travel guard medevac

MedEvacGlobal

Available to all U.S. Residents to age 84

We pick-up where others fall short

If you were hospitalized away from home with a injury or illness, travel insurance, health insurance and premium credit cards won’t bring you home. Being treated outside your healthcare network, away from your doctors, your family and friends will not only be a financial burden, but may compromise your health and well-being. The out-of-pocket costs of such a transport start at $20,000 for a domestic flight and can reach over $ 100,000 for an international flight. Travel with peace of mind and be prepared with Travel MedEvac, your solution home when the unexpected happens.

The ONLY medical evacuation plan in the WORLD with ALL these features!   True regulated premium insurance, not an unregulated membership program.

Secure today a Travel MedEvac Insurance policy now and enjoy enhanced benefits while saving money.

* Some restrictions may apply see Questions and Answers

Your Travel MedEvac Plans will also include many other services and benefits including:

• Air Medical Transport to Your Home Hospital of Choice
• Ground Ambulance Transport from Hospital-to- Hospital
• Return of Dependents:
• Visitor Transportation:
• Return of Stranded Vehicle, RV and Watercraft
• Disabled Driver Vehicle/RV/Watercraft Return
• Transport and Repatriation of Mortal Remains
• Transport of Traveling Companion or Family Members

GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE FOR ALL APPLICANTS! 

Travel MedEvac Insurance guarantees acceptance for all applicants and there are no waiting periods for stable pre-existing conditons.

Any accidental Injury or sickness when traveling against the advice of a Physician is not covered.

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Why Do I Need Travel MedEvac?

Optional Travel Medical & Emergency Accident and Sickness Coverage

The option is available to be added when purchasing Travel MedEvac insurance

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Redpoint vs TravelGuard

Saturday, September 7th

2024 Medical Evacuation Reviews

• 3 protection levels to choose from, including a policy suitable for high-adventure travelers
• All plans include medical evacuation
• One-time premiums are roughly 7% of the total trip cost
• Can also purchase annual plans
• Accredited by the Better Business Bureau

Redpoint offers three types of travelers' insurance, all of which come with medical evacuation coverage: Harbor (for budget-friendly, domestic travels), Cavalry (for luxury travel to established destinations), and Ripcord (for high-adventure trips to places off the beaten path). At first glance, these policies seem to provide generous coverage, even going so far as to include search and rescue benefits for Redpoint plan members and offering both one-trip and annual policies. However, recent reviews from adventure travel companies highlight discrepancies between the advertised coverage and actual service provided, leading to uncertainty and skepticism among experts in the industry. That may also be why the BBB has only rated Redpoint as a "B" -grade company.

• TravelGuard
• 3 tiers of travel insurance to choose from
• All plans include medical evacuation coverage, ranging from $150,000 to $1,000,000
• Includes transportation to the "nearest adequate medical facility" and home if warranted
• "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
• In business for over 20 years

TravelGuard by AIG is probably one of the biggest names in travel insurance, in operation for more than two decades. All three of its policies include medical evacuation benefits, ranging from $150,000 to $1 million in coverage, and premiums are attractively priced. However, you'll have a tough time finding anyone who loves anything about the service received (or not) from TravelGuard: it seems like the company works hard to deny claims, lose paperwork, and generally leave travelers in the lurch. That's not going to give you any peace of mind when it comes to medical evacuation protection, and so we give TravelGuard a lower rating.

More Medical Evacuation Reviews

• Global Guardian

• Global Rescue

• AirMedCare Network

• Emergency Assistance Plus

The 9 Best Medevac Services

Which medical evacuation service is the best.

Medical evacuation services have gained significant popularity due to the critical role they play in ensuring timely and efficient transport of patients needing urgent medical care. This rise in popularity is due to a number of factors that emphasize the importance of accessibility, advanced medical care, and global reach in emergency situations.

Imagine you're trekking through a dense jungle in Southeast Asia when you slip and severely twist your ankle. Stranded in a remote location with no immediate medical aid, you activate your emergency beacon. Within hours, a specialized medical evacuation team arrives by helicopter, transporting you to the nearest advanced medical facility for treatment.

Medical Evacuation FAQ

What is medical evacuation coverage, and why do i need it, what's the difference between air ambulance services domestically and medevac services when traveling, can family members accompany me during a medical evacuation, are there any limitations to medical evacuation coverage, does medical evacuation coverage require pre-approval for services, how can i determine if medical evacuation coverage is right for me, isn't medical evacuation already part of my travel insurance, isn't medical evacuation covered by my health insurance.

Continued from above... Continued from above... -->

Of course, most of us don't live such exciting lives. But, medical evacuation might still be a necessity: you might be on a business trip in a different town when you experience sudden chest pain, or perhaps you're on a cruise in the Caribbean and you break your arm getting on the tender to the port. If the local hospital lacks the necessary facilities and expertise to address your condition adequately, having medical evacuation coverage can get you transportation to a renowned cardiac center in a nearby city or back home to the States for surgery on your arm in a facility you trust (and in a language you speak).

One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of medical evacuation services is the critical need for rapid response in medical emergencies. When people suffer severe injuries or illnesses in remote or inaccessible locations, the ability to quickly transport them to advanced medical facilities can be life-saving. Medical evacuation services provide a vital lifeline, ensuring that patients receive immediate attention and are moved to appropriate care centers with minimal delay.

Additionally, the level of care provided during medical evacuations is a key factor in their appeal. These evacuation services are often equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly trained medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics who specialize in critical care transport. This can ensure that patients receive continuous and specialized medical attention throughout the journey, bridging the gap between the site of the emergency and the healthcare facility.

Medical evacuation providers offer crucial services for individuals who encounter medical emergencies while traveling, typically transporting a patient from one location to another, often from a remote or under-equipped medical facility to a more advanced one, or even back home.. These services can be purchased as standalone memberships or policies, or they can be bundled with travel insurance policies offered by insurers.

How can you determine which type of medical evacuation coverage is right for you, and from which provider? There's a lot to keep in mind, but here are a few ways you can compare your options and make your choice:

• Coverage area. Consider where you frequently travel. Providers may offer global coverage or have limitations based on regions or countries. Ensure your chosen provider covers the areas you visit most. Also look into whether the provider is networked with other evacuation services for greater coverage.
• Medical services provided. Evaluate the range of medical services offered. This includes emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains in case of death, medical referrals, and assistance in locating appropriate medical facilities.
• Transportation options. Look into the transportation options available. Providers may offer air ambulances, ground ambulances, or even commercial flights with medical personnel onboard. The speed and level of medical care during transportation can vary.
• Coverage limits and exclusions. Understand the coverage limits and exclusions of the policy. Some providers may impose restrictions on pre-existing conditions or adventurous activities like extreme sports.
• Cost and value. Compare the cost of coverage against the value of services provided. While affordability is important, prioritize comprehensive coverage over low premiums, especially considering the potentially high costs of medical evacuation. One way that some companies add value is through additional benefits like coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, transportation for travel companions, or even returning your vehicle to your home.
• Reputation. Be sure to consider what other clients say about the medical evacuation provider. Is there ample evidence that they'll come through for you in your time of need? Can you rest assured that you'll be able to reach someone 24/7 and get a quick response time?

Medical emergencies can be unpredictable, but having reliable evacuation coverage can give you a lot of peace of mind while traveling. To help you choose the right plan and provider, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have meticulously researched and ranked some of today's most popular medevac options. Use this information to get the protection you need for your next adventure!

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The Good:  Available to U.S. citizens. Can be purchased on a per-trip or annual basis. This plan includes not only emergency medical evacuations, but also non medical security evacuations. Optional sports coverage available for adventure activities specifically excluded from the base plan.

The Drawbacks:  Some plan coverages are not available to U.S. citizens of all states.

The Bottom Line:  This is not a trip cancellation plan, but a medical evacuation plan specifically designed to help insured travelers get safely out of emergency medical or political situations. It provides for medical care if the insured becomes ill or is injured on their trip.

