Pakistan (PK)
Pakistan is South Asia's second-largest country and a land of extraordinary contrasts — from the towering Karakoram peaks in the north to the bustling port city of Karachi on the Arabian Sea.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Pakistan, prioritised.
Insurance is essential in Pakistan because public safety nets are limited for foreigners and private hospitals, evacuation, traffic accidents, household loss and security disruption can be expensive. The insurance market is SECP-regulated with a growing range of products.
Legally Mandatory
- - Motor vehicle third-party insurance — mandatory in Sindh under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2026 (March 2026); required but historically under-enforced in other provinces under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965. The SECP's Motor Insurance Repository (MIR) enables digital policy verification.
- - Employer-required health/accident cover for many expat employment contracts
International health insurance
Private hospital, specialist, inpatient and medical evacuation cover — essential because major hospitals in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad vary significantly in quality.
Who needs it: All expats
Annual cost: USD 1,200–7,000+ depending on age, cover level and evacuation limit
Include medical evacuation and dengue/accident coverage. Confirm direct billing at your preferred hospital.
Motor insurance
Third-party liability (mandatory in Sindh; required nationally) and optional comprehensive vehicle cover.
Who needs it: Vehicle owners
Annual cost: Third-party from PKR 3,000–10,000/year; comprehensive varies by vehicle value
Driver clauses matter if employing a driver. Verify policies on the SECP Motor Insurance Repository (MIR). Do not rely on roadside policy stickers without checking authenticity.
Travel and evacuation insurance
Medical evacuation, trip disruption and repatriation — useful for travels outside Pakistan.
Who needs it: Short-term workers and frequent travellers
Annual cost: USD 200–1,500+ per year for annual multi-trip plans
Personal accident insurance
Lump sum or income support after accident causing death or permanent disability.
Who needs it: Drivers, field workers, factory and site visitors
Annual cost: PKR 20,000–150,000+ depending on coverage amount and occupation risk
Home contents insurance
Household goods against theft, fire, water damage and electrical surge.
Who needs it: Renters with imported or high-value goods
Annual cost: PKR 30,000–200,000+ depending on insured value
Check flood, riot, terrorism and generator-surge exclusions — these are specific Pakistan risks.
Comparison sites
Confirm direct billing arrangements at your preferred hospital before selecting a health plan — claims reimbursement can be slow.
Keep insurer hotline numbers offline — power and connectivity outages can prevent online lookups during emergencies.
Declare all unrest, terrorism, remote-area and security-sensitive travel when applying — non-disclosure can void claims.
For motor insurance in Sindh, verify the policy is registered on the SECP Motor Insurance Repository (MIR) to confirm authenticity.
Insurance
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