Travel Insurance/Helicopter Evacuation

SethL

Hello All,

Looking for some feedback on this decision. I am just about to set off on my first trip to India in about 10 days and I am trying to decide what kind of health/travel insurance to take out. My health insurance covers emergencies when traveling abroad but not helicopter evacuations or the sort. I plan on doing some trekking in Uttarkhand while I am there so I am thinking air evacuation coverage is a must. My dilemma is between taking out a regular travel insurance plan like Travel Guard or World Nomads or a specialized medical evacuation plan like International SOS which is only good for medical evacuation. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these companies or any other suggestions.

The way I am looking at it right now, TravelGuard/World Nomads cover evacuations with prior approval. InternationalSOS, however, actually organizes the air evacuations so I'm thinking SOS may be easier in the rare case that an evacuation is necessary

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Seth.

PeakXV

We briefly looked into it back in the '90's for our company. At the end of the day the cost was too high and the 'expedited travel logistics' of an airlift to Singapore(was the destination I believe) were not exactly set in stone or guaranteed to be immediate ..... this from a major center like Delhi. Things may have changed in the last ten years and the trekking outfits could well have this air service on a mobile speed dial.... but I can't help but wonder what the coordination, timing & ultimate expectations of a purposed 'airlift' from the himachals might be like in an 11th hour emergency in a remote location? Perhaps somebody has some hands on experience with alike scenario but personally I'm not sure I would spent alot of money for an insurance that may not live upto the medical timing & care that one should expect.

That's the decision you'll have to weigh & make at the end of the day ....

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

grikoo

I actually spoke with world nomads about this recently. I asked the obvious question- "what if there's no way to contact you guys- no cell signal, land line, or if I'm unconcsious?" Their response basically indicated that they wouldn't pay.

AvidTrekker

If the Embassy of your Govt made a request to our Defence Ministry for evacuation, you would probably get it done the same day.

The Army and Airforce hold all the flying rights in the Himalaya. They come under the Defence Ministry.

We Indians have to pay the entire cost of proposed evacuation in advance for possible emegency rescue. (around 250,000 rupees). Even after this, we need to pull a few Army strings to ensure that the evac gets done FAST.

One needs to know someone high up in the Army... or the Defence Ministry.... otherwise chopper evac is almost impossible.
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