INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AND LIFESTYLE INSURANCE COORDINATION
Kelly Insurance Group helps high-net-worth individuals, public figures, and private clients review insurance coordination for international property ownership, extended international travel, international art and collections, and global lifestyle activities — addressing the coverage gaps in US domestic policies and the specific requirements that arise when assets, activities, and individuals operate across international borders.
HOW INTERNATIONAL ASSETS AND LIFESTYLE ACTIVITIES CREATE GAPS IN US DOMESTIC COVERAGE.
Most US personal insurance policies define their coverage territory as the United States, its territories and possessions, and Canada. Personal liability claims, property losses, and even some health events that occur outside this territory may not be covered. For private clients with significant international activities, reviewing the coverage territory limitations in all existing policies is the starting point for international insurance planning.
In most countries, property must be insured through a locally admitted carrier that is licensed to write insurance in that jurisdiction. A US carrier's personal homeowners policy does not satisfy local insurance requirements for property in France, Mexico, or most other countries. The local policy will be governed by local insurance law, written in the local language, and subject to the local claims process — all of which require specific attention and often the assistance of a local insurance advisor.
A high-value art collection, jewelry, or collectibles that travel internationally for exhibitions, private loans, auction appearances, or personal use face specific coverage requirements at each stage — in transit, in temporary storage abroad, and at the destination. Fine art and valuables policies with explicit international coverage, coordinated with exhibition or loan-specific policies where required, address these needs.
A US private client spending an extended period abroad — six months in Europe, a year in Asia, or a permanent relocation — may find that their US health insurance provides very limited coverage outside the US beyond emergency stabilization. International health insurance or expatriate health coverage provides comprehensive coverage for medical care abroad, including access to international medical networks, hospitalization, and emergency medical evacuation.
A private household that employs staff at an international property — a household manager at a villa, a driver and security team abroad, or domestic workers in another country — carries employer liability under the employment laws of the jurisdiction where those employees work. US employer liability policies do not extend to international employment relationships. Local employer liability coverage and workers compensation equivalents in the applicable jurisdiction are required.
INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS
PRIVATE CLIENTS WITH INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE NEEDS.
International insurance coordination is relevant for any private client who owns property abroad, travels internationally for extended periods, maintains assets outside the US, or employs staff in other countries.
- US-based private clients who own residential or vacation property in other countries
- Public figures and high-net-worth individuals who travel internationally for extended periods — months at a time
- Collectors whose art, jewelry, or valuables travel internationally for exhibitions, loans, or events
- Private clients with household staff employed at international properties
- Individuals relocating internationally — temporarily or permanently — who need coordinated US and international coverage
- Any private client whose insurance program has never been reviewed for international coverage territory limitations
SELECT YOUR INTERNATIONAL SITUATION TO SEE THE RELEVANT COVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS.
International property ownership and international lifestyle activities create insurance questions that US domestic policies are often not structured to address. Select the situation that best describes your international exposure.
A US-based individual who owns property in another country cannot typically insure that property under a US homeowners policy. Local insurance in the country where the property is located is generally required, and the coverage terms, claims process, and legal framework will differ significantly from US domestic insurance.
- Local property insurance required in the country of the property location
- US umbrella policies may not extend liability coverage to international property
- Currency and valuation considerations for international property claims
- Legal and regulatory requirements for property insurance in each jurisdiction
- Coordination with US-based tax and estate advisors on international property ownership
WHAT THE INSURANCE REVIEW COVERS.
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE COORDINATION
Review of US domestic policy coverage territory limitations and coordination with local insurance advisors for property owned in other countries — confirming that each international property is insured appropriately in its jurisdiction.
ART AND VALUABLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT
Coverage review for fine art, jewelry, and high-value collections that travel internationally — including transit coverage, temporary location coverage abroad, and exhibition or loan-specific policies where required.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND EVACUATION
International health insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage for private clients who spend extended periods abroad — providing access to international medical networks and evacuation services that US domestic health insurance typically does not cover.
FOREIGN EMPLOYER LIABILITY AND GLOBAL LIFESTYLE
Review of employer liability for international household staff, global personal liability coverage gaps, and the full international insurance picture for private clients with significant global lifestyle activities.
FOUR INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE GAPS PRIVATE CLIENTS FREQUENTLY CARRY.
US homeowners policies do not cover property located in other countries. An international property with no local coverage in place is completely uninsured. This gap is often not discovered until a loss occurs at the international property.
