ACS

A Paris broker, not an insurer

ACS is an insurance broker. Its legal information page names the company as Assurances Courtages et Services (ACS), an "Insurance brokerage company," with its head office at 153, rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris, France. The same page states that "ACS is registered at ORIAS" (the French register of insurance, banking and finance intermediaries) "under the number 07 000 350," and lists the SIRET number 317 218 188 00074 and the VAT number FR89317218188. A broker arranges cover that an insurer carries, and the ACS Expat page refers to "the insurer" approving cover, but none of the site's pages name that insurer. What the page does name is the claims administrator: "Euro-Center is ACS's partner and acts as your health plan administrator," responsible "for handling claims and organising direct billing with medical providers."

The site sells several plans under its own names: ACS Expat for long-stay expatriates, a senior expatriate health plan for retirees, Globe Traveller and Globe Partner for trips, Europax for Schengen stays, France Long Stay Cover, and Globe WHV and Globe WHV Light for Working Holiday Visa travelers. The ACS Expat page describes the firm as having "a dedicated team of approximately 50 professionals" and "the trust of over 200,000 clients worldwide."

ACS Expat: levels, limits and deductibles

ACS Expat is for "International stays of 12+ months," with "Eligibility for expatriates under 65 years old." Its benefits table has four levels, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with a maximum limit per beneficiary per year of coverage of €/$ 500 000, €/$ 1 000 000, €/$ 2 000 000 and €/$ 3 000 000 respectively. At every level, medical and surgical hospitalization and outpatient day surgery are paid at "100 % of actual costs." Many other lines carry their own caps by level; one example on the table is "Psychiatric hospitalisation (Waiting period: 3 months)." Routine care, dental and optical, and maternity are optional modules. The page also lists direct settlement "for hospital stays over 24 hours, no upfront payment required," teleconsultation with a doctor "24/7, without any upfront payment," and free choice of doctor.

The lowest option, "hospitalisation only," "covers only the costs of hospital stays of more than 24 hours, excluding routine medical consultations, dental or optical care," and includes international medical evacuation and repatriation. Deductibles are chosen at enrollment: "no deductible, €/$500, €/$1,000, €/$5,000 or €/$10,000," applying to all health benefits except assistance. A policyholder can change the deductible once during the policy's lifetime; removing one counts as an increase in cover and needs a new medical questionnaire.

Geography works in zones. Other countries in the same zone are covered on the same terms; the home country is covered "For stays of less than 6 months" within the zone; and other countries are covered in an emergency "during trips of less than 7 weeks." Pricing, the page says, is tailored to the cost of care in the country of residence.

ACS Expat: age, renewal and pre-existing conditions

The FAQ sets the age rules. "The age limit for subscribing to the ACS Expat policy is 64 years. However, once enrolled, you can remain covered with no age limit, as long as your policy is renewed." The policy "is automatically renewed every year on its anniversary date." Individuals, couples and families can enroll; "Children are covered up to their 25th birthday, and partners are eligible up to the age of 65." A newborn can be added without a medical questionnaire if ACS is notified "within 30 days of the birth."

On pre-existing conditions the page is specific: "In general, ACS Expat does not cover pre-existing medical conditions or prior accidents that occurred before the policy start date, whether ongoing or not. However, this exclusion does not apply to pre-existing conditions declared at the time of enrolment and accepted by the insurer." Enrollment runs through a quote form, an advisor, an enrollment form and medical questionnaire, then supporting documents. Premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually "with no extra fees." Upgrading cover is possible only on the renewal date and needs a new questionnaire.

Claims go to Euro-Center. For claims under €/$1,000 the page says to email digital copies; claims over €/$1,000 go by post. Hospital stays over 24 hours can be settled directly if the administrator is contacted beforehand, while dental, optical and prenatal costs are paid up front and claimed back.

The senior plan

The senior expatriate plan is for "Retired expatriates over 60 years old," and the site's plan list says it "Can be subscribed without any age limit and offers lifetime covers." Its page says it can be taken "without a medical questionnaire." Listed benefits include hospitalization, emergency care, oncology, laboratory work, pharmacy, repatriation assistance, dental, optical, preventive care and nursing home care, with "Reimbursements possible in 100 currencies." Premiums "change once a year, on January 1st, according to your age and changes in the general medical consumption index." The page gives a worked example: for "a 66-year-old French expatriate living in Thailand" on Prima Premier hospitalization only cover, "Annual premium without deductible: EUR 5 641" and "Annual premium with a EUR 600 € deductible: EUR 3 959." Choosing a deductible reduces premiums "from 6% to 51%," depending on the amount.

Travel and working holiday plans

The travel insurance page lists starting prices, from "€ 16.50" for Globe Partner to "€ 122.90" for France Long Stay Cover, and says the travel plans carry "No waiting period" and reimburse "in more than 100 different currencies." Globe WHV, for Working Holiday Visa holders, offers "Coverage from the very 1st euro spent with no deductible," direct payment of hospital fees, and "E-claiming for medical expenses under EUR 500." For Canada, the page extends eligibility to Young Professional and Co-op or Internship permit holders, and it says a WHV insurance "is mandatory in many WHV destinations."

Who it suits

ACS suits an expatriate under 65 who wants lifetime cover that renews without an upper age limit, with a choice of four annual maximums and five deductible levels, bought through a broker that sells its own plan names and uses Euro-Center for claims. Retirees over 60 have a separate plan with a published example premium and no medical questionnaire. Working holiday travelers get a no-deductible plan with Canadian permit categories named. The site never says which insurer underwrites the ACS plans.