Allianz Care: What It Is and How It Works
Allianz Care is an international health insurance provider that offers coverage for expats, international employees, and globally mobile individuals. It is commonly used by people who need healthcare access across multiple countries, whether through employer-sponsored plans or individual policies. This page explains how it works and where it fits in the expat setup process.
What It Is
Overview
Allianz Care is the international health insurance arm of the Allianz Group, a large global insurance company. It focuses specifically on providing health coverage for people living or working outside their home country, separate from Allianz’s domestic insurance products in various countries.
The coverage is designed to function internationally rather than being limited to a single healthcare system. Policyholders access care through a global network of providers, with options for direct payment at network facilities or reimbursement for out-of-network care.
Allianz Care serves both individual customers and employer groups. Companies with international employees often use it for expatriate benefits, while individuals can purchase coverage directly. The company operates as a regulated insurer with a presence in major expat markets worldwide.
Key Features
- Broad geographic coverage: Plans available for most countries, with options to include or exclude certain regions
- Provider network: Access to hospitals and clinics globally, with direct billing arrangements at many network facilities
- Plan flexibility: Multiple tiers from essential coverage to comprehensive plans with extensive benefits
- Employer and individual options: Available through corporate plans or direct individual purchase
- Digital tools: Online portal and mobile app for finding providers, managing claims, and accessing policy information
- Additional coverage options: Add-ons available for dental, vision, maternity, and wellness programs
Where It Fits
In the Expat Setup Sequence
People typically consider Allianz Care when planning an international move or when their employer offers it as part of a relocation package. It often connects to visa requirements, since many countries mandate health insurance for residence permits.
Whether Allianz Care fits your situation depends on how long you plan to stay abroad, whether your employer provides coverage, and how your destination country’s healthcare system works. For a broader view of options, see insurance options expats use.
Common Timing Patterns
- Before arrival: Arranging coverage before relocating is common, especially when visa applications require proof of health insurance meeting specific standards.
- During transition: Some people evaluate options after arriving, comparing international coverage against what local systems offer.
- After establishing residency: Long-term residents sometimes maintain international coverage as a supplement to local options, particularly for private care access or if they expect to move again.
How It Works
Getting Started
- Request a quote through Allianz Care’s website, an insurance broker, or your employer’s HR department
- Provide details about your destination, health history, and coverage preferences
- Review available plan options and coverage levels
- Complete the application process, which may include medical underwriting
- Receive policy documents and access to member services after approval
Timeframes vary based on the complexity of medical history and whether the plan is individual or employer-sponsored. Pre-existing conditions may affect terms, waiting periods, or premiums.
Ongoing Use
Members typically use online tools to find network providers, check coverage details, and submit claims. For planned procedures, direct billing can often be arranged with network hospitals. For urgent care or out-of-network services, members pay and submit claims for reimbursement.
Customer support is available for assistance with finding care, understanding benefits, and processing claims. Support availability and response times vary by plan type and region.
Costs and Fees
| Category | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Premiums | Regular payments (monthly, quarterly, or annual) based on age, coverage level, region, and health status |
| Deductibles | Optional deductible levels that affect premium costs |
| Co-insurance | Some plans include percentage-based cost sharing for certain services |
| Out-of-network | Reimbursement rates may be lower for non-network care |
| Optional benefits | Additional premiums for dental, vision, maternity, or enhanced wellness coverage |
Specific pricing depends on individual circumstances. Current quotes are available directly from Allianz Care.
Common Reasons People Use It
- Corporate relocations: International employees whose companies provide Allianz Care as part of expatriate benefits packages
- Long-term expat living: Individuals relocating abroad for extended periods who need stable, portable coverage
- Multi-country mobility: People whose work or lifestyle involves living in different countries over time
- Private healthcare access: Expats in countries where they prefer private options or want shorter wait times than public systems offer
- Family relocation: People moving with dependents who need comprehensive coverage for everyone
- Visa requirements: Expats whose destination countries require proof of health insurance meeting certain coverage thresholds
Tradeoffs
What Works Well For
- Long-term expats and international employees who need coverage lasting years
- People whose employers offer or subsidize international health insurance
- Those who value established provider networks with direct billing in multiple countries
- Individuals who want comprehensive coverage with options to customize benefits
What May Not Fit
- Short-term travelers or highly mobile nomads who need month-to-month flexibility
- People staying in one country long-term who could access the local healthcare system at lower cost
- Those seeking budget-focused coverage, as comprehensive international insurance tends to cost more than local alternatives
- Individuals whose pre-existing conditions might face significant exclusions or premium loading
Compared to Alternatives
| Consideration | Allianz Care | Common Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Policy duration | Annual policies designed for long-term use | Travel insurance is often shorter-term; local insurance ties to one country |
| Employer integration | Strong corporate plan options | Travel-style coverage typically individual only; local insurance varies |
| Network size | Large established network across many countries | Travel insurance often relies more on reimbursement; local insurance covers local providers |
| Flexibility | Coverage portable across countries | Local insurance requires changing if you move; travel insurance varies |
For more on how different insurance types compare, see travel insurance vs private health insurance.
How It Connects to Other Setup Decisions
Dependencies
- Requires: Identification documents, health history disclosure, payment method for premiums
- Unlocks: Compliance with visa health insurance requirements, private healthcare access in multiple countries, potentially faster access to care than some public systems
- Interacts with: Employer benefits (may be provided through work), visa applications (may satisfy requirements), local healthcare enrollment (may supplement or replace)
Cross-Pillar Connections
International health insurance connects to other setup areas. Premium payments require a working payment method, often involving banking arrangements that function internationally. Some visa categories specifically require health insurance meeting minimum coverage levels. The cost of coverage factors into overall budgeting for life abroad.
What It Does Not Cover
- National healthcare enrollment: Allianz Care does not register you for local public healthcare systems; that is a separate process
- Travel insurance benefits: Trip cancellation, lost baggage, and similar travel-specific coverages require separate policies
- All pre-existing conditions: Depending on underwriting, certain conditions may have waiting periods, exclusions, or limitations
- Experimental procedures: Unproven or experimental treatments are typically not covered
- Non-medical services: Coverage focuses on medical care, not general wellness or lifestyle services unless specifically included
Verification Points
Before making decisions, verify directly with Allianz Care:
- Coverage availability in your specific destination country or countries
- Current premium costs for your age, location, and desired coverage
- Treatment of pre-existing conditions under available plans
- Network provider availability in the cities where you will live
- Whether specific plans meet visa requirements for your destination
- Claims process, documentation requirements, and typical reimbursement times
- Policy terms if you relocate to a different country during coverage
Next Steps
Related Guides
- Healthcare Hub — Overview of healthcare considerations for expats
- Insurance Options Expats Use — Comparison of different insurance approaches
- Travel Insurance vs Private Health Insurance — Understanding the differences
Other Providers in This Space
- Cigna Global — International private health insurance for expats
- SafetyWing — Travel-style coverage for nomads and remote workers
Important: This page provides general information about Allianz Care for educational purposes. It is not a review, endorsement, or recommendation. Provider features, pricing, availability, and policies change. Always verify current information directly with the provider. This content does not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice. Consider your individual circumstances and consult qualified professionals before making decisions.