Medical evacuation insurance, USA

[markharf]

Hi Folks,

I'm about to set out on a yearlong trip. After reading a bunch of old posts about medivac insurance from the likes of Medjet, MASA, STA and Navigator, I went shopping.

Medjet's website flashed me a message saying I'd need to talk with a representative during business hours.

STA travel quoted me $US 1700 (!), even with a trip price of $0 (no airline tickets, no cruise lines, no tours, no nothing).

Navigator Travel is only available to residents of the UK.

AAA quoted $1400.

MASA quoted me $US 900 per 90 days (!!!).

All I want is emergency medivac insurance. Any ideas from you fellow Americans?

Thanks much.

Mark

[John Ferris]

We have the MedJet family motorcycle plan.
MedjetAssist | Medical Evacuation from Anywhere in the World to your Hospital of Choice
They are a Horizon Unlimited sponsor.
We have not used it yet.

[markharf]

Thanks, John. I called Medjet this morning but they do not take people from Washington State. I'd welcome any alternate ideas.

Safe journeys!

Mark

[BlackBeast]

Do you mind sharing what the reason was?
I was led to believe that they were the best for coverage for North Americans.
Daryll

[markharf]

Hi Daryll,

The person to whom I spoke said that the regulatory climate didn't favor writing policies here in Washington State, and that there was no prospect of this changing anytime soon. I didn't ask for details (too busy looking for a rusty blade with which to slit my wrists). I assume they still provide coverage in other states, although I sure don't know which ones. Nor do I know how this might apply to writing insurance in various provinces.

Given the choice between paying $US1400 or more and going uninsured, I might choose the latter. I'm starting to wonder what all those other Washington State folks have done. In fact, I'm wondering how many people bother with medivac insurance at all. I've seldom carried it and certainly never used it. But for some reason I seem to be developing a taste for safety and certainty in my declining years (as they are widely known).

Hope that helps.

Mark

[John Ferris]

I found a site that has other Evac plans.
The top 2 (MedJet is the second one down) won't insure in Washington.

Review Emergency Evacuation - Emergency Evacuation Insurance - Total Travel Insurance

[markharf]

Hi John,

Thanks for the link. It shows me as being eligible for only one of their many evacuation plans, but that one evacuates to the nearest hospital, not the hospital of my choice. In other words, it evacuates to a local hospital--not exactly what I had in mind.

I am a bit baffled. I really don't want to throw a couple of thousand dollars away on something I intend never to use....but on the other hand that's what I do with my (private) medical insurance each and every year. Maybe I need to view this as a surcharge added to that plan; since it costs $US4500 per year out of pocket, another $1500 might not be totally intolerable.

I need to think about this some more. Any other thoughts out there? Any Washingtonians traveling with or without medivac insurance want to chime in with ideas of any sort?

Thanks.

Mark

[Gottoride]

Hi Mark,

I'm South African and I've just taken out what I think is really good medevac insurance through World Nomads of Australia, underwritten by bupa in Denmark. It's for a trip through Europe and west Africa, across to East Africa and back home to South Africa - on a motorcycle, solo. I e-mailed them my itinerary and specifically stated the that I'd be travelling by motorcycle over 125cc (because many exclude bigger bikes) and that I'd be travelling alone and they replied affirmatively knowing all the details. The total cost was $771 for five months. The specifically provide cover for extreme sports too.

I don't know of any other company that covers non-UK citizens to that extent and they even cover personal accident, death & disability, personal liability for property damage and bodily injury and there's $10k for "Security and Legal", etc, etc.

I'd check the out - worldnomads.com.

Enjoy your trip!

Kobus
One ball One continent

[markharf]

Hi Kobus,

Thanks for the link to World Nomads. I've actually just bought a short term policy from them to cover the first part of my trip. However, it's not really medivac insurance; it pays for an economy ticket home if deemed "medically necessary." This could certainly help, but the whole concept of medical necessity might require something more elaborate than a single economy ticket.

Are World Nomads policies very different? I assume this must be true. Like the other companies listed, they are agents for a lot of actual insurance companies in a lot of different countries. The policy I've got (for three weeks only) is cheaper than what you're paying....but it doesn't actually cover very much. The policies I looked at yesterday were priced about the same as yours ($US1400-3600 per year). Can anyone state with some authority that this is just what one pays for true medical evacuation insurance?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Mark

[fredsuleman]

Hi Mark
My husband and I are about to set off to Mexico and further south for a year and recently purchased a policy from World Nomads. We are Canadian-residents and have been told by them that we must hold provincial health insurance for the full duration of coverage to be eligible to purchase their policy. We can only purchase 6 months at a time, up to one year. We paid CAD$ 676 for 6 months for both of us.

I think the policy wording for each country is different depending on the underwriter being used. The wording in our policy includes a medical evacuation portion which states:

Emergency Medical Transportation/Additional Expenses
Should you require transportation to an appropriate medical facility to treat your injury or illness or to return you to your province or territory of residence, your policy will cover the reasonable and necessary transportation costs when pre-approved and arranged by Mondial Assistance Canada. This may also include paying for a qualified medical attendant when medically necessary, to travel to you and escort you home or the cost for the reasonable and necessary services needed for the transport of your remains from the place of death to your city of residence should you die as a result of an injury or illness while travelling.
The maximum amount we will pay for all claims combined under this section is: CAD$500,000 per insured.

The above probably does not help you with your quest for medical evacuation only, but I thought I would let you know what our policy includes.

Taz

[markharf]

Thanks for that information. I guess I'm just stuck with what they offer, which in my case is substantially different from what you're getting. On my policy (which I don't have in front of me) they commit to an economy class ticket home, but without any attendant or any other medical provisions. They also say they'll provide an economy class ticket for friend or family member to come and accompany me in a local hospital should this be necessary. I thought this part amusing, but I guess if my number comes up I'll be glad of the company.

Anyone want to volunteer to fly for free to wherever I am in the event of an emergency hospitalization? Could be a free vacation.....or a sojourn in hell, depending on everything.

enjoy,

Mark