Maldives (MV)
The Maldives is the world's most geographically dispersed country — a chain of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islands stretching 900km across the Indian Ocean, of which only about 185 are inhabited.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Maldives, prioritised.
Insurance in the Maldives is dominated by a small number of providers given the country's tiny population. The most critical insurance for expats is international health insurance with medical evacuation cover — no local public health coverage exists for foreign workers, and serious medical conditions require costly evacuation to India or Sri Lanka. Employers are legally required to provide health coverage, but the extent of this varies widely. Vehicle and business insurance are also available but regulated by Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA).
Legally Mandatory
- - Health insurance for all employees (employer obligation under Employment Act)
- - Vehicle insurance (Motor Third Party Liability mandatory for all registered vehicles)
- - Workers' Compensation insurance for employers
International Health Insurance with Medical Evacuation
Comprehensive health coverage including outpatient, inpatient, specialist care, emergency, and crucially — medical evacuation by air ambulance to India, Sri Lanka, or further afield.
Who needs it: Every expat in the Maldives. This is the single most important insurance purchase. Without it, a serious illness or accident could result in USD 20,000–50,000+ out-of-pocket expenses for evacuation alone.
Annual cost: USD 1,200–3,500/year (USD 100–290/month) depending on age, coverage level, and provider
Always confirm: (1) Medical evacuation is included; (2) Destination hospitals (Colombo, Chennai, Trivandrum, Singapore) are covered; (3) Pre-existing conditions are declared; (4) Dental is included if needed; (5) 24/7 emergency helpline is available. Employer-provided group insurance often has sub-limits on evacuation — read the policy carefully.
Motor Third Party Liability Insurance
Mandatory third-party liability coverage for registered motor vehicles (cars, motorcycles, scooters).
Who needs it: Anyone who owns or regularly operates a motor vehicle in the Maldives.
Annual cost: MVR 1,000–3,000/year depending on vehicle type
Motor insurance in Malé is administered through licensed insurers. Third-party only is the minimum legal requirement. Comprehensive (Own Damage) cover is available and recommended for higher-value vehicles given the lack of formal road accident support infrastructure.
Marine / Dive Insurance
Specialist cover for dive professionals and recreational divers — covers decompression sickness (DCS) treatment, which requires hyperbaric chamber treatment costing USD 3,000–8,000+.
Who needs it: All diving professionals (instructors, divemasters, liveaboard crew). Strongly recommended for recreational divers visiting the Maldives.
Annual cost: USD 50–200/year (DAN — Divers Alert Network is the standard)
The nearest hyperbaric (recompression) chambers are at ADK Hospital (Malé) and Kuramathi Resort (North Malé Atoll). DCS incidents can happen even to experienced divers. DAN membership is considered mandatory for professional dive staff — many resorts require proof of DAN coverage for dive employment.
Comprehensive International Travel Insurance
Short-term coverage for visitors, including trip cancellation, medical, baggage, and evacuation. Different from long-term expat health insurance.
Who needs it: Tourists and short-term visitors. Also useful for resort-based expats travelling home on leave.
Annual cost: USD 50–200 per trip or USD 300–600/year for annual multi-trip policy
Important for tourists who assume their standard home travel insurance covers the Maldives — check that medical evacuation is included and that water sports (diving, snorkelling) are covered, as many standard policies exclude these.
Life Insurance
Provides a lump sum to beneficiaries on the insured's death. Islamic Takaful versions are available for Muslim residents.
Who needs it: Expats with family dependants, mortgage, or financial obligations at home. Particularly relevant for resort workers who may work in physically demanding roles.
Annual cost: USD 200–1,000/year (depends on age, health, and coverage amount)
Many employers include basic life cover in their benefits package. Check what your employer provides before purchasing separately. For Islamic residents, Takaful products comply with Shariah principles.
Business Liability Insurance
Protects businesses operating in the Maldives against third-party claims, property damage, and business interruption.
Who needs it: Business owners, resort operators, and freelancers providing professional services.
Annual cost: MVR 5,000–50,000/year depending on business type and turnover
Resort operators require comprehensive property, liability, and marine insurance packages. Obtain quotes from multiple providers. CMDA (Capital Market Development Authority) regulates the insurance sector.
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Never arrive in the Maldives without confirmed health insurance — your employer should arrange this before your Employment Approval is processed, not after you arrive.
Medical evacuation by air ambulance to India or Sri Lanka costs USD 5,000–30,000. Without insurance this is a life-changing financial event.
Dive professionals: DAN membership (~USD 50–100/year) is non-negotiable. Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness is the most likely serious medical event in your career.
Check that your health policy covers the islands where you will work — remote atoll resorts may have specific exclusions or requirements.
Confirm your insurer has a 24/7 emergency line that accepts collect calls — mobile signal on remote atolls can be limited.
For resort staff: your employer's group policy may have low sub-limits (e.g., USD 50,000) which sounds large but covers only 1–2 medical evacuations. Consider topping up with your own supplemental plan.
Insurance
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