Article Highlights

  • Comprehensive Medical Evacuation: Global Rescue traveler protection offers emergency medical evacuations when urgent emergency care is needed.
  • Real-Time Security Response: Civil unrest or terrorism? Traveler security memberships include access to special forces military operations expertise for immediate advice and assistance.
  • Protection for Extreme Activities: Global Rescue does not restrict activities, from mountain climbing to scuba diving, so you can enjoy your adventure without limits.
  • Need 24-hour Urgent Care Near You? Obtain immediate access to medical experts and logistical support to ensure travelers receive help with everything from minor ailments to lost passports.
  • Destination-Specific Information: Detailed reports covering health, security, and political risks for over 215 destinations help travelers make informed decisions and stay safe.

 

Let’s face it: the unpredictability of travel is real, and even seasoned travelers face unexpected challenges abroad.

Potential risks can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare, from illness and injury to natural disasters and civil unrest. That’s where travel insurance and traveler protection services provide peace of mind and essential support.

Here’s why securing both travel insurance and traveler protection is crucial for every international trip.

 

Protection Against Illness and Injury

Even in the most developed destinations, you may need urgent medical care. A travel protection membership can evacuate you from the point of illness or injury to the nearest appropriate medical facility, ensuring you get the care you need when you need it.

Dan Stretch, operations manager at Global Rescue, explains: “The closest medical facility isn’t always the right one. Global Rescue gets you to the most appropriate hospital for your illness or injury.” In addition to providing emergency medical transport, these services ensure you’re treated in a vetted hospital, offering another layer of assurance that travel insurance alone might not cover.

 

Access to Medical Expertise for Non-Emergency Questions

Sometimes, travelers don’t need immediate evacuation but have questions about their symptoms. With 24/7 access to a team of medical professionals, traveler protection memberships provide peace of mind.

“Our team of medical professionals includes paramedics, nurses, and doctors. We handle calls for everything from cuts and stomach upsets to more severe illnesses like chest pains and serious trauma,” said Michael Lovely, operations supervisor at Global Rescue. This immediate access to expert advice can help you make informed decisions about your health while traveling.

 

Support in Travel-Related Issues

Beyond medical assistance, travel protection services help with various logistical and travel questions. Whether you need to replace a stolen passport, find a nearby pharmacy, or locate 24-hour urgent care, a travel protection service can provide the answers.

As Maredith Richardson, a traveler who had her passport stolen in France, noted, “The process to get an appointment for passport replacement could take weeks. The Global Rescue team handled it completely, got it hammered out within hours, and got me into the embassy for an urgent passport replacement appointment.”

 

Unpredicted Natural Disaster Coverage

Unpredictable natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can strike without warning. In their wake, they leave devastation directly in the strike zone or by setting off a catastrophic tsunami.

“Global Rescue members are experienced travelers, and careful pre-travel planning is not a new concept for them,” said Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and Global Rescue security associate director. “Our members make themselves aware of all the significant threats and hazards so that they can avoid being caught up in an escalating incident.”

If you’re traveling and there’s a natural disaster, a Global Rescue security membership provides access to our expert team of veteran military special forces and their expertise. Traveling members who cannot evacuate following an earthquake can rely on our security operations teams to provide lifesaving advice, including where to shelter, and to extract them to safety.

 

Evacuation During Terrorism or Civil Unrest

Civil unrest or sudden terrorist attacks can create dangerous conditions for travelers heading to more volatile regions. Travel protection memberships offer rapid response from security experts, often with military special operations backgrounds, who can provide guidance on staying safe or evacuating if necessary.

Harding Bush advises, “You can’t just have one plan. You need to have secondary and tertiary plans in place. We develop redundant air providers and ground options for operations related to civil unrest or terrorism. Just in case.”

This type of preparedness is invaluable for anyone traveling to regions where safety conditions can change overnight.

 

Protection for High-Risk Activities

Adventure tourism is rising, and activities like mountain climbing, scuba diving, and extreme sports are becoming increasingly popular. Traditional travel insurance often excludes coverage for these high-risk activities, but many traveler protection memberships, such as Global Rescue, offer coverage with no limitations on these activities.

Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, shared, “We’ve rescued injured climbers stuck in a remote Pakistan mountain range, an adventure racer suffering a dangerous infection in Fiji, and honeymooners from Nepal following a massive earthquake.” This illustrates the far-reaching capabilities of traveler protection memberships, especially for thrill-seekers.

 

Comprehensive Destination Information

Traveling requires thorough preparation, and having detailed information about your destination’s safety, health risks, and security status is invaluable. Traveler protection memberships often include access to destination reports covering over 215 countries, providing real-time updates on health alerts and political conditions.

“Travelers want to know what precautions and protections they need in the current environment. We know the must-haves for any trip in today’s world,” explained Jeff Weinstein, medical operations manager at Global Rescue. This proactive approach helps travelers stay safe and informed.

 

What Travel Insurance Covers

While traveler protection services focus on emergency response and specialized support, traditional travel insurance addresses more general travel-related incidents. When combined, travel insurance and traveler protection provide a comprehensive safety net.

Key Travel Insurance Benefits Include:

  • Trip Cancelation and Interruption: Reimburses non-refundable costs if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered events.
  • Lost or Delayed Luggage: If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be reimbursed, covering the cost of replacing essentials.
  • Travel Delay: Provides funds if a covered travel delay causes additional expenses.
  • Rental Car Damage: This protection covers damage to rental vehicles, saving you from paying costly repair fees.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

Ultimately, travel insurance and traveler protection provide peace of mind. Whether you’re an occasional traveler or a digital nomad, knowing you have support in an emergency allows you to relax and focus on enjoying your trip. A traveler protection membership gives you access to a virtual team of experts — a doctor, paramedic, translator, logistics expert, intelligence analyst, and security advisor — all just a phone call away.

As UK businessman Michael Blease-Shepley recalled about a quarantine situation in Nigeria, “Global Rescue kept me settled, calm, and informed.” This level of support is essential in unpredictable travel environments where local resources might be insufficient.

A comprehensive approach that includes both is the best way to safeguard yourself against various potential challenges.

When planning an international trip, ensure you’re protected and supported from all angles. Travel insurance protects your financial investment in your trip, offering support for canceled flights, delayed baggage, and more. However, only traveler protection services can protect you directly, especially in critical medical or security emergencies.

As you plan your next journey, remember: Travel insurance protects your trip. Global Rescue protects you. With comprehensive coverage and on-demand assistance, you’ll be free to explore the world, knowing you have a dependable safety net.