Offshore Workers & Life Insurance

We understand that being an offshore worker can be a very rewarding and interesting job, but we also know that it means you are faced with unique risks and challenges on a daily basis. 

To find the best life insurance for you we will ask you:

• What are your duties offshore?
• How much of your year is spent offshore?
• Which country are you based in?
• What transport do you take to your destination?
• Do you work at heights?

In this instance, an offshore worker means that your job is likely to be something similar to working in the oil rig industry, on a wind farm, as a fisherman or on the cruise ships. Your main duties are likely to include operating machinery, engineering, welding, plumbing, cooking or first aid.

We know that your job could be very challenging and we appreciate the possible risks you may face, including chemical exposure, lack of medical facilities, the travel requirements to get to work and the need to work at heights or depths.

All of these factors can have an influence on your insurance and our expertise can help to guide you through it.

If you are a member of the Armed Forces, please visit one of the following pages that are tailored specifically to your needs: Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.

Critical illness cover pays out a cash lump sum of money, if you are diagnosed with a medical condition that is listed in the insurer’s claims set e.g. cancer, heart attack, stroke.

Applying for critical illness cover as an offshore worker means much of the same information will be considered as with life insurance.

The key factors are around the levels of risk involved in your specific job tasks and where you travel to. Some insurers will be able to offer your critical illness cover at standard rates, but not all will.

If you are employed in a higher risk occupation, you may find that some insurers place an occupational exclusion on the claims set, or an increased premium.

In cases where exclusions are in place they can come in a couple of different ways. One way is an exclusion for any claim whilst you are at work. The other way is an exclusion for certain conditions while you are at work e.g. as loss of limbs, traumatic head injury or paralysis. 

As an offshore worker it’s important to know that ‘Total Permanent Disability’ (TPD), could be unavailable with a critical illness policy. This is one condition on the policy and you are usually covered for at least 60 conditions in these policies. 

Our award winning advisers will speak with you and find the best critical illness policy to match your needs.

Income protection pays you a replacement of your monthly income, if you are unable to work due to ill health.

You should be able to get income protection as an offshore worker and for most white collar occupations, it will be available on standard terms.

If you are doing more high risk jobs then it will be really important to pick an insurer that can support your specific occupation.

Sometimes you can find that the policy have what’s known as a rotary aviation exclusion on the policy. This is most likely if you need to use a helicopter to get to the rig.

You may also find that your income protection comes with a retirement age limit which means you could be covered, for example, up to the age of 60. 

Our advisers will give you a clear explanation as to the right income protection policy for you.

It is often best to have travel insurance in place if you’re planning a trip. We work with a specialist travel broker, please visit our travel page here to find out more.