It is 'vital' for expat workers to check whether their International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is valid for war zones or countries in the aftermath of conflict, MediCare International has urged.
The insurer said the recent tragedy of the Westgate shopping mall attack in Kenya had "illustrated brutally" the important of expatriates in the community.
Of the estimated 67 dead, around six are known to be British, with a similar number of UK citizens still missing.
MediCare said with a heightened country risk profile, life insurers such as Friends Provident International have withdrawn life insurance for expatriates living and working there.
When countries are experiencing civil unrest or perhaps in the immediate aftermath of a major conflict, many expatriate health insurers will classify such situations as having a "passive war risk" and, as a result, will limit cover available.
For foreign workers of all nationalities, this presents significant problems and can act to deter workers from moving to such places to carry out vital reconstruction and development work at precisely the time when it is most needed, the insurer added.
Debbie Purser, managing director of MediCare International said: "Passive war is a specific term used in the industry to describe a heightened risk which may be due to a number of factors.
"For the expatriate worker it is vital to check whether their international medical insurance cover is still valid or limited in any way. At MediCare International, we offer full passive war cover, meaning if you are unlucky enough to be taken ill or injured in such circumstances, your policy will still be active."
