Overseas Health And Health Insurance

Definitions expatriation insurance and travel insurance

What is the Schengen area and the Schengen visa ?

How long has the Schengen area existed?

The Schengen agreements were signed in 1985 and came into force in 1995.

What is the advantage of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area allows the free movement of people within the Schengen area. In concrete terms, this means that a person within the area does not need to show his or her identity documents to move from one country to another. They can move freely in all the countries of the Schengen area.

The Schengen area is the largest free movement area in the world.

Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area is made up of 26 countries, 22 of which belong to the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland (non-EU), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein (non-EU), Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway (non-EU), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (non-EU).

The Schengen area will have 27 members from 1 January 2023 with the integration of Croatia, the last country to join the European Union in 2013. It should be noted that airport controls will only be lifted from 26 March 2023. Croatia was accepted because it presents little risk of immigration, having borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Croatia will also join the Eurozone from January 2023. This means that European tourists will no longer have to change their money.

The non-Schengen countries belonging to the European Union are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania.

What is a Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is intended for people from outside the Schengen area. It allows free movement for a maximum of 90 days within the member countries of this area. In order to benefit from a Schengen visa, you must attach a Schengen visa insurance certificate to your visa application.

What does “actual costs” mean ?

Actual costs correspond to the sums incurred by an individual for health expenses. Part of the actual costs may be reimbursed by the compulsory scheme, and part may be covered by the complementary health insurance. The part reimbursed by the latter depends on the level of cover taken out. The amount of both reimbursements may not exceed the actual costs incurred.

Often, insurance reimburses you according to the Social Security reimbursement base.

Example: If an insurance pays you 300 from the Social Security reimbursement base, you will only receive 69 euros for a consultation with a general practitioner because the convention fee for a consultation is 23 euros, or 23-300 – 69 euros. In high-medical countries such as the United States, this type of medical expense can amount to more than $150. It is essential to be reimbursed on the basis of your actual expenses.

What is the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC ?

The European Health Insurance Card allows you to be covered for medical expenses in any of the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom under the same conditions and at the same rate (free of charge in some countries) as people insured in that country. The EHIC is free of charge and remains valid for 2 years.

The cards are issued by the health insurance services in your country.

For more information: website of the Assurance Maladie.

How does the European Health Insurance Card work?

The EHIC covers medical care and treatment necessitated by your state of health. All you have to do is present it to a public health professional (doctor, hospital, etc.) and your medical expenses will be covered in accordance with the social security rules and legislation of your country of expatriation. However, if you are travelling specifically to a Member State for the sole purpose of receiving medical treatment, your EHIC will not be accepted: planned treatments are not covered abroad.

How to obtain your EHIC?

Contact your health insurance fund to apply for one at least two weeks before your departure. No documents are required to obtain the card. If you leave less than two weeks after applying for your card, your health insurance fund can give you a provisional certificate of coverage attesting to your rights. This certificate is valid for three months and can be used until you receive your EHIC card.

What are the limitations of the European Health Insurance Card?

  • It does not replace travel insurance. It does not cover private health care or costs such as a flight back to your home country or loss or theft of property,
  • It does not cover the costs of medical treatment you have planned in another EU country,
  • Does not guarantee free services. As health care systems differ from country to country, some services provided free of charge in your country may not be available elsewhere.

The European Health Insurance Card does not replace international health insurance. Expenses are reimbursed on the basis of the rates and legislation in force in the country of expatriation. As health systems are not the same from one country to another, it is strongly recommended that you take out international health insurance for peace of mind.

 

What does “tacit renewal” mean?

The tacit renewal implies that unless otherwise advised by you the contract will be renewed automatically.

What is a tacitly renewable contract?

A tacitly renewable contract is a contract that is automatically renewed for a period of one year after its expiry. In other words, it is not necessary for the contracting parties to express their wish to renew it.
Very often in the field of insurance, fixed-term contracts include an automatic renewal clause. Renewal of the contract may be provided for in the interests of the parties to the contract.

Can tacit renewal be opposed?

The Chatel Law (Law n°2005-67 of 28 January 2005) reinforces the protection of policyholders by imposing an information obligation on the insurer. It also sets strict deadlines for the procedure. Opposition by the insured to the tacit renewal of his contract must be made by registered letter.
The possibility of not renewing must be clearly stated at least fifteen days before the deadline for cancelling your contract.

How does the Loi Chatel work?

The Chatel law offers new possibilities for cancelling. There are 3 possible scenarios:

  • the insurer respects its obligation and you receive the letter informing you of the possibility of cancelling within the legal deadline, i.e. 15 days before the end of the notice period. You can terminate your contract before the end of the notice period, after which you will be subject to automatic renewal.
  • you receive the expiry notice only a few days before the end of the notice period. You then have 20 days from the date of dispatch of the notice to cancel the contract.
  • the insurer does not respect the rule, does not send any letter or does not comply with the legal deadlines. You can terminate the contract at any time by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. If you have already paid your premium, the insurer must reimburse you for the excess amount.