This plan is unique in that it provides the following:

• Available on a per-trip or annual basis.
• Pre-existing medical condition look-back period is a short 90 days.
• One child under 17 covered at no additional cost for each covered adult.
• Medical coverage is extended for up to one year for injuries or illnesses that occur on your trip.
• Travel Guard’s signature assistance services for 24-hour emergency travel assistance, travel medical assistance, concierge and identity theft services.
• Covered reasons for security evacuations include natural disasters, verified physical attack, political or military action.
• Security evacuation benefits will be paid (up to the plan limits) for consulting services if the insured is determined to be kidnapped or missing.
• Evacuation coverage ensures the insured is returned home after medical treatment abroad. It also covers a bedside visit and the safe return of dependent children if the insured is hospitalized.
• Advance payments will be made to a medical facility or hospital to ensure admission.

Optional Coverage

The following optional coverage is available when you purchase this plan:

• Optional adventure sports coverage for mountaineering, hang gliding, sky diving, bungee jumping, learning to operate an aircraft, and more.
• Optional baggage upgrade adds $1,000 for loss and $300 for delays.

Limitations

The following are the limitations on this plan’s coverage:

• Security evacuations not available in Florida or Pennsylvania.
• Travelers must be at least 100 miles from their permanent residence for benefits to be in effect.

Related Travel Guard Plans

• Travel Rite Annua l
• Business Traveler

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AIG Travel Guard Insurance Coverage Review – Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Table of Contents

Why purchase travel insurance, aig travel guard — coverages and policy options, aig travel guard and covid-19, additional information — aig travel guard, how does aig travel guard compare, the value of travel insurance comparison websites, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Purchasing insurance for your home, auto, or your life, can be complicated and time-consuming if you want to compare coverages and premium costs between companies. Fortunately, the process of purchasing travel insurance is quite simple , and you can secure immediate coverage within minutes.

It all starts with determining the coverages that most important to you, securing a quote, then making sure you’re purchasing from an established, highly-rated company. One such established travel insurance company is AIG Travel Guard .

With over 25 years of experience and high ratings from premier insurance financial rating company A.M. Best , AIG Travel Guard was named the best travel insurance company of 2020 by Forbes . Its Travel Guard Deluxe policy was also given a top 5-star rating by Forbes’ insurance analysts.

We’ll certainly discuss AIG Travel Guard’s policy offerings in our article today but we also want to discuss why you’d want to purchase travel insurance , whether travel insurance covers COVID-19, the process for obtaining a quote, and additional resources to help ensure you’re receiving good value.

Plus, if you’re wondering if you need to purchase travel insurance or whether you might have enough coverage elsewhere, you’ll want to read on.

While the primary reasons for purchasing travel insurance are to protect your economic investment and to cover unexpected additional expenses you might incur due to trip disruptions, purchasing travel insurance has another, more intangible, purpose.

Purchasing travel insurance can provide peace of mind prior to and during your trip as you won’t be worried that an unforeseen event will result in an economic loss. Knowing you have evacuation insurance when you’re traveling to a remote area on safari, for example, could be tremendously reassuring, even if you never use the coverage.

Here are some sample situations where travel insurance may provide coverage:

• Your sister is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and you must cancel your trip
• You broke your ankle and will not be able to go on your skiing trip
• You become ill and cannot travel
• You or your traveling companion is terminated or involuntarily laid off from your job
• You are summoned to jury duty or other legal action such as requiring you to appear as a witness

If your trip is expensive, complicated, or you need medical coverage while traveling, a travel insurance policy is a must.

Bottom Line: In addition to protecting your trip investment and covering unexpected expenses due to trip disruptions, travel insurance can also provide peace of mind before and during your travels. 

There’s probably nothing more boring than listing insurance coverages but it’s important to know the types of coverages you can expect when purchasing an AIG Travel Guard policy.

First, AIG Travel Guard offers 3 policy options for U.S. residents (not including NY residents), 3 separate options for NY residents, and 1 policy for Canadian residents.

• Tr avel Guard Essential
• Travel Guard Preferred
• Travel Guard Deluxe
• Travel Guard Essential Expanded — available to NY residents
• Travel Guard Protect Assist — available to NY residents
• Travel Guard Tour, Cruise, & Travel — available to NY residents
• Gold Trip Cancellation Policy — available to Canadian residents

Coverage options and limits will vary by policy, however, you can expect to find the core and optional coverages listed here.

Core Coverages

Here are the types of coverages you’ll find offered on AIG Travel Guard policies and the applicable coverage limits for each type of policy.

There are also additional coverages that may be included at no extra charge, depending on the policy type selected. Terms and conditions apply.

• 1 child under 17 per covered adult is included for no extra charge
• Pre-existing conditions waiver
• Trip exchange coverage
• Single occupancy fee coverage
• Evacuation for a security reason
• Non-flight accidental and dismemberment insurance
• Worldwide travel and medical assistance services

Optional Coverages for an Additional Fee

You may secure any of the following add-on coverages by paying an additional fee.

• Cancel for Any Reason Insurance — covers trip cancellation for any reason
• Rental vehicle damage — coverage for collision damage when renting a vehicle
• Pet bundle coverage — pet care, medical expenses, and adds pet illness to trip cancellation benefit
• Adventure sports coverage — coverage for higher risk adventure activities
• Increased lodging expense bundle — increases the amount covered under travel inconvenience benefit
• Wedding bundle — coverage when a destination wedding is canceled
• Name a family member bundle — select a traveler to be covered as a family member

Hot Tip: For more information and tips on purchasing travel insurance, start here in our article on travel insurance basics .

Travel insurance , in general, is designed to protect you from financial loss due to unforeseen events that may cause you to cancel your trip, or to cover disruptions that could occur during your journey. It is not meant to cover voluntary trip cancellations due to fear of getting ill.

Voluntary cancellations, including those that are related to the fear of getting ill, are not covered on travel insurance policies. However, there is 1 option for obtaining coverage for voluntarily canceling your trip.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance (CFAR) is an optional coverage that can be added to select travel insurance policies allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason you deem necessary and be covered for partial reimbursement.

AIG Travel Guard offers CFAR coverage as an optional add-on to add to its Preferred and Deluxe plans , with these stipulations:

• Must be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit
• The trip must be canceled more than 48 hours prior to departure
• The full cost of the trip must be insured for at the time of purchase

Cancel for Any Reason insurance does not cover the entire cost of the trip. In this case, to add CFAR insurance to the Deluxe and Preferred plans above, the additional premium would be $53.31 for coverage to cover up to 50% of the trip price. Additional options may be available to cover up to 75% of the cost of your trip.

The above prices are for a single trip 1-week in length for a traveler of 40 years of age at a cost of $3,000.

AIG Travel Guard policies, even without the CFAR insurance add-on, offer coverage for trip cancellations due to COVID-19 related illness and also medical coverage should a covered traveler become sick with COVID-19 during their travels. Terms and conditions apply.

Bottom Line: While trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical may offer some coverage for illness, you must purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance to have coverage for canceling a trip due to the fear of getting ill. AIG Travel Guard offers this coverage on its Deluxe and Preferred plans.

Point-of-Sale Availability — In addition to offering travel insurance package policies directly to the public, AIG Travel Guard offers travel insurance products via several travel providers including airlines and various travel services. You’ll find the option to purchase Travel Guard protection during the checkout process with companies such as United Airlines or Frontier Airlines when purchasing a flight and when making a travel purchase via Costco Travel .

Call for Additional Quotes — While AIG Travel Guard does sell annual multi-trip policies, you must call to request a quote. Adventure sports coverage, medevac coverage, and rental vehicle damage coverage quotes are also available via phone.

15-Day Free Look Period — If you decide, after you have reviewed your purchased policy, that you do not want it, you may receive a full refund.

Cruise Insurance Option — AIG Travel Guard offers cruise insurance that includes cruise diversion and other applicable coverages.

