Helicopter Evacuation Insurance

[Dougo]

Does someone know an insurance company that covers helicopter evacuation, available in the USA? The Affordable International Travel Insurance (www.worldwidemedical.com), on the links page (www.trekinfo.com/links) does not, by an email I received. I've also emailed AIG Travel Guard, the ad I, at least, see on the http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/index.php page, but they haven't replied. Before you buy insurance, ask them specifically about helicopter rescue, coverage at altitudes above 4500 meters, and what their definition of "mountaineering" is. Some consider "trekking" to be mountaineering, and exclude that in their coverage.

[Dougo]

The agent corrected himself today, and wrote that for the Trip Protector plans at www.hthtravelinsurance.com, "We do not exclude helicopter rescue on any of our plans. If that is what it takes to assist the member, that is what we will do." Also, "you would be ok as long as you are not doing technical climbing." He did write that for the Round Trip plans at www.worldwidemedical.com, "they define mountaineering as hiking above 4500 meters." (That definition is not in the actual policy!) I didn't ask about helicopter evacuation for that plan. Here is what the US embassy says: http://nepal.usembassy.gov/helicopter_rescues_.html

[James]

First, get a membership with the American Apline Club. The basic membership is a deal at $75 and includes some rescue insurance and you can purchase additional insurance if needed. http://www.americanalpineclub.org/pages/page/97

Second, regular travel insurance is a good idea. Aside from rescue and medical coverage, it can help with all the other travel uncertainties. I used Travelex insurance for my last trip, while I couldn't get anyone to explicitly say that a helicopter rescue while on the Everest Base Camp trek would be covered, they and I saw nothing in their exclusions to the contrary.

Note, insurance carriers exclude coverage for losses in connection with State Dept travel warnings, which "might" limit otherwise cover items. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_927.html Before you buy read all the exclusions in the delightful fine print. As to AIG I think that someone posted that, ironically given that they advertise on this site, they did not provide coverage for trekking.

It is a good idea to bring not only a copy of your confirmation of coverage, but phone numbers (many policies require preapproval), coverage details, exclusions and required claim documentation. Also give a copy to your guide and trekking agency as they may have to make arrangements for you.

Have a good trek!

[yakshaver]

Most good travel insurances cover medical evacuations, including helicopter evacuations for medical emergency reasons. You can clarify with them that you don't do climbing, and that you just walk on well beaten trails.

The problem in Nepal is that you have to fork out the cash for the evacuation most of the times anyway, and then claim it when you arrive back in your home country. I don't think this has changed over the years. So make sure you've got 2000 or so Euros or 3000 USD or AUD on your credit card.

Just because your trekking agent in KTM or your embassy has a copy of your insurance papers usually means nothing to the rescuing helicopter company. You need the cash or credit card with enough money on it. And you pay before they leave Kathmandu or Pokhara to rescue you or someone in your party.
If things have changed please someone correct me.

I've had a situation where my travel agent in Thamel paid for my son to be evacuated, but we were friends and they trusted me that I would pay. It does not normally happen.

[James]

I can't say if things have changed, but I can say that American Alpine Club insurer makes the rescue arrangements, and pays, directly and the Travelex travel insurance offered in the USA requires preapproval for medical evacuations. At least with those two insurers, failure to contact them first may leave you with a big bill!

[yakshaver]

I can't say if things have changed, but I can say that American Alpine Club insurer makes the rescue arrangements, and pays, directly and the Travelex travel insurance offered in the USA requires preapproval for medical evacuations. At least with those two insurers, failure to contact them first may leave you with a big bill!

It sounds like a good arrengment.

[Dougo]

I've had a situation where my travel agent in Thamel paid for my son to be evacuated...
My goodness, what happened?

[yakshaver]

My goodness, what happened?

Fortunately everyhing was ok in the end. In short. My 10 y.o. son got disentery at MBC, and we got the helicopter in Chomrong. As it was our third trek with that agency they knew us pretty well, and the agent in Thamel paid for it. We reimbursed them when we arrived in Kathmandu. My son was ok as soon as we arrived in Pokhara, basically.

