Medical Evacuation Insurance for Antarctica: Why you Need it, where to get it, and how much it costs.
MV Ocean Victory operating on the Antarctic Peninsula
Undoubtedly, during your research for finding an expedition to Antarctica, you’ve come across the term “Mandatory medical evacuation insurance”. As far as we know, every tour operator and ship requires guests to be covered by an insurance policy that ensures in the event of an emergency, they are covered for the expenses that may require a medical evacuation. Some companies may include a policy in their booking; however, this is less common as insurance coverage varies based on the country the ship’s owners and tour operator is registered in.
Before you begin your research on buying an additional medical evacuation policy, be sure to check with the ship operator or your travel advisor to determine whether or not you’re required to buy your own policy.
Many seasoned travelers are accustomed to carrying an annual travel insurance policy which may also already have you covered. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to make sure that “cruises to Antarctica” are covered. If they are not, you may be able to pay a small fee to add this coverage to your current policy. If you find you’re still not covered, and your ship doesn’t provide medical evacuation insurance… read on. We’re here to help you understand everything there is to know about Medical Evacuation Insurance.
Why would one need Medical Evacuation Insurance?
Zodiacs driving at St. Andrew’s Bay, South Georgia
Due to Antarctica’s remoteness and lack of infrastructure, there are no hospitals or urgent care facilities that can be utilized in the event of a medical emergency while on your expedition. While it’s not at all common that one will have to use this service, it’s important to have a policy that covers you in case of an unfortunate medical event. Every ship is required to have a medical provider onboard. However, in the event of a severe emergency, evacuation may be necessary. Due to the distance that a ship needs to travel back through the Drake Passage, or from South Georgia through the South Atlantic and the Scotia Sea; medical evacuation is almost always conducted using an air asset. These evacuations are extremely costly and being protected by a policy is an absolute must.
How much do I need to be covered for?
Each company has slightly different requirements for how much your policy must cover. Check with your ship operator or travel advisor if you have questions about how much your policy must cover. The standard ranges from $200,000-$1,000,000 USD
Where do I buy medical evacuation insurance and how much does it cost?
Photographing blue glacier ice in Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula
There are a number of websites and insurance providers that offer Medical Evacuation Insurance. It’s sometimes also referred to as “Medical Rescue insurance” or “Repatriation insurance”. If you have a preferred insurance provider, we highly suggest checking with them first. If you don’t have a preferred insurance provider, we’ve provided a few suggestions to begin your research. There are a few determining factors as to where you can buy a policy such as age and your home country. If you find that none of these suggestions offer a suitable solution, I would highly suggest posting a question in our Antarctica Travel Group Facebook Group. Our community of over 24,000 members are seasoned Antarctica travelers from all over the world. They will certainly be able to help suggest the best options.
**Disclaimer** - Antarctica Travel Group. Inc is not a licensed insurance advisor. We can only share options through our own experience. It’s highly recommended you contact an insurance professional before committing to any insurance policy should you have any questions or concerns. ATG does not participate in any affiliate programs with any insurance provider.
PRO TIP!: Don’t forget to add your planned travel days for before and after your expedition as well as any other countries you’ll be visiting; even if it’s just a layover. Adding countries usually does not add any extra costs and ensures you're covered for things like lost and delayed luggage!
It’s also important to check exactly what the tour operator requires in terms of additional incidentals, if any. As far as we know, Medical Evacuation insurance is the only policy you’re absolutely required to have. Any additional incidentals like camera protection, luggage, and dental are normally not required.
Here are a few suggested insurance providers for Medical Evactuation Insurance.
(Continue on to the next section for providers that also offer total trip protection)
World Nomads (https://www.worldnomads.com/)
- Has proven to be reliable and easy to work with. Affordable plan options that offer additional incidentals. Does not offer total trip protection.
(Pricing is an estimate based on a search done 8/23. Your pricing may vary depending on a number of factors)
Standard Plan 12 days - ~ $147 - $300,000 Medical Evac
Explorer Plan 12 Days ~ $248 - $600,000 Medical Evac
Standard Plan 23 days - ~ $198 - $300,000 Medical Evac
Explorer Plan 23 Days ~ $362 - $600,000 Medical Evac
Insure My Trip - (https://www.insuremytrip.com/)
Insure My Trip is not an actual insurance provider, but rather a search engine for different insurance companies. You plug in your search criteria and they will provide you with a list of travel insurance companies that offer what it is you’re looking for. This is a great tool for those who may not meet the age requirements of other insurance providers, or whose country of residence has special requirements. I’ve seen insurance policies as low as $35 for a barebones medical evacuation insurance policy.
Our Antarctica Travel Group Facebook Group has a very informative thread about travel insurance which includes user-submitted feedback and suggestions from our community from all over the world. For additional help and suggestion, please head over to the ATG Facebook Insurance Mega thread!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/369443737344592/posts/1323636741925282
Medical Evacuation Insurance vs Total Trip Protection
Gentoo penguin colony on Danco Island, Antarctic Peninsula
When shopping for insurance, you have two main directions you can go. You can either purchase a policy that satisfies the minimum requirement of medical evacuation insurance, or you can purchase a policy that covers total trip protection. These policies usually cover things like missing your expedition due to medical or family emergencies, flight cancelation or delays, or any other life event that may prevent you from meeting your ship. There are even some policies that cover “cancel for any reason”. These policies are not required but are a great option to protect you when life happens unexpectedly.
The costs of these policies are heavily dependent on the total cost of your trip and it’s hard to give an estimate as to how much a policy will cost. These policies have certain requirements as to when you can purchase the policy in relation to when you paid your deposits or paid your balance in full. We can not offer any advice on these policies because there are all so very different. If you wish to purchase a policy that offers total trip protection, we highly suggest you contact the insurance provider of choice prior to making your initial deposit and speaking to a professional insurance advisor.
One company that stands out from the feedback we’ve collected is:
Allianz (https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/)
We’ve seen people suggest policies as low as $600 for 20 days with no deductible. Your costs may vary depending on trip length and total coverage required.
Other companies we’ve seen suggested for Medical Evacuation and total coverage:
Coverage for citizens of most countries
IMG Global: https://www.imglobal.com/img-insurance-plans
Suggested for UK travelers
AllSure Insurance: https://www.allsureinsurance.net/
Suggested for Australian Travelers
Conclusion
No matter what company you choose to purchase your insurance through, it is always important to read the fine print and know exactly what you are covered for. This way, if something unexpected does happen, you know that you will be taken care of and will be able to focus on dealing with the situation at hand.
I hope this guide has given you a better understanding and answered some of your questions regarding where to get medical evacuation for your trip to Antarctica as well as why you may need it. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or head on over to the Antarctica Travel Group Facebook group to learn more! If you have anything you’d like to add or have any feedback, please submit them using the Contact Us Button at the top.
Whale watching by kayak in Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula
