Emergency Medical Evacuation

Atlas Journey, Atlas Travel, and Student Insurance Plans

Emergency Medical Evacuation: What It Is and Why It Matters

When you're traveling abroad, the unexpected can happen—especially in unfamiliar or remote locations. Emergency medical evacuation coverage is designed to transport you to the nearest appropriate medical facility if you're seriously ill or injured and local care isn't sufficient. In some cases, it may even cover your return home for continued treatment.

All Atlas Journey, Atlas Travel, and Student Insurance Plans from WorldTrips include emergency medical evacuation benefits to help protect you during international travel. Whether you're backpacking through remote regions or exploring a new city, this coverage can make a life-saving difference.

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When Is Emergency Medical Evacuation Needed?

Emergency medical evacuation may be recommended when:

  • You're in a location without access to proper medical care.
  • Local healthcare providers cannot treat your condition effectively.
  • You need to be transferred to another country or your home country for appropriate treatment.
  • An attending physician—along with our assistance team—determines evacuation is medically necessary.

Your safety and well-being come first, and our 24/7 travel assistance team will coordinate care if evacuation is approved.

How Does Emergency Medical Evacuation Work?

Here’s what you can expect if you need to be evacuated during your trip:

Call our travel assistance team right away.
They’ll review your situation and coordinate care.
Your medical condition is assessed.
If evacuation is medically necessary, our team arranges transport to the closest facility capable of providing appropriate treatment.
Transportation is arranged.
Depending on your condition, this could include ambulance service, helicopter transport, or an air ambulance with medical staff on board.
Ongoing support.
We’ll help with hospital coordination, provide updates to your loved ones, and support any necessary return travel.

With WorldTrips Travel Medical Insurance, you're not navigating emergencies alone.

What’s Typically Included?

Emergency medical evacuation coverage with Atlas Travel Insurance may include:

  • Transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility
  • Return travel for continued care, if medically necessary and approved
  • Air or ground ambulance services based on your condition
  • Coordination of medical care, travel arrangements, and communication support

Coverage details and maximum benefit limits vary based on the Atlas Travel option you select. Be sure to review your plan documents to understand what’s included.

Why It Matters: Real-Life Scenarios

If you experience a sudden illness while visiting a rural village or suffer an injury during a remote trek, you might be hours—or even days—away from adequate care. An air ambulance alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars and may not be accessible without prior arrangements or payment upfront.

WorldTrips Travel Medical Insurance helps take that burden off your shoulders by including emergency medical evacuation coverage up to your coverage limits, giving you access to prompt care and expert coordination when every minute matters.

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"Of the top eight travel insurance companies in our review, WorldTrips’ underwriting company is the only one to have an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best."

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“WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024, based on our analysis of cost and coverage options.” 

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When Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage May Not Apply

While this coverage can be critical during a medical crisis, there are scenarios where it may not apply. Knowing these in advance helps ensure you're prepared:

  • Your elevation is—or was—above 4,500 feet prior to the incident. For example, if you were hiking at high altitude and begin feeling unwell after descending, the situation may still be excluded from coverage.

  • You are participating in an activity that’s excluded from your travel insurance coverage—such as certain extreme sports or hazardous pursuits.

  • Evacuation is not deemed medically necessary. If adequate care is reasonably available at your current location, transport may not be approved.

  • WorldTrips Travel Assistance is not contacted. All emergency evacuations must be coordinated through our 24/7 assistance team to be eligible for benefits.

If you’re planning activities at higher elevations or engaging in high-risk adventures, consider reviewing optional add-ons or enhanced coverage options.

Travel Confidently with WorldTrips

Traveling internationally offers unforgettable experiences—but it can also come with risks. With emergency medical evacuation coverage included in all Atlas Journey, Atlas Travel, and Student Insurance plan options, you can focus on the journey ahead knowing that help is just a phone call away if things take an unexpected turn.

Explore our Atlas Travel Medical Insurance options to find coverage that fits your itinerary and gives you the support you need—wherever your travels may take you.

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WorldTrips is a service company and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies.

WorldTrips' Atlas Journey, Atlas Cruiser, and Atlas On-The-Go trip protection insurance products are underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC's U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (USSIC). USSIC is a Texas-domiciled insurance company operating on an admitted basis throughout the United States. Coverage is available to U.S. residents of the U.S. states and District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies. Coverage may not be available in all states.

In the State of California, operating as WorldTrips Insurance Services. California Non-Resident Producer License Number: 0G39705

WorldTrips international travel medical insurance products are underwritten through binding authorities with TMHCC (CI) Insurance SPC Ltd and Houston Casualty Company (HC).