinics where the quality has been controlled and the prices are agreed upon between the alarm center and the medical advisor/clinic.

The alarm center personnel are on duty 24 hours a day and they will advise you of the nearest co-operative physician/clinic and assist in arranging a verification of benefits (guarantee of payment) to the clinic.

Alarm central
+46 8 792 71 31
ifteam@sos.eu

When you start your assignment in USA you will receive information from our alarm center about the routines of the health care system. The health care system works in a different way than what many of us are used to.

In case of illness or accident, we recommend you to contact our alarm central, who will advise you to the nearest recommended clinic. Our alarm center has a wide network of clinics where the quality has been controlled and they are able to assist in arranging a verification of benefits (guarantee of payment) directly to the clinics.

For more information about the health care system, you can contact our alarm center.  

Alarm center
+46 8 792 71 31
ifteam@sos.eu

What should I do if I get sick or injured abroad?

In an emergency, contact the local emergency number. Once the situation is calm and you need further assistance, please check your insurance card for the contact information to our alarm center (phone/e-mail). The help is available 24/7.

You can also arrange your medical visit yourself, pay for it and make sure to get your receipts and medical reports - and then contact us afterwards to make your claim. You can easily report your claim here.

Alarm center
+46 8 792 71 31
ifteam@sos.eu

Do I need to pay the medical expenses at the clinic?

 If you are in contact with our alarm center they might be able to place a guarantee of payment or pay the hospital/doctor directly. However in some countries, the clinics and doctors will not accept payment from others, and you will have to pay yourself and claim the costs afterwards. It is important that you keep all medical reports and receipts. You can upload this when you submit your claim to us.

Which clinics can I use abroad?

We recommend you to contact our alarm center, who will advise you of the nearest recommended clinic.  The contact information for our alarm center is stated on the insurance card.
Alarm center
+46 8 792 71 31
ifteam@sos.eu

Do you cover dental treatment?

The insurance covers costs for temporary treatment of acute problems, regardless of their cause.  Temporary treatment refers to treatments that are necessary to mitigate the situation until the emergency dental situation is over. Definitive measures, such as fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, and other long-term treatments or procedures are not reimbursed.

For non-acute and definitive measures please contact your employer for information about your insurance coverage.  

Do you cover transport to/from the doctor/hospital?

Yes, the insurance covers expenses for transport to/from the doctor and or hospital with public transportation. We also cover transportation by ambulance in the acute phase. 

Do you cover vaccinations?

The insurance covers necessary vaccinations during the expatriate assignment.

How do you cover pregnancy-related costs?

The insurance covers expenses relating to regular check-ups during pregnancy and costs in connection with childbirth. During a journey outside of the country of posting, the insured must follow the recommendations given by the airlines and treating health care providers regarding traveling with medical conditions (such as, during pregnancy or after operations). 

What should I do if I need treatment while I am in my home country?

If you are in your home country and need care that can not wait, the insurance covers this. Planned care is usually only reimbursed in the country of placement.

+46 771-815 818.

What is regarded as luggage? How are money or valuables covered? What should you not have in your check-in luggage?

Luggage means items you bring with you on your travel.
Theft-prone property for e.g. cash, computer, phone, jewelry, and/or a  camera should always be stored in your hand luggage. If the theft-prone property is checked in the reimbursement can be reduced or denied completely.

My luggage (e.g. mobile phone, laptop) is stolen - what to do?

Contact the police and report the theft. Make sure to collect the police report. File your claim to If and attach a list of the stolen items from your luggage, specify the price and date of purchase for each item individually. If you have the original receipts you can attach these together with the police report.

My check-in luggage is damaged - what to do?

 The insurance covers damage to checked-in luggage if you have a Property Irregularity Report (you get this at the airline counter at the airport). If you don't receive full compensation from the airline please contact our claims department. 

My check-in luggage is delayed, what do I do?

 If your luggage is delayed on your outbound journey, you must contact the airline company and make a Property Irregularity Report. You can buy the most essential clothes and hygiene articles at the destination to manage until you get your luggage again. Make sure to keep the receipts. 

My check-in luggage is lost - what to do?

If your check-in luggage does not return and the airline confirms that it is lost, the airline or tour operator is obliged to reimburse you. You must make a PIR report (Property Irregularity Report) at the airport in connection with the luggage delay.

If the airline doesn’t fully reimburse your loss, you can claim the exceeding amount up to the maximum amount stated in the insurance letter. Please note that valuable items should be carried in the hand luggage.

When do I contact If and when do I contact the alarm center?

Emergency: In case of emergency you can contact our alarm center:
+46 8 792 71 31
ifteam@sos.eu

Non-Emergency: If you have any questions or need to report a claim you can contact our claims department within office hours, Monday to Friday. Email: travel@if.se and phone +46 771 815 818.

How do I submit a claim?

You can report your claim here.

Please keep all receipts, prescriptions, and/or medical reports and attach them to your claim form.

How do I seek treatment when my expatriation is over?

When the expatriation assignment ends you are no longer covered by the expatriate insurance. This means new claims are not reimbursable by the insurance. The compensation period limit for ongoing claims is 3 years for illness and 3 years for accident claims. If further treatment is needed for ongoing claims after the expatriation assignment has ended the insurance covers medical expenses within your country's public health care system.