health insurance

[Lizy]

Hi all,

can anyone give me advice on what company to take out health insurance with when i move to france. I am planning a pregnancy and want to see what they offer and cover. In ireland we have two main private companies called VHI and BUPA.do france have similar or what do expats tend to take out. i will not be working initially so have to take out a private insurance..the main reason i want to join one asap is to ensure i get full benefits if and when i get pregnant.
thanks in advance

[Bevdeforges]

Most expats I know here in France either use the British expat insurance companies or an American insurance provider. The big advantage is that most of the documents and claim forms are in English. But you may find that many expat health insurance plans are based on the insured being retirees, and so make sure you ask specifically about maternity coverage.
Cheers,
Bev

[Lizy]

thanks bev, i will do...do you know any good brittish company. is bupa in france?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Lizy

thanks bev, i will do...do you know any good brittish company. is bupa in france?

Bupa is a British company and probably the best known for expat health insurance. There are others, though. I'm not sure if they all have agents or offices in France, however, though they will certainly cover you while in France. The usual procedure is that you send in your receipts and are reimbursed - so it's not actually necessary that they have a local office in France.

You can google for expat health insurance and find any number of companies. A few names I'm aware of: Bupa, AXA, William Russell, Europe Assistance, PPP and Expacare. There is a Danish company, too, that is said to be very good for expat healthcare and especially for maternity coverage, International Health Insurance Denmark.

I have no experience with this (having been covered by the French national system since I got here), and I don't know how expensive any of the premiums might be.
Cheers,
Bev

[Lizy]

thanks bev for that information will get onto them today for quotes.
cheers,
liz.

[expatinho]

Originally Posted by Lizy

thanks bev for that information will get onto them today for quotes.
cheers,
liz.

Hi Lizy,

I see that you are looking for a private insurer that can offer you health insurance during your stay in France.

I know a new solution, called Indigo, that has been developped by Allianz Worldwide Care and that is directed to expatriates to France.

You can take a look at the website at assurance-sante-expatrie dot net. You can also google Indigo assurance

Sorry, the website is in French, but this solution is available in English as the insurer is located in Dublin. You can also contact them in English, they will be able to answer your questions.