Search and rescue cover

All Snowcard policies include search and rescue cover

Including air ambulance/helicopter evacuation and repatriation to the UK should you become injured or taken ill.

See medical and other expenses section of cover

You should call the emergency assistance service as soon as possible and assistance will be provided in organising payment of any rescue expenses and assisting you in repatriating you to the UK as quickly as possible.

Cover is subject to the policy conditions.

There is not a separate policy excess for search and rescue, the excess is as set by the policy holder during the quote process.

A note on trekking in Nepal

(and why some insurers have higher excesses for rescue)

Trekking has become increasingly accessible, particularly in Nepal where it is a major contributor to their economy. Nepal’s rescue services have developed over the years, but for some time now, insurers have been concerned about the increasing frequency of large rescue claims in Nepal which are at odds with other areas in the world. 

Most claims associated with trekking are caused by AMS – acute mountain sickness. This is an illness brought on by poor acclimatisation at altitude. It does not only affect people with poor health or low fitness, it can be brought on by over exertion or rushing to achieve altitude. Traditionally, sufferers from AMS were taken to a lower altitude on foot or by horse to recover. In recent years, however, helicopters are increasingly being called out even for non-emergency cases.

In Nepal, it is now a well-known fact that local communities of people working in the trekking tourist industry have been incentivised to facilitate helicopter call outs for which they can be paid commission. Even when a medical emergency is not established, helicopters can be summoned and expenses incurred without checking on the medical necessity.

It has also been reported that some less scrupulous trekking agencies are rushing clients to altitude to keep the costs of their trips down which can increase the risk of developing AMS. They then assume that an insurance company will pay the bill for rescue (and their commission), even though the traditional treatment for AMS has always been to get the patient down to a lower altitude rather than flying them to hospital. This causes problems for insurers, many of whom are now imposing higher excesses for trekking in Nepal as a result.

Travel insurers in the UK have historically covered air ambulance support, including rescue from ski pistes and alpine areas etc., under the emergency expenses section of travel medical cover. Expenses are only covered in the event of a medical emergency. However, what is starting to emerge is a wider pattern of helicopters being used to recover trekkers where there is not a medical emergency that requires hospital attention.

So what can you do to ensure you do not experience problems with AMS?

• Use reputable guides who acclimatise you gradually and whose trekking programmes allow enough time to reach altitude gradually and safely.
• Only go to altitudes above 4000m if you have prior experience of trekking up to this level first and that you are physically fit, experienced and equipped for dealing with treks above 4000m.
• Check with your guides what their procedures are for medical emergencies and ensure they are aware that your insurance will only cover medical emergencies.
• If you are rescued, you will need to show that it was medically necessary. Ensure you obtain a medical certificate from a doctor when you are evacuated to hospital.
• If possible, contact the insurers before allowing a helicopter to be called on your behalf. If you are not able to deal with this yourself, you almost certainly need rescuing but if you are being encouraged to take a helicopter by a local, you will need to justify the expense of the call out. Having insurance is not a guarantee of payment and any evacuation must be because it is medically necessary.
• Wherever you are in the world, being rescued is dependent on what local search and rescue services are available. If you are not experienced in mountain travel, you should use a guide at all times and ensure your trekking agency has details of your insurance and the emergency number to call to authorise any expenses being incurred for evacuation.

Further information on travel at altitude