An insurance broker specializing in international insurance for 30 years

Geodesk designs customized insurance solutions to protect your employees on business trips worldwide, including in sensitive countries and high-risk areas.

You are

Each profile comes with its own set of challenges. Choose yours to find the coverage that best suits your situation abroad.

What is international insurance, and who is it for?

International health insurance is a policy designed to protect you when you leave France and/or the European Union, and your usual health insurance plan no longer covers you—or provides insufficient coverage—particularly for medical care.

As soon as a person travels abroad—whether for an extended professional or personal stay—they fall under the scope of international insurance: employees on assignment or living abroad, NGO volunteers, executives, expatriate families, students, travelers, and individuals on Working Holiday Visas are all covered by appropriate insurance. The right coverage depends not only on the destination country, but also on each individual’s status, the length of the stay, and the level of medical care expected while abroad.

Your Situation Based on Your Profile

→ Services: International mobility, directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance, cybersecurity, and ISO 31030 compliance. Geodesk keeps your employees safe while traveling abroad on business.

→ NGOs & Institutions: Humanitarian mission insurance in high-risk areas: assistance, medical evacuation, ransom payment, liability coverage, and emergency medical care for your field teams.

→ Expatriates & Assignees: Expatriate health insurance that covers costs from the first euro, either as a supplement to or in lieu of Social Security, for any long-term assignment abroad.

→ International students: Insurance for internships and study abroad: medical coverage, liability coverage, and repatriation coverage for your studies outside of France.

→ Journalists & Media: Insurance for reporters in war zones: repatriation assistance, equipment insurance, and medical evacuation, tailored to terrain and war zones that are often excluded from standard insurance policies.

→ Individuals: Short- and long-term travel insurance for trips abroad: health coverage, assistance, repatriation, trip cancellation, and luggage coverage

Our Insurance Plans

Discover our four insurance categories. Each one addresses a specific need and lets you travel with peace of mind, no matter where you’re going, with plans tailored to your profile and the length of your stay.

International Mobility, Health & Life Insurance, Assistance & Repatriation

Health, long-term care, liability, assistance, and repatriation: Geodesk tailors insurance coverage for your employees on international assignments

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High-Risk Area Insurance, Kidnapping & Ransom, Cybersecurity

Coverage for business trips and one-time assignments: emergency medical expenses, assistance, and repatriation, with optional coverage extensions for high-risk destinations.

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General Liability, D&O Liability  of Executives

We provide civil and criminal liability coverage for executives facing risks abroad, and help organizations structure their ISO 31030 compliance

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International Insurance for Individuals

Insurance coverage designed for long-term expatriation: health, life and accident insurance, and personal and professional liability coverage abroad—for you, your spouse, and your children. Tailored to specific visas, such as the Working Holiday Visa (PVT).

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Our Expertise

At Geodesk, we support companies and organizations in the comprehensive management of their international risks by combining expertise, regulatory compliance, and operational analysis of complex environments.

INSURANCE OPTIMIZATION

We review your existing policies to verify what is actually covered outside the European Union. For equivalent coverage, this review often reveals duplicate coverage, overlooked exclusions, and opportunities to save on your premium rates.

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AUDIT & CONSULTING

We review your existing contracts to verify what is actually covered and assist you in setting up customized contracts tailored to your needs and destination countries.

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COMPLIANCE WITH ISO 31030 STANDARD

Business Travel Risk Management

COMPLIANCE WITH ISO 31030 STANDARD

Professional Liability, D&O, and Duty of Care Insurance for International Operations: Meet Your Legal Obligations Toward Your Employees on Assignment and Protect Your Executives Against the Risk of Personal Liability

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Insurance for High-Risk Areas & Safety

Insurance for high-risk areas, security, and emergency evacuation for companies and NGOs operating in unstable countries—keep your employees safe with dedicated international insurance

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How to Choose International Health Insurance?

Before purchasing a policy, carefully review these criteria. These are the criteria that Geodesk analyzes during each audit before recommending the right insurance policy for you.

1. Specific Warranties

Beyond routine care, check for any gaps on the day of the claim: coverage limits specific to intensive care and resuscitation, coverage for chronic conditions and pre-existing conditions, maternity care, dental and vision care, and consistency between employees’ status and their insurance policies (contractors, consultants, expats, spouses, and children are often overlooked).

2. Geographic scope: medical care abroad vs. France

Two policies that claim to offer “worldwide coverage” do not provide the same level of protection. Check the specific list of geographic exclusions, how high-risk areas are handled (a country’s situation can change rapidly), whether there are coverage extensions for sensitive destinations, and whether coverage extends to transit countries—not just the final destination.

3. The Quality of Assistance and Repatriation

A support platform isn’t judged by what’s on paper but by its actual responsiveness: 24/7 availability, 365 days a year; the presence of medical dispatchers; languages spoken on-site; and the actual response time, which varies by country and time zone. Medical repatriation is a critical benefit whose terms vary significantly from one policy to another, whether it involves medical repatriation, early return due to a serious family emergency, or repatriation of remains.

