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Insurance for polar expeditions is fraught with caveats so it's important to become very familiar with wording in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
We recommend you are covered for unforeseen medical, medical evacuation and repatriation expenses. For Antarctica, depending on the 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:
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:
Europ Assistance (Swiss only)
American Express Travel Insurance
The French Alpine Club insurance (CAF Club Alpin Francais)
Your credit card may have complimentary travel insurance but always check the PDS thoroughly.
Some of these providers may not cover Antarctica, South Pole, Greenland or North Pole. Most will cover Svalbard (usually listed as Svalbard-Jan Mayen).
AGAIN, check the Product Disclosure Statement before purchase. If in doubt, contact the insurance/cover provider for clarity.