[boleslav]

Yakshaver - i have a question for you (sorry OP for hijacking, but it may be related)

Our country has only honorary consulate in Kathmandu working few afternoons a week.
In case anything happens to one of us while trekking and we'll be in need of helicopter evacuation (provided we will be able to find a phone and make the call) I would prefer to make sure that the evacuation is not delayed by worries over the payment/lack of funds.
Is there a reliable helicopter evacuation agency that I should visit and register with prior the trek, show them the solvency on our part should any problems arise?
What do you suggest to do? Our health insurance will reimburse us for this, but will not assist in obtaining the evacuation.

OP- a friend recommended this company for insurance http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/

[Dougo]

As to AIG I think that someone posted that, ironically given that they advertise on this site, they did not provide coverage for trekking.

Well, I didn't receive an email from AIG, so I called, and was told that they would cover the evacuation. One's primary health insurance may cover it also. My insurance, Blue Cross, says they would. The travel medical/evacuation insurance is secondary to your primary health insurance. You can buy an upgrade to the "My Travelguard" policy from AIG to make their medical coverage primary.

[yakshaver]

Yakshaver - i have a question for you (sorry OP for hijacking, but it may be related)

Our country has only honorary consulate in Kathmandu working few afternoons a week.
In case anything happens to one of us while trekking and we'll be in need of helicopter evacuation (provided we will be able to find a phone and make the call) I would prefer to make sure that the evacuation is not delayed by worries over the payment/lack of funds.
Is there a reliable helicopter evacuation agency that I should visit and register with prior the trek, show them the solvency on our part should any problems arise?
What do you suggest to do? Our health insurance will reimburse us for this, but will not assist in obtaining the evacuation.

OP- a friend recommended this company for insurance http://www.tripinsurancestore.com/

It depends on which area you trek. In the Annapurnas there are a couple of heli agencies working from Pokhara, while in Everest and Langtang regions there are some working from KTM. As you, or someone, will call on the phone from a Lodge, the lodge owners usually have contacts with these agencies. No point in registering with them in advance. The prices are fairly standard and similar. About 12-1400 USD in the Annapurnas and about 2000 or a bit more in Khumbu. Langtang maz be more like Annaurna. It all depends on the time it takes. If it is more than 30 minutes of flight`(Khumbu for example) then you talk over 2000 USD

[boleslav]

thank you Yakshaver-we'll be in the Khumbu area

[Lars]

(Khumbu for example) then you talk over 2000 USD
And you are supposed to have those 2000 dollars with you, in cash?

I would not dare walking around with that kind of money loose.

[Per]

I would not dare walking around with that kind of money loose.

Nor would we. Quintessentially, I think if one might need helicopter evacuation it is better not to go.

Or differently put, because it is next to impossible to get evacuated one has to plan for that, i.e., be extra careful, not take the kind of risks one would in the Alps, always have a reliable partner if one leaves the beaten tracks, etc, etc.

[Petrus]

And you are supposed to have those 2000 dollars with you, in cash?

I would not dare walking around with that kind of money loose.

Why not, are you afraid you would spend it wrecklesly? Plenty of times I have walked with 2-6000 € in my money belt and did not even remember having it there.

[Suginami]

I often carry large sums in cash, it nevers worries me in Nepal.

[yakshaver]

I am more with Sugi and Petrus, Lars. In third world countures (or "emerging" countires) one often travels with larger sums without any issue. In fact it is a must in some areas.

Nepal is one of the safer places on the planet in terms of outright (violent)theft.

In the case of helicopter evacuation, for example if you have to fly out of Kumjung, go to one of the better lodges and they will organise it for you. Sometimes you can pay by credit card these days, as some better hotels and lodges (like Hotel Namche in Namche or Khumbu Resort in Lukla) have cc facilities, and are also representatives of various helicopter companies.

But cash with you is quite safe. Often big groups carry quite large sums in cash.

[Suginami]

Î must try the helicopter next time. I flew up to Jomsom once or twice in big Russian jobs which was odd. Everyone in a circle with the bags in the middle and wads of cotton wool to protect your ears.

[Lars]

I am more with Sugi and Petrus, Lars. In third world countures (or "emerging" countires) one often travels with larger sums without
any issue. In fact it is a must in some areas.
I have probably traveled on the rough more than you, and have been robbed
a couple of times. One lesson from that is to avoid carrying more cash than I
can hand over without a need to fight for it.


But cash with you is quite safe. Often big groups carry quite large sums in cash.
I don't travel in big groups, Nepal or elsewhere.
We have heard of big groups being robbed of outrageously large sums of cash
in Nepal. I suppose the robbers have figured out who to hit.