Search And Rescue Insurance

What is Search & Rescue Insurance?

Search and Rescue coverage, often referred to as SAR insurance, is a travel insurance benefit that covers the rescue costs associated with finding a traveler who becomes lost or goes missing during a covered trip.

This benefit is designed for travelers who are visiting remote destinations or plan on participating in recreational activities while away from home. For example, a traveler may need this coverage in the event they get disoriented while backpacking and cannot find their way to safety.

Not all travel insurance plans include coverage for search and rescue missions. Coverage limits, exclusions, and eligibility requirements differ by policy.

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FAQs: Search & Rescue Insurance

What Does Search and Rescue Insurance Cover?

SAR travel insurance typically covers the cost of a single organized rescue mission by a private search and rescue team or government entity. Coverage limits typically range from $10,000-$50,000, depending on the policy.

Some travel insurance companies can provide advanced payment for rescue services if it’s required by the agency or authority in charge of the rescue mission.

Examples of rescue-related expenses that a travel insurance company may cover in the event of a SAR claim include:

• Fuel costs
• Operating costs
• Vehicle rental and repair costs
• Other equipment expenses that are deemed appropriate to find the missing traveler

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Search and Rescue Insurance?

To be covered by your policy’s Search and Rescue benefit, you must first meet its specific eligibility requirements. Knowing these requirements before departing for your trip can help you mitigate the chances of having your Search and Rescue claim denied.

Below are a few parameters that must be met before you’re deemed eligible for coverage:

• A formal report must be made to an agency or authority that can initiate a rescue mission
• The rescue team must be provided with enough credible, specific details about how, when, and where you or your travel companion is located
• The rescue team must determine that search and rescue services are required

What Are Some Common Exclusions of Search and Rescue Insurance?

Not all search and rescue missions can be covered by travel insurance. Every travel insurance policy that offers Search and Rescue insurance will enforce exclusionsthat limit the scenarios and expenses that are not eligible for reimbursement.

Examples of common exclusions for SAR insurance include:

• High-Risk Activities: Participation in activities that have an increased risk of leading to a rescue mission, such as heli-skiing, backcountry skiing, base jumping, or paragliding. Your insurance company may take into account your skill level and level of expertise to determine if the activity that led to the rescue efforts is considered high-risk.
• Personal Fines & Penalties: Any financial penalties you incur as a result of getting rescued, such as trespassing, reckless conduct, or criminal sanctions imposed as a result of your actions.
• Voluntary Actions: Rescue missions resulting from your voluntary decision to hide, or attempt to hide, from the public or law enforcement.

To view the Search and Rescue insurance coverage exclusions for a specific policy, you may reference its Certificate of Insurance at any time.

How Much Do Search and Rescue Missions Cost?

The cost of a search and rescue mission can vary depending on the location, resources used, and length of the operation.

According to a report by The Times, a rescue mission can cost anywhere from $1,000 to more than $7,000 per hour. Rescue missions that involve overseas or private organizations are typically more expensive.

According to the Mountain Rescue Association, some U.S. government agencies provide free SAR services, including the National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the United States military.

Is Search and Rescue the Same as Medical Evacuation?

No, Search and Rescue is not the same as Medical Evacuation. While both benefits cover emergency services, Medical Evacuation is far more common and is found in almost all plans that offer travel health insurance.

SAR insurance covers the cost of rescue missions if your location is unknown. These missions often involve organized search parties and a specialized rescue team. Few policies provide built-in SAR coverage, and some plans offer this benefit as an optional add-on.

Medical Evacuation, on the other hand, provides reimbursement for emergency medical transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility. Coverage limits for Medical Evacuations are typically much higher than Search and Rescue insurance, with some of the best evacuation plans covering medical evacuations up to $2,000,000.

How Much Does Search and Rescue Insurance Cost?

The cost of travel insurance is determined by a wide range of factors, such as your age, destination, trip length, and the extent of your coverage. Policies that include Search and Rescue coverage are often comprehensive and include other important travel insurance benefits such as Trip Cancellation, Emergency Medical, and Travel Delay.

The cost of comprehensive travel insurance is roughly 5-10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. To find a policy that meets your budget and travel needs, we recommend comparing plans from multiple travel insurance providers.

Is Search and Rescue Insurance Worth It?

Absolutely. SAR insurance provides a unique type of financial protection that can be especially valuable if you’re traveling overseas and have an itinerary that involves adventure sports or activities.

Getting lost abroad can be a scary situation, and rescue missions can be costly. Purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes this protection can save you thousands in out-of-pocket expenses if you, or a travel companion, go missing while away from home.

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Please be aware that coverage and eligibility requirements for this benefit differ by policy.