Filing a claim — to initiate a claim, you can either call AIG Travel Guard at 866-478-8222 or access travelguard.com to begin the process. You will need your policy number handy. Once your claim is submitted, you can check the status at claims.travelguard.com/status .

First, know that when purchasing a policy from AIG Travel Guard, you’re buying from a highly-rated established insurance company. Here’s how the company stacks up in relative comparison with other travel insurance companies.

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

Comparing travel insurance policies can be complicated as coverage limits and prices vary widely. We looked at a 1-week trip to Mexico for a traveler 40 years of age and a total trip cost of $3,000 as criteria for obtaining a quote.

AIG Travel Guard’s Preferred plan, which prices out at around $200, aligns with the John Hancock Bronze policy above. Add in CFAR coverage, however, and the comparison costs are closer to AIG Travel Guard’s $254 premium for its Preferred level plan that also includes CFAR.

This 1 example uses the criteria of a specific trip for an individual traveler of a certain age and may not reflect the same relative premium costs as other comparisons.

Your own individual traveler information, the number of travelers, trip length, destination, state of residence, selected coverages, and the total cost of your trip will ultimately determine the premium cost. Our example is just a narrow snapshot comparison.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance policy coverages and costs vary dramatically. To ensure you’re receiving good value, determine the coverages that are most important to you, compare policy options, and purchase from a reliable company. 

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

The travel insurance coverages that come complimentary on your credit cards are no substitute for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. With that being said, the coverage that comes with your credit card could be enough to cover some trips.

Here are some examples of trips where you may not need travel insurance and the coverage you have on your credit card could be sufficient.

• The trip consists of only a round trip domestic flight and hotel stay
• The trip is a road trip by car
• The trip does not include any non-refundable trip expenses
• The trip does not have several travel providers involved
• Your health insurance covers you while traveling and you are not worried about having additional medical coverage during your trip

Also, keep in mind that coverage offered on your credit card is generally secondary versus a primary travel insurance policy. This means you must first file a claim with other applicable insurance, including coverage with the airline or travel provider, for example, before the credit card coverage will kick in.

Bottom Line: If you have a significant investment at stake, several travel providers involved, or want medical coverage during your travels, you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy for your trip and not depend on a credit card with travel insurance . 

Travel insurance is widely available and competitive. You won’t have trouble purchasing some level of coverage regardless of your situation. Additionally, there are travel insurance comparison websites that make it easy to find a policy that fits and purchase coverage that is effective immediately.

These travel insurance comparison websites are each easy to use, have qualified people to assist, and all feature policies offered only by highly-rated companies.

Travelinsurance.com

• Instant coverage
• Simple format, easy to secure a quote quickly
• Guarantees the best price for the policy you’re purchasing

Squaremouth

• Features 20 companies with nearly 120 different policy options
• Its customer service team is award-winning
• You can access thousands of customer reviews

InsureMyTrip

• Educational content to assist you in understanding coverages
• Features 21 highly-rated companies
• Licensed agents can answer questions and assist with a claim

Bottom Line: Travel insurance comparison websites provide quick easy access to securing a quote, compare several high-rated travel insurance providers at once, and the benefit of receiving immediate coverage. 

While airlines and travel providers have made significant changes to cancellation, refund, and exchange policies, it’s still important to consider purchasing travel insurance if you’re uncomfortable with the possibility of losing your trip investment or incurring unexpected expenses during your journey.

In addition, if you need medical insurance coverage during your trip, you won’t find that coverage on a credit card or with the airlines — you’ll need to purchase it.

The fact that AIG Travel Guard does not exclude COVID-19 related claims under certain coverages and offers a Cancel for Any Reason add-on is significant as not every travel insurance company can make that claim.

Also, if you have children traveling with you, you may find good value with AIG Travel Guard having those under 17 included for no extra charge (1 per premium-paying adult).

The bottom line when purchasing travel insurance from AIG Travel Guard is that if you can secure the coverages you need at a price you’re comfortable with and you’ll know you’re completing that transaction with a highly-rated established company.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

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Millions of travelers each year trust AIG's Travel Guard to cover their vacations

Travel insurance plans provide coverage for certain costs and losses associated with traveling. Travel Guard ® helps you navigate canceled flights, lost bags, sudden health emergencies, and much more—almost anywhere in the world. Whether you’re planning a two-day getaway, a cruise, an adventure vacation, or a month-long international holiday, our plans help cover travelers and their trip inverstments.

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Preparing travelers wherever their journey takes them

AIG Travel CEO Jeff Rutledge shares how the underlying risks of travel have changed and what AIG is doing to help companies and individuals manage risks.

Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. These plans provide insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of each policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc .(Travel Guard). California lic. no. 0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482,  www.travelguard.com.  CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP.

This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Ave of the Americas, Floor 41, New York, NY, 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states.

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How Much Do Medical Flights, Medevac, and Air Ambulance Services Cost

Air transportation for medical purposes has helped save many lives over the past few decades. These forms of transport are particularly effective under dramatic circumstances and in rural and wild areas, given that they can bring the injured person to the nearest hospital in less than an hour.

On the other hand, these services can lead to massive medical bills that the patients aren’t prepared for, since most medical insurances won’t cover them.

Once the treatment is over, the patients are left wondering how and why does (less than) a one-hour flight cost so much.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the prices for medical flights, medevac, and air ambulance services, and try to explain the variables that impact the final price.

I don’t want you to get all confused right from the start, so remember, a medical flight is every flight that has something to do with medical care. Medevac is a term used for “rescuing someone with an aircraft”, and an air ambulance is an actual aircraft that’s flying to the scene.

What Are Medical Flights?

A medical flight is the airplane transportation of sick or injured people who require immediate medical attention that’s performed during the flight. These flights are highly medically equipped with necessary machines and medication, as the aircraft is designed to ensure the safest possible patient transportation.

This transportation is usually needed in extreme circumstances, such as injuries in rural or wild areas, rare diseases, illnesses, or injuries obtained abroad that need to be treated in the patient’s home country immediately.

Medical Flights Costs

Similar to regular booking, medical flights can vary depending on a number of variables.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners from the USA , the average price for an air ambulance flight is counted in tens of thousands of dollars, but it can also reach extreme figures, depending on the circumstances.

There are several reasons why this type of transportation is so expensive. First, there is the jet itself which can cost millions of dollars , then the costs of maintenance and medical equipment for ensuring safety and operability throughout the year. Then, there are medical staff costs, whose salaries usually exceed regular medical staff salaries, and depending on the circumstances, the number of crew onboard can vary, so this variable also affects the final price of the service.

The severity of the injury or condition is another major factor that impacts the service price because it drags a series of other costs, such as the type of treatment applied on the flight, equipment and medication applied, etc.

If the flight is being taken locally, for example, within the US, the price is going to be much lower, than if the patient needs to be taken home from a foreign country.

According to the Montana Legislature study, the cost of a medical flight is divided into the liftoff fees, that range between $8,500 and $15,200, and per-mile charges, that range between $26 and $133 per mile.

Medical Flights Membership Programs

For those who, for some reason, suspect that they might need this service, they can opt-in for membership programs that different air medical companies offer. Such programs are designed not to exceed the costs covered by the user’s health insurance company. 

For example, the AirMed network membership costs only $85 per year, per household, while AirMed offers individual and family membership plans of one, three, and five years.

Now that we’ve explained what medical flights are, let’s see what medivac is.

What Is Medevac?

Medevac is an acronym that stands for Medical Evacuation Coverage, and it refers to airplane or helicopter transportation of military or other injured people to the nearest hospital or medical center.

It’s an efficient type of transport with professional medical care provided on the flight to individuals who have been injured and are in need of instant and fast medical response. It’s most commonly used on battlefields to transport the injured civilians or members of the army, but it’s also used in rural areas in cases when patients need urgent hospital treatment.

Examples of medevac are EMS vehicles, military air ambulances, or aeromedical services for civilians, as well as aircraft transporting injured people from the battlefield to the hospital or trauma center.

