Pulsar or Assist 365: what actually changes when you need a doctor abroad?
Assist 365 sells travel assistance plans under that name, with short-trip plans and annual multi-trip plans among them [1]. This page reads the general and particular conditions it publishes next to Pulsar's terms, clause by clause, so you can see what each contract asks of you when something goes wrong.
The conditions we read do not print one table of medical limits per plan. Their text points the benefits to the voucher you contract [1]. So this is a comparison of contracts, not of plan amounts.
Is Assist 365 insurance, and who is behind it?
Their conditions say no. Section I reads: "los planes de ASSIST 365, no constituyen bajo ningún motivo un seguro o producto afín" [the ASSIST 365 plans are in no case insurance or a related product] [1]. The document names ASSIST 365 and prints no company name in the text we read [1].
Pulsar is sold by Asteroid LLC in Aventura, Florida. Assistance and claims are run by MDabroad (US & UK Medical Abroad, LLC), and medical benefits are insured by the insurer named in the voucher email [5].
How are the plans organized?
The conditions name a "Viajes Cortos" category and annual plans called Multitrip, Multitrip Plus and Multitrip Premium. They also list upgrades: Embarazo, Tecnología Protegida, Cancelación Multi Causa, Rotura de Equipaje, Responsabilidad Civil and Cobertura Deportiva [1]. Benefits are expressed in US dollars (section VIII) [1].
Pulsar has four plans, with medical limits per person of USD 30,000 (Basic; EUR 30,000 on Europe trips), USD 50,000 (Standard), USD 100,000 (Superior) and USD 150,000 (Prime). The plans sold on the site have no deductible [5].
Do I have to call before going to the doctor?
Yes. Section VI makes it an obligation to "Solicitar y obtener la autorización de la Central de Asistencia antes de tomar cualquier iniciativa o comprometer cualquier gasto" [request and obtain the authorization of the Assistance Center before taking any initiative or committing any expense], and to report the event within 48 hours at the latest [1]. The text says that without it "no procederán reintegros algunos" [no reimbursements will proceed] [1].
With Pulsar you call first too. In network, the clinic bills Pulsar directly. People answer 24/7 by phone and WhatsApp in Spanish, English or Portuguese [5].
How do reimbursements work, and how long do they take?
Section VII gives the traveler 30 continuous days after the voucher ends to submit documents. After they are received, Assist 365 has up to 15 continuous days to ask for missing ones, then 15 business days to analyze the case and issue an approval or denial letter. If approved, payment follows "en 15 días" [within 15 days] of receiving the complete data in writing [1].
For Pulsar, check the issued plan terms for reimbursement timelines.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Section XI excludes "Enfermedades crónicas o preexistentes, definidas, o recurrentes, padecidas con anterioridad al inicio de la vigencia del plan y/o del viaje" [chronic or pre-existing, defined or recurrent illnesses suffered before the plan or trip began], known or not, with their flare-ups and consequences [1].
Item 2 of the same section lists conditions that "no tendrán cobertura, bajo ningún beneficio" [will have no cover under any benefit], including "infarto al miocardio", "ACV" (stroke), cancer and pneumonia [1]. Pulsar goes the other way on those two: acute heart attack and stroke are covered regardless of history. An optional pre-existing upgrade (USD 15,000 or 20,000) covers acute episodes of listed chronic conditions [5].
Is there an age limit, and what changes from 65?
Section II states "Límite de edad: 85 años inclusive, teniendo un 50% de recargo desde los 75 hasta los 85 años" [age limit: 85 inclusive, with a 50% surcharge from 75 to 85] [1]. The conditions do not state a reduction in the medical limit at a given age.
Pulsar's maximum age is 85 at purchase. From 65 the medical limit applies at 75 percent [5].
How long can a trip be?
Plans in the "Viajes Cortos" category have "una vigencia máxima de 90 días consecutivos de viaje" [a maximum validity of 90 consecutive days of travel] (section III) [1].