However, you should know that the Chatel law is only valid for tacitly renewable contracts which only concern natural persons outside their professional activities, and that it does not apply to life insurance or death insurance, nor to group contracts. Finally, don’t forget that after cancelling, it is important to find a new health insurance policy to stay covered.

(more…)

What is the CFE ?

The CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Aranger) is a private organization that operates on the same reimbursement scale as that of Social Security.

Who is concerned by the CFE?

Created in 1978, the CFE, as its name indicates, intervenes for the French abroad. It reimburses you for part of your care in return for a quarterly contribution calculated according to your income, age and family situation.
You can choose between a “1st euro” insurance (without CFE) and a complementary insurance to CFE.
Other people can also join the CFE:

  • Nationals of a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, when they are expatriated outside their country;
  • Other foreigners, outside their country and employed by a company which has affiliated its staff to the CFE.

It concerns expatriate employees, non-salaried workers, people without professional activity, retired people and students.

What insurance does CFE offer?

The CFE covers 3 risks:

  • Health: illness, maternity and disability.
  • Occupational risks: accidents at work and occupational diseases
  • Old age: retirement

They operate independently and must be taken out separately. You are not obliged to subscribe to all 3, you can choose the insurance you need.

CFE: protection for all

All expatriates can join the CFE, regardless of

  • their family and professional situation during their expatriation
  • their country of residence
  • their age
  • their state of health

There is no need to complete a medical questionnaire before joining. And there are no exclusions for the coverage of health expenses.
It is recommended that you join the CFE as soon as possible, as a waiting period applies if you join more than three months after the start of your expatriation. This period is :

  • Three months for people under 45 years of age.
  • Six months for people over 45 years of age.

The CFE: continuous protection

The CFE ensures the continuity of rights with the French social security system. On their return to France, its members immediately return to their social security system.

The limits of the CFE: taking out complementary health insurance

The Caisse des Français de l’Étranger only covers part of your health expenses abroad, such as hospitalization costs or a consultation with a general practitioner or a specialist.
It only reimburses on the basis of the conventional tariff, and does not take into account the cost of expenses incurred abroad. To cover the difference, it is essential to take out supplementary insurance for expatriates, particularly in countries where the cost of medicine is high.

What is the WHV ( Working Holiday Visa) ?

The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) allows travellers to work and/or travel in a country for one year.
It is a temporary immigration visa, with a maximum duration of twelve months – or up to twenty-four months in Canada for French nationals – and is only open to young nationals of the signatory countries.

Why go on a WHP?

There are several reasons or conditions that may push you to go on a WHP:

  • The opportunity to discover new countries
  • You are not obliged to have already found a job before leaving
  • It allows you to create and develop your own personal and professional network
  • Also to gain work experience abroad and improve your skills

Which countries offer visas for a WHP?

The French have access to 15 destinations: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Uruguay, Hong Kong and Ecuador. In all these destinations, only Australia and New Zealand have unlimited quotas. These are therefore the most accessible destinations.
Belgians have access to 5 countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan)

What are the conditions for obtaining a visa?

The conditions can vary from one country to another, especially in terms of age and the quota of people accepted. In general, the conditions are as follows:

  • Not to have already obtained a WHP in the country in question. However, there is an exception for Australia, which allows people to apply for a new visa
  • Be between 18 and 30 years of age. Canada, Australia and Argentina allow visas to be issued to travellers under the age of 35.
  • Be a French citizen and have a valid French passport
  • You must not have any dependent children during your stay
  • Have a return ticket or sufficient savings to be able to finance it
  • Have sufficient resources to support yourself when you arrive in the partner country, while you find a job. The timing of these savings varies according to the bilateral agreement.
  • Have travel insurance covering at least the costs of hospitalisation, illness and repatriation

The WHP gives many students and others the chance to study and work at the same time. PVT insurance is a guarantee that facilitates travel from one country to another at a reasonable price.

What does “deductible” or “excess” mean ?

A deductible is the amount that will not be refunded to you regardless of your expenses.
Example: You go to the dentist and this consultation costs you 75 euros. If your deductible is €30, you will be reimbursed based on the remaining €45. The refund will depend on the contract you have signed up and will be able to cover either all or part of the remaining 45 euros.

What is personal liability ?

This is personal and property damage to a third party.

Example: You break a mirror in a shop that hurts a customer. The shop has the right to ask you and the person you injured. Your civil liability will be responsible for this personal and material damage.

In travel insurance, the liability guarantee is limited to privacy (not a professional liability guarantee) and does not apply to your rental vehicle for example for which you must take out insurance civil liability related to the car.

What do you mean by “Country of Origin” in the quote ?

The country of origin is the country you come from. In general, it is the country of nationality.

For some expatriates who acquire another nationality, their country of origin will be that of their “1st” nationality. Nowadays, more and more people have several nationalities, if it is allowed by the concerned countries. In this case, people usually tend to use the one which best fits their needs.