Air Ambulance

In reality, all helicopters and planes offering immediate or regular transportation to a hospital or trauma center are called air ambulances. The most essential thing you need to perform a Medical Evacuation Coverage (Medevac) is an air ambulance.

Patients who use the air ambulances don’t necessarily need to be “an urgent case” – they could simply be too weak to travel on a commercial flight. 

An air ambulance is a nicely equipped business jet that provides extreme comfort and care. Obviously, it’s no one’s dream to fly with an air ambulance .

Sometimes, you’ll hear people use the term rescue plane when they actually mean air ambulance.

It’s not a rule, but if the case is not urgent, and there is only the need to transport a person from point A to point B, where B is a medical facility, an airplane will be used. However, a jet would also be used if the case is urgent, but the treatment facility is far away, over 1,000 miles for example.

On the other hand, a helicopter is used for more urgent cases, where there is an immediate need to transport the person to a hospital or trauma center. Helicopters are also used for non-urgent shorter distances, where it doesn’t pay off for an airplane to take off.

Medevac Costs (Air Ambulance)

Just like medical flights, medevac too is pretty expensive and the medical bill can leave the receiver in quite a shock.

When it comes to price formation, similar variables apply as in the previous example: distance, local or international flight, the severity of the injury, the number of staff, the type of aircraft used, the type of treatment applied, etc. However, the average and the lowest price are still lower than medical flights.

Within North America, Medevac costs some $25,000 on average, while the evacuation from Europe to North America can cost around $100,000 on average. The average price of evacuation from further locations is some $250,000.

An additional $11,000 for local flights and up to $25,000 might be needed if nurse escort is required.

The costs of repatriation can in total reach up to $1 million in case the patient is severely injured, it’s a hard-to-reach location, or it’s very far away.

Medevac Insurance

However, this too can be solved with insurance for medical evacuation offered by most travel insurance companies as well as some credit cards. It’s also possible to purchase solely medevac, which will cover more costs than the standard travel insurance. Examples of companies that offer medevac are Travel Guard , MedJet , Allianzcare , Travel medevac , or Med Jet Assist .

Medevac insurance is highly recommended if you’re taking a cruiser trip, or if you’re visiting a developing country very far away in which you know you won’t be able to receive proper medical care.

If you decide to opt-in for medevac insurance, you’ll need to make a decision on the adequate coverage for your needs. This should be determined by taking into account the following factors:

• Are you flying locally or internationally?
• Are you taking a short or a long trip?
• What is the location of your travel trip?
• What is the nature of your trip?

These questions should help you make a precise risk assessment and analyze the necessity of paying for a medevac insurance.

Types Of Air Ambulances

Being an avgeek, the first thing that popped into my mind when I heard about medical flights was the types of airplanes they use. Are these the same jets that are used for private flights or that you can find on flight-sharing apps?

Turns out there are special models that are mostly used as air ambulances, i.e. for evacuation purposes. Two main types of airplanes are turboprop and jet planes. Both kinds have their purpose, time, and place when they’re used.

Just for the record, there are many differences between a turboprop and a jet plane. The biggest one is that a turboprop plane has a hybrid engine combining a jet engine that boosts the propeller on the plane, like in the old times, whereas a jet plane only has a jet engine, obviously.  

Turboprop Air Ambulances

Truth be told, turboprop jets are a bit slower than jet planes but have their own advantages. A turboprop plane is able to land on smaller regional airports, take off from shorter runways, and is much cheaper to maintain and operate.

Turboprop planes can land much closer to the target, meaning that the person in need will enter the plane faster. Some typical turboprop air ambulances are the Beechcraft King Air 90 , Beechcraft King Air 200 , or the Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne .

Jet Plane Ambulances

Unlike turboprop planes, jet ambulances are much faster. These are used if the patient is in a serious and urgent situation. A jet ambulance can quickly take a patient from one continent and transport them to another.

Of course, there are other complications related to jet plane ambulances, and that’s the terrain which is not always suitable, as well as high maintenance costs. Some typical jet ambulances would be the Citation Mustang , the Hawker , Boeing Business , or the Bombardier Challenger .

Medical flights are a serious topic that needs a careful approach. In this text, you noticed that the terms medical flights , medevac , and air ambulance services are often mentioned. These terms are not completely interchangeable, but are dependent on one another.

The first one, medical flights, is an umbrella term for both medevac and air ambulances. To be more precise, every flight that has something to do with medical care is a medical one. At the same time, medevac and air ambulances have everything to do with medical care.

Medevac, on the other hand, is a term describing medical evacuation. In other words, this is the action of “rescuing” people in need that are far away from an urban area and need a postponed or immediate treatment in a hospital or trauma center.

Subsequently, in order to evacuate someone from an unwanted scenario, you need an air ambulance. This is where the third term comes into question. An air ambulance can be a helicopter or an airplane.

A helicopter is mostly used for shorter hauls, or when the situation is very urgent. The advantage of the helicopter is that it can land almost anywhere and is able to use more convenient trajectories to reach the medical facility.

At the same time, there is also a division with the airplanes, where turboprop airplanes are used, as well as jet ambulances. The turboprops are a bit slower, but can land closer to the patient, and are cheaper to operate. Jet ambulances, on the other hand, will do the job faster and can take on more mileage.

Hopefully, things are a bit clearer to you now. I don’t wish that you have a need for a medical flight, but it’s an advantage knowing these things, because, you never know. Make sure to read the text once more if needed, because it’s a very important topic worth our attention.

June 1, 2020

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The Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

What is medical repatriation?

Medical repatriation means getting you home after an illness or injury, once you’re well enough to travel. Repatriation can be as simple as booking a standard airline ticket, or as complex as arranging a private air ambulance with a medical escort.

Medical repatriation costs can be high — as much as $1 million in especially challenging situations, according to some estimates. 1  Your emergency transportation benefits can cover medically necessary repatriation costs up to the stated limit.

What happens if I get sick or injured while traveling and I don’t have emergency medical travel insurance?

That depends on where you’re traveling and the specific nature of your emergency. However, you should know that you’ll be 100% responsible for the costs of any care you receive. If you’re in another country, the local U.S. Embassy will not pay any portion of your medical costs.

If you get sick or injured overseas and you don’t have insurance, you may:

• Be treated in a public hospital or clinic that does not offer a high standard of care
• Have to pay cash upfront before receiving medical care
• Be refused treatment if you’re unable to pay
• Have to manage your own treatment and figure out how to get yourself home

Is it likely that I’ll get sick or injured while traveling?

Travel, by its very nature, is unpredictable. You may do a 9-day trekking tour of Croatia and never take a tumble. You may be strolling through a park in Buenos Aires and get knocked down by a wayward cyclist. Anything can happen, and that’s why you need travel insurance with emergency medical benefits.

Each year, our Assistance team fields thousands of calls from travelers who are experiencing a medical emergency. The most common emergencies we see are fractures from falls, cardiovascular problems (such as heart attacks and strokes), trauma from vehicle accidents and other accidents, and pulmonary/respiratory conditions.

Which travel insurance plans include emergency medical benefits?

Plans with emergency medical benefits include:

• OneTrip Basic , an economical plan with limited post-departure benefits
• OneTrip Prime , a popular plan with substantial benefits and free coverage for children 17 and under when traveling with a parent or grandparent
• OneTrip Premier , which doubles most OneTrip Prime post-departure benefit limits
• OneTrip Emergency Medical , a flexible and affordable plan that includes only post-departure benefits
• AllTrips Basic , an annual travel insurance plan that provides emergency medical benefits for frequent travelers
• AllTrips Prime , which offers affordable, reliable protection for a full 365 days of travel
• AllTrips Executive , an annual plan built for business travelers
• AllTrips Premier , which protects world travelers with multiple tiers of benefits

Wondering which plan is right for you? Get a quote for your next trip .

What’s covered by the emergency dental benefits in my travel insurance plan?

Breaking a tooth can spoil your trip just as surely as breaking an ankle. Fortunately, your emergency medical benefits also can cover emergency dental care. Just be aware that a sublimit applies to these benefits. For example, if you have a $20,000 limit for emergency medical benefits, that may include a $750 limit for dental benefits.

