Travel Insurance for Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation

For information relating to plans purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Plan Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Whether you’re trekking to see Machu Picchu, surfing in Maui, scuba diving off the coast of Thailand, or skiing in Canada, accidents or sickness can happen at any time during your trip. If you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, travel insurance* with emergency evacuation coverage may help get you the care you need.

What are the benefits of travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage?

Unexpected medical emergencies can happen at any time, whether you’re near or far from home. Appendicitis, a broken leg, animal bites and even a bout of severe food poisoning have all sent travelers to the hospital. But what happens if the nearest hospital or appropriate medical facility is dozens or even hundreds of miles away?

Medical transport – particularly Medevac flights – can cost tens of thousands of dollars. What could be a lifesaver could deplete your savings. Emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage may cover, up to your plan’s limits, the cost to get you to the nearest a facility or home for further treatment. You can compare plan benefits when you get a quote.

What is the difference between emergency evacuation and repatriation?

An emergency evacuation involves transporting patients to a hospital or other medical facility in order to be treated.

Repatriation is a type of evacuation that returns travelers back home, typically after their condition has stabilized and when the local attending physician and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team determines it is medically necessary.

And in a worst-case scenario, if a traveler dies on vacation, World Nomads travel insurance also covers repatriation of remains. It’s not an easy thing to think about, but it does happen from time to time.

What does World Nomads travel insurance cover for evacuations?

Under your World Nomads plan, emergency medical evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re going to be at the hospital for more than 7 consecutive days, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside, or the return of a dependent child back to your home.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation typically takes place through a commercial flight, though other modes of transportation could include:

  • Air ambulance or Medevac flights.
  • Sea level aircraft.
  • Helicopter.
  • Ground ambulance.

The key thing to remember is that you need to get pre-authorization for a medical evacuation.

What's not covered by emergency evacuation insurance?

Our travel insurance plans exclude coverage for any of the following:

  • Any incidents related to drug and alcohol abuse, or illegal behavior.
  • Participation as an athlete in professional sports or participating in activities not covered by your plan.
  • Participation in any military maneuverer or training exercise.
  • Traveling for the purpose of securing medical treatment (no medical tourism).
  • Continuing medical care at home.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Was this article helpful to you?

I found this article to be helpful
No, this is not the info I need

Related Articles

View more

Can't find the answer you are looking for?

Contact us

Our contact details

We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Contact us

Phone

Within the USA & Canada toll free:
1-844-207-1930

From anywhere in the world, direct / collect:
+1-816-905-3963