Quick take
Allianz Care is the international health insurance arm of Allianz Partners, a subsidiary of Allianz SE - one of the world's largest insurance companies, with A.M. Best A+ Superior financial rating. For premium expat health insurance with industry-leading financial stability, Allianz Care is a top-tier choice alongside Cigna Global and BUPA Global.
The product is genuinely strong: 2 million+ medical providers in 200+ countries, direct billing for most inpatient treatments (you do not pay then claim later), 94% customer satisfaction, and claims processed within 48 hours when documentation is complete. The Interbrand ranking has named Allianz the number 1 insurance brand globally for 7 consecutive years.
The catches are real: it is not available to residents of certain countries (US, Canada, China, Brazil, UAE, Australia, Singapore, and others), it is significantly more expensive than nomad-specific budget options, and the maternity coverage waiting period of 16 months is the longest in the market.
Who Allianz Care is for
Allianz Care is the right choice if you fit one of these profiles:
- Long-term expats with stable income. If you have moved abroad with a salary that justifies $300-600/month for health insurance, Allianz Care delivers what that price implies.
- Travelers with pre-existing conditions. Allianz Care is one of the few insurers willing to cover pre-existing conditions (subject to underwriting) rather than excluding them.
- Anyone wanting "real" health insurance, not "travel insurance". Allianz Care policies are designed for living abroad permanently, not for trips. Routine care, ongoing treatment, mental health, dental, maternity (with the long waiting period) are all available.
- Families and groups. Group discounts start at 3+ members. Family coverage is straightforward and includes maternity and child-specific benefits.
- People who value financial stability above all else. Allianz SE is among the most financially stable insurers globally. Claims will be paid.
Allianz Care is not right for you if:
- You live in the US, Canada, China, Brazil, UAE, Germany, Singapore, Australia, Egypt, or Lebanon (not available)
- You want budget nomad insurance under $100/month (Allianz Care typically starts around $280-380/month)
- You travel short-term (under 6 months) - travel insurance from SafetyWing, Faye, or Heymondo is more cost-appropriate
- You want immediate maternity coverage (16-month waiting period is the longest in the industry)
- You need digital nomad subscription flexibility (Allianz Care policies are typically annual contracts)
Allianz Care plans explained
Allianz Care offers three core international health insurance tiers, each with optional outpatient, maternity, dental, and repatriation add-ons:
Care (also called Care Base)
The entry-level plan. Annual maximum approximately $1.35 million. Covers inpatient and day-care hospital, oncology treatment, medical evacuation, emergency outpatient (up to ~$135,000 for 42 days), and emergency outpatient dental ($810). Maternity, complications, fertility, drug/alcohol addiction not covered without add-ons.
Care Plus (also called Care Enhanced)
The mid-tier. Annual maximum approximately $2.7 million. Adds routine maternity care, broader outpatient coverage, and expanded mental health benefits.
Care Pro (also called Care Signature)
The premium tier. Annual maximum approximately $3 million+. Includes the most comprehensive set of benefits, including fertility treatment (with the outpatient module), advanced wellness services, and the broadest scope of coverage.
Optional modules
- Active (outpatient): Routine outpatient care, GP visits, prescriptions, specialist consultations.
- Bloom (maternity): Routine maternity, breastfeeding consultations, pregnancy yoga. 16-month waiting period.
- Smile (dental): Routine dental, periodontal treatment, dental surgery.
- Repatriation: Return to your home country for treatment or in case of death.
What Allianz Care actually costs
Pricing varies significantly by age, country of residence, plan tier, deductible, and add-ons. Approximate monthly costs for a healthy 35-year-old based in the UK, Worldwide excluding USA, zero deductible:
- Care (Base): approximately $280-350/month inpatient only
- Care Plus (Enhanced): approximately $380-480/month
- Care Pro (Signature): approximately $500-650/month
- Add Active (outpatient): add 30-50% to above
- Add Bloom (maternity): add ~$50-100/month (and 16-month wait)
Pricing levers that reduce cost: higher deductible (significant savings), annual payment (no surcharge), regional geographic restriction instead of worldwide. Monthly payment carries a 5% surcharge versus annual.
Financial backing
This is where Allianz Care is genuinely industry-leading:
- Allianz SE (parent): Among the world's largest insurance and asset management companies. Founded 1890. Headquartered in Munich. A.M. Best A+ Superior rating.
- Allianz Partners: The Allianz subsidiary that operates Allianz Care. Has handled 72+ million cases across 75 countries in 58 languages.
- Allianz Care DAC: The Irish entity that underwrites the international health policies. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
- Interbrand ranking: Allianz has been ranked the #1 insurance brand globally for 7 consecutive years (most recent 2025).
For comparison: Allianz Care has the same A+ Superior rating as Cigna Global. Both are at the top of the industry. The difference is geographic - Cigna covers US residents, Allianz Care does not.
Claims experience
The defining feature of Allianz Care claims: direct billing with 2 million+ providers globally. For inpatient treatments at network hospitals, Allianz pays the hospital directly. You do not pay then claim later. This is genuinely valuable - and uncommon at this scale.
For outpatient claims (which you typically pay then submit), Allianz Care states 48-hour processing when documentation is complete. The 94% customer satisfaction rate is consistent with this.
What can go wrong: claims involving pre-existing conditions, where the underwriting decision determines coverage, can become complex. Allianz Care policies include detailed disclosure requirements at application, and inadequate disclosure can result in claim denial later.
Honest weaknesses
For the full picture, here are real downsides:
- Maternity waiting period of 16 months is the longest in the industry. Industry average is 10 months. If you might want children in the near future, this matters.
- Not available to US/Canada/China/etc. residents. Significantly limits accessibility for the most common digital nomad demographics.
- Monthly payment 5% surcharge. Annual payment is required to get the lowest price.
- Pre-existing condition disclosure is strict. Inadequate disclosure at signup can result in denial later. Be thorough.
- Premium pricing. You are not paying for a budget product. Compared to SafetyWing Complete or Genki Native (which are also called "complete"), Allianz Care is approximately 2-3x more expensive.
How Allianz Care compares to alternatives
| Feature | Allianz Care | Cigna Global | BUPA Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.M. Best | A+ Superior | A+ Superior | Not rated (UK FSCS) |
| Provider network | 2M+ providers | 1.5M+ providers | 1.5M+ providers |
| US residents eligible | No | Yes | Yes |
| Direct billing | Yes (most in-patient) | Yes (network) | Yes (network) |
| Maternity wait | 16 months | 10 months | 10 months |
| Starting price | ~$280/month | ~$250/month | ~$300/month |
Honest summary
Allianz Care is one of the genuine top-tier international health insurance products in the market. The financial backing is unmatched in the digital nomad / expat insurance space. The provider network is the largest. Direct billing actually works at scale.
The strategic question is whether you need this tier of product. For a 28-year-old solo nomad on a budget, SafetyWing at $56/month is probably enough. For a 45-year-old expat with a family established in Spain, Allianz Care at $400-600/month is appropriate. The product is not better or worse than its alternatives - it is positioned at the premium expat end of the market.
Our overall rating: 4.5 / 5. Industry-leading financial strength, strong claims experience, broad coverage. Deductions for restrictive eligibility (no US/Canada residents), the 16-month maternity wait, and premium pricing.
NomadShield does not yet have an affiliate partnership with Allianz Care. This review is based on publicly available policy documents and industry data. We may pursue affiliate partnership in the future. If we do, it will not change our editorial assessment.