You should know, too, that these benefits are for dental emergency care only: a dental injury or infection, a lost filling, or a broken tooth that requires treatment. Your travel insurance won’t cover preventive care, cosmetic procedures, or any procedure that could safely wait until you return home.

What does emergency medical travel insurance not cover?

Travel insurance is designed to protect you in case of certain, unforeseen travel mishaps and emergencies. It’s not intended to apply to every possible scenario. When you read your plan documents, you’ll see that your travel insurance does not cover:

• Pre-existing medical conditions , unless your plan includes the existing medical condition waiver and you’ve met all the requirements
• Any medical condition that resulted in you being unable to travel on your policy or trip purchase date
• Non-emergency care or services, such as elective cosmetic surgery, routine exams, long-term care, and other types of care
• Any loss, condition, or event that was known, foreseeable, intended, or expected when your policy or trip was purchased
• Intentional self-harm
• Normal pregnancy or childbirth
• The use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or any related physical symptoms
• Participating in or training for any professional or amateur sporting competition
• Participating in extreme, high-risk sports and activities

This is only a partial list of exclusions. Please check your plan documents for the specific exclusions associated with your plan.

Do my emergency medical travel insurance benefits cover COVID-19?

Getting sick with COVID can be miserable… and it’s even worse if you’re far from home. But we’re here to help!

If your plan includes emergency medical benefits and the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement , then you may be reimbursed for costs for emergency medical care for COVID-19 or another covered illness, up to your specific plan’s maximum limit for the emergency medical benefit.

If your plan includes emergency transportation benefits and the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, then your medically necessary evacuation — whether you have COVID-19 or another covered illness/injury — may be covered. You also get medical repatriation benefits, which means we can arrange and pay for your transportation home once you’re well enough to travel (with medical accommodations, if necessary).

Please note, this coverage only applies to plans that include the applicable benefit and covered reason. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. See your plan for details.

So how do emergency medical benefits work? Does my travel insurance pay upfront for medical care, or reimburse me later?

That depends on the situation. If the medical care you need is minor, such as getting stitches for a cut or a splint for a sprained wrist, you may pay out of pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement later.

If you need to be admitted to a hospital for inpatient care for longer than 24 hours, Allianz Global Assistance can guarantee or advance payments, where accepted, up to the limit of your emergency medical/dental coverage.

If you need emergency medical transportation, we can arrange and pay for it. In order for emergency transportation to be covered, however, Allianz Global Assistance must determine that it’s medically necessary and make the arrangement in advance. If we did not authorize and arrange the transportation, we will only pay up to what we would have paid if we had made the arrangements.

If I have a medical emergency while traveling, what should I do?

• Don’t panic! Allianz Global Assistance is here to guide you.
• If your illness or injury is life-threatening and/or requires immediate attention, call local emergency services. Remember that 911 doesn’t work in every country. Use the free Allianz TravelSmart app to instantly access the right emergency number for your location.
• As soon as possible, contact Assistance and tell us what’s going on. Our Assistance team can refer you to a local, pre-screened medical provider; provide interpretation services when speaking with medical providers; guarantee payments to doctors or hospitals; and more.
• If our medical team determines that local medical facilities aren’t sufficient to treat your condition, we can arrange emergency transportation to the nearest appropriate facility.
• As you’re being treated, your Assistance coordinator will stay in touch with your doctor, review your medical reports, handle billing and keep your designated family member or friend updated on your condition.
• Once you’re stable enough to travel, we’ll arrange transportation home. If you need continuing medical care in the United States, we’ll work with your health insurance provider and your primary healthcare provider to figure out a treatment plan.

Read more: What To Do In A Medical Emergency

Is my emergency medical travel insurance primary or secondary coverage?

It’s secondary coverage, which means that if you have health insurance, you must submit your claim to that provider first. Any payments or reimbursements from your other insurance providers will be deducted from your claim. Not sure what your insurance covers? Contact us and we can help you figure it out.

Is there any deductible or co-pay for my emergency medical travel insurance benefits?

No, there’s no deductible or co-pay. There is, however, a maximum limit for your emergency medical/dental and emergency transportation benefits, which you’ll find in your plan documents.

How do I know if my travel insurance plan covers existing medical conditions?

You’ll need to select a plan that offers a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver, and also meet the requirements in your plan. In short, if you insure your full non-refundable trip costs within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit, and you’re medically able to travel when you do so, you can be covered for most existing medical conditions.

An existing medical condition is defined as an injury, illness, or medical condition that, within the 120 days prior to and including the policy purchase date:

• Caused a person to seek medical examination, diagnosis, care, or treatment by a doctor;
• Presented symptoms; or
• Required a person to take medication prescribed by a doctor (unless the condition or symptoms are controlled by that prescription, and the prescription has not changed).

The illness, injury, or medical condition does not need to be formally diagnosed in order to be considered a pre-existing medical condition.

Read more: When Does Travel Insurance Cover Existing Medical Conditions?

How can the TravelSmart app help?

The Allyz ®  TravelSmart app from Allianz Global Assistance can help you navigate medical emergencies (and other crises) almost anywhere in the world. Use the app to:

• Contact Assistance for help
• Contact local emergency services with a single tap
• Find the closest hospitals, doctors and pharmacies, including those that Allianz Global Assistance has identified as preferred providers
• Get quick translations of first-aid and medication terms to help you communicate with doctors and pharmacists

Related Articles

• Medical Emergency While Traveling? The TravelSmart App Can Help
• How Assistance Services Can Help in Medical Travel Emergencies
• Help Us Help You: The Emergency Travel Assistance Checklist

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Medical Evacuation Insurance: Often Overlooked, But a Potential Lifesaver

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Table of Contents

What is medical evacuation insurance?

What does medical evacuation insurance cover, how much coverage should you have, how to get medical evacuation insurance (maybe for free).

If you get injured or sick during your trip, travel insurance can come to your rescue by reimbursing the cost of prepaid travel arrangements, like a hotel room, rental car or airfare. But it won’t necessarily cover the actual costs to get medical treatment, nor will it always cover the cost of transportation to get care.

For most people, you’ll need to rely on your existing medical insurance to cover the treatment. And while some health insurers cover you anywhere in the world, not all do, so check your policy before traveling.

Even if your plan covers treatment abroad, it may not cover transportation to get there, like an ambulance ride or perhaps even a helicopter. For that, you’ll need medical evacuation insurance.

Medical evacuation insurance is typically included in travel insurance policies. It’s also commonly sold in tandem with travel medical expense insurance, which covers emergency medical treatment during your trip.

The exact terms of medical evacuation insurance vary by policy, but generally speaking, this type of insurance covers medical transportation, such as an ambulance ride or air evacuation services, to the nearest adequate medical facility. If you need to head back home for treatment, some plans may also cover the cost to change your flight or book new travel arrangements so you can return sooner.

Again, exact coverage varies by policy, but it generally encompasses:

Emergency transportation to the nearest adequate treatment center

Most policies promise transportation to what’s generally referred to as an “adequate” treatment center. But “adequate” can be a relative term, and a medical facility not up to your personal standards might still be deemed adequate by your insurer. And not all policies will pay for a flight back home to visit the doctor you already know.

However, if local doctors can’t help, medical evacuation usually covers transportation home. Those doctors would have to provide documentation that your condition is either untreatable locally or severe enough that a flight home is necessary.

A medical escort or travel companion’s travel

Some policies cover not just your transportation, but also the cost of someone else to accompany you. In some cases, that might need to be a medical professional who can support you throughout the journey, such as by administering oxygen. In other cases, it might be a trusted family member or friend.

Some policies cover only economy-class airfare, while others might cover business class, but only with a doctor’s order.

Repatriation of remains

Should you die during the trip, repatriation can transport your remains home. Typically this service also covers the costs of embalming, local cremation or a casket to transport remains by air.

