Global Rescue?
 

Has anyone actually contacted or used Global Rescue? If so, what do you think? I'm hoping there's some devil's advocates out there to pick holes in what looks on the surface like a great deal. Cynics, where are you?!

It's better than a great idea - they execute
 

Sorry, it's the real deal.

I've used them at least 4 times.

Are you looking at a year membership?
For shorter periods World Nomads are cheaper.

Genghis9021, have you had to claim anything post-accident?

Never. I've used them for medical and evacuation (mountain climbing, western China - Mustagata).

But I'm familiar with them via 2nd-hand sources I trust (know) and they were professional and effective.

For emergency evacuation . . . they have few if any rivals, in reality. I've used their temp services for periods as long as 3 months and as short as 30 days.

As I understand it they cover the cost of sending you back to your country of origim but not the medical expenses. This means if you break a leg, have a heart attack etc they will repatriate you but you pay the medical bill. If this is not the case and they do pay for medical bills then I am very interested.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking for good medical coverage and think World Nomads may be the answer but there are a lot of complaints abiut them finding wats to not pay.
Any help appreciated.

From what I understood when just speaking to someone, they cover transport to the hospital in whatever country you injure yourself as well as transport back to your home country hospital. Basically, care outside the hospital, but not within.

you asked for Devils....
 

I used them in 2010, I'm new to HU and this is my first post so take that for what it is. Basically they are a phone dispatch based in the USA run by retired military. If your hurt in Canada they call the Canadian rescue unit closest to your accident, then basically take credit for rescuing you.This is how it works in all country's where there is government provided rescue. If you where like me in a country with less infrastructure then they will try and get some locals to go and find you, if they have the contacts. In Tibet in 2010 they where with less then shit for me. I called and they had no contacts with the official Chinese bureaucracy, lucky I had friends in Kathmandu who helped me out. when I got home there bill was insane. After itemizing the rescue for them they eventually agreed that indeed I had not come close to my coverage limit and let go of the lean on the bank account. Creepy. I think that if you are in Nepal our Tibet you would benefit from a outfitter in Kathmandu as your "back up" Yes if you get back to a city they will find the cheapest advanced life support flight available back to your hospital. Still this may be the best outfit for many travelers but if your hanging it out you may want to do your own pre accident research for the areas you are in, in case they have not a clue how to help you, as happened to me. I'm a poor writer and this is a huge story that I would have a hard time sharing. I'm sure many have good things to say about them, as for me they where terrible from start to finish. Please don't hate me for telling my truth.

509rider. That's interesting, and sorry this happened. THANK YOU for your honesty. I am really looking for people who've used them, I'm doing a talk at Overland Expo - Overland Expo 2013 after this, so am looking for the nitty-gritty. I'll add this to my info.

What would you do next time? Find insurance/contacts on a country by country basis? That's a lot of work! In all honesty, I have never insured myself in over 30 years of travel, starting to think maybe I should before my luck runs out... knock on wood. :thumbup1:

lorraine,

I climb most years in Nepal and Tibet if I can... So yes I have a plan for those areas. I imagine that many people that use this site are looking for a solution for multiple country's over a long period making there needs different then mine ( Im like you and have never really had any travel insurance until the AAC started providing it). Knowing the area you are traveling in will certainly help you. In Nepal I have the phone # for several good Helicopter companies and I know which one I like best, I also know which hospital in country to use and where I would like to be med-evac to out of country. I you are like me and doing high risk adventures (climbing) then simply trusting in some glossy brochure is a fail that will catch up to you. I had never entertained using GR until they got taken on by the AAC ( American Alpine Club ). OK enough for now. Thanks for your interest.

Hmmm, that kind of philosophy really does promote the idea of slow travel too. Concentrate on a few countries, and get lots of contacts who can help you if all goes to shit. Good idea for me to pass along, thanks!

Global Rescue Scam
 

In December of 2013 I had an absolutely horrible experience with “Global Rescue.” While planning a trek to Everest Base Camp I thought it would be prudent to purchase what I thought was a premiere travel rescue insurance policy from what looked to be a reputable company. The plan cost $655 and I headed to Nepal believing that if something bad happened that “Global Rescue” would be by my side. I was wrong.

10 days into my Trek, after making it to the summit of 18,500 foot Kala Pathar, I began experiencing classic symptoms of AMS and HAPE. My guide called into the trekking service and they called for a helicopter air lift out of Gorak Shep. The helicopter arrived within 2 hours and after a quick refuel in Lukla flew me to Kathmandu airport where I was met by a waiting ambulance. The ambulance transported me to a hospital where I was admitted, diagnosed and treated for AMS and HAPE. While in the hospital a “Global Rescue” representative called me and asked the details of my illness. I was impressed and very happy that I had signed up for their service.

At least I was happy until 4 days later when “Global Rescue” refused to pay for any of any of my evacuation or hospital expenses. They very politely informed me that they were not a travel insurance company, they were a rescue company and that they would not pay for any of my expenses. Read the fine print, it says things like:
2.4a GR reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion (i) whether a Traveling Member’s condition is sufficiently serious to warrant transport services, and (ii) the mode of transport.
2.8 GR Obligation. GR shall only be obligated to pay for services which are provided and arranged for by GR and GR Contractors. The final selection and payment for any such services not arranged for or provided by GR shall be the sole responsibility of the Traveling Member. GR shall not be obligated to provide reimbursement for evacuation services arranged by any third party.
5. Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL GR, GR’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS, GUARANTORS OR GR CONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES WHATSOEVER AS A RESULT OF ANY ACTION OR OMISSION BY GR OR ANY GR CONTACTOR, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESCRIBED. MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT RECEIVING THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXTREMELY RISKY, AND AGREES TO HOLD GR HARMLESS FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES. GR’S MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY TYPE OF DAMAGES OR LOSS SHALL BE LIMITED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE.

