Swine flu warning for expats

Brits paying international health insurance premiums have been warned to check the small-print of their policies.

Insurance company Health Care Matters, recently raised fears that UK emigrants living in poorer countries may have less access to medical care during an outbreak of swine flu, the Telegraph reports.

George Connelly, advisor from the company, urged expats making money transfers to health insurance policies to check whether their insurer provides for adequate emergency treatment facilities.

Mr Connelly explained that healthcare providers ought to have sufficient ambulances and staff to deal with swine flu outbreaks in case local hospitals are unable to cope amid an epidemic.

"The first thing to do is to check that your insurer actually has an assistance provider. If they've got one you can usually assume they're pretty good," he told the paper.

Recent figures from financial advisor Shelter Offshore show that over a third of Brits refuse to seek medical attention when abroad due to the costs of treatment.

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By John Mills.