Has anyone actually contacted or used Global Rescue? If so, what do you think? I'm hoping there's some devil's advocates out there to pick holes in what looks on the surface like a great deal. Cynics, where are you?!

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Rallying for A Wild Life — THE FILM!
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Sorry, it's the real deal.

I've used them at least 4 times.

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Orange, it's the new black.

Are you looking at a year membership?
For shorter periods World Nomads are cheaper.

Genghis9021, have you had to claim anything post-accident?

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Rallying for A Wild Life — THE FILM!
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Never. I've used them for medical and evacuation (mountain climbing, western China - Mustagata).

But I'm familiar with them via 2nd-hand sources I trust (know) and they were professional and effective.

For emergency evacuation . . . they have few if any rivals, in reality. I've used their temp services for periods as long as 3 months and as short as 30 days.

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Orange, it's the new black.

As I understand it they cover the cost of sending you back to your country of origim but not the medical expenses. This means if you break a leg, have a heart attack etc they will repatriate you but you pay the medical bill. If this is not the case and they do pay for medical bills then I am very interested.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking for good medical coverage and think World Nomads may be the answer but there are a lot of complaints abiut them finding wats to not pay.
Any help appreciated.

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.

While I appreciate the informative--yet varied--responses from the three travelers who have used GR, they are mostly anecdotal and I sure would appreciate links to trip reports detailing the circumstances.

Anyone?

Thanks!

In the UK this term and condition isn't worth the paper it's written on. A lawyer would laugh at this utterly ridiculous statement. It's patently obvious it's been invented by someone who knows nothing of the law.

I suppose some areas of the world might allow this kind of abuse???

The Uk's Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 is explicit in this respect - No party can ever indemnify itself against it's own negligence, this includes it's agents.

Same goes for all EU countries.

Any organisation which uses such limitations is clearly a company which should be avoided. BUYER BEWARE!

Anyone who suffers damages at the hands of this shower of sh1te would probably have good cause to sue them in a court of law. The dim wit who wrote those terms of trading needs to read up on basic contract law (torts).

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

I was seriously considering using Global Rescue for a long trip through the Americas.

Now that seems as if it would not be a good idea, especially when they expect to be held unaccountable for poor performance on their part.

Legal or illegal clauses(?), who wants the hassle of sueing your contractor for non performance in a foreign country.

Maybe HU should consider removing their advertising from the site

Do you really think advertising $ would be refused?

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

Best go with these guys instead - World Nomads Travel Insurance - Explore Your Boundaries

NO ODD OR UNLAWFUL TERMS AND CONDITIONS HERE!

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Bill, we’re sorry to hear you’re still unhappy with our company despite our earlier explanation and the refund we provided to you.

Global Rescue did not receive any call until after you were rescued unfortunately. We are a worldwide rescue and evacuation service, not travel insurance. As such, we only provide services and cannot and do not pay claims. A good comparison is your local fire dept -- they will put out the fire at your house and you won’t get a bill, but if you call someone else to put out the fire and pay them to do it, the local fire dept. won’t reimburse you for your costs.

We'd be happy to discuss this further so you understand how the thousands of members whose lives we’ve helped save over the years have used our services.

Fair play to Global rescue for replying, perhaps there are more satisfied customers than dissatisfied ones, though no body wants to try the services out in a hurry.

I wonder what Simon Gandolphi does for cover?

__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

EarthRoamer/Bill S.,

1. Your critical omission is that Global Rescue was not involved and had nothing to do with your evacuation. In fact, you didn’t contact us until after your evacuation was complete and we never had an opportunity to offer you our services.
2. We clearly state the services we provide. Nowhere is there any mention of paying of claims. To the contrary, our services are described here: https://www.globalrescue.com/benefits.cfm. In our FAQ, here: https://www.globalrescue.com/benefits.cfm?view=faq and in the legal language of our services agreement in capital letters: GR SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TO REIMBURSE A MEMBER OR PAY ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ANY ASSOCIATED COSTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY THE MEMBER OR ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBER BY ANY THIRD PARTY.
3. Because you were dissatisfied, we refunded you $655, the full amount of your membership. You also received apparently received reimbursement from an insurance policy you purchased, so you were not left “out of pocket.”
4. Evacuation fraud in the helicopter and tour operator industries is a significant problem in the Himalaya and it sounds like you may have been a victim. You and others may be interested in this article: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/helicopter-rescue-nepal.
5. We’ve rescued and evacuated some of the world’s most accomplished climbers and have performed thousands of times in the Himalaya. If you’re interested in reviewing how these and other missions were executed, some of them can be seen here: blog.globalrescue.com.

We don’t think your characterization of our company is fair or accurate and we would be happy to continue to discuss this with you directly. If not, we wish you the best.

Global Rescue