Pulsar or Allianz Travel in Mexico: what actually changes when you need a doctor abroad?
Allianz Travel is the consumer travel brand Allianz Partners uses in Mexico, sold to Mexican residents who need medical assistance for a trip abroad. This page reads the conditions it publishes and sets them next to Pulsar's, so you can see where the two differ before you pay for either.
We compared Allianz Travel's Intermedio and Premium plans, and the conditions document titled "Allianz Travel Internacional Premium", with Pulsar's Standard (USD 50,000) and Superior (USD 100,000) plans.
Who is behind Allianz Travel in Mexico, and who do you deal with?
Allianz's own pages say Allianz Travel is a brand of AWP México, S.A. de C.V., and that the coverage is provided by Allianz México, S.A. Compañía de Seguros [1][5]. The conditions list 800 006 6634 inside Mexico, 1 866 334 5873 from the United States and +52 (55) 5377 3838 collect from the rest of the world [1].
Pulsar is sold by Asteroid LLC in Aventura, Florida. Assistance and claims are run by MDabroad (US & UK Medical Abroad, LLC), in international medical assistance since 2000, with 85,000+ contracted providers in 150+ countries. Medical benefits are insured by the insurer named in the voucher email [9].
What are the medical limits?
The Allianz conditions document we read lists "Asistencia Médica por Accidente Grave o Enfermedad Grave" at USD 60,000, one event per trip [1]. On the plan pages, Intermedio shows USD 60,000 in medical emergencies and Premium shows USD 75,000 [2][3].
The figures in the document and on the plan pages do not line up one for one (for example, the document prints baggage loss at USD 2,000, while the Intermedio page shows USD 1,000) [1][2]. Check which table applies to the certificate you are issued.
Pulsar's medical limits per person are USD 30,000 (Basic), USD 50,000 (Standard), USD 100,000 (Superior) and USD 150,000 (Prime). On trips to Europe, Basic is EUR 30,000, the Schengen minimum [9].
What about pre-existing conditions?
Allianz defines a pre-existing condition as an illness or injury present before the day you bought the plan "o en cualquier momento en los 120 días antes de la fecha de compra" [that is, "or at any time in the 120 days before the purchase date"] (Definiciones) [1]. Anything resulting from it is excluded from the main medical cover, and a separate benefit pays only for the first consultation, up to USD 300 [1].
The same document lists, among its general exclusions, "El cáncer y todos sus tratamientos" [cancer and all its treatments] (item 29) [1]. Its general exclusions also name hypertension and its consequences (item 16), and oncological illnesses, cardiovascular disorders and chronic respiratory disease "sean estas conocidas o no por el Usuario" [whether or not the user knew of them] [1].
Pulsar does not cover pre-existing conditions, with one exception: an acute heart attack or stroke is covered regardless of history. An optional upgrade (USD 15,000 or 20,000) covers acute episodes of listed chronic conditions [9].
Is there an age limit, and what changes after 65?
Allianz's document says that for people aged 75 to 85, the limits of the purchased services are reduced to 50 percent, and gives 85 as the maximum age [1].
Pulsar sells up to age 85 at purchase. From 65, the medical limit applies at 75 percent [9]. A 70-year-old buying Superior has USD 75,000 of medical limit with Pulsar. The Allianz document we read applies its reduction from 75 [1].
How long can the trip be?
Allianz's FAQ states that the maximum length of an insured trip is 180 days [4]. The conditions document does not state a maximum [1]. Pulsar's maximum is 180 days, with up to 9 travelers per quote [9].
Is there a deductible?
The Allianz conditions document mentions no deductible [1]. Pulsar's plans sold on the site have none [9].
How do you get care: call first, or pay and claim?
Allianz's conditions oblige the user, in every case and for every assistance service, to get Allianz Travel's authorization before taking any initiative or committing any expense. If an emergency makes contact impossible, the user may go to the nearest emergency service and must notify Allianz Travel within 24 hours; otherwise no emergency expenses are reimbursed [1]. The hospital bill is paid directly when the user calls immediately, the stay is longer than 24 hours and the hospital is in Allianz's provider network; otherwise payment is by reimbursement [1]. The document also calls the medical cover "de carácter secundario" [secondary]: if you have health insurance, you claim there first [1]. The FAQ says Allianz Travel presents a payment guarantee to providers and, if a hospital does not accept it, reimburses the expense [4].
With Pulsar, you call first, and at an in-network clinic the clinic bills Pulsar directly. People answer 24/7 by phone at +1 (786) 257-0040 and on WhatsApp at +1 (786) 414-1901, in Spanish, English or Portuguese [9]. In the US, members use Aetna's network [9].
How long does a reimbursement take?
