Hi, I'm Jane. I've worked in Emergency Travel Assistance since 2015. I've coordinated countless medical evacuations, paid for airfare, hotels, medical bills, food, transportation, arranged family members to join their loved ones in an emergency, and repatriated departed loved ones back home- all out of travel insurance benefits.
Students traveling abroad are cared for, remote workers aren't so remote, and inbound visa travelers get help navigating the U.S. healthcare system, all thanks to Emergency Travel Assistance. When people talk about insuring their trip, I think the initial concern is recovering the expense they paid. Of course, who wouldn't? But there's more to moving about the globe than losing an investment, and I'd like to share a small part about what goes on in Assistance.
A guy died in his camper in Colorado
With so many overland travelers, plenty living as nomads, the risk of something happening certainly exists. I'll never forget a very sweet, heartbroken lady calling for help when she found her husband passed away in the motorhome. The coverage they had included Repatriation of Mortal Remains, which covered flying her home, preparation and return of remains, and getting the motorhome back to Canada where they lived.
A young student got Dengue Fever in Jamaica
Her Mom back home was sick with worry - and I would be too! The brave girl and I chatted on Whatsapp every day during her recovery in the hospital. I arranged flights for her Mom to join and escort her home when she was fit to fly.
A family got Covid in Italy
Luckily in the U.S. we don't see quarantine much anymore, but some places abroad continue strict measures and airlines definitely frown on it. I arranged hotel rooms, meal service, and covid tests. Once they were in the clear, but still feeling weak and disappointed about missing so much of their trip, I got them home safely on new flights.
There are so many stories. One time a guy was sitting on the beach in Mexico when a monkey jumped on him and stole his sunglasses. There have been numerous lost/stolen passports, political evacuations (p.s. don't travel to third world countries during an election if you can help it) and a lot of altitude sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro. Lots of stray dog bites in Thailand too - which, you may or may not know, require an immediate series of rabies treatments. One month I had three unrelated incidents of people falling at a World Wonder.
If it all sounds travel agenty, believe me, it's not. Emergency Travel Assistance has to figure out who delivers food to people in isolation. Obtain medical reports from remote clinics in the rainforest, educate travelers on flight physiology after they've had surgery and why they can't fly. I'm actually proud of all the people I've worked with through the years. People on their lifetime dream trip-turned-nightmare appreciate a kind advocate. It's very rewarding.
When I set out to create a Best Travel Insurance list, there were conditions I applied to the process.
#1 not doing a phony "review" style.
#2 List only Travel Insurance providers I am familiar with - those with excellent Assistance, top rated underwriting, and pay their claims.
And #3 is always tell you the truth.
What coverage Do you need?
Medical Expense and Evacuation, Cancel For Any Reason,
Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay,
Repatriation of Remains, Baggage Loss, Activity and Sports coverage, Rental damage, Pre-existing conditions, Liability, Work related insurance