One of our founding principles at Half Past First Cast is to try to learn everything we can about topics that matter to our readers and our fellow travelers, but we realize that we cannot be experts at everything – so we’re happy to turn to experts in their field as appropriate. Time and again, we’ve received questions from fellow anglers about whether they need to buy “travel insurance” and we realized that we couldn’t give adequate answers, so after much research we’ve partnered with Global Rescue. They are the experts in this area, relied upon by all of the serious angling travelers and best outfitters we know. They were kind enough to answer some of our most common questions:
What is the difference between travel insurance and Global Rescue protection?
Most traditional trip insurance providers won’t rescue you from the point of injury or illness, including for COVID-19. You have to get yourself to the hospital first before their services kick in. That’s right. If something terrible happens on a trip – like a head injury or a heart attack or even COVID – and you need a helicopter rescue or medevac, with travel insurance you’re likely out of luck. And it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, or more. But with a Global Rescue membership, we get you out of harm’s way and take you to a medical facility that can give you the care you need. And if you’re hospitalized, only Global Rescue allows you to decide if you want to be evacuated home. And unlike travel insurance, there are no deductibles, no co-pays, and no claim forms. Ever.
Why would I choose one over the other?
Both trip insurance and Global Rescue protection are the perfect combination of services to ensure you are protecting your trip costs ahead of time and traveling prepared for an emergency. Trip insurance is for lost luggage, delayed flights and trip interruption or cancellation. Global Rescue protection is for your protection. The pandemic raised awareness of the limitations of traditional trip insurance and the value of stand-alone medical assistance and evacuation safety nets. Traveler protection for emergency medical services and evacuation has shifted from ‘optional’ to ‘obligatory’. Travelers learned that emergency rescue and evacuation services are often essential, whether it’s due to COVID-19, a natural disaster, civil unrest or simply needing emergency help when you’re traveling.
Why do I need any protection at all for my fishing trip?
Global Rescue protection is designed for the unexpected. If you get sick or injured while traveling, Global Rescue members will be evacuated from the point of illness or injury to the nearest appropriate hospital, clinic or medical provider. Whatever the emergency, wherever you are, we are there to help. With Global Rescue, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth personnel always have your back.
What are some situations that you’ve seen arise on fishing trips – both expected and unexpected?
A Global Rescue member received an emergency pacemaker during a deep-sea fishing trip in Costa Rica. Global Rescue deployed a paramedic to provide a medical escort from hospital bedside to the member’s home country hospital of choice.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventure’s Founder Jim Klug suffered a serious eye injury in Bolivia and needed field rescue and medical evacuation to an emergency hospital.
When a symptomatic member tested positive for COVID-19 during a fishing trip to the Bahamas, a medical evacuation to a higher level of care was needed.