At Mondassur, for an international healthcare insurance quote, you need to indicate your country of origin and your country of destination.

What does “secure payment” mean ?

As part of a secure payment, your credit card number, expiry date and cryptogram are encrypted in the transmission to protect you and ensure that no data flows in the clear via the internet. Mondassur uses the “3D Secure” system.

With “3D Secure,” Visa and Mastercard consolidated online payments. When you make a payment online, you will be asked for a 3D Secure code to verify that you are the cardholder and protect yourself in the event of bank details stolen.

Buy your international health care insurance

Can I take a CFE top up insurance for a short stay ?

Oui, c’est possible mais en général il est conseillé d’envisager une complémentaire CFE pour des séjours de longue durée à l’étranger en tant qu’expatriés. Il existe de nombreuses assurances sans intervention de la CFE pour des séjours de moins d’un an; ces assurances sont plus adaptées pour des courts séjours à l’étranger et sont plus économiques. Vous pouvez obtenir un devis pour une assurance santé internationale directement sur notre site.

(more…)

Can my international insurance be renewed ?

It all depends on your contract. You can renew it in the majority of cases. If it is time-limited travel insurance, some insurance is not renewable and others are. If it is an expat insurance for which the renewal is automatic from the moment your contributions are paid, the guarantees are acquired as long as you do not terminate the expatriation insurance.

How long does it take to obtain insurance certificate after an online application ?

You can get your insurance certificate for the majority of our insurance immediately. For others, the maximum 24 hours are delayed.

What documents are needed to prove that I am insured ?

When you join a travel or expatriation insurance, you receive a certificate of membership that includes the name of your contract and your insured number.
This certificate is your insurance certificate and confirms your membership. Depending on your insurance, you can also receive an insured card.

What information do I need to provide for secure payment ?

You will need to provide your credit card number, expiry date and visual cryptogram (3-digit code on the back of your card).

You will be directed to your bank’s specific server who can ask you for additional information to make sure you have the credit card in order to protect yourself as much as possible from any spoofing of your card. This is the ultra-secure “3D secure” payment system.

What are the ways to pay for insurance ?

Depending on the Mondassur health insurance policy, you can use different means of payment: bank card, transfer, French cheque or automatic bank debit.

Will the medical information provided to purchase insurance remain confidential ?

Our employees and partners have all signed a confidentiality clause to protect the privacy of our policyholders.

Is there an age limit to be able to buy insurance ?

We offer a wide range of travel and expat insurance policies that are tailored to your profile and needs. Some insurance sets of age limits and others do not.

Where can I apply for a quote ?

You can get a quote for free and immediately online for your international healthcare insurance. You will then be able to purchase your travel insurance directly in secure payment.
For expatriation insurance, you can get a first quote online as well. Our advisors are available to answer within 48 hours and offer you the insurance that is best suited to your situation. You can call us (call not overcharged) to exchange directly with one of our advisors.

How long before I go abroad do I have to take out insurance ?

It depends on the insurance you choose. For insurance for less than one year, you can receive your membership certificate immediately.
For expat insurance, it takes a few days and you should ideally do it at least 1 week in advance or even a little more if we need to ask you for medical details.

What are the criteria of choice for my international insurance?

The criteria are many but they depend above all on your needs, the length of your stay and its purpose.

It is important to check that your international health insurance pays for your care at the level of the actual costs and not the social security convention rates. When you are abroad, especially in expensive countries in terms of health costs such as the United States, Canada, Japan or Switzerland, medical care can be very high and the convention rates of French social security Inadequate

International health insurance: who can buy?

All persons residing abroad (outside their country of origin) are considered “expatriates” and can take out expat insurance, also known as international health insurance.

Indeed, the definition of “expatriate” indicates that it is an individual residing in a country other than his country of origin (his homeland). The word comes from the Greek words exo (“outside”) and patrida (“the country”). You can go abroad for personal or professional reasons, whether for studies, career prospects, desires for discovery, family ties…

To benefit from expatriate health insurance, it is not mandatory to practice a professional activity or to be sent by his company abroad. Mondassur offers flexible expat insurance: GoldExpat to meet the majority of the needs of expatriates abroad.

How do I get reimbursed for medical care abroad?

How does healthcare claims reimbursements work ?

It depends on the insurance but in general the process is:

  1. For any hospitalization or request for assistance, you contact the 24-hour medical platform for direct care. You don’t have to advance the fees.
  2. For any other refund request, you send the original invoices and prescriptions to the management centre and we will refund you a few days later.

How do I send insurance claims ?

Have you had medical care abroad and want to know how you are going to be reimbursed?

It all depends on the insurance you choose. As a general rule, for any hospitalization and request for assistance, it is the medical platform that will directly regulate the care of practitioners and hospitals.

For some insurance, you can report your claim online. We will send you the full procedure before you sign up.

For other care, you must advance the fees, keep the invoices and send them to us for reimbursement.

