Travelling abroad is exciting, but what happens when something goes wrong? Let’s say you’re hiking in a remote area, and you slip, suffering a serious injury. The local hospital may not have the facilities to treat you, and the cost of being airlifted to proper care could drain your savings in an instant. Worse yet, without proper coverage, you might even be denied boarding on a medical flight without upfront payment.
Medical evacuation cover can make or break a trip, turning a stressful emergency into a manageable situation. It ensures you get the care you need without worrying about the financial burden – which can be significant. This guide will walk you through our travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, including the costs, what’s covered, and how to access emergency services.
With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and travel confidently knowing you’re protected if things go pear shaped.
Understand Medical Evacuation in Travel Insurance
Medical evacuation is the process of transporting a person who has suffered a serious injury or illness to the nearest medical facility that can provide proper care. If you’re in a remote location or a country with limited healthcare, emergency evacuation may be your lifeline.
There are three common types of medical evacuation:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: This is when you’re injured or sick and need to be quickly transported to the nearest suitable medical facility.
- Medical Repatriation: This is when you’re stable enough to return to your home country but still require medical care during transport.
- Repatriation of Remains: If someone passes away abroad, this service helps arrange bringing the body back home.
Methods of Transport
There are different methods of emergency medical transport depending on the severity of the condition and the distance to the medical facility.
- Air Ambulance – used for critical cases when immediate transport is necessary
- Ground Ambulance – for shorter distances or when air transport isn’t required
- Commercial Flights with Medical Escorts – used when the patient is stable but still needs medical supervision
- Medical Escorts on Private Flights – for severe cases that need specialised care but don’t require an air ambulance
Why Medical Cover Can Be Essential
When you’re travelling, medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly. The cost of emergency medical transport can be overwhelming without coverage. In many destinations, local hospitals may not be equipped to handle serious injuries or illnesses, and evacuation could be necessary to receive proper treatment. This is why having travel insurance and medical evacuation cover is so important.
Medical evacuations aren’t rare either; they happen more often than you’d think, with common reasons being accidents, sudden illnesses, or serious injuries. Being covered means you can focus on getting well without worrying about how to afford emergency evacuation.
Does Travel Insured Cover Medical Evacuations?
Yes! Medical evacuation is included in our single trip travel insurance plan. This means if you face a serious illness or accidental injury while travelling, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how it works: our travel insurance offers unlimited cover for emergency medical evacuation, providing up to 12 months of treatment.
We provide benefits like emergency medical transportation, medical repatriation, and even repatriation of remains if needed. In some situations, if a loved one needs to travel to be by your side, their travel expenses may be covered depending on the specific circumstances and policy details.
To be eligible, the evacuation must be deemed medically necessary by our Medical Officer (or, in an emergency, the attending medical practitioner). Our cover is worldwide, so no matter where you are, we can step in. Just remember, some geographical exclusions or limitations may apply depending on your personal circumstances—so check the full details of your plan.
When you travel with us, you’re not just covered—you’re cared for. That’s the difference we bring, ensuring you get home safely when it matters most.
Why Travel Insured International Medical Evacuation Cover Matters
Planning for the unexpected is key to having a stress-free trip. With Travel Insured Australia medical evacuation cover, you can rest assured that you’ll get the help you need if a serious medical emergency happens abroad.
Whether you’re adventuring in remote areas or simply on holiday with family, having the right cover ensures you can access proper medical care without worrying about the cost. From medical transport to repatriation, we’re with you every step of the way.
Now that you know what to look for, choosing the right plan is easy. Always review your needs, read the fine print, and ask questions if anything seems unclear.
How to Access Medical Evacuation Assistance Anywhere
When you’re faced with a medical emergency abroad, we’ve got your back. We provide cover through our 24/7 emergency assistance hotline, ensuring help is always available.
Whether you need medical consultation, evacuation coordination, or language translation, just give us a call. Our emergency services help you navigate hospital admissions and much more, ensuring you’re well taken care of no matter where you are.
Steps to Take in a Medical Emergency Abroad
- Seek Local Emergency Medical Care: Your first priority is always your health. If you have a medical emergency, seek immediate local care from the nearest, appropriate hospital or medical professional.
- Contact Travel Insured: Depending on the severity and complexity of the situation, contact us via our emergency medical evacuation hotline. If you’re able, or have someone assist you, inform us about your situation for further guidance. However, not all emergencies will require immediate contact with your insurer.
- Provide Necessary Information: When contacting us, make sure to give your policy number, location, contact details, and a clear description of your medical condition.
