For a successful helicopter evacuation on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, one should acquire a travel insurance that covers medical evacuation 6000 meters above sea level. For Safari goers any travel insurance is applicable.
To be sure your insurance would cover you for a helicopter rescue, check your travel insurance policy includes evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level and any medical treatment associated with such an evacuation.
Some types of travel insurance aren’t suitable for this type of evacuation because they only cover evacuation after pre-approval. In most cases, that’s not feasible because the pre-approval process requires a consultation with a doctor and it’s unlikely a doctor will be present in the vicinity of an emergency on Mount Kilimanjaro.
In a true emergency evacuation scenario, ND’s emergency protocols closely follow the WFR protocols that we’re trained and certified to action, and an evacuation without a helicopter option has been the norm. Now with a helicopter option, in certain scenarios, it could be a life-saving option. Likewise, in that scenario, it could be potentially fatal to delay the rescue while seeking approval from a travel insurance company. Even if the climber has a non-life-threatening injury, such as a broken arm or leg, they could be subjected to a long, painful and uncertain waiting period while someone at the insurance company assesses and finally approves their evacuation.
A typical Kilimanjaro evacuation insurance claim costs around $6,000 including everything from helicopter evacuation to clinic admission and treatment. So, choosing the right travel insurance is crucial if you want peace of mind.
Before paying for any travel insurance, check the policy will cover you for evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level without any approval required or delay. If you’re not sure where to get started try:
There are 3 main travel insurance companies we recommend and they are selling their medical coverage worldwide namely
(1) Global Rescue
(2) Redpoint Resolutions
(3) Allianz
