When Travel Insurance Won't Fly You Home

August 4, 2022

Travel insurance helps vacationers in so many ways but is often purchased with many key details being overlooked. Many consumers purchase travel insurance because of the peace of mind it provides and the millions of dollars of coverage that is included. Many people do not know that the fine print of each policy outlines exactly what is and isn’t covered when things go wrong and what an insurance provider is willing to do for you should you be hospitalized internationally.

No matter how many hundreds of thousands of dollars of coverage you have according to your policy, many insurers will not fly you home should you need to receive medical care back home. Emergency relocation, medical repatriation, hospital-to-hospital transfers, and air ambulance services are typically not included in your policy. Should you or a loved one need this service, you are likely to be left on your own to pay the final bill, which can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Travel Insurance Limitations Tied to International Air Ambulance Use

It’s never a pleasant experience to be hospitalized during international travel. Being a victim of violent crime, experiencing a sudden illness, or contracting COVID-19 are very real possibilities and simply can’t be ignored. Travel insurance providers work tirelessly to address these issues, offering reimbursement for medical and hospital costs. But an extended stay at a hospital abroad can create endless complications for you and your family. In some cases, you may be forced to miss a flight, extend your trip, and pay for unexpected accommodations.

There are times when a travel insurance policy’s coverage has run its course, and travelers are forced to make the decision to return home to receive care despite not being fully recovered. At times, the quality of medical care may be much lower than the medical systems in North America, and complex surgeries or medical procedures simply can’t be completed abroad.

This can come as a shock to injured travelers, as most traditional travel insurance providers will point to the fine print of their policies that outline they are not willing to address the costs of such a service.

Travel Insurance and Air Ambulance Costs You Should Know

1) So how much does an air ambulance cost?

Medical assistance services like emergency relocation and air ambulance services vary but can cost upwards of $50,000 USD. In especially complex international air ambulance scenarios and repatriation efforts, consumers could expect a bill of over $500,000 USD.

It’s also important to consider that emergency air ambulance costs could be much higher than a bed-to-bed hospital transfer or an emergency relocation that doesn’t require the assistance of a nurse. It is entirely dependent on the service provider and the situation itself. These services are incredibly expensive and are a major unexpected cost that many vacationers cannot afford on their own.

2) Travel Insurance Complications

Being left alone to book an air ambulance service can be a frightening experience. The tasks of having to communicate with medical professionals in a foreign language or being forced to make costly decisions under pressure can cause great amounts of stress for the injured party and family members. The surprises that come with a significant injury during travel do not end with just air ambulance costs but also the claims process itself.

Oftentimes, vacationers learn the hard way that a traditional travel insurance policy is not enough to address the costs of being injured or becoming sick during international travel. Even the policies that claim to offer full coverage for hospitalization come with many clauses and exceptions that can be used to void your coverage entirely. Should you need to make a claim for benefits from your insurance provider, the entire claims process can be extremely complex and on a reimbursement basis, which is especially problematic when some foreign hospitals may request payment upfront.

Travel Insurance for Air Ambulances: Explore Offerings from CAP

When travel insurance isn’t enough, travel assistance plans offering fully-funded air ambulance services such as CAP can provide true peace of mind during international travel. Take every step necessary to avoid the costs of an unexpected air ambulance that can change your life forever.

FocusPoint International’s CAP Travel Assistance Plan comes with a robust CAP Advantage mobile app that includes destination-based health, safety, and security intelligence, COVID-19-specific information, a one-touch assistance button, and much more.

The CAP Travel Medical and Security Assistance Plan offers unlimited 24/7 advice for a long list of travel mishaps often overlooked by traditional travel insurance, including COVID quarantine cost coverage. It also provides a fully-funded response to incidents of riots, strikes, civil commotion, and natural disasters, with medical evacuation to a home hospital of choice, should you suffer from a medical mishap resulting in hospitalization.

Contact us directly to learn more about available solutions for North American travelers.