If going to the doctor for a sprained ankle at home seems expensive even if you’re insured and visiting an in-network doctor, then getting coverage for an emergency abroad might be even costlier.

Most medical evacuation insurance coverage starts at $100,000 per year, but even that might not be enough. The national average for an emergency helicopter ride is about $40,000, according to medical travel service Flying Angels. That’s just an average, so flights to remote places could easily be more expensive.

Plus, it’s unlikely your existing insurance will cover an air ambulance. About two-thirds of medical flights in 2017 for people with private insurance are still out-of-network, according to the U.S. General Accounting Office, meaning you’re on the hook for most or all of that bill, unless you have medical evacuation insurance.

Throw in the actual cost of treatment, plus last-minute flights for you, a travel companion and a medical escort, and $100,000 might not go that far. Then again, some policies cover as much as $1 million or $2 million per person.

While accidents can happen anywhere, you’re less likely to need medical insurance for a winter trip that entails building snowmen and drinking cocoa in the cabin versus going backcountry skiing on challenging runs. Understand the risk and your risk tolerance. With the former scenario, slipping on an icy sidewalk might mean a patch-up at urgent care that costs a few hundred dollars, especially if your travel companions can drive you. In contrast, a severe injury with the latter might necessitate a full rescue crew.

Read the fine print

Like any travel cost, it’s always wise to read the fine print of your specific policy. Some have additional limits, require specific paperwork or exclude certain circumstances. Though this list is far from comprehensive, here are some common things to look out for:

Whether you have primary or secondary coverage: If your medical evacuation coverage is considered secondary coverage, that means it kicks in after your primary health insurance plan.

Trip length requirements: Some policies won’t cover trips longer than a certain period (60 days is common).

Distance from home: Many policies exclude accidents occurring within 100 miles of your home.

Documentation required: You typically can’t just twist your ankle, rebook an early flight home and expect to successfully file a claim, even if your ankle is puffy and painful. Most policies require extensive documentation, like approvals from a legally licensed physician that emergency evacuation is warranted. Save every receipt and get documentation of everything.

Medical evacuation insurance coverage is sometimes included with comprehensive travel insurance policies , alongside other forms of travel insurance like lost luggage insurance . Prices vary by the length and nature of your trip, so a long weekend at a resort would likely cost far less than a multiweek camping adventure off the grid.

However, you might already have travel insurance — and not need to pay any extra for it. That’s because many premium travel credit cards include medical evacuation insurance within their trip insurance policies, which are often a benefit for trips paid for on that credit card . If you’re considering purchasing trip insurance anyway, this benefit alone can easily offset any annual fees on the credit card.

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Travel Insurance Review

Medical Evacuation Insurance

Best for: Individuals who travel internationally and/or for business reasons on a regular basis.

Extras: MedEvac plans often include a few (not many) package-like travel insurance benefits.

Coverage for emergency evacuations

MedEvac travel insurance plans focus on evacuation and repatriation. These plans provide coverage for:

• Emergency medical evacuation
• International security evacuation
• Repatriation of remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)

Also take care of the important people in your life

• Safe return of dependent children
• Hospital visit from a spouse, family member or friend

Plus a few special features

Some international medical evacuation plans come with a few special features to help travelers on their trips:

• Trip interruption
• Lost baggage
• Optional adventure sports coverage

Factors that Affect Plan Cost

Factors that affect the pricing of international medical evacuation plans include:

• Individual or family coverage
• Policy period
• Optional riders

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Affordable Peace of Mind for the International Traveler

The world of travel insurance can be confusing. Too many choices with plans that offer inadequate coverage for health and safety emergencies or are simply too complex or expensive. At TravelCare, we've done the work for you. You can buy with the confidence that comes from TravelCare's over 20 years of experience in the travel health industry and our relationship with one of the most trusted brands in insurance, Nationwide ® . 

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TravelCare plans cost around $5 per day. Coverage highlights are as follows. Scroll down for more FAQs and to see full plan details.

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General questions  (16).

All you need to know to understand why you should never leave the U.S. without a TravelCare protection plan.

• Many U.S. health plans do not provide adequate – if any – coverage overseas.
• U.S. health plans generally do not cover emergency evacuations, which can cost you up to $200,000 or more, depending upon your circumstance and location.
• Medicare does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States (except in rare emergency circumstances on our borders with Canada and Mexico) or emergency evacuations.

Yes. If medical treatment or evacuation is necessary for an insured with COVID-19 during their trip, the plan covers related expenses. Make sure to purchase both the TravelCare evacuation plan and the optional medical plan to cover both evacuation and medical expenses.

Unfortunately, that situation is not uncommon. Here in the U.S., where most our healthcare is financed by private insurance, people can receive medical treatment and admission to a hospital by presenting their health plan ID card. In other countries, where healthcare is generally provided under state-financed or state-provided health systems, that is not the case. Their financial infrastructure is not set up to provide care and then send a bill to a third-party to pay the costs after-the-fact. That is why it is common for foreign hospitals to require an up-front payment – often ten thousand dollars or more – or a "guarantee of payment" from a travel insurance provider they are familiar with, like Nationwide. You do not want treatment delayed or denied because you are having difficulty quickly coming up with the cash or sufficient credit balances on your credit cards.

It is highly unlikely that your regular medical plan will:

• know the best place to get treatment in your foreign location;
• pay a hospital in advance if necessary to assure your admission or treatment;
• immediately speak with your treating doctor in his/her language to assess your condition, your treatment plans, and their ability to provide appropriate care;
• pay tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars to evacuate you to a higher level of care if you cannot receive adequate care where you are;
• accept medical records in a foreign language or pay claims in foreign currencies;
• be available 24/7 to receive calls to assist you and advocate for you in any language.

Most people need emergency travel assistance and evacuation services, and Travel Medical insurance, to get proper protection – even if they have great health coverage here in the U.S.

Medicare does not cover medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad except in rare circumstances. (Medicare may cover you if you're in the U.S., but the closest hospital is across the border, or if you have a medical emergency while traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state).

Only some Medicare Supplement plans cover emergency health care provided in a foreign country. For those that do, the coverage: (1) is limited to 80% of $50,000 after you pay either a $250 or $2,000 deductible, (2) does not apply for emergencies after you have been on a trip for 60 or more days, and (3) does not provide any coverage at all for emergency medical evacuations.

The government does not take financial responsibility to cover the costs of Americans that become ill or that are seriously injured abroad. While a consular officer can assist in the transfer of funds from the United States, payment of emergency services including evacuation, repatriation, hospitalization and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.

Before selecting Nationwide as our preferred carrier, we considered most of the top U.S. providers of international travel medical insurance. We feel Nationwide offers the best combination of broad benefits, affordable rates, financial strength and high-quality customer service. People know and trust the Nationwide brand.

We selected United Healthcare Global as our preferred travel assistance provider as they are a worldwide leader in their field and provide services to many of the U.S. leading multinational and global companies. We feel UHG offers the best combination of financial strength, operational excellence and medical and security expertise to manage any situation that a traveler may experience while in a foreign country. People know and trust the United Healthcare brand.

United Healthcare Global is a global medical, safety and security travel assistance company that delivers:

• a fully integrated solution focused on prevention, intervention and response
• a world-class, worldwide assistance infrastructure
• first-world standards of primary and emergency medical care in remote and hazardous locations
• a strengthened global network of practicing medical specialists and resources
• robust medical, safety and security protocols
• emergency medical and security evacuation and crisis response capabilities
• extensive travel intelligence, insurance and protection services
• specialized technical and operational health and safety expertise

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, public and private sector retirement plans, long-term savings plans and specialty health services.

The assistance company is a 24/7 multilingual service available to assist you when you are traveling internationality. They have the expertise and resources to help you when you are faced with travel, medical, legal, personal security and other emergencies or concerns when traveling internationally, regardless of the severity. You simply call a toll-free phone number from within the country (or you can call them collect from anywhere in the world), and they will assist you.

