What is an Emergency Evacuation?

Travel insurance is there to help cover events for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, or getting you back to your home country. Emergency evacuation coverage is used to help pay for the expense to transport you from a remote area or to a medical facility, either to get medical assistance or to get home safely from an affected area.

In the event of an accidental injury or sickness that warrants immediate transportation from a location, Emergency Evacuation or Medical Emergency Evacuation is deployed to rescue or treat the patient.

Medical evacuation insurance is usually included in a travel plan insurance. This can sometimes be referred to as “medical evacuation insurance” or even “repatriation insurance” (repatriation means to get you back to your home country).
 

Understanding Emergency Evacuation 

Emergency Evacuation might sound daunting, but it is designed to help ensure your well-being. Here is what it means:

• Hospital-to-Hospital Transport: If your medical condition requires swift transfer from the initial hospital where you received treatment to a more-equipped hospital that can provide suitable medical care. 
• Returning Home for Further Treatment: If your situation demands it, we will organize transportation for you to return home after treatment so you can continue recovery or receive further medical attention. 
• Combination of Both: Sometimes, circumstances call for a variety of the above situations. We are here to make sure your evacuation needs are met. 
   

Life is unpredictable, and accidents or sickness can strike even during your travels.
That is why AXA Travel Protection plans provide coverage for emergency evacuations. If you suffer from an accidental injury or illness during your trip that requires immediate medical attention, we have you covered. We can pay benefits for the covered evacuation expenses incurred up to the maximum benefit mentioned in your plan. 

What is Covered? 

It’s important to note: Medical Evacuation Insurance covers the cost to transport you to a medical facility, but it does not cover the cost of medical bills or treatment.

AXA Travel Protection plans cover reasonable and customary expenses related to your Emergency Evacuation. This includes:

• Necessary transportation (ambulance, air ambulance, commercial carriers, or direct flights)
• Medical services
• Medical supplies required during evacuation
• Medical escort on your return home
• Cost for a bedside companion (or family member to travel to you)
• Repatriation remains: If you or a loved one die during your trip, Evacuation Insurance covers the cost of transporting remains home.

We are committed to getting you to safety using the most direct and cost-effective route possible. 
 

What is Not Covered?

Medical evacuation insurance can help provide you with some peace of mind and protection, but it does have coverage limitations. For one: It does not cover the cost of medical treatment—only medical transport. Always carefully review your plan documents and reach out to us if anything is unclear.

Other common medical exclusions include:

• Substance/alcohol abuse: Claims that are caused by intoxication (including overdoses) are usually not covered
• Medical tourism: Traveling abroad to receive medical care is not covered under Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance

Not sure if your situation will be covered? Check the details of your plan or contact one of our licensed agents to speak with them today: 855-327-1441.
 

What Does “Medically Necessary Transportation” Mean?

“Medical necessary” repatriation is something a doctor has to deem necessary, and “medically necessary” means that it’s appropriate based on generally-accepted medical practice as deemed by your travel medical insurance provider. Most times, medically necessary repatriation services are used when a patient needs to be transported to a hospital that is better-equipped to treat them.

Who Should Get Medical Evacuation Insurance?

Great question. While we recommend it for any trip, certain travelers may benefit from this insurance more:

• Traveling on a cruise: Many cruise lines require travel insurance as a condition of travel. Cruise ships generally have very basic medical facilities, with limited capacity. Additional medical evacuation insurance can help protect you for additional care
• Remote destinations: Travelers going to remote areas where infrastructure, hospitals, and communication are limited
• Foreign aid workers and missionaries: Similar to travelers going abroad to remote locations, aid workers often travel to areas with underdeveloped infrastructure, and may need access to emergency transport
• International business travelers: If you are traveling abroad for an extended duration and may not have access to your domestic healthcare benefits, you may want to opt-in to Emergency Medical Evacuation travel insurance
• Domestic U.S. trips that are remote: Travelers intending to go to remote, off-grid, or backcountry areas of the United States may need emergency evacuation assistance to get to timely medical care
   

Transportation Details 

Transportation arrangements are made with precision and care. We ensure that the attending physician recommends all transportation, complies with conveyance regulations, and is authorized in advance by us or our authorized travel assistance company. 

What Happens in An Emergency Evacuation Situation?