A fine art policy with a US coverage territory limitation provides no coverage for artwork in transit to or located at an international destination. Exhibition loans, private showings abroad, and auction consignments all create international transit exposure that requires specific coverage.
US health insurance — whether individual market or employer-sponsored — typically provides very limited coverage outside the US beyond emergency stabilization. A private client spending six months in Europe without international health coverage is bearing significant medical expense exposure.
Employing a housekeeper, driver, or security team at an international property without local employer liability and workers compensation coverage creates personal liability exposure under the employment laws of the host country. US employer liability policies do not respond to these claims.
QUESTIONS THAT OFTEN COME UP.
Can I insure international property under my US homeowners policy?
No. US homeowners policies cover property located in the United States, its territories, and in some cases Canada. Property in other countries requires local insurance in the jurisdiction where the property is located. The coverage terms, carrier, and claims process will be governed by the local insurance market and laws.
Does my fine art policy cover artwork traveling internationally?
Depends on the policy. Some fine art policies include international transit and temporary location coverage; others contain geographic limitations. The coverage territory of any fine art, jewelry, or valuables policy should be specifically reviewed before items travel abroad.
Does my US health insurance cover me while traveling internationally?
Most US health insurance policies provide limited international coverage — typically emergency stabilization only, or coverage subject to high out-of-network cost sharing. For extended international stays, international health insurance or expatriate health coverage provides more comprehensive access to medical care abroad.
Do I need local insurance for property I own in Mexico?
Yes. Property in Mexico requires Mexican insurance. US homeowners policies do not cover Mexican property, and Mexican property transactions often include specific requirements for local insurance. The coverage structure for Mexican property differs significantly from US insurance — including the way total loss claims are handled.
Does my personal umbrella cover international liability claims?
Most personal umbrella policies include coverage territory limitations similar to the underlying homeowners policy — typically US, territories, and Canada. Personal liability claims arising in other countries may not be covered. An international personal liability endorsement or a global personal liability policy may be needed for private clients with significant international activities.
What is emergency medical evacuation coverage?
Emergency medical evacuation coverage pays for transportation to an appropriate medical facility when local medical care is inadequate — which can include air ambulance transport from a remote international location to a major medical center. For private clients traveling in regions with limited medical infrastructure, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a critical component of the international insurance program.
READY TO START?
Tell us about your situation and a member of the team will be in touch.
REVIEW THE FULL INTERNATIONAL PICTURE — NOT JUST WHAT US POLICIES COVER.
Kelly Insurance Group can help private clients review coverage territory limitations, coordinate international property insurance, address art and valuables in international transit, and plan international health and employer liability coverage for global lifestyle activities.
The availability of coverage and eligibility for coverage can depend on numerous factors. We cannot guarantee that all customers, individuals, and businesses looking for coverage will be successful in these efforts when contacting our team. All policy coverages and terms need to be fully reviewed by the respective consumer to ensure the coverage asked for is what is specifically being quoted or provided by any insurance policy. Insurance Policies, Coverage Changes, and their terms and conditions are not bound or altered until written confirmation is provided by one of our licensed team members or underwriters. This page does not offer legal advice, legal opinions, or policy interpretations. Rather, this page is meant as a resource to help provide customers and insurance consumers with additional considerations that may help in their insurance buying or pursuit of insurance information. Kelly Insurance Group does not employ or direct attorneys.
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Disclaimer: Coverage availability and eligibility may depend on many factors, including underwriting review, carrier guidelines, policy terms, state requirements, business operations, risk characteristics, and other information provided during the application or quoting process. Kelly Insurance Group cannot guarantee that every individual, customer, organization, or business seeking coverage will qualify for, receive, or successfully place insurance coverage. All policy coverages, exclusions, conditions, limits, endorsements, and terms should be carefully reviewed by the consumer, insured, or applicant to confirm that the coverage requested is the coverage being quoted, offered, or provided. Insurance coverage, policy changes, endorsements, cancellations, and other policy terms are not bound, changed, confirmed, or altered unless and until written confirmation is provided by a licensed Kelly Insurance Group team member, the applicable insurance carrier, or an authorized underwriter. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, insurance coverage opinions, or policy interpretations. Information on this page should not be relied upon as a substitute for reviewing the actual policy language or consulting appropriate professional advisors. Kelly Insurance Group does not employ, supervise, or direct attorneys.