It is important that the assistance company is notified as soon as possible. They will monitor your care and work through the complex details of foreign hospitalizations. They will immediately speak with your treating doctor to assess your condition, your treatment plans, and whether or not an evacuation is necessary. They will update your family, employer and personal physician as appropriate. In addition, they will coordinate all insurance verifications and admission details.

The assistance company can direct you to the hospital in your locale that is most capable in getting you treatment. If you elected to purchase the TravelCare Travel Medical Insurance, they will coordinate all Nationwide insurance verifications and billing, including making advance payment arrangements with the hospital, like issuing a "guarantee of payment" on behalf of Nationwide. This ensures that there is no delay or denial of medical treatment because you are unable to make the up-front payment or because your regular insurance is not recognized. The assistance company will settle any guarantees of payment with the hospital on Nationwide's behalf.

The assistance company has expertise in knowing the capabilities of international hospitals and clinics. That information, in conjunction with their assessment of the treating physician's diagnosis and treatment plans, will enable the assistance company's physicians to make an evaluation of whether the local hospital is capable of providing you the treatment you need. If the assistance company's doctors are of the opinion that you cannot receive appropriate care there, they will make arrangements to have you evacuated to either: (1) the nearest hospital where adequate treatment can be obtained or (2) to a hospital of your choice near your home in the U.S. to obtain further treatment or recover (or both). The assistance company will consult with all parties involved and fully manage all logistics of the evacuation.

In the event of a security situation, you can call the assistance company for help at any time. Additionally, if the situation is deemed to require Non-medical Emergency Evacuation, you are covered up to $100,000.

You can call the assistance company for help at any time. They will assist you with lost or stolen passports, legal referrals, translation services, emergency transfers of funds and a variety of other travel related issues.

Questions About the Plan  (12)

Answers to the most common TravelCare plan questions are below. More plan questions? Call (866) 223-2835 option 4. (M-F 8:30AM to 5:00PM EST)

As a natural extension of our health and safety expertise, it became increasingly apparent that we also needed to make it easier for the medical community to convey the importance of securing Emergency Evacuation services and Travel Medical Insurance to ensure that our travelers are not left:

• stranded without access to appropriate resources in the event of a medical or security emergency, or
• unable to secure medical treatment or admission to a hospital because their primary insurance at home does not provide adequate coverage or services when overseas

Sure, in plain English, here's a summary of what TravelCare plans cover:

If you need to be evacuated for emergency medical reasons, the Emergency Assistance Services will make all the arrangements and cover the costs of transporting you with appropriate medical supervision to the nearest appropriate medical facility and/or taking you home. Costs for air ambulance services can run over $200,000 depending upon your location and circumstance.

In addition, if you need to be evacuated for political or emergency security reasons, the Emergency Assistance Services will make all the arrangements and cover the costs up to $100,000 to transport you in a secure fashion to the nearest safe place, and when conditions allow, then return you back to your point of origin or take you home.

There are also a variety of additional services included and available 24/7 that help you with the kind of problems international travelers often experience.  Click here  for Complete Emergency Assistance Service details.

When you purchase the optional Travel Medical Insurance, it will make advance payment arrangements to get you into the best foreign hospital in your locale (generally foreign facilities will not agree to provide care, then bill your insurance at home), and then pay your foreign hospital and medical expenses directly, up to $150,000. They deal with the medical records in foreign languages, the foreign currencies, etc., and you have no deductibles or co-pays.  Click here  for Complete Travel Medical Insurance details including plan maximums based on your age at time of purchase.

Coverage may be purchased with VISA, MasterCard or American Express.

A trip can be as short as 1 day or as long as 90 days; however the minimum premium equals 7 days of coverage.

Nationwide will pay your providers directly for your covered expenses, or will reimburse you for covered expenses if you paid the providers directly. If Nationwide then determines the benefits paid under their plan are eligible benefits under any other benefit plan, they may seek to recover expenses from the other plan to the extent the other plan would have covered as well. Any recoveries Nationwide makes helps to keep the cost of their coverage down.

All coverage will begin on the later of the Effective Date, or upon Your departure from Your Home Country

Your coverage will end at 11:59 P.M. local time on the date that is the earliest of the following: (a) upon Your return to Your Home Country; (b) when Your Trip exceeds ninety (90) days.

No. Both the Emergency Evacuation and Assistance plan and Travel Medical Insurance plan will pay 100% of the reasonable and customary charges for the expenses they cover up to the plans' maximums.

Yes. Please  click here  for a complete listing of the Emergency Evacuation Service exclusions and limitations, and all other terms and conditions of the coverage. You can also call TravelCare's insurance plan administrator, at (800) 753 1000 option 6 - Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time. 

Yes. Please  click here  for a complete listing of the Travel Medical Insurance exclusions and limitations, and all other terms and conditions of the coverage. You can also call TravelCare's insurance plan administrator, at (800) 753 1000 option 6 - Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

Plan Details

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AIG Travel Guard

Learn about travel insurance plans offered through AIG Travel Guard and how they compare.

Diverse range of travel insurance plans to choose from

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available with some plans (conditions apply)

Annual coverage available

Generous limits for emergency medical expenses and medical transportation available

Preexisting medical conditions waiver available (conditions apply)

Low costs for family plans

Essential plan coverage limits may be insufficient

CFAR coverage reimburses at only 50%

What AIG Travel Guard Is Known For

Like many other top travel insurance providers, AIG Travel Guard offers a broad range of plans to cover different types of trips. The company's main coverage options include the basic Essential Plan, the mid-tier Preferred Plan and the top-tier Deluxe Plan, which comes with the highest levels of coverage available.

AIG also offers an annual travel insurance plan that can apply for all trips that an insured individual (or group) takes within a year. Other niche plans from this provider include the Pack 'N Go Plan for last-minute trips, a plan for emergency evacuation and medical transportation, a rental car coverage plan, and an adventure travel insurance plan.

AIG Travel Guard stands out in a few different areas. First, the company offers cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage as an optional add-on with its Preferred and Deluxe plans. However, this coverage only reimburses up to 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is lower than other providers. CFAR coverage only applies if travel insurance is purchased within 15 days of making an initial payment on a trip.

AIG Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical conditions waiver when travelers purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip payment. Another standout feature of this company is that its mid- and top-tier plans have high coverage limits for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. This emergency evacuation coverage, also called "Medevac," can pay for air evacuation services, transportation to the nearest hospital or clinic, medical transportation to your home country, and more.

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance for Individual Trips

AIG Travel Guard plans for individual trips come in three tiers with accelerated levels of coverage and more add-ons available. This lets you tailor your travel insurance coverage to your unique needs, including the type of trip you're taking and the perils you want to protect against the most.

The chart below shows the coverages you can get with each tier.

AIG Travel Guard Pack 'N Go Plan

AIG Travel Guard also offers a last-minute coverage option for consumers who don't need trip cancellation coverage. There is only one available tier for this plan, and it includes the following coverages:

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance for Multiple Trips

The company also offers an annual travel insurance plan. This type of coverage can work well for frequent travelers who are always jetting off somewhere new but don't want to purchase an individual plan for every trip. Coverages offered include the following:

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Costs

AIG Travel Insurance costs vary based on the number of travelers in a plan, the age of travelers, the cost of the trip, the tier of coverage selected and other details. We received quotes for several sample trips to give you an idea of how much you might pay.

AIG Travel Guard is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the company also has a low rating with the platform of just 1.08 out of 5 stars. The travel insurance provider has closed 175 customer complaints filed with the BBB in the last 12 months and 791 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot, the company has an average star rating of just 1.7 out of 5 stars across 65 reviews on the platform. By contrast, the company has a 4.6 rating on InsureMyTrip. Here's an overview of some positive and negative user reviews that show the experiences of past customers.

Good Customer Service Experience

We bought a TravelGuard policy when we bought airline tickets through Frontier. Only a couple days later Frontier changed our flight times by 13+ hours which would no longer work for our travel plans.

Since it was within the 15 day "review" period TravelGuard fully refunded our premium consistent with their policy quickly and with NO drama.

