John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, where he focuses on helping people compare health plans for life abroad.
Summary
This report compares 8 major international health insurance providers across key dimensions: pricing, coverage limits, age restrictions, pre-existing condition policies, and special features. Use this data to narrow your options before requesting quotes.
8
Providers compared
3
Premium tier
2
Value/Budget tier
7
Age brackets
Key Findings
- Premium providers (Cigna, BUPA, Aetna) offer the most comprehensive coverage and best service, but cost 30-50% more
- Mid-tier providers (Allianz, GeoBlue, AXA) offer good coverage at moderate prices—often the best value
- Budget options (IMG, SafetyWing) work for specific situations but have significant limitations
- US coverage adds 30-50% to premiums; skip it if you won't need US care
- Age 65+ is when pricing differences become most significant
Quick Comparison
Overview of all providers with key features at a glance.
| Provider | Tier | Max Age | Lifetime Renewal | US Coverage | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Premium | 84 | Yes | Optional add-on | 4.2/5 |
| Allianz Care | Mid-Premium | 74 | Yes | Optional add-on | 4.0/5 |
| BUPA Global | Premium | 85 | Yes | Optional add-on | 4.3/5 |
| IMG Global | Value | 74 | Yes | Included (most plans) | 3.8/5 |
| Aetna International | Premium | 74 | Yes | Included (most plans) | 4.0/5 |
| GeoBlue | Mid-Premium | 84 | Yes | Included (BCBS network) | 4.1/5 |
| AXA Global | Mid-Premium | 74 | Yes | Optional add-on | 3.9/5 |
| SafetyWing | Budget | 69 (Nomad) | No | Limited (Nomad) | 3.5/5 |
Pricing by Age
Monthly premium estimates by age bracket. Prices assume worldwide coverage excluding US (except providers where US is included by default), mid-tier plan, and $1,000-2,500 deductible.
| Age | Cigna | Allianz | BUPA | IMG | Aetna | GeoBlue | AXA | SafetyWing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $180-280 | $150-240 | $170-260 | $120-200 | $160-250 | $150-230 | $140-220 | $45-70 |
| 40 | $240-360 | $200-320 | $230-350 | $160-280 | $220-340 | $200-310 | $190-300 | $65-95 |
| 50 | $320-480 | $270-420 | $300-460 | $220-360 | $290-440 | $280-430 | $260-400 | $95-140 |
| 55 | $380-550 | $320-480 | $360-520 | $260-400 | $340-500 | $330-480 | $300-460 | $120-170 |
| 60 | $480-700 | $400-600 | $450-680 | $340-520 | $420-640 | $400-620 | $380-580 | $150-210 |
| 65 | $600-900 | $500-780 | $580-880 | $450-700 | $540-820 | $520-800 | $480-750 | $190-280 |
| 70 | $780-1100 | $650-950 | $750-1050 | $600-900 | $700-1000 | $680-980 | $630-920 | N/A |
Prices in USD/month. SafetyWing shows Nomad Insurance (travel medical) pricing. Actual quotes vary by health status, specific plan, and deductible chosen.
Pricing Insight
At age 30, the difference between cheapest (SafetyWing) and most expensive (Cigna) is roughly 4x. By age 65, comprehensive insurers converge to similar pricing, while SafetyWing becomes unavailable at 70. The value gap narrows as you age.
Coverage Limits
Maximum coverage amounts and deductible ranges by provider.
| Provider | Minimum Limit | Maximum Limit | Deductible Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | $1M | Unlimited | $0-$10,000 |
| Allianz Care | €1M | €3M+ | €0-€5,000 |
| BUPA Global | $1.5M | Unlimited | $0-$10,000 |
| IMG Global | $1M | $8M | $250-$25,000 |
| Aetna International | $1M | $5M | $0-$10,000 |
| GeoBlue | $1M | $5M | $0-$5,000 |
| AXA Global | €1M | €3M+ | €0-€5,000 |
| SafetyWing | $250K | $250K | $250 (fixed) |
Best For (by Provider)
Each provider has strengths and ideal use cases. Here's who each is best suited for.