4. Repayment Options & Limits

A high overall coverage limit can mask insufficient sub-limits. The question to ask is simple: Does the coverage limit cover the actual cost of hospitalization in the country you’re traveling to? A serious hospitalization in the United States can result in medical expenses running into tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros. Also check the deductibles and waiting periods.

5. Direct billing (third-party payment)

In the event of hospitalization, does the insurer pay the facility directly, or do you have to pay the costs up front before being reimbursed? The difference is crucial: when abroad, it’s not always possible to come up with several thousand euros in advance. Choose policies that offer direct payment and advance reimbursement.

6. Clarity of the Contract

A clear contract is one that protects you. Exclusions, definitions of “high-risk areas,” and the conditions for triggering coverage must be explicit. Vague coverage can lead to unpleasant surprises when a claim is filed.

7 Your Dedicated Contact Person

Will you have someone to call who is already familiar with your case—from the initial contact through to the claim—or just an anonymous number? At Geodesk, every client has a dedicated contact person. During an emergency in the field—such as a suspected case of typhoid in Nepal, for example—we were able to respond in less than an hour because a contact person was already familiar with the case. That’s what our expatriate clients value most: responsiveness and the human touch behind the policy.

Our Subscription Process

Initial Contact

Fill out our online form, specifying the specific needs related to your travel, your assignment abroad, or your business trip. A dedicated representative—based on the type of insurance—will handle your case.

Needs Assessment & Insurance Audit

We review your situation and existing contracts, then we carefully identify your needs to develop coverage that is truly tailored to you—country by country and profile by profile. We identify high-risk areas within each country in less than 48 hours.

Submission of a Proposal

We are sending you a draft of your contract. You have plenty of time before your trip to let us know if you have any comments or changes.

Approval & Contract

Together, we’ll review your finalized contract. All you have to do is sign it to complete your enrollment, and then you can set off with complete peace of mind, knowing exactly what’s covered.

Initial Contact

Needs Assessment & Insurance Audit

Submission of a Proposal

We are sending you a draft of your contract. You have plenty of time before your trip to let us know if you have any comments or changes.

Approval & Contract

Together, we’ll review your finalized contract. All you have to do is sign it to complete your enrollment, and then you can set off with complete peace of mind, knowing exactly what’s covered.

Find the insurance that meets your needs

Our policyholders share their experiences with us

For our team, nothing is more valuable than the relationship of trust that develops over the course of our support. Here’s what the people we protect have to say about it.

Education Initiative

C. Grandin

Head of General Services

“Geodesk has been working with us for years, consistently providing insightful proposals and recommendations. The team is extremely responsive, which allows us to make the necessary decisions quickly when needed.”

SOS Christians of the East

F.X. Gicquel

Operations Managers

“After years of working with GEODESK, we remain just as satisfied with their management of our contracts and their proactive approach to the new challenges of a changing world. Their contribution was particularly crucial during difficult times, and their responsiveness was a valuable asset in enabling us to act as quickly as possible.”

IRAM

R. Lesag

RAF

“The Geodesk team took the time to thoroughly review all of our insurance policies to ensure they were appropriate. While maintaining equivalent coverage, their analysis enabled us to significantly reduce our costs while ensuring our employees have the coverage they need to carry out their duties with peace of mind. Their responsiveness and the quality of our interactions are also real assets that we appreciate every day.”

MEHAD

I. Patcha

Logistics & General Services Coordinator

“Geodesk provides us with reliable and responsive support in managing our teams’ international travel. In our operational context, this flexibility and quality of service are particularly valuable.”

GERES

Laure

"The Geodesk team has been supporting us consistently and reliably for the past four years."

AFRANE

F. Pinto

“GEODESK has been working with us for eight years and has always been able to fully meet our specific needs: those of an NGO operating in Afghanistan, a particularly complex country with significant risks; and those of a small organization requiring customized solutions and a high degree of adaptability to the context. Throughout this partnership, GEODESK has demonstrated a willingness to listen, responsiveness, and support that is perfectly tailored to our challenges.”

BIOFORCE

K. Klein

HR Director

"GEODESK is our exclusive partner in ensuring quality coverage for our employees and trainers while they are on the move all over the world. We appreciate the quality of our interactions with all of our dedicated contacts, who are always attentive to our needs."

CartONG

L. Cailloce

Administrative and Logistics Officer

“Your speed and responsiveness ensure that we always receive our insurance certificates on time for our employees working in the field, even when we notify you relatively late. This is something we greatly appreciate, and it’s a relief to know that we can count on you in this regard.”