I was able to talk with TravelGuard customer service with less than a minute of holding. He walked me through the steps to make a written refund request. I heard back from my written request in less than 24 hours. – Sara via Trustpilot

They paid my claim for stolen items when I was in Vegas on an annual travel plan. It did take a few months. The claim amount was three times the premium I originally paid. – Bradley S. via Trustpilot

Travel Guard has been unresponsive and has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. I booked a trip and purchased trip insurance through Travel Guard. I had to cancel the trip for medical reasons and I filed a claim on January 8, 2024. The information they requested was uploaded on the Travel Guard Portal on January 9, 2024. Forty-eight hours after sending the information, I contacted them to make sure they had all the required information. They confirmed they had all the forms I sent. They told me it would take 10 to 15 business days to review the claim and the insurance adjuster would contact me. It is now February 12th and I have not heard anything from Travel Guard or the adjuster. I have called a few times and keep getting the same run around. I called again today and even asked to speak to a supervisor and was told the supervisor is just going to say the same thing and would not connect me. I paid good money for this trip insurance and am feeling like I was scammed. – William M. via Better Business Bureau

Had to Wait for the Check, But at Least it Came

My husband and I had a flight on Alaskan Airlines from Portland to Tampa, which was canceled because the airlines did not have sufficient staff to operate the flight. We were stuck in Portland for two additional days before we could return home. I thought we would be reimbursed in full, but it turns out, our policy only allowed for a certain amount per person daily. It took a month and a 1/2, but we did receive a check for $600. It wasn't the full amount of two additional days for food, lodging, and rental car, but it was better than nothing. – Clare L. via Trustpilot

Takes two weeks to get response from claims. Then they ask for additional information even though you already sent. Dont get to talk to claims adjusters only email I had to resubmit information again with letter of explanation. Another way to prolong payments. Very flustered with not being able to talk to adjuster. You only talk to a real person when you call in to ask for adjuster. They cant trans the call. Only emails still havent received reimbursement. – Cindy W. via Better Business Bureau

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers topics like travel insurance, family travel, all-inclusive resorts and cruises. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who sells travel insurance through their travel agency, Travel Blue Book .

Read more about AIG Travel Guard in:

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Expedition Insurance

Medical evacuation insurance is required for all Madison Mountaineering international programs and we highly recommend that you also obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may occur during or before our trip.

Madison Mountaineering has partnered with the following travel insurance providers to offer you flexibility and options when choosing your insurance to meet your needs.

Madison Mountaineering strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect against losses from cancellation due to unforeseen events. Madison Mountaineering has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is a one-stop integrated travel protection program designed for adventurers.

Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:

• A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
• Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
• Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
• Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
• Waiver for pre-existing conditions ( must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit )
• Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage ( must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit )

For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click the Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ logo above, email [email protected] , or call +1-415-481-0600 . Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.

Polar Regions:

Travel to Antarctica and the North Pole are excluded from coverage unless a Polar Upgrade is purchased. Please contact Redpoint for a quote including the additional Polar Upgrade. Please mention that you are traveling with Madison Mountaineering and include the details of your expedition.

MADISON MOUNTAINEERING STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU ENROLL WITH GLOBAL RESCUE PRIOR TO EMBARKING ON YOUR TRIP.

Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organization providing integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services to our travelers worldwide. Without a Global Rescue membership, an emergency evacuation could cost you more than $100,000. That’s why over 1 million members trust Global Rescue to get them home when the worst happens. Don’t travel without Global Rescue.

Memberships start at $119.

GLOBAL RESCUE MEMBERSHIP

• Medical Consultation services 24/7/365 with critical care paramedics, nurses and physicians, and an exclusive relationship with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations
• Field Rescue from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency
• Evacuation back to the member’s home hospital of choice
• Security Extraction from natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest
• Travel Intelligence and event monitoring from our team of in-house analysts
• GPS Tracking & Communication through our mobile app

GLOBAL RESCUE PROVIDES THE MOST COMPLETE MEDICAL, SECURITY AND EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE FOR TRAVELERS.

AIG Travel Guard offers three levels of coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, including a ‘cancel for any reason’ option. To meet the medical evacuation requirement, you can purchase the Travel Guard MedEvac Per Trip Plan with Adventure Sports Coverage.

• The Platinum Plan is for travelers who want a comprehensive package of travel insurance coverage and assistance services. The Platinum Plan also covers for pre-existing medical conditions and carrier financial default. You can also upgrade your Platinum Plan to include optional coverages like Cancel for Any Reason, Cancel for Work Reasons, and Medical Evacuation home or to the hospital of your choice!
• The Gold Plan is our most popular package of travel insurance & assistance services. Offering comprehensive coverage for individual travelers and families, this plan includes children 17 and under covered at no additional cost! If you purchase within 15 days of initial trip deposit, this plan provides additional coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and carrier financial default. Optional coverage upgrades include Cancel for Any Reason, Cancel for Work Reasons, and Medical Evacuation home or to the hospital of choice.
• The Silver Plan is for travelers and families who want basic comprehensive coverage and access to our 24-hour emergency travel assistance services. This plan provides even more coverage when purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment, including coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and carrier financial default. Each child 17 and under is covered at no additional cost for each adult that purchases this plan.
• The Travel Guard MedEvac plan can provide worldwide travel medical and evacuation coverage for trips up to 364 days in length. MedEvac can cover the cost to transport you to the hospital of your choice or home if medically necessary and can cover any qualified accompanying medical expenses you may incur. MedEvac also includes optional adventure sports and baggage coverage. MedEvac is our recommended plan for travelers applying for a Schengen Visa.

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Cote d'Ivoire Travel Advisory

Travel advisory april 8, 2024, cote d ivoire - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Updated to reflect safety and security information on the Northern Border Region, and additional points for mariners who decide to travel to Côte d’Ivoire.

Exercise increased caution due to  crime, terrorism , civil unrest , health , and  piracy.   Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

• Northern border region due to  terrorism .

Country Summary:   Crime continues to be a major public security concern in Côte d’Ivoire. Violent crime, such as carjacking, robbery, and home invasion, is common in some areas.  Local police often lack resources to respond to serious crimes.

Violent extremist activity occurs in Burkina Faso and Mali near the border with Côte d’Ivoire.  Terrorism concerns in the northern region remain due to its proximity to these countries.

Travelers should avoid demonstrations, protests, political rallies, and large crowds.  These events can become violent.  Demonstrators and security forces may clash suddenly.  Police may use tear gas or other force to break up crowds.

Piracy with armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom are significant threats to ships operating near Côte d’Ivoire.  U.S. citizens on ships in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa should be cautious.  

Health care in rural areas is below U.S. standards.  There are often shortages of medicine and medical supplies in public and private health facilities.

The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens outside Abidjan.  U.S. Embassy staff are not permitted to drive outside major cities at night.  Read the  country information page  for more information on travel to Côte d’Ivoire.

If you decide to travel to Côte d’Ivoire: 

• Check local media for breaking events and adjust your plans.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by foreign travelers and foreign residents.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Carry a copy of your passport and visa (if applicable).  Leave originals in your hotel safe.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government help.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Get full medical insurance.  It should include medical evacuation.
• Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and NGA broadcast warnings.  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  You will get safety alerts by email/text and it will help us find you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Côte d’Ivoire.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Northern Border Region – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The main terrorist threat to Côte d’Ivoire is from a group called Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). JNIM is linked to al-Qa’ida. JNIM mostly operates in the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso and Mali.  The threat from JNIM has in the past reached northern Côte d’Ivoire, near the border with Burkina Faso.  Attacks have happened in the Savanes and Zanzan Districts, including Comoé National Park.  These attacks have mainly targeted Ivoirian security forces, but civilians have also been targeted.  In 2021, Al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) carried out 17 small-scale attacks that killed approximately 20 people.  After these attacks, the Côte d’Ivoire government increased security in northern Côte d’Ivoire.  Since 2021, there have been no attacks.

Travel Advisory Levels

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