Cigna Global
Best for:
Comprehensive coverage seekers, US expats wanting US options, retirees prioritizing service
Not ideal for:
Budget-conscious, younger nomads
Allianz Care
Best for:
Value seekers wanting established insurer, European expats, long-term cost optimization
Not ideal for:
Those needing extensive US coverage
BUPA Global
Best for:
Service-focused expats, those with mental health needs, long-term residents
Not ideal for:
Budget-conscious, digital nomads
IMG Global
Best for:
Flexible coverage needs, budget optimization with high deductibles, US expats
Not ideal for:
Those wanting premium service, complex pre-existing conditions
Aetna International
Best for:
Americans wanting US integration, CVS prescription benefits, corporate continuity
Not ideal for:
Non-Americans, budget seekers
GeoBlue
Best for:
Americans who split time with US, those wanting BCBS network, US-based service
Not ideal for:
Non-US citizens, those never returning to US
AXA Global
Best for:
European expats, those comparing alternatives, worldwide excluding US coverage
Not ideal for:
Americans wanting US network access
SafetyWing
Best for:
Young healthy nomads, budget travel coverage, short-term stays
Not ideal for:
Retirees, those with health conditions, long-term residents, families
Detailed Feature Comparison
Deep dive into specific features that matter for choosing a provider.
Pre-existing Conditions
| Provider | Approach |
|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Moratorium or underwriting |
| Allianz Care | Moratorium or underwriting |
| BUPA Global | Moratorium, MHD option |
| IMG Global | Underwriting only |
| Aetna International | Underwriting |
| GeoBlue | Underwriting |
| AXA Global | Moratorium or underwriting |
| SafetyWing | Not covered |
Mental Health & Maternity
| Provider | Mental Health | Maternity |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Limited | Yes (10-12 mo wait) |
| Allianz Care | Limited | Yes (10-12 mo wait) |
| BUPA Global | Better than average | Yes (10-12 mo wait) |
| IMG Global | Limited | Yes (12 mo wait) |
| Aetna International | Moderate | Yes (10-12 mo wait) |
| GeoBlue | Moderate | Yes (12 mo wait) |
| AXA Global | Limited | Yes (10-12 mo wait) |
| SafetyWing | Not covered | Not covered |
Technology & Claims
| Provider | Telemedicine | Direct Billing | Claims Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Yes | Extensive | App, online, email |
| Allianz Care | Yes | Good | App, online, email |
| BUPA Global | Yes | Extensive | App, online, phone |
| IMG Global | Yes | Moderate | Online, email |
| Aetna International | Yes | Good | App, online |
| GeoBlue | Yes | Good | App, online |
| AXA Global | Yes | Good | Online, email |
| SafetyWing | No | Limited | Online only |
Methodology
Data Collection
Provider information was gathered from official insurer websites, policy documents, and verified third-party sources. Pricing represents typical ranges for healthy individuals with mid-tier coverage.
Pricing Methodology
- Prices shown are monthly estimates in USD for worldwide coverage excluding US (except where US is included by default)
- Ranges reflect different plan tiers and deductible options
- All prices are for individual coverage, not family plans
- Prices current as of January 2026; actual quotes may vary
Rating Criteria
Ratings are aggregated from multiple review platforms and weighted by recency and verification status. Factors include claims satisfaction, customer service responsiveness, and overall value perception.
Limitations
- Prices change frequently; always get a personalized quote
- Coverage details vary by specific plan; this is a general comparison
- Some providers offer plans not included in this comparison
- Individual circumstances significantly affect pricing and availability
Next Steps
Now that you have a sense of how providers compare, here's how to proceed:
- Narrow to 2-3 providers based on your priorities (price, service, specific features)
- Check country-specific pages to see how each provider works in your destination
- Request quotes from your shortlisted providers for accurate pricing
- Compare the actual quotes side-by-side before deciding
Related Comparisons
- Cigna Global vs Allianz Care — Premium vs value comparison
- BUPA Global vs Cigna Global — Premium tier head-to-head
- SafetyWing vs Cigna Global — Budget vs premium trade-offs
- GeoBlue vs Cigna Global — US expat options compared
Ready to compare plans for your specific situation? Our provider pages include links to get quotes directly.
View all providersDisclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Prices, coverage details, and availability change frequently. Always verify information directly with insurers and get personalized quotes before making decisions. We are not licensed insurance brokers.