In December of 2013 I had an absolutely horrible experience with “Global Rescue.” While planning a trek to Everest Base Camp I thought it would be prudent to purchase what I thought was a premiere travel rescue insurance policy from what looked to be a reputable company. The plan cost $655 and I headed to Nepal believing that if something bad happened that “Global Rescue” would be by my side. I was wrong.

10 days into my Trek, after making it to the summit of 18,500 foot Kala Pathar, I began experiencing classic symptoms of AMS and HAPE. My guide called into the trekking service and they called for a helicopter air lift out of Gorak Shep. The helicopter arrived within 2 hours and after a quick refuel in Lukla flew me to Kathmandu airport where I was met by a waiting ambulance. The ambulance transported me to a hospital where I was admitted, diagnosed and treated for AMS and HAPE. While in the hospital a “Global Rescue” representative called me and asked the details of my illness. I was impressed and very happy that I had signed up for their service.

At least I was happy until 4 days later when “Global Rescue” refused to pay for any of any of my evacuation or hospital expenses. They very politely informed me that they were not a travel insurance company, they were a rescue company and that they would not pay for any of my expenses. Read the fine print, it says things like:
2.4a GR reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion (i) whether a Traveling Member’s condition is sufficiently serious to warrant transport services, and (ii) the mode of transport.
2.8 GR Obligation. GR shall only be obligated to pay for services which are provided and arranged for by GR and GR Contractors. The final selection and payment for any such services not arranged for or provided by GR shall be the sole responsibility of the Traveling Member. GR shall not be obligated to provide reimbursement for evacuation services arranged by any third party.
5. Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL GR, GR’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS, GUARANTORS OR GR CONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES WHATSOEVER AS A RESULT OF ANY ACTION OR OMISSION BY GR OR ANY GR CONTACTOR, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESCRIBED. MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT RECEIVING THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXTREMELY RISKY, AND AGREES TO HOLD GR HARMLESS FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES. GR’S MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY TYPE OF DAMAGES OR LOSS SHALL BE LIMITED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE.

Meanwhile, while the helicopter company and hospital were holding my passport until they received full payment for my evacuation and medical treatment, “Global Rescue” was no longer returning my calls. I paid the hospital and helicopter company with a credit card, got my passport back and booked an earlier flight home. After further research, I discovered that my standard Aetna policy would pay for 90% of the helicopter evacuation as an “ambulance” coverage. A $44.95 policy I booked with Travel Guard through Travelocity when I booked my flight paid for the remainder of my helicopter evacuation, my hospital expense and airline tickets for my early flight home. Further research revealed that others have had similar bad experiences with “Global Rescue” and after discussing the possibility of a class action lawsuit with them, they returned my $655 membership fee.

Needless to say, I was VERY IMPRESSED with Travel Guard and I In December of 2013 I had an absolutely horrible experience with “Global Rescue.” While planning a trek to Everest Base Camp I thought it would be prudent to purchase what I thought was a premiere travel rescue insurance policy from what looked to be a reputable company. The plan cost $655 and I headed to Nepal believing that if something bad happened that “Global Rescue” would be by my side. I was wrong.
10 days into my Trek, after making it to the summit of 18,500 foot Kala Pathar, I began experiencing classic symptoms of AMS and HAPE. My guide called into the trekking service and they called for a helicopter air lift out of Gorak Shep. The helicopter arrived within 2 hours and after a quick refuel in Lukla flew me to Kathmandu airport where I was met by a waiting ambulance. The ambulance transported me to a hospital where I was admitted, diagnosed and treated for AMS and HAPE. While in the hospital a “Global Rescue” representative called me and asked the details of my illness. I was impressed and very happy that I had signed up for their service.
At least I was happy until 4 days later when “Global Rescue” refused to pay for any of any of my evacuation or hospital expenses. They very politely informed me that they were not a travel insurance company, they were a rescue company and that they would not pay for any of my expenses. Read the fine print, it says things like:
2.4a GR reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion (i) whether a Traveling Member’s condition is sufficiently serious to warrant transport services, and (ii) the mode of transport.
2.8 GR Obligation. GR shall only be obligated to pay for services which are provided and arranged for by GR and GR Contractors. The final selection and payment for any such services not arranged for or provided by GR shall be the sole responsibility of the Traveling Member. GR shall not be obligated to provide reimbursement for evacuation services arranged by any third party.
5. Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL GR, GR’S OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS, GUARANTORS OR GR CONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES WHATSOEVER AS A RESULT OF ANY ACTION OR OMISSION BY GR OR ANY GR CONTACTOR, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESCRIBED. MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT RECEIVING THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXTREMELY RISKY, AND AGREES TO HOLD GR HARMLESS FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES. GR’S MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ANY TYPE OF DAMAGES OR LOSS SHALL BE LIMITED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEE.
Meanwhile, while the helicopter company and hospital were holding my passport until they received full payment for my evacuation and medical treatment, “Global Rescue” was no longer returning my calls. I paid the hospital and helicopter company with a credit card, got my passport back and booked an earlier flight home. After further research, I discovered that my standard Aetna policy would pay for 90% of the helicopter evacuation as an “ambulance” coverage. A $44.95 policy I booked with Travel Guard through Travelocity when I booked my flight paid for the remainder of my helicopter evacuation, my hospital expense and airline tickets for my early flight home. Further research revealed that others have had similar bad experiences with “Global Rescue” and after discussing the possibility of a class action lawsuit with them, they returned my $655 membership fee.
Needless to say, I was VERY IMPRESSED with Travel Guard and I will NEVER use “Global Rescue” again.