Allianz's conditions say a claim must be reported within 15 calendar days of the event, and documents delivered within 30 calendar days of the notice, without extension [1]. Its FAQ gives a maximum resolution time of 10 days from receipt of all requested documents [4]. The conditions themselves do not state a payment deadline [1].
For Pulsar, check the issued plan terms for reimbursement timelines.
Is there telemedicine?
Allianz's document describes "Orientación Médica Telefónica", a free phone call with its medical team, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for minor problems and symptoms that are not emergencies. It states that no diagnosis, medical treatment or prescription is issued [1].
Pulsar includes unlimited telemedicine on every plan, with no charge per consultation and nothing counted against the medical limit [9].
What currency are you charged in, and can you cancel?
The Allianz conditions state that payments under the certificate are settled in national currency under Mexican monetary law, while its limits are printed in US dollars [1]. They do not state in which currency the premium is charged [1]. You can cancel for a refund of the certificate cost within 5 business days of purchase, if the trip has not begun and no claim has been filed [1].
Pulsar charges in your own currency (COP, MXN, PEN, CLP and others) at the prior day's market rate plus 1 percent, rounded up. Cancellation brings a full refund within 10 days if the trip has not started and nothing was used; after that, 80 percent back or a free date change until 3 business days before cover starts [9][6].
What happens if a flight is delayed?
Allianz's document includes a missed-connection benefit of up to USD 500 per trip, triggered by a delay of at least 6 hours on the connecting flight, for meals and lodging. You must contact Allianz Travel within 24 hours and provide the airline's certification of the cause [1]. Baggage delay pays up to USD 300 [1]. The plan pages also list a "Servicio de demora de viaje" (USD 800 on Intermedio, USD 1,600 on Premium) [2][3].
Pulsar reimburses reasonable expenses for delays over 12 consecutive hours (clause 38) [6]. Flight delay, with Blink Parametric: register your flight 24 hours ahead and get a lounge pass if it is delayed, live now. An automatic USD 50 payment for a delay of 2 hours or more is coming November 2026. Eligible flights per the terms on your voucher.
Which sports are excluded?
Allianz's exclusions list dangerous sports, among them motorcycling, skydiving and mountaineering [1]. Read that clause for your activity before you buy, since the list is long.
When might Allianz Travel be the better choice?
If you need a higher emergency-transport figure, Allianz's Premium plan page shows USD 1,000,000 for that service, and it lists a trip-cancellation limit of USD 20,000 [3]. Pulsar's plans are defined by the medical limit per person [9], so a traveler who mainly wants trip-cancellation money will find more on the Allianz page.
If you expect several trips within a year, Allianz Travel sells an "Anual" plan valid for multiple trips within 365 days [5].
Age matters in one direction in Allianz's favor: a 68-year-old buying from Allianz meets no reduction in the document we read, which starts at 75, while Pulsar applies 75 percent of the limit from 65 [1][9].
How do I choose?
- Read the pre-existing clause and count the look-back period. Ask what is paid for a flare-up of an old condition.
- Check the age rules for the oldest traveler: where the reduction starts and what limit remains.
- Find out whether you must call before any expense, and who pays the clinic.
- Look for a written payment deadline and the currency used for the charge and the refund.
Sources
- Condiciones Generales de los Allianz Travel (Allianz Travel Internacional Premium), AWP México, B2CPNMX_2.0. https://www.allianztravel.com.mx/content/dam/onemarketing/awp/allianztravel-com-mx/documents/condiciones-generales/B2CPIMX_2_Condiciones_Generales_Premium_Internacional.pdf (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Asistencia de Viaje Intermedio, Allianz Travel México. https://www.allianztravel.com.mx/asistencia-de-viaje/planes/asistencia-de-viaje-intermedio.html (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Asistencia de Viaje Premium, Allianz Travel México. https://www.allianztravel.com.mx/asistencia-de-viaje/planes/asistencia-de-viaje-premium.html (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Preguntas frecuentes, Allianz Travel México. https://www.allianztravel.com.mx/informacion-consejos/preguntas-frecuentes.html (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Allianz Travel México. https://www.allianztravel.com.mx/ (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Pulsar terms. https://pulsar.travel/terms/ (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- The Pulsar Promise. https://pulsar.travel/pulsar-promise/ (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Flight Delay Benefit. https://pulsar.travel/flight-delay-benefit/ (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Pulsar in full. https://pulsar.travel/llms-full.txt (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
This comparison uses the conditions and pages Allianz Travel publishes, read on 1 October 2026 (sources above). Conditions change and vary by plan and country: check the current document before you buy. Pulsar is not affiliated with Allianz Travel. Brand names belong to their owners.