Health Insurance

A health insurance is important

Meet Mina in 2019, our adventurous globetrotter, embarking on a bike tour through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. Picture this: middle of nowhere, a mountain trail, and a sudden, sharp pain in her left foot. No one in sight, no phone signal, and the nearest village a daunting thirteen kilometers away. Limping with her bike in tow, she finally reaches the village, only to find a basic clinic with no fancy gadgets like an X-ray scanner.

Fast forward a week, and Mina is still in pain. Hesitating due to her expired travel insurance and worries about potential costs, she eventually seeks further medical help. Lucky for her, the local healthcare system covers the aftermath of her accident.

Now, let’s talk real talk for a moment. Sure, paying for insurance upfront might feel like a spend, especially when everything’s smooth sailing. But, take it from Mina – when the unexpected hits during a year-long adventure, it’s worth every penny.

Here’s the lowdown for all you fellow wanderers considering the insurance debate:

• Well-being First: Prioritize your health; it’s the key to unlocking your dreams and conquering your goals.

• Emergency Preparedness: Medical emergencies can strike anywhere, and being in an unfamiliar place increases the odds of falling ill.

• Treatment Price Tags: Be mindful of the price tags tied to treatments, especially considering the type of care you might need and the country you find yourself in – costs can quickly pile up.

• Financial Peace of Mind: Imagine having a safety net; with insurance, you can rush to the doctor without hesitating, ensuring your well-being comes first, not financial worries.

• Travel Savvy: Before you set out on your adventures, be proactive – check out the extent of your coverage in the local healthcare system of your destination. Sometimes, your payment card subscription also includes a travel insurance with conditional coverage. It’s a savvy move for a smooth and worry-free journey.

※ So, get this—Mina actually met her life partner thanks to that incident! But hey, even with those unexpected love twists, we still say having insurance is a smart move.

Why we chose Genki insurance

Thanks to our myriad adventures, we’ve gained some experience with insurances for travellers. With a plethora of options catering to diverse needs, selecting the right one can be challenging. Here’s why we opted for Genki on our journey across Eurasia:

What is Genki

Genki stands out as a German company specializing in health insurance crafted explicitly for Digital Nomads and World Residents. This unique product is backed by the reputable names of Dr. Walter and Allianz, well-known entities in the European insurance realm.

Genki provides two distinct plans: Genki Explorer and Genki Resident. The latter encompasses all the features of the first plan and offers enhanced overall coverage along with a host of additional features.

The term genki finds its roots in the Japanese kanji “元気”, translating to “good health,” “lively,” and “energetic.” It perfectly encapsulates the essence of what their health insurance aims to promote for the dynamic and on-the-go lifestyle of digital nomads.

※ We love this name!

What plan we chose

We opted for the Genki Explorer insurance plan for our Eurasian journey, anticipating that we would not participate in high-risk sports or activities like skydiving or bungee jumping, and judging that our health (eyes,teeth and mental) was a in great condition before starting our adventure. This plan perfectly met all our specific requirements.

What is covered by Genki Explorer

• ✔ Any citizen, any country, aged from 0 to 69.
• ✔ Emergencies in your home country 42 days per half year
• ✔ Inpatient & outpatient treatment
• ✔ Any hospital & doctor
• ✔ Medication & materials
• ✔ Medical transport
• ✔ COVID-19 treatment
• ✔ Sexually transmitted diseases
• ✔ No overall cost limits
• ✔ All sports except the high-risk activities listed below
• ✔ Dental health (pain relief & accident treatment)
• ✔ Mental health (emergency & outpatient primary care)
• ✔ Pregnancy

What is NOT covered by Genki Explorer

• ❌ Pre-existing conditions*
• ❌ High-risk sports: base jumping, bungee jumping, diving, parachuting & -gliding, racing and skydiving*
• ❌ Rehabilitation*
• ❌ Manual therapy*
• ❌ Eye health*
• ❌ Vaccination*
• ❌ Pre-existing pregnancy
• ❌ Liability
• ❌ Belongings
• ❌ Vehicles

The lists above are not exhaustive but are meant to give you a clear overview of what you can expect from this insurance.

*: items covered by Genki Resident.

Additional features

The following features are also included in the Genki Explorer plan:

• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Direct billing (any hospital)
• Repatriation to your home country
• Connectivity with Air Doctor application to organize your medical appointments all around the world, offers the possibility to bill the insurance directly

Signing Up

You can subscribe online by following our referral link here ».

The process is fairly simple as you can complete it online without any additional paperwork. For instance, providing a proof of residency is not required.

The subscription process is flexible, allowing you to join or interrupt your subscription anytime and anywhere, even while on your journey. However, please be aware of the 14-day waiting period after signing up, during which coverage is partial. Once this period concludes, you enjoy full 100% coverage.

Regarding the payment method, we provided our debit cards details and proceeded to be charged monthly. The process was also seamless.

Our impressions on Genki

First and foremost, the ease of signing up is noteworthy. The entire process is conveniently conducted online, demanding only a mere ten minutes of your time. Unlike some competitors, Genki doesn’t burden you with additional documentation, such as intricate travel plans or proof of residency.

Completing the sign-up is a breeze, requiring payment for the initial insured month. Subsequent charges occur on the same day monthly, eliminating the need for a hefty upfront annual payment. While the plan offers flexibility with the option to interrupt at any time, timely payments are crucial to maintaining uninterrupted benefits.

The quality of service is evident across the board, from customer support to the intricacies of their insurance plans. Notably, even the basic plan covers extended hospital stays, including treatment and transportation fees for a relative, showcasing their client-centric approach.

Genki also shines through their responsiveness in situations like customizing insurance certificates to meet specific visa application requirements for various meticulous countries.

Where’s the catch?

Well, the only thing that we wished they had was a liability insurance. Genki focuses solely on health insurance for travelers, excluding liability coverage and coverage for personal belongings. Actually, this absence aligns with our preferences, resulting in more cost-effective plans compared to standard travel insurance.

Additional benefits, such as coverage in your home country for a limited period, integration with the Air Doctor app for global medical appointments, and direct billing to hospitals, contribute to the overall appeal.

In conclusion, we are currently touring across Eurasia by tandem bicycle, and chose Genki Explorer to power our safety on the way. Our experience with them has been tremendously positive so far. After this adventure finishes, we might consider to upgrade our plan to Genki Resident, which seems to align with our lifestyle and personalities.

※ If you decide to go with this insurance, please support us by using our affiliate link here ».