Some figures

years of expertise

490

clients served (microbusinesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, multinational corporations, expatriates, and self-employed individuals)

150

countries covered

French schools and high schools abroad are protected

of satisfied customers.
A lasting relationship built on trust, based on active listening, responsiveness, and personalized support.

years of expertise

490

clients served (microbusinesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, multinational corporations, expatriates, and self-employed individuals)

150

countries covered

French schools and high schools abroad are protected

of satisfied customers.
A lasting relationship built on trust, based on active listening, responsiveness, and personalized support.

Our Belief

For 30 years, Geodesk has been a 100% international insurance broker. Our team designs customized solutions for complex situations—including in sensitive and high-risk areas—to protect your employees, your loved ones, and your business operations around the world. We don’t use standard policies: each coverage plan is negotiated and tailored to the realities on the ground. Geodesk makes your peace of mind its top priority.

Behind every mission,
there are employees to protect

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about international health insurance. For more specific inquiries, please contact us: we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

International health insurance or local insurance: What are the benefits?

Local insurance ends at the customs checkpoint and is limited to medical care in a single country, with coverage limits that are sometimes low and reimbursement based on the local healthcare system. International health insurance follows you from one country to another, covers hospitalization at the actual local cost, includes assistance and repatriation, and remains valid even if you change your country of assignment. For mobility that extends beyond a single destination, international coverage is the only option that guarantees continuous protection.

What coverage is essential in an international insurance policy?

Repatriation and medical assistance. In the event of a serious accident or severe illness, medical repatriation to France or a suitable medical facility can cost tens of thousands of euros, especially from a remote area. As an expatriate, for example, you are more vulnerable when it comes to your health, so your coverage must be robust.
Emergency medical expenses. Hospitalization, surgery, intensive care: Direct coverage eliminates the need to pay substantial amounts out of pocket when an unexpected illness arises.
Individual Accident and Life Insurance. Benefits paid in the event of death, disability, or temporary inability to work: protection for the individual and their loved ones.
Professional or personal liability insurance and legal protection abroad, including criminal defense.
Special Risks: Prevention and Safety, Abduction, Disappearance, Kidnapping, and Ransom. Purchase coverage before your business trip abroad to handle these emergency situations as calmly as possible.

A good international insurance policy must cover all the actual risks (especially health-related risks) you may encounter while traveling, whether they are related to the environment (wars, acts of terrorism, assault) or to your activities. This is precisely where Geodesk comes in.

What are the average costs and reimbursement procedures?

The cost of international health insurance depends on the country of residence, age, the duration of coverage, the level of coverage, and whether the policy provides coverage from the first euro or supplements Social Security. There are two reimbursement methods: direct payment, where the insurer pays the healthcare provider directly, and reimbursement after you’ve paid upfront, where you’re reimbursed after making the payment. For a major hospitalization—particularly in the United States, where medical expenses can reach tens of thousands of euros—direct payment prevents you from having to pay an upfront amount you might not be able to afford.

Can you remain enrolled in the French social security system as an expatriate?

Yes, by enrolling in the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE), which allows you to remain enrolled in the French Social Security system while living abroad. However, the CFE reimburses based on French rates, which are often much lower than the actual cost of medical care abroad. It is therefore almost always combined with international supplemental insurance, which covers out-of-pocket expenses and benefits not covered by the CFE. Depending on your situation, coverage starting from the first euro may also be more advantageous than a CFE plus supplemental insurance plan: this is one of the factors we evaluate during the audit.

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for an Expat?

There is no such thing as the “best” insurance or health plan in absolute terms: there is only the policy best suited to your country, your status, and your family. The right choice depends on the actual geographic coverage, the coverage limits and sub-limits (including intensive care), the quality of assistance and repatriation services, whether direct payment is available, and the clarity of exclusions. As a broker, Geodesk compares offers from the leading insurers on the market and then objectively guides you toward the plan that truly protects your specific situation.

What are the common exclusions and limitations in insurance policies?

The most common limitations go unnoticed at the time of purchase: exclusion of war and terrorism risks in standard travel policies, no coverage for local national staff, sub-limits on intensive care within a high overall limit, no coverage for transit countries, waiting periods, deductibles, and gaps in coverage in the event of a change in status during the term of the policy (a consultant whose status changes, a stay that extends into an expatriation). Geodesk systematically checks for these blind spots during its audit.

How can you compare coverage and rates among insurers?

Comparing two quotes isn’t just about the listed price. Even at the same price, one policy may exclude coverage that another provides. A meaningful comparison focuses on the relationship between the reimbursement limit and the actual cost of care in the target country, on sub-limits, on whether direct payment is available, on the responsiveness of the assistance service, and on the clarity of the exclusions. This is the work Geodesk does for you: a comparative analysis that evaluates the options on the market based on concrete criteria, not just price.

How do I sign up, and what are the eligibility requirements?

The enrollment process begins with an initial consultation and an assessment of your needs, followed by a customized proposal and then contract approval. Eligibility requirements depend on your profile (employee, expatriate, student, individual), the country of residence, and the duration of coverage. Request a quote: a dedicated representative will guide you through every step.