You will then be reimbursed either by cheque or by transfer depending on the insurance you choose. If you have insurance for expatriates, we make international transfers to reimburse you for your expenses in your bank account abroad.

Am I insured in case of illness ?

In the context of travel insurance, previous illnesses are generally not covered.

If you have an illness before you take out your travel insurance, the costs associated with it will not be covered.

As part of an expatriation, you will need to complete a medical questionnaire and previous illnesses can be managed according to the contracts.

What are my expenses in case of hospitalization ?

In case of hospitalization, your medical expenses are usually covered at 100% of the actual costs, this is the guarantee of good coverage. We will detail this point for each of the travel or expatriation insurance that we advise you.

In the majority of our contracts, there is direct support with a direct payment of insurance to the hospital by contacting our support platform. This way you don’t have to advance the fees.

Example: You are in Australia, you are the victim of an accident. You are undergoing several transactions, the total amount of fees to be paid is 200,000 euros. Can you advance the fees and wait to be reimbursed? Our insurance allows you to have no costs to advance in case of hospitalization.

In case of hospitalization abroad, can a relative visit me ?

In case of hospitalization abroad, you benefit from a ticket and the cost of living for a loved one.

Depending on the contract, your loved one’s expenses will be reimbursed over a longer or shorter period of time (see the guarantees of the contract to which you subscribe).

Are dental and optical expenses covered by my international insurance ?

Depending on the contract you sign up for, dental and optical expenses may be included or optional. Each case is unique, so it is best to refer to the warranties of the contract or contact us.

In case of pregnancy, will my medical expenses be covered by the insurance ?

If your pregnancy begins after your insurance is purchased, your medical expenses may be covered according to the contract guarantees and waiting times.

If your pregnancy predates your subscription, your medical expenses will not be covered.

I’m going abroad with my children. Does my travel insurance automatically cover them ?

If you are going abroad with your children, there are two options available to you:

  • You can buy family insurance
  • You can insure each member of your family separately.

It all depends on certain criteria related to your stay abroad (purpose of stay, destination, age of family members …).

What to do in the event of an accident or emergency?

It is important to call in the fastest local emergency services for an intervention as soon as possible and to contact our support platform.

In case of hospitalization and request for assistance, you should contact our medical platform (coordinates provided at the time of subscription).

You must keep the originals of all the bills and medical prescriptions that will be given to you and send them to the management center.

How do I contact the support platform ?

The contact information of the support platform is provided to you at the end of your Subscription of Mondassur health insurance. This platform is available by phone 24/7. She is responsible for the management of claims and the reimbursement of medical care.

How does repatriation take place in the event of an accident or emergency?

It is a medical decision that is made with the attendant and according to the insured’s situation.

In the event of repatriation, the attendant will tell you very precisely what to do, depending on whether it is a matter of medical transport or regular transport.

The article Repatriation Insurance explains in detail how this benefit Assistance Repatriation functions.

What is the procedure to follow in case of hospitalization abroad ?

In the event of hospitalization (following an accident you should contact the medical platform (the contact information your phone call on your insurance certificate) and indicate your Situation. The medical platform will contact the hospital to take directly in charge of health costs according to the guarantees of the contract. This is accessible 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

What is the procedure to follow for outpatient care ?

For anything that is not a hospitalization (e.g. a doctor’s visit, a consultation with the emergency room hospital), you have to advance the costs at first, and then, to you will need to follow the procedure that you will have to follow the procedure is explained in the subscription confirmation email.

What is the procedure for expat healthcare claims or travel insurance claims ?

Depending on the insurance you have taken out, you can apply for reimbursement of care via a website, email or mail. In your insurance application confirmation, you have received the website address, email or postal address to declare your claim and send all the necessary documents to manage your refund. When you open your file with the refund management platform, we give you a file number that will be your reference to keep for your refund.

What documents should I send to the claims management platform ?

Depending on your claim, the list of documents to be sent to us changes. The objective is to allow us to have documents related to your claim whether for a claim for medical expenses, baggage warranty, cancellation of stay, civil liability, etc. This way you may be required to provide documents such as:

  • a copy of the first page of your insurance certificate
  • your bank details (IBAN, BIC, Swift with your bank’s full name and address)
  • an explanatory letter on the exact circumstances of the disaster
  • On medical claims, you will have to send the following documents:
  • a copy of the initial medical certificate describing the injuries sustained as a result of illness or accident
  • a copy of the medical prescriptions relating to these medical expenses
  • a copy of the invoices paid
  • copy of your Social Security refund slip
  • copy your mutual’s refund slip if you benefit from it

How long do I get a reimbursement?

The repayment period is different underwritten insurance. As a general rule, upon receipt of the full file of your claim for reimbursement and the insurer’s agreement on compensation, you are reimbursed within 10 days or less time for expat insurance in particular.

I sent my claim more than 15 days ago and I still don’t have an answer, is that normal ?

