Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance
Travel insurance can cover repatriation if you encounter a medical emergency abroad and need to be evacuated.
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When you take yourself on an adventure to the far ends of the earth, whether it’s snowmobiling across the fjords or surfing on spring break, accidents (or illnesses) are bound to happen. While we hope that things don’t go to the extreme, sometimes home (besides being where the heart is) is where you can get the best medical attention. World Nomads can help you get safely there.
What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?
A medical 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.
What does World Nomads insurance cover?
Under your World Nomads plan, emergency medical evacuation is covered if it’s recommended by a doctor – 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
What's not covered under medical evacuation insurance?
The key thing to remember is that you need to get pre-authorization for a medical evacuation. Our travel insurance plans exclude coverage for any of the following:
- Any incidents related to drug and alcohol abuse
- Continuation of 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. For more information, check out our article on medical transport and repatriation, and read your policy carefully.
Don’t forget: Besides Emergency Evacuation, World Nomads plans offer Emergency Medical coverage. You can get a summary of our plans on our page about Emergency Medical benefits.
What are the benefits of medical evacuation insurance?
You’re just about to reach the peak of a cliff when you take a tumble, and the only thing between you and a hospital is 300 miles and a way to get you there.
This is a situation where you’d be grateful for medical evacuation coverage. It’s simple: when you get hurt or sick, you should be able to get to a place where you can get the care you need, pronto.
Unfortunately, your insurance company won’t have benefits for medical expenses outside a certain geographic region or any repatriation services, for that matter. Medical transport – particularly Medevac flights – can deplete your savings. What could be a lifesaver may actually bankrupt you.
How to get medical assistance.
When you’re in a crisis, you can contact our travel assistance services. Our team members can support you at 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.
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
World Nomads plans build in benefits that support you should you unexpectedly get sick while traveling. Our medical coverage includes benefits for serious illnesses, such as COVID-19, or being placed under strict quarantine by a physician or government mandate, among other scenarios.
Trip cancellation
This benefit helps you recover non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs when you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, including for an unexpected sickness that keeps you from traveling.
Emergency medical
The only thing worse than catching COVID-19 is getting infected away from home. If you get sick with COVID-19 or another illness, you can get diagnostic tests to confirm your case and other emergency medical benefits.
Medical evacuation
If you're in an inadequate medical facility, our plans have benefits that can arrange a transfer to a hospital capable of treating your medical needs.
Trip interruption
During your travels, you might have to return home early. With trip interruption, you could get reimbursed for a one-way, economy-class ticket home and any pre-paid, unused portions of your trip if you need to change your plans for a covered reason.
Trip delay
Even when there isn’t a pandemic, traveling can have its bumps and hiccups. If your travels are delayed at least six hours by a covered event, you could get reimbursed for meals, hotels and other basic expenses.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
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.
- Explorer Plan: $100,000
- Standard Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Need a hospital?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
Emergency medical transportation: we’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $300,000
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.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
Help starts here.
- Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
- Repatriation of Remains
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage & Personal Effects
- Baggage Delay (outward journey only)
- Rental Car Damage – where permissible
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Generali Global Assistance 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Generali Global Assistance Non-Medical Emergency Transportation Services
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.
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)
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.
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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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel - what you need to know
Please read your plan documents carefully. Cancellations due to fear of travel are not covered. However, our plans may provide coverage if you become injured or ill prior to your trip or while on your trip. Learn more here: www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/coronavirus.
About Coronavirus