RV travel is all about having fun and relaxing on the road while exploring new destinations and immersing yourself in nature. Worrying about a possible medical emergency while traveling takes some of the enjoyment out of it. However, there are ways to prepare for the unexpected while on the road. One often-overlooked aspect of RV travel planning is fly-out insurance. We’ll explore the importance of fly-out insurance, its costs, and some popular providers to help you make an informed decision.
The importance of fly-out insurance
While RVing allows you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the journey, accidents and emergencies can occur. Fly-out insurance, also known as aeromedical evacuation insurance, provides coverage for emergency transportation to a hospital or medical facility in case of a severe illness or injury. The cost of an aeromedical flight can range from $30,000 to $180,000, depending on the distance, location, and level of medical support needed.
Considering the significant costs associated with emergency medical flights, having fly-out insurance can save you from financial ruin and ensure you receive the best medical care possible in a time-sensitive situation.
Popular fly-out insurance providers
Several companies offer fly-out insurance to cater to the needs of RV travelers. Here are five well-known providers in the industry:
- AirMed is a major provider of air medical transportation services that offers several membership plans to suit the needs of travelers. Their plans include domestic, international, and short-term options.
- Medjet is another popular provider of fly-out insurance. Their annual insurance cost is $595 for international coverage and $345 for domestic conterminous 48-state coverage. They offer comprehensive plans that provide medical transport to the hospital of your choice.
- PHI Air Medical: PHI Air Medical is a leading provider of air ambulance services, offering a membership program called “PHI Cares” that covers emergency air medical transportation for members.
- REACH Air Medical Services: REACH is a prominent air ambulance provider that offers membership programs under its “AirMedCare Network” plan. This plan provides coverage for emergency air medical transport within their service areas.
- Life Flight: Life Flight is an emergency medical helicopter service that operates throughout the Pacific Northwest and offers membership programs covering the cost of their air ambulance services during a medical emergency.
Investing in fly-out insurance is wise for RV travelers who want to prepare for the unexpected. With the high cost of emergency medical flights, having insurance coverage can save you from financial burdens and provide peace of mind during your travels. This is particularly critical when traveling in remote national forests and places like Alaska, where an air ambulance flight is often the only alternative.
Before purchasing a policy, research each provider, compare their plans, and choose one that best fits your travel needs and budget. Additionally, check if your current health insurance policy offers any coverage for emergency medical transport to avoid paying for unnecessary services.
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##RVT1099
I have Blue Cross Blue Shield medical insurance. A life flight would cost me $150 out of pocket. My wife and I also have insurance through my Garmin inReach Explorer Plus unit. $19.95 a year for each of us. I carry my Garmin wherever I go. Push the SOS button and the helicopters are coming to get us!
Thank you, Randall!
Conspicuously absent from your list is Skymed (https://www.skymed.com/), one of the very best companies for RVers!
Also, missing MASA, the only company (I believe) in North America that offers a one-time, lifetime payment option. They are at a lot of RV Rallies and sponsored one that we did for RV’ers and Motorcyclists: https://www.masamary.com/
What about FMCAssist? It is included for all members of FMCA at no additional charge. http://www.fmca.com/fmca-assist
Sky Med also includes “fly-out insurance” in their benefits.
AirMed is roughly 25% the cost of SkyMed; MedJet is roughly half of SkyMed. SkyMed offers a lot of extra services that I didn’t see in my brief comparison like relocation of your rig. Has anyone done a more comprehensive comparison of SkyMed to these? Has anyone compared these to what FMCA includes in the cost of membership?
FMCA Assist is quite comprehensive and along with Medical Evacuation to a location that can take care of you, will return your RV, tow car, pet and family traveling with you to your designated home location. Additional benefits included are Emergency/Urgent Care reimbursement and mechanical breakdown living expense reimbursement up to $250. No additional cost with your FMCA Membership of $50 per year.
Living rural, a LifeFlight/FireMed subscription is kind of a requirement. You hope you never need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it.
My wife and I are covered for $150 every two years.
Note that the membership can be only regional, so check the fine print!