Meanwhile, while the helicopter company and hospital were holding my passport until they received full payment for my evacuation and medical treatment, “Global Rescue” was no longer returning my calls. I paid the hospital and helicopter company with a credit card, got my passport back and booked an earlier flight home. After further research, I discovered that my standard Aetna policy would pay for 90% of the helicopter evacuation as an “ambulance” coverage. A $44.95 policy I booked with Travel Guard through Travelocity when I booked my flight paid for the remainder of my helicopter evacuation, my hospital expense and airline tickets for my early flight home. Further research revealed that others have had similar bad experiences with “Global Rescue” and after discussing the possibility of a class action lawsuit with them, they returned my $655 membership fee.

Needless to say, I was VERY IMPRESSED with Travel Guard and I In December of 2013 I had an absolutely horrible experience with “Global Rescue.” While planning a trek to Everest Base Camp I thought it would be prudent to purchase what I thought was a premiere travel rescue insurance policy from what looked to be a reputable company. The plan cost $655 and I headed to Nepal believing that if something bad happened that “Global Rescue” would be by my side. I was wrong.
10 days into my Trek, after making it to the summit of 18,500 foot Kala Pathar, I began experiencing classic symptoms of AMS and HAPE. My guide called into the trekking service and they called for a helicopter air lift out of Gorak Shep. The helicopter arrived within 2 hours and after a quick refuel in Lukla flew me to Kathmandu airport where I was met by a waiting ambulance. The ambulance transported me to a hospital where I was admitted, diagnosed and treated for AMS and HAPE. While in the hospital a “Global Rescue” representative called me and asked the details of my illness. I was impressed and very happy that I had signed up for their service.
At least I was happy until 4 days later when “Global Rescue” refused to pay for any of any of my evacuation or hospital expenses. They very politely informed me that they were not a travel insurance company, they were a rescue company and that they would not pay for any of my expenses. Read the fine print, it says things like:
2.4a GR reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion (i) whether a Traveling Member’s condition is sufficiently serious to warrant transport services, and (ii) the mode of transport.
2.8 GR Obligation. GR shall only be obligated to pay for services which are provided and arranged for by GR and GR Contractors. The final selection and payment for any such services not arranged for or provided by GR shall be the sole responsibility of the Traveling Member. GR shall not be obligated to provide reimbursement for evacuation services arranged by any third party.
5. Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL GR, GR’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS, GUARANTORS OR GR CONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES WHATSOEVER AS A RESULT OF ANY ACTION OR OMISSION BY GR OR ANY GR CONTACTOR, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESCRIBED. MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT RECEIVING THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXTREMELY RISKY, AND AGREES TO HOLD GR HARMLESS FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES. GR’S MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY TYPE OF DAMAGES OR LOSS SHALL BE LIMITED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE.
Meanwhile, while the helicopter company and hospital were holding my passport until they received full payment for my evacuation and medical treatment, “Global Rescue” was no longer returning my calls. I paid the hospital and helicopter company with a credit card, got my passport back and booked an earlier flight home. After further research, I discovered that my standard Aetna policy would pay for 90% of the helicopter evacuation as an “ambulance” coverage. A $44.95 policy I booked with Travel Guard through Travelocity when I booked my flight paid for the remainder of my helicopter evacuation, my hospital expense and airline tickets for my early flight home. Further research revealed that others have had similar bad experiences with “Global Rescue” and after discussing the possibility of a class action lawsuit with them, they returned my $655 membership fee.
Needless to say, I was VERY IMPRESSED with Travel Guard and I will NEVER use “Global Rescue” again.

While I appreciate the informative--yet varied--responses from the three travelers who have used GR, they are mostly anecdotal and I sure would appreciate links to trip reports detailing the circumstances.

Anyone?

Thanks!

:eek3::eek3::eek3::eek3::eek3:

In the UK this term and condition isn't worth the paper it's written on. A lawyer would laugh at this utterly ridiculous statement. It's patently obvious it's been invented by someone who knows nothing of the law.

I suppose some areas of the world might allow this kind of abuse???doh

The Uk's Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 is explicit in this respect - No party can ever indemnify itself against it's own negligence, this includes it's agents.

Same goes for all EU countries.

Any organisation which uses such limitations is clearly a company which should be avoided. BUYER BEWARE!

Anyone who suffers damages at the hands of this shower of sh1te would probably have good cause to sue them in a court of law. The dim wit who wrote those terms of trading needs to read up on basic contract law (torts).

Where is Global Rescue with a rebuttal?
 

I was seriously considering using Global Rescue for a long trip through the Americas.

Now that seems as if it would not be a good idea, especially when they expect to be held unaccountable for poor performance on their part.

Legal or illegal clauses(?), who wants the hassle of sueing your contractor for non performance in a foreign country. :thumbdown:

Maybe HU should consider removing their advertising from the site ?c?