Why Is Emergency Evacuation Insurance Important?

Benefits

• Emergency evacuation insurance alleviates the worry of how you will be taken care of if an emergency strikes. Plans include transport to the medical facility of your choice, including expensive air transport, travel to your home country and emergency evacuation back home or to a safe place in case of political unrest. Insurance plans also cover repatriation in the event of death that occurs as a result of illness or injury.

Considerations

• Not all plans are created equal. Emergency evacuation insurance coverage varies from state to state. There are options available, such as whether you or the insurance company makes the decision on some of the details surrounding your care, whether you are covered for pre-existing health conditions and whether you are traveling from the United States or from another country.

Existing Coverage

• You may already have some coverage under your employer's health plan or through a group, association or credit card. Check with your insurer since these plans are likely to have limitations. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or you are traveling to an area considered to be politically unstable, you may feel more secure purchasing separate emergency evacuation insurance.