Medical Evacuation Cover

Although experts in mitigating risk, we can never guarantee that things will work out as planned. Being covered for the cost of medical-related expenses is recommended, and mandatory on some trips.

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We recommend you are covered for unforeseen medical, repatriation and medical evacuation expenses. Depending on the Antarctic air logistics company you travel with, you may require medical evacuation cover to the value of US$750,000.

Keep in mind the following criteria when selecting a policy:

  • nationality and residency
  • age
  • geographic location of activity
  • risk activities (opt for the highest level, sometimes referred to as a sports rider)
  • medical evacuation or search and rescue
  • whether the policy offers insurance or a membership that covers expenses

It is important to understand the distinction between medical evacuation and search and rescue (SAR) cover.

Medical Evacuation Cover (most common)

Search and Rescue Cover

This assumes that your location is known. With modern communications and tracking it is highly likely that your position is known or will be accurately transmitted by your guide.

Your location is not known to rescuers and a search team requires time, resources and capability to find you, all of which are chargeable.

This may only cover you on a final leg of evacuation, eg. from Antarctica airbase to a gateway town such as Punta Arenas and may not cover flights within Antarctica eg. from point of incident to Antarctica airbase. Contact the provider for details.

A SAR policy will cover all flights from point of pickup to city of hospitalisation but always check with provider before purchase.

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Providers that may offer cover appropriate to your requirements:

Redpoint Travel Protection

World Trips/Atlas

IM Global

Global Rescue

Travel Guard

World Nomads

Gouda

Tugo

RipCord

GEOS (Garmin)

Global Underwriters

MedJet Assist

American Express Travel Insurance

The French Alpine Club insurance (CAF Club Alpin Francais)


Your credit card may have complimentary travel insurance.


Some of these providers may not cover Antarctica, South Pole, Greenland or North Pole. Most will cover Svalbard (usually listed as Svalbard-Jan Mayen).

NOTE: It is very important to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of the policy you are considering. If in doubt, contact the insurance/cover provider for clarity.

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