- Stay Calm and Follow Medical Provider Advice: Be sure to follow the instructions of local healthcare providers and authorities. They can help stabilise your condition while further arrangements are made.
- Stay in Touch with Family: It’s always wise to keep your loved ones updated on your situation, especially if you’re undergoing medical treatment or awaiting transportation.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions can affect your eligibility for medical evacuation cover. If you’ve had a medical condition in the 12 months prior to purchasing your policy, it may be excluded from cover unless it’s listed as an automatically covered condition (and you’ve not been hospitalised for the condition in the past 24 months and your medications for the condition have remained unchanged for the past 6 months).
Conditions that aren’t covered may affect eligibility for evacuation services if your condition worsens or requires medical attention.
Some plans from other travel insurance providers may offer a waiver for pre-existing conditions if you purchase cover within a specified time frame after booking your trip. This waiver ensures that even if you have a pre-existing condition, you’re still covered for emergency medical evacuation. Refer to your plan’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information.
Excluded Activities and Situations
There are certain activities and situations where your travel insurance policy likely won’t cover you:
- High-Risk Activities: Injuries from hazardous activities like certain extreme sports are excluded (see the PDS for the list of excluded activities). Snow sports are excluded unless you purchase additional cover (e.g., Snow Pack).
- Alcohol and Drug Influence: Claims are likely to be denied if an injury occurs under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Illegal Acts: Any injury resulting from unlawful activities will not be covered.
- Travel Advisories: Travelling to areas under an Australian government warning (i.e. Smartraveller) may impact your cover, especially if the advisory was in place when you departed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Travel Insured Australia Cover Evacuations at Home?
No, our evacuation cover is designed for international travel and only applies after you leave Australia. Medical evacuations are typically covered when you are outside of Australia. Please check your policy for full details and coverage options.
What Should I Check in the Fine Print?
Look out for hospital-stay requirements, hospital of choice clauses, and exclusions for high-risk activities. It’s always a good idea to read the policy thoroughly and ask questions if anything is unclear!
Check out our FAQ page for answers to more commonly asked questions about travel insurance and our policies.
How to Choose the Right Medical Evacuation Cover
Choosing the best policy for medical evacuation cover is easier when you break it down into simple steps. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered:
Step 1: Assess Your Travel Needs
Start by evaluating your travel plans. Think about the quality of medical facilities at your destination. Are you travelling to a remote area or somewhere with limited healthcare options?
If so, you’ll need strong evacuation cover. Consider the activities you’ll be engaging in during your trip—are you planning anything adventurous, like skiing or scuba diving? These activities can increase your risk and might require additional cover or may only be covered under certain conditions.
Finally, factor in whether you’re travelling with children or dependants. If so, you’ll want a policy that provides cover for them in case of an emergency.
Step 2: Review Policy Options
Once you’ve assessed your needs, review the available policy options. It’s worth checking if the policy includes added benefits, such as companion travel or the repatriation of minor children.
Make sure to read the exclusions and conditions carefully—some policies may not cover certain high-risk activities or pre-existing conditions, which could affect your coverage.
Step 3: Understand the Terms and Conditions
Understanding the medical evacuation terms and conditions is crucial. Take the time to go through the fine print, paying attention to details about how medical evacuations are handled.
If there’s anything unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Consider if you need any policy customisations, such as additional cover for specific activities or destinations, to ensure you’re fully protected.
Step 4: Purchase the Policy
Timing is everything when it comes to buying travel insurance. It’s best to purchase your policy soon after booking your trip to ensure maximum benefits.
Be sure to check any lists of automatically covered pre-existing medical conditions to avoid any complications when you need to make a claim.
Finally, keep a copy of your policy and emergency contact information easily accessible during your travels, so you’re ready if something unexpected happens.
Why Choose Travel Insured Australia
At Travel Insured Australia, we have a long-standing reputation for providing comprehensive travel insurance solutions. Our focus is on making sure travellers can relax, knowing they have travel insurance protection. We pride ourselves on offering plans that cater to all kinds of trips, from family vacations to adventure-packed holidays.
We offer a flexible plan designed for you to customise to your unique travel needs. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage—including emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, and trip cancellations—or simply need medical and evacuation cover, our plan can be tailored to suit your trip.
We are committed to providing exceptional customer support. Our policies offer reasonable costs, 24/7 emergency assistance, and align with Australian government standards, ensuring you’re always in good hands. So why wait? Purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation today and travel confidently!
Note that this blog provides a summary of the available coverage. Refer to the PDS for further information.
