Genki Travel Insurance Review

Genki offers two distinct products. Confusing them is the #1 reason for denied claims.

1. By The Numbers: Costs & Hard Limits

Best for: Healthy backpackers under 40.

The "Emergency" Trap: This is not health insurance. It is accident insurance.

Denied Claims: Users frequently report denials for "minor" issues like ear infections, routine check-ups, or skin rashes if deemed "preventive" or "not acute".
Strict Dental Rule: Emergency dental is covered only for pain relief. Broken teeth are often denied unless caused by a violent external impact (e.g., a car crash or a punch). Biting on a cherry pit and breaking a tooth? Not covered.
Home Country Cap: Coverage in your home country is strictly limited to 6 weeks and only for accidents or life-threatening emergencies. You cannot use it for routine visits while visiting home.

Best for: Expats needing a primary insurance replacement.

Native Basic vs. Premium:

Basic (€180/mo) is essentially "Traveler" but renewable for life. It excludes dental, vision, and preventive care. You are paying purely for the lifetime renewability and higher home-country access.
Premium (€260/mo) is the only plan that acts like "real" insurance.
- Dental Cap: Capped at €2,000/year. Major work (crowns, bridges) has a 12-month waiting period.
- Cleaning: Limited to €200/year.
- Maternity: Strict 12-month waiting period. If you are already pregnant, you are not covered.
- Alternative Medicine: Includes €500/year for chiropractic/acupuncture, which some users complain inflates the price unnecessarily as it cannot be removed.

Age Discrimination in Pricing: Prices skyrocket after age 40. A 55-year-old on Native Premium pays over €700/month—often more expensive than local private insurance in countries like Spain, Portugal, or Thailand.
Pre-existing Conditions:
- Traveler: 100% Excluded. No exceptions.
- Native: Requires a full medical questionnaire. Users report that declaring any recent surgery or chronic condition often leads to automatic rejection or significant permanent surcharges.
Claim Payout Speed: While small claims are often fast, trustpilot reviews highlight a trend of "Ghosting" on larger claims (>€1,000). Users report weeks of silence or being bounced between Genki (the broker) and DR-WALTER (the insurer).

Buy Genki Traveler IF: You are under 35, healthy, and only need coverage for "if I get hit by a bus." Do not buy it if you expect to see a doctor for a flu or check-up.
Buy Genki Native IF: You are stateless/nomadic with no base, need a visa-compliant letter, and are under 50.
AVOID IF: You need coverage for a pre-existing condition, are over 55 (too expensive), or want immediate dental/maternity coverage (waiting periods will block you).