Pulsar's maximum trip is 180 days, with up to 9 travelers per quote [5].
Is there telemedicine?
Yes, as "Médico Online 24 horas": virtual general-medicine appointments for mild ailments, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with recommendations and prescriptions as the symptoms require (section IX) [1]. The conditions do not state a limit on the number of consultations or whether they count against a medical limit.
Pulsar includes unlimited telemedicine on every plan, at no charge per consultation and with nothing counted against the medical limit [5].
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Section IX applies when the flight is delayed more than 6 consecutive hours from the originally scheduled time. It reimburses lodging, food and communications up to the voucher limit, against original receipts and a certificate from the airline [1].
Pulsar today reimburses reasonable expenses for delays over 12 consecutive hours (clause 38) [2]. 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.
Can I cancel and get my money back?
Section I says that once the voucher's validity has started, the traveler cannot change or extend the product and no cancellation proceeds "por ninguna razón" [for any reason] [1]. The conditions we read do not state a refund rule for cancelling before cover begins.
Pulsar refunds in full within 10 days of purchase 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 [2][5].
How am I charged?
Their benefits are expressed in US dollars (section VIII) [1]. Reimbursements may be paid in the local currency of the country of residence given at purchase, or in US dollars at their choice where the law allows, at the official rate on the day of payment (section VII) [1]. The conditions do not say in which currency the plan is charged to you.
Pulsar charges in your own currency (COP, MXN, PEN, CLP and others) at the prior day's market rate plus 1 percent, rounded up. A refund is the same amount in the same currency [5].
Anything unusual in their conditions?
Three points. Coverage is worldwide, but "Se excluye en todo caso el país de residencia habitual del Beneficiario" [the beneficiary's country of habitual residence is always excluded] (section IV) [1]. A hospitalized traveler keeps cover for the hospital room only for up to eight additional days after the voucher ends (section III) [1]. And a new voucher bought once the trip has started, or after the earlier one has ended, is issued "con 3 (tres) días de carencia para cualquier otro gasto contemplado dentro de la tabla de coberturas" [with a 3-day waiting period for any other expense in the coverage table] [1].
When might Assist 365 be the better choice?
Several cases are real. If your flight is delayed 8 hours, their conditions start paying after 6; Pulsar's current trigger is 12 [1][2]. If you play high-risk sports, they sell a Cobertura Deportiva upgrade, and Pulsar's terms should be read first on sports [1][2]. If you take several trips a year, they publish Multitrip annual plans with trips of up to 30, 60 or 90 days each, sold up to age 74 (section III) [1]; Pulsar's facts list a maximum of 180 days per trip [5]. If you want pregnancy, protected-technology or broken-luggage add-ons, those are listed as upgrades [1].
How do I choose?
Four checks work for any product. First, ask which clause sets the medical limit and whether it is per person or per event. Second, read what happens if you cannot call before treatment. Third, read the pre-existing clause and any list of conditions excluded under every benefit. Fourth, find the reimbursement steps and their deadlines in writing, and compare them with what you are promised elsewhere.
Sources
- Assist 365, Condiciones Generales y Particulares (Condiciones_Generales_y_Particulares_WM2026JN.pdf). https://assistcdn.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets/site/ccgg/Condiciones_Generales_y_Particulares_WM2026JN.pdf (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Pulsar terms. https://pulsar.travel/terms/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- The Pulsar Promise. https://pulsar.travel/pulsar-promise/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Pulsar Flight Delay Benefit. https://pulsar.travel/flight-delay-benefit/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Pulsar product summary. https://pulsar.travel/llms-full.txt (accessed 2026-10-01)
This comparison uses the conditions and pages Assist 365 publishes, read on 2026-10-01 (sources above). Conditions change and vary by plan and country: check the current document before you buy. Pulsar is not affiliated with Assist 365. Brand names belong to their owners.