If you haven’t received a response about the processing your file, your file may not be Complete. You must then verify that you have sent all the parts necessary to process your case.

You can follow the progress of your treatment online file at the address provided to you in the email confirmation of the insurance or by contacting the platform by email. You can also contact the platform that handles the services refunds and contact Mondassur so we can help you in follow-up on your request.

Your travel and repatriation insurance benefits

Am I insured in case of theft, loss, deterioration or delay of luggage ?

Most Mondassur travel insurance policies insure your luggage in the event of a flight while being transported, lost, deteriorated or delayed baggage.

How long are the insurance benefits of Mondassur insurance for abroad ?

The length of coverage of your insurance depends on your needs. You can choose the dates of your choice regardless of the length of your stay. The contracts are different if you need travel insurance of less than 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 1 year or unlimited for expatriation insurance.

What guarantees do Mondassur travel and expatriate insurance offer?

Depending on the contract, our Mondassur health insurance can cover:

  • Hospitalization costs
  • Medical expenses
  • Medical analysis and examinations
  • Pharmaceutical costs
  • Dental and optical expenses
  • Legal fees (caution, legal fees)
  • Civil liability (property damage, property damage)
  • Capital accident (Death and disability)
  • Repatriation
  • Baggage insurance
  • Emergency search costs
  • Alternative medicine
  • Maternity
  • Cancellation Insurance
  • Provident (work stoppage, disability… etc.)

Mondassur, expert in expat healthcare insurance

Your insurance abroad: Contact us

You can contact us by:

  • email: contact@mondassur.com
  • Phone: ’33 1 80 87 57 80
  • USA: +1 917 933 2010
  • UK: +44 203 868 8560
  • whatsapp: ’33 766 54 12 12′
  • Mail:
    Mondassur
    19, Rue des Longs Prés
    92100 Boulogne – FRANCE

Our opening hours are from 9am to 6pm Central European Time (CET) to contact our advisors. Our medical platforms for policyholders are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Do you have questions about your insurance policy, to buy international healthcare insurance, to get an expat insurance quote? You can get a free quote online, send us an email, call us and we will answer within 24 hours business days.

We are available to help you.

How do I declare a claim ?

What is the procedure to follow in case of hospitalization?

In case of hospitalization (following an accident for example), you should contact the medical platform (the telephone contact information is on your insurance certificate) and indicate your situation. The medical platform will contact the hospital to cover the health costs directly according to the guarantees of the contract.

What is the procedure to follow outside of hospitalization?

For anything that is not a hospital stay (e.g. a doctor’s visit, an emergency room visit to the hospital), you must advance the costs first, and then, in order to get your care reimbursed, you will have to follow the procedure explained to you in the subscription confirmation email.

What is the procedure to follow in the event of an out-of-health disaster?

For claims relating to non-sickness or hospitalization coverage such as civil liability or loss of baggage, for example, refer to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy in order to know the precise terms of your Refund.

What is the procedure for applying for a refund?

In your subscription confirmation, you have received a list of documents to be provided and the email and postal address to send them. This is essential to open your file.

What documents do I need to send to the medical platform to get a refund?

  • Depending on the insurance, you should usually send the following documents in original to the platform:
  • a copy of the first page of the insurance certificate attached to this email
  • an explanatory letter on the exact circumstances of the illness or accident
  • a copy of the initial medical certificate describing the injuries sustained as a result of illness or accident
  • a copy of the medical prescriptions relating to these medical expenses
  • a copy of the invoices paid
  • your bank details (IBAN, BIC, Swift with your bank’s full name and address)

How long do I get my refund?

Upon receipt of your refund request with a complete file, your file is processed and you are refunded within 15 working days.

I sent my claim more than 15 days ago and I still don’t have an answer, is that normal?

If you have not received confirmation of the processing of your file, your file may not be complete. You must then verify that you have sent all the necessary documents for the processing of your file.

How do I reach the platform that handles refunds?

The procedure differs depending on the insurance you have taken out. In case of hospitalization, you can in principle immediately contact the medical platform by phone (the number will be indicated on your insurance certificate) for direct coverage of your health costs.

In all other cases, managers prioritize your claims in writing. It is essential to have all the documents in order to be able to answer you on a reimbursement of care. Once the documents have arrived, a file is opened and you will then have the phone and email contact information of the manager of your file.

How do I know the exact procedure based on the insurance I have taken out?

When you subscribed to an insurance offered by Mondassur, you received with your certificate the precise procedures concerning the claims as well as the documents to be completed in order to obtain your refunds in the best possible way. Conditions. You can also find these procedures in the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.

In any case, we remain available for any information regarding your medical insurance abroad.

How does Mondassur manage my insurance contract ?

Mondassur is an insurance broker specializing in international insurance: insurance for expatriates, travel insurance, insurance for foreigners in France… Etc. We have been operating for almost 10 years now and provide expatriates all over the world, students going on an internship or studying abroad, tourists for short stays, professionals… Etc.

