How to Protect Your Family with Life Insurance Abroad: 2025 Guide for Nigerians & Africans Living Overseas

 Relocating abroad as a Nigerian or African often means seeking better opportunities for yourself and your family. But while chasing dreams overseas, one crucial aspect is often overlooked—life insurance.

What would happen to your family if something happened to you today? Would they have the financial support to survive? This is where life insurance becomes not just a financial tool but a lifeline.

This guide will walk you through how to protect your family with life insurance while living abroad, tailored specifically for Africans in countries like the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Finland, and beyond.

Table of Contents

1. Why Life Insurance Is Crucial for Immigrants
   
   
2. Types of Life Insurance You Should Know
   
   
3. How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
   
   
4. Best Countries for Getting Life Insurance as a Foreigner
   
   
5. Common Mistakes Nigerians Abroad Make with Life Insurance
   
   
6. Step-by-Step: How to Get Life Insurance
   
   
7. Affordable Life Insurance Options for Nigerians Abroad
   
   
8. Life Insurance for Stay-at-Home Spouses
   
   
9. What If You Already Have One in Nigeria?
   
   
10. Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Policy
    
    
11. External Resources
    
    
12. Final Thoughts
    
    

1. Why Life Insurance Is Crucial for Immigrants

Many Nigerians abroad focus on sending money back home or saving for visas, school, or relocation. However, life is unpredictable.

If you’re the breadwinner and something happens, your family may struggle to pay bills, tuition, or even funeral expenses. Life insurance creates a safety net that ensures your children, spouse, or elderly parents don’t suffer financially.

2. Types of Life Insurance You Should Know

In the U.S., there are different types of life insurance policies such as term, whole, and universal. You can compare them in detail on NerdWallet’s Life Insurance Guide

There are two major types:

• Term Life Insurance: Affordable and covers you for a specific period (e.g., 10–30 years). Best for young professionals and immigrants.
  
  
• Whole Life Insurance: More expensive but covers you for life and may build cash value.
  
  

For most Nigerians abroad, term life insurance offers the best balance between affordability and coverage.

3. How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

A good rule of thumb is 10–15 times your annual income.

For example, if you earn $40,000/year, consider a $400,000 to $600,000 policy.

Also factor in:

• Debt (student loans, mortgage)
  
  
• Future expenses (kids’ education, funeral costs)
  
  
• Spouse’s income
  
  
• Elderly dependents back home
  
  

4. Best Countries for Getting Life Insurance as a Foreigner

Here’s where many Nigerians and Africans abroad secure life insurance:

• USA: Many providers offer policies without a green card. Options include Haven Life, Ethos, and Ladder.
  
  
• UK: Term policies are common and affordable. Try Legal & General or Aviva.
  
  
• Canada: Manulife, SunLife, and Canada Life offer flexible plans.
  
  
• Germany/Finland/France: More regulated but expats can still get term life from global providers like Allianz or Zurich

5. Common Mistakes Nigerians Abroad Make with Life Insurance

• Waiting too long to buy it (older age = higher cost)
  
  
• Relying on employer-provided insurance only
  
  
• Naming minors as direct beneficiaries
  
  
• Ignoring the local laws on insurance claims
  
  
• Failing to update policies after moving countries
  
  

“If you’re a non-citizen or new immigrant wondering about eligibility, the USA.gov Life Insurance page explains the government’s policies and resources available for immigrants.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Get Life Insurance Abroad

1. Compare providers (use sites like Policygenius or Comparethemarket UK)
   
   
2. Choose term vs. whole life
   
   
3. Get a quote online
   
   
4. Schedule a virtual or physical medical exam (if needed)
   
   
5. Submit required documents (passport, visa, etc.)
   
   
6. Pay first premium & activate policy
   
   

7. Affordable Life Insurance Options for Nigerians Abroad

• Ethos Life (US) – Instant quote, no medical exam
  
  
• Aviva (UK) – Reliable and low-cost
  
  
• Allianz (Germany) – Global coverage, English support
  
  
• SunLife (Canada) – Great for young immigrants
  
  

💡Tip: Look for policies with “no medical exam” options if you want faster approval.

8. Life Insurance for Stay-at-Home Spouses

Even if your spouse doesn’t earn an income, they should still be insured. If something happens to them, the cost of replacing childcare, transportation, or household duties can be significant.

9. What If You Already Have One in Nigeria?

Most Nigerian policies may not cover you abroad. You’ll need to:

• Check if the policy covers overseas incidents
  
  
• Consider switching to a global or host-country policy
  
  
• Discuss portability with your insurer
  
  

10. Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Policy

✅ Choose policies from providers that allow expat applications

✅ Ensure your family can access the funds globally

✅ Review and update your beneficiaries annually

✅ Avoid group policies as your only cover

✅ Read the fine print—especially about exclusions

12. Final Thoughts

Life abroad is full of opportunities—but also risks. By taking action now, you’re not just buying insurance; you’re securing your family’s future.

Whether you’re in the U.S., UK, or Europe, take a few hours today to research a life insurance policy that fits your income and your loved ones’ needs.

Photo Credit: Eyo Archibong/ Unsplash