Travel Insurance for Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Travel insurance can cover repatriation if you encounter a medical emergency abroad and need to be evacuated.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy 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.
- What are the benefits of emergency evacuation insurance?
- What is the difference between emergency evacuation and repatriation?
- What does World Nomads insurance cover?
- What's not covered by emergency evacuation insurance?
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, emergency evacuation insurance can help get you the care you need.
What are the benefits of emergency evacuation insurance?
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 the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or home for further treatment.
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 a doctor advises that they should no longer travel.
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 insurance cover?
Under your World Nomads plan, emergency medical evacuation is covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 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 a prolonged period of time, 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.
- Participation as an athlete in professional sports or participating in extreme sports.
- Participation in any military maneuver or training exercise.
- Traveling for the purpose of securing medical treatment.
- Continuing medical care at home.
- Losses related to illegal behavior.
This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not covered. Other limits and conditions may apply. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually Please read your policy wording in full and contact us if you have any questions, we’re happy to help.
How to get medical assistance
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency authorities first to receive immediate assistance, and then contact our 27/7 Emergency Assistance Team, who can support you every step of the way.
Please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number where you can be reached
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Abdominal pain in Myanmar
On my second day in Burma, I woke up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal distress. I was rushed to the Asia Royal Hospital and immediately taken for evaluation and an ultrasound. I had a large mass in my abdomen and evacuated to Bangkok that evening to see a specialist. I was admitted to Bumrungrad International Hospital, where I stayed for eight days for a battery of tests, including several ultrasounds, a CT scan, and two aspirations of what turned out to be a renal cyst. After a conditional discharge, where I was restricted to rest, I was deemed stable enough to be evacuated. Two days later I was on a flight back to the U.S., where I am now continuing treatment.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Need a hospital?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions around medical repatriation and travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Does travel insurance cover medical costs upfront?
When it comes to medical evacuation, travel insurance pays the provider directly. For other types of medical costs, however, you may have to pay upfront and make a claim for reimbursement later.
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Can I choose my own medical evacuation provider?
You can, but World Nomads negotiates rates with preferred providers and will only pay up to that negotiated rate, even if you use an out-of-network provider. It’s easier if you contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. Our staff can arrange the evacuation service for you.
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Can a family member join me at the hospital?
If you’re alone at the hospital for at least seven days and aren’t planning a return anytime soon, it’s possible that a family member or another person you choose, be sent to your bedside to accompany you.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.