We work with the biggest players in international mobility and are the only brokers to offer such a wide range ofinsurance for international travel.

Our role is to advise you the best contract among this range, explain to you what are the major differences between contracts, answer your questions objectively to understand the details of a contract that can make the difference in your choice. We keep track of your contract in administrative and commercial terms and can offer you more suitable contracts throughout your life abroad. We also intervene in the difficult management of a refund in order to ensure its proper follow-up.

Why should I go through Mondassur ?

Your interest in going through Mondassur is multiple:

  • You have the opportunity to have an overview of existing contracts on the market with an in-depth analysis by insurance professionals on the qualities and weaknesses of the proposed contracts.
  • This way you can always be guaranteed to have the contract that is best suited to your needs and budget.
  • You have access to expatriation or travel insurance that cannot be taken out directly from an insurer.
  • You also have the guarantee of a personalized management of your file thanks to advisors listening to you either by phone or by email.
  • You are also sure that if you have a problem in managing your contract (administrative or related to a refund), we will be able to speed up the processing and follow-up of your file because we have many expatriates and travellers insured with the insurer and manager of your contract.
  • You are guaranteed to deal with an insurance professional authorised and controlled by the Prudential Control Authority

Why are there so many intermediaries in insurance contracts ?

An international insurance contract is extremely complex to set up and manage.
Beyond the many administrative aspects, it is essential to call on specific partners depending on the profession.

An international insurance contract requires advanced skills for the whole world, which requires having specialists for each trade: insurance, assistance, reimbursement management, contract administration and finally marketing of insurance.

Do you charge an additional fee for your advice in choosing my international insurance ?

  • We do not charge you any additional fees for our advice.
  • Our interest is to offer you the insurance that is best suited to your needs.
  • Our rates are exactly the same as those offered online by contract managers or insurers.
  • We are paid directly by commissions paid by managers or insurance companies at no extra cost to you.
  • We work with them in total independence; which guarantees you a neutral advice for choosing your insurance.

How confidential is my data ?

When applying for a quote or taking out insurance, it is essential to have certain information such as your date of birth or your personal details. Our privacy policy guarantees you that this information is protected.

This requested information is necessary to give you an exact quote for your insurance and in case of underwriting insurance, to allow the implementation of your insurance and its proper functioning. They are communicated to Mondassur’s contractual partners involved in the execution of your insurance contract.

You have the right to access, modify, correct and delete the data that concerns you (Article 34 of the Computer and Freedoms Act). To exercise it, email us at:
Mondassur, 19 rue des Longs Prés, 92100 BOULOGNE – FRANCE or by email to contact@mondassur.com

Choosing an international healthcare insurance

I’m going abroad. What international insurance do you recommend ?

It all depends on the length of your expatriation if you leave for 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, several years or indefinitely.
It may be worth starting with a travel insurance contract over several months and then moving on to expatriation insurance if you settle permanently abroad.

I am not a French national and I want to go abroad. Is it possible to buy Mondassur insurance?

You can take out health insurance to go abroad regardless of your nationality. The contracts you can sign up for will be different depending on your country of origin and destination. Our advisors will help you find Mondassur health insurance that is right for you.

I would like to go to a country of the European Union or the Schengen Area. Is it possible to buy insurance with Mondassur ?

You can buy Mondassur health insurance, including your medical expenses. The contracts you can take out will depend on where you stay: the European Union, the Schengen Area or France.

I want to come to France. Do you offer insurance for me ?

Several insurances are available if you wish to come to France. It all depends on the nature of your stay: duration, age, objective, family situation. You have specific insurance for short-term visas of less than 90 days, often referred to as Schengen visa insurance and you have insurance for longer periods of more than 90 days often referred to as long-stay visa insurance.

For long-stay visas, you have the choice of taking out long-stay visa insurance for up to one year or taking out insurance that is unlimited called also expat or impated insurance. Insurance of up to one year is recommended for people who remain for up to 1 year or those who can obtain French social security at the end of their one-year stay in France (for example spouses of a Frenchman who does not yet have a residence visa in France France). Other unlimited insurance is recommended for people who wish to settle for several years in France and who are not currently able to benefit from French social security (e.g. non-employees of French companies).

I’m going in WHV. What insurance would you advise me ?

If you are going in WHV, we offer Junior International WHV insurance.
This contract reimburses you for your medical expenses at 100% of the actual costs, with no cap and no deductible at the most competitive rate on the market.
We also advise you to consult the specific website for working holiday visas: www.partir-en-pvt.com

I’m going abroad to study. Which insurance would suit me best ?

If your tax domicile is within the European Union, you can benefit from the benefits of the Health Studies Plan.
This contract reimburses you your medical expenses at 100% of the actual costs and without deductible and offers you excellent guarantees in civil liability, repatriation assistance, theft of luggage … Etc. for a very attractive monthly rate (e.g. for a 6-month stay: 195 euros).