If you experience a medical emergency during your travels, contact your local emergency services. Then call AXA’s 24/7 emergency services: 855-327-1442

Transportation of Minor Children and Hospital Companions 

Your loved ones are important to us, too. If you are expected to be in the hospital for more than seven days following a covered emergency evacuation, we will ensure the safe return of your unattended minor child(ren) (under the age of eighteen (18)) who accompanied you on the trip. Children will be taken to the home of record of your emergency contact, indicated on your emergency contact form. 

Should you be abroad alone, and be hospitalized for more than 7 days, AXA’s emergency medical assistance can also arrange for your spouse or loved one to visit you, covering their travel expenses to get them there.
 

Is Emergency Evacuation Coverage Necessary?

Medical evacuation benefits help offset costs if you become seriously ill. Coverage is even more prudent if you become ill in a remote location, where the only access to medical services is by professional transport (say, a helicopter) or very far away.

Whether you need Emergency Evacuation coverage or not for your travel depends on various factors, including the nature of your trip, your travel destination, and your personal preferences.

All three of AXA’s travel plans include Emergency Evacuation coverage. Maximum coverage per person is up to:
 

Silver

Maximum Benefit: $100,000
Hospital Companion: $10,000
 

Gold

Maximum Benefit: $500,000
Hospital Companion: $10,000
 

Platinum

Maximum Benefit: $1,000,000
Hospital Companion: $10,000

Request a Free Quote to see the full range of coverage details.

Other Travel Insurance Benefits: Trip Cancellation, Baggage Loss, Cancel For Any Reason, Trip Interruption, Medical Travel Benefit, Trip Delay
 

How Much Coverage Do I Need? And What Does It Cost?

The maximum coverage varies by plan; the amount of coverage you need depends on the area you’re traveling to (your perceived risk), weather or political climate of where you’re traveling to, how long your trip is, and personal preference for what is important to you.

The cost of medical evacuation insurance varies depends on several factors, including your destination, length of stay, and overall trip cost.
 

Do I need Emergency Evacuation Protection if I’m Traveling in the U.S.?

Maybe. It depends on your trip:

If you are traveling to a remote destination within the U.S.—such as a remote ski resort, dude ranch, or backcountry trip—it is still a good idea to purchase Medical Evacuation insurance. If you are injured, your health insurance likely will not cover the cost to transport you out of the remote area to get treatment. This can leave you with copays, deductibles, or entire out-of-pocket expenses for things like airlift or ambulance transport. If you are traveling somewhere remote or in the backcountry, even within the U.S., you may still want to consider purchasing Medical Evacuation insurance.

However, if you are traveling to San Francisco for a weekend getaway with friends, staying in the city? Then it is unlikely you would need an emergency evacuation policy. Instead, consider basic travel insurance.
 

Other Things to Know:

Details of your medical evacuation coverage will vary by plan. Be sure to check for these coverage details before your trip:

• Hospital length of stay requirements: Benefits for your family’s flight home usually only refers to “extended hospitalizations,” usually 7 days. This means that if you are only hospitalized for 4 or 5 days, the benefits of their transportation isn’t included.
• Hospital of choice: Most plans stipulate that you will be flown to the “nearest adequate facility” for your treatment. If you have to go further than that, you may need add-on coverage.
• Extreme Sports Exclusions: If you plan to participate in extreme sports, you may not be covered in the event of injury. Check for adding additional riders to these activities.

Why choose AXA Travel Protection

With a presence in over 30 countries worldwide, AXA provides assistance with a wide range of features that include: 

• Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency
• 24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling
   

How to get a Travel Protection Quote
Receive a free quote within minutes.
Or call us at 855-327-1441 to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors.
Monday-Saturday, 8AM-7PM Central Time

Disclaimer:
It is important to note that the specifics for Emergency Evacuation will depend on the policy selected, date of purchase, destination, and state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy, and to contact AXA Partners with any questions or concerns they may have.
 

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual travel insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation Protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.

The insurance benefits in the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies including Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Benefits are administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. (in California, doing business as AXA Assistance Insurance Services, License Number 0H74893). Non-insurance assistance services are provided by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. and are not underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. AXA Assistance cannot guarantee the availability of assistance services everywhere or under all conditions, as there may be times when circumstances beyond AXA’s control hinder its endeavors to provide services.