Air, Sea, Ground Emergencies Covered by Travel Insurance

Thinking about hitting the slopes on an upcoming trip? A common question we get from travellers is: “Does TuGo Travel Insurance cover helicopter ambulance?” Yes, we do!

In fact, our Traveller policy has two benefits that cover emergency airlift: the first is ambulance services and the second, emergency air transportation. Plus, TuGo offers a remote evacuation benefit for non-emergencies in remote locations. Let’s explore the differences between these benefits…

 1. Ambulance services

Our ambulance services benefit covers ANY licensed emergency medical response service, be it via air, sea or ground, without pre-approval. If you’re in a medical emergency, you’ll be taken to the nearest medical facility for immediate care, including air ambulance transportation to the nearest hospital, no matter your location.

Here’s what’s covered under our Traveller policy: “The services of a licensed ground, air or sea ambulance and paramedics to the nearest hospital. Fire rescue expenses are also covered if a fire rescue team is dispatched in response to your medical emergency. If an ambulance is medically required but is unavailable, we will reimburse you for taxi expenses, but the taxi receipt is required.”

Some of our customers in remote areas, like the jungles of Malaysia or trekkers suffering from altitude sickness, have used this benefit. Take Clara*, for example. Clara, had to be air lifted when she fell unconscious with malaria in the jungles of Malaysia. Or, in Daina*’s trek in Nepal, emergency ambulance involved both equestrian and air ambulance!

23-year-old Daina experienced respiratory issues, fatigue and nausea ten days into her trekking expedition in Nepal. After being diagnosed and treated for altitude sickness at base camp, she travelled by horse to a suitable altitude and was then taken by helicopter ambulance to Kathmandu for further care. Her air medical evacuation and horse transportation totaled $5,056.75, which we covered in full!

2. Emergency air transportation

Our emergency air transportation benefit helps in the following situation: if you’re injured and have already arrived at the nearest trauma facility, but require airlift to a different hospital or back to Canada for treatment, we will cover and arrange for the air transportation. Our Emergency Assistance team is available 24/7 to help you get to the care and treatment you need. For example, if the first hospital treating you doesn’t have the services you need (CT scan, MRI machine, orthopedic surgeon’s expertise, etc.), then we’ll arrange for you to be airlifted to the nearest facility that can fully treat your injuries. In this situation, you’ll need pre-approval by Claims at TuGo® for emergency air transportation.

Here’s what our Traveller policy states: “At the time of hospitalization, medical air evacuation for return to Canada or medical air evacuation between medical facilities when the first medical facility is not equipped to provide the required treatment.

In fact, we often use air evacuation to transfer injured Canadians back home. If you’re in the US for example, airlift to Canada is often preferable than staying for treatment in the States. Most of all, we want to get you home so your healing can begin, surrounded by the support of family and friends.

Here’s an example where a customer needed both kinds of airlifts:

18-year-old Andy* travelled to Oregon to go dirt biking. He made a bad jump over a sand dune, flying 25 feet and landing badly, and the response team suspected spinal damaged. As a result, an air ambulance was required to take Andy to the nearest trauma hospital. In Emergency, he was diagnosed with two compressed vertebrae in his lower spine, a fractured femur, and a mild concussion. Andy required emergency surgery and spent 17 days in hospital before being air ambulanced back to a Canadian hospital equipped to care for his spinal injuries. Andy’s ambulance costs alone amounted to over $53,000; his total claim cost covered by TuGo was over $380,000.

3. Remote evacuation

What if you’re stuck in a remote location, need help evacuating but don’t have a medical emergency?

Our remote evacuation benefit is available, when pre-approved by Claims at TuGo, unless contacting us isn’t immediately possible. Here’s how it works with our Traveller product: “Up to $6,000 may be reimbursed for non-medical emergency evacuation from a remote location (including mountain, sea or other location) by professional services to the nearest accessible point, including search and rescue services for mountain, sea or other remote locations.” For example, if you’re on a ski vacation in a remote location, and an avalanche occurs, as long as you’re not crossing a fenced, gated or roped-off area marked as off-limits, we’ll cover this.

In closing, you can feel confident that when you choose TuGo Travel Insurance, ambulance services are paid for. When you’re in a medical emergency, it will make all the difference! Be sure to keep your travel insurance details with you at all times, along with the global toll-free number to contact us for immediate assistance.

Questions? Send them to blog@tugo.com and we’ll get you the answers you’ll need!

Safe travels,

Melissa

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2015 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.

^{* Travellers’ names have been changed to respect privacy.}