The country in which you pay your taxes

I have been an expatriate abroad for several years. What insurance should I take out ?

If you are already an expatriate, you must opt for expatriation insurance.
These contracts offer you very good medical guarantees and optional dental, optical and repatriation assistance.

I’m going abroad. What insurance do you recommend ?

It all depends on the length of your expatriation if you leave for 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, several years or indefinitely.
It may be worth starting with a travel insurance contract over several months and then moving on to expatriation insurance if you settle permanently abroad.

How can I be insured for medical care abroad ?

What is travel insurance for ?

Travel insurance is for everyone when staying abroad. There are several types of travel insurance covering you regardless of the purpose of your stay abroad: studies, business travel, expatriation, tourism, pvt.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a non-compulsory contract that allows the policyholder to cover himself against incidents that may occur before and during the trip. The decision to take out a travel insurance policy is the best thing to do, in order to benefit from compensation in the event of an unexpected situation
Nevertheless, it is compulsory to enter Algeria, China, Cuba and Russia. Moreover, depending on the country you are travelling to, the risks involved are greater. For example, in Australia or the USA, where health care costs are among the highest in the world.

How do I buy travel insurance?

Before you buy travel insurance, you should first consider your needs by asking yourself the following questions:
– Where are you going? What is the level of risk?
– How long will you be staying?
– What are the conditions under which you are travelling (simple trip, business trip, etc.)?

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers the following

  • Medical expenses
  • Civil liability for damage caused to a third party
  • Compensation in case of loss of your luggage
  • Assistance and repatriation in case of problems during a trip

In order to choose the most comprehensive travel insurance, you should compare to find the one that suits you best in terms of coverage:

  • The maximum limits for medical expenses
  • Compensation procedures, claims reporting, availability of the assistance number (companies available 24/7 should be preferred)
  • The steps to be taken in the event of hospitalisation
  • The possibility of choosing a doctor and/or hospital
  • Whether or not you need to obtain your insurer’s agreement before incurring expenses or advancing the costs
  • The countries covered
  • Exclusions and limits of cover.

Find out more about our travel insurance policies.

Remember that there is no such thing as zero risk and that taking out travel insurance gives you peace of mind!

What is the difference between insurance benefits and assistance benefits ?

In the event of an accident or illness abroad, your assistance and travel insurance contracts can guarantee you assistance or compensation. Under what conditions do they intervene and what guarantees do you have?

How to distinguish between an insurance contract and an assistance contrac?

An insurance policy provides you with financial compensation in the event of an accident.

An assistance contract guarantees you material and logistical support in the event of an incident.

These are therefore two quite distinct guarantees.

Services offered by the assistance contract

An assistance contract will take care of logistics and organisation.
If you are seriously ill or cause yourself a serious injury while travelling in a country that does not have sufficient medical facilities to cure you, assistance will guarantee repatriation.
Unlike some insurance policies, an assistance contract is completely optional. However, it can be comfortable to take out one when a situation requires emergency assistance.

The guarantees offered by the insurance contract

Travel insurance is a term that includes different types of insurance for a trip:

  • Travel assistance insurance: the solution if you need medical help or have problems with your car while travelling.
  • Cancellation insurance: this insurance comes into play if you have to cancel your trip. The insurer reimburses the costs of your trip.
  • Luggage insurance: you are compensated if your luggage is stolen or damaged

Unlike assistance, insurance involves financial compensation, a refund, when the insured risk occurs. This is the case with health insurance, which will compensate you for your medical expenses if you fall ill abroad.

It is essential to have a contract that insures you and offers you assistance services. Assistance alone is not enough abroad. Travel insurance is much more extensive than travel assistance. Taking out travel insurance is the best way to leave with peace of mind!

Why do I need an insurance abroad ?

Medical costs abroad are often much higher than in France and social security does not cover you everywhere.
It’s important to make sure you benefit from the right international health insurance when you’re going abroad for a variety of reasons.

What health cover is there without international health insurance?

Very often, the cover you have in your home country is not valid abroad.

There are two main reasons why you will not be able to count on Social Security coverage:

  • Not systematically covered
  • Reimbursement on the basis of French rates.

In Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not enough to be well covered.

Finally, if you have a premium bank card, the travel insurance will not be valid if you do not use your card to pay for your stay in full. Classic cards do not provide broader coverage. It is not possible to customise cover with a bank card. Insurance cover with bank cards is usually valid for three months or 90 days.

Immediate cover by taking out health insurance

International health insurance covers you against some major risks:

  • Financial risk: health costs vary greatly from one country to another and can rise quickly. The insurance covers your expenses and prevents you from having to pay in advance in the event of hospitalisation.
  • Health risk: in some parts of the world, medical facilities are very limited. It is important to have extensive repatriation assistance coverage to compensate for local shortcomings.
  • Risk of access to medicine: the public structures of certain countries do not always allow a choice of doctor or hospital and the time taken to access care is very long.
    The insurance allows the reimbursement of care provided by private medicine, with a free choice of doctor or hospital, throughout the world

The benefits of health insurance abroad

The insurance offers many advantages such as

  • Complementary guarantee to social protection: it covers loss of luggage, theft, destruction of all or part of the luggage
  • Reimbursement of medical and health costs: the insurer sets a ceiling according to the contract chosen.
  • Civil liability cover: this covers the costs of damage caused to others, to other people’s property and to social security abroad.

