Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: How Travel Insurance Can Help

Medical emergencies abroad can cost over $100,000. Learn how Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans offer essential coverage for evacuation, repatriation, and more.

Traveling internationally offers unforgettable experiences—but when a medical emergency occurs far from home, the costs and logistics of receiving proper care may be overwhelming. From air ambulance evacuations to repatriation services, expenses may reach six figures. Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage from Generali Global Assistance is designed to help travelers manage these challenges with confidence.

With valuable benefits across all plan levels—including coverage for pre-existing conditions with the Premium Plan—travelers may explore the world with added peace of mind, knowing support is available if the unexpected happens.

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: Why Travel Protection Matters More Than Ever

Whether you're exploring remote destinations, cruising internationally, or vacationing abroad, a sudden illness or injury could result in the need for medical evacuation or repatriation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, air ambulance evacuations may exceed $100,000. Without appropriate coverage, travelers could be responsible for these costs.

Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans include Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage, which is designed to help travelers access suitable medical care and coordinate a safe return home when needed.

What Is Emergency Assistance and Transportation Coverage?

This benefit helps provide coverage for transportation to the nearest medical facility capable of treating a covered critical illness or injury when local care is unavailable. It may also include air ambulances, commercial flights, or other transportation methods to help you access treatment.

Standard, Preferred, and Premium Plans offer varying coverage limits—from $250,000 per person with our Standard Plan, $500,000 per person with our Preferred Plan, and $1 million per person for Premium Plan—depending on the plan selected.

Understanding Repatriation Services

Repatriation refers to the transportation of a traveler back to their home country following a medical emergency. Generali Global Assistance offers two types:

Medical Repatriation: If a traveler is stabilized but still requires care, Generali Global Assistance may arrange transportation home or to a U.S. city with appropriate medical facilities. This includes monitoring and coordination throughout the process.
Repatriation of Remains: In the unfortunate event of a death abroad, Generali Global Assistance may cover the preparation and return of remains to a funeral home in the U.S., or offer the option for local burial up to an equivalent amount.

Who Needs This Coverage?

Travelers heading to international, remote, or cruise destinations may want to consider Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage. These locations often lack immediate access to advanced medical care, making evacuation essential in emergencies. Even travelers with domestic health insurance may find themselves unprotected abroad—Medicare, for example, does not cover international medical expenses. With Generali Global Assistance plans Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage is included in all of our travel protection plans and is not an optional add on.

Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

Our Premium Plan offers coverage for Pre-Existing medical conditions, provided the plan is purchased within 24 hours of final trip payment, the traveler is medically able to travel, and all prepaid trip costs are insured (requirements may vary by state, review state specific plan documents beforehand).

Additional Travel Protection Features

Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans include more than just emergency evacuation. Additional features may include:

Medical and Dental coverage: Designed to help cover unexpected medical costs abroad.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage: May help protect your investment if plans change due to illness or other covered reasons.
Telemedicine Services: Connects travelers with licensed physicians for remote consultations and prescriptions.
Medication and Eyeglass Replacement: Assistance with replacing essential items lost or damaged during travel.

Why Generali Global Assistance?

Generali’s 24/7/365 Emergency Assistance Services are included with every plan. Whether hospitalized alone or needing help coordinating care, Generali Global Assistance can provide support every step of the way. If hospitalized for more than seven days, coverage may also include flying a companion to your location, along with lodging, meals, and transportation expenses up to $10,000.

Get a Quote

Medical emergencies abroad are unpredictable and potentially costly—both physically and financially. Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans are designed to support travelers' peace of mind with benefits that may include emergency evacuation, repatriation, and more—depending on the plan selected.

Get a fast and free quote today and travel with peace of mind, wherever your journey takes you.