Of all the components of travel insurance, emergency medical evacuation cover is arguably the most important, and the most misunderstood. Many travellers assume that if they have any travel insurance, they’re covered for evacuation. The reality is more nuanced.
What Is Medical Evacuation Cover?
Medical evacuation cover pays for the transport of a seriously ill or injured traveller from their current location to the nearest appropriate medical facility, or back to their home country for treatment or recovery. It can involve road or air ambulance from the scene, air ambulance or commercial medical flight between hospitals, repatriation to Australia for ongoing treatment, a medical escort, and repatriation of remains if the worst occurs.
These costs are enormous. An air ambulance from Southeast Asia to Australia can cost AUD $50,000–$100,000. A medical evacuation from a remote location, an expedition in the Himalayas, a dive liveaboard in the Pacific, can exceed AUD $200,000.
What Triggers Medical Evacuation?
Most policies require that a treating physician and the insurer’s medical team jointly agree that evacuation is medically necessary. You cannot simply decide to fly home because you don’t like the local hospital. The insurer’s 24/7 emergency assistance team coordinates the evacuation, contact them immediately in any serious situation.
Common Exclusions to Watch For
- Pre-existing conditions: If the condition wasn’t declared and covered at time of purchase, the insurer may deny the evacuation claim.
- Alcohol and drug use: Most policies exclude injuries sustained while under the influence.
- Reckless activities: If you were participating in an excluded activity, the evacuation may be excluded.
- Late notification: Some policies require you to notify them before arranging evacuation.
Unlimited vs. Capped Evacuation Cover
The best policies offer unlimited medical evacuation cover. Some budget policies cap it at AUD $500,000 or even $250,000, which may be insufficient for an air ambulance from a remote Pacific island. Always check whether evacuation cover is unlimited or capped.
What to Do in an Emergency
- Call the insurer’s 24/7 emergency assistance number immediately, before any arrangements are made
- Keep your policy number and emergency contact details accessible (not just on your phone)
- Do not accept a medical bill for evacuation without insurer pre-approval
- If you can’t call directly, ask a companion, hotel staff, or local emergency services to contact your insurer on your behalf