Having good health cover is essential if you want to travel abroad with peace of mind!

Are some countries excluded from Mondassur insurance ?

We recommend the insurance contract adapted to your destination country.
Our insurance covers you all over the world but depending on the geographical area or purpose of the stay, it is important to check your coverage.
If you are going on a trip or on a mission to a country other than the one for which you have taken out your insurance, you may not be insured if it is a country with an unstable political climate.
It is strongly advised when you go to countries at risk to ask us about the suitable contract.

What are the exclusions of coverage in an insurance contract?

Before you purchase health insurance, be sure to read the policy exclusions in the policy’s terms and conditions. Insurance exclusions mean that certain treatments are excluded. One of the most common exclusions for international health insurance is pre-existing conditions.
All insurance companies have exclusions. Companies offering international health insurance are not required to cover medical history and may also refuse to cover a person if the risk of serious illness during their policy is high.
General exclusions apply to almost all policies. They include:

  •  Pre-existing conditions
  • Voluntary self-injury
  • Cosmetic surgery not resulting from an accident or illness. These are not covered and are the decision of the insured.
  • Sleep, weight loss, rejuvenation and detoxification cures…
  • Extreme and dangerous sports
  • Care in institutions, such as thalassotherapy establishments, retirement homes or hospitalization in medium or long stay centers
  • Alcohol, medication and drug abuse
  • Crime
  • War or terrorism

The exclusion of epidemic risks is also a classic insurance exclusion. However, the Covid-19 crisis has shown us that exceptions are possible, as many insurers cover Covid-related care.

Am I covered with my credit card insurance abroad ?

The insurance that accompanies your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) is more like assistance contracts that assist you in the event of incidents, for a short period of time without offering you very important health insurance coverage and in no case if you stay more than 3 consecutive months abroad. They are interesting (for those of “high-end” cards such as Gold or Premier or Infinity) but are still to be used in addition to specific insurance.

How do I choose my insurance between a top up insurance and a full international insurance ?

The majority of people choose insurance from the 1st euro over a complementary insurance to the CFE. This choice can be explained for various reasons:

It is often easier to have only one contact
The overall rate of your health cover is often lower with insurance at the 1st euro without intervention by the CFE (if you add the CFE contribution and the amount of the complementary)
The CFE is limited to people who have worked in France or French and is not always suitable for citizens of the world.
You can find out your contribution to the CFE by consulting the rates of the CFE.
For more information on choosing the best medical insurance solution abroad, contact one of Mondassur’s advisers, we will take the time to analyze your situation and advise you best according to your personal situation and your needs.

What is the difference between a top up CFE insurance and a private international healthcare insurance ?

The CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger) assures you abroad with the limits of coverage of the ceilings of the French social security. It is highly recommended to take out a supplement to support the remaining due after the reimbursement of the CFE, as is the case with a traditional French complementary mutual. In some countries, such as the United States and countries with higher medical costs than in France, this is essential. Let us take an example to better understand: The reimbursements for CFE care are limited to the rates negotiated by French social security, taking 70% or 100% depending on the case. For a consultation with a general practitioner whose reimbursement by social security is limited to 25 euros, you will be reimbursed by CFE 70% of this amount, or 17.50 euros. If your consultation was 60 euros or even 150 euros, it will remain at your expense 60-17.50 = 42.50 euros or 150-17.50 = 132.50 euros. The additional CFE will reimburse the part remaining at your expense according to the guarantees you have chosen. Mondassur offers the GoldExpat contract at the 1st euro without intervention from the CFE or Goldexpat as top up to the CFE with formulas with variable reimbursement ceilings. These insurance contracts allow you to limit your dependents which can be very important on expensive medical care.

Unlike a supplemental CFE, an insurance at the 1st euro pays for your medical expenses from the first euro spent without further intervention by an organization.

Why is it not advisable to go to the United States or Canada without travel insurance?

In countries such as the United States or Canada (but also in Australia, Japan, etc.), the cost of medical care is very high.
Unfortunately, an accident or illness does not only happen to others. Thus, if you encounter this type of situation, it is essential to have an insurer to support you financially in case of need for medical care in these countries.
You will be reimbursed for your medical expenses, which can amount to tens of thousands of euros in many countries. If you are going to these countries as part of your studies, internship, PVT and even professional stay, it is mandatory to take out travel insurance.

We work with the world largest insurers

AIG
VYV
GAN
Chubb
Mondial assistance
allianz
LLOYD'S
Swisslife
AXA
Mutuaide assistance