Travel/Rescue Insurance For Adventure Hunts

[ScottR]

I'm getting to a point where my bucket list of hunts are requiring action and budgeting to make them happen. They are moving from dream to action plans and how to carry them out. Which leads to lots of questions and I figured that I would ask some questions to the guys here who have done a lot of it.

A couple of the hunts will be in fairly remote places where internationally it would probably be wise for me to have rescue plans in place for the worst scenarios. For instance, a mule deer hunt in certain parts of Mexico might not be as safe as what it was not that long ago. Red Stag in South America is also on the list, which makes me nervous to not have a plan to get out.

I'm looking at this: https://ripcordtravelprotection.com/purchase-ripcord/

What do you guys think?

 

[JimP]

When I purchased my airfare for my upcoming hunt in South Africa I included a policy from RipCord to cover myself, and personal items. I elected to spend a bit more than I did when I took my first trip just due to all the Covid stuff that is going around and not knowing just what was going to happen.

It gives a person a little bit of a piece of mind having it along with my regular medical insurance here at home that I will purchase a rider on for the time that I am on my trip.

 

[Rich M]

We used something similar when we went to Israel a few years back. Nothing like needing some kind of med-vac and having insurance to cover the costs. Of course you're careful but this is money you can't afford not to spend, especially with a family at home.

Is there any way to verify that they actually pay if stuff happens?

With the way things are going with having to plan things a year or two out, I'll have travel insurance on any trips I plan. Got elderly folks on both sides of the marriage and they need help from time to time. Would hate to be on a trip when I should be sitting with someone at the hospital.

 

[JimP]

As for the company paying out, stay with one of the better know ones.

RipCord is one and Global Rescue is one of the others.

On the African Hunting forum that I am on both are rearguard quite highly.

 

[kidoggy]

as is the sorriest home builder in my town, IF, you only ask the banks and not those who live in the homes.


point is, do your own homework and be very wary of where your advice comes from.

has anyone on this forum or the african forum for that matter ever had a claim of this type paid out to them? or know someone firsthand who has?

it is not that I am questioning you Jimp. I believe you are a man who can be trusted. just asking the question.

 

[JimP]

I'll ask over there.

But it does seam that I have read where there has been someone who used it and was flown home back to the US.

But it is like any insurance, you are betting that you are going to have a major medical event where you are going to get your moneys worth out of it, and the insurance company is betting that you are not. The odds are in their favor.

 

[JimP]

I took a look over on the African hunting forum and there is already a thread on medical evacuation.

As for a hunting type of injury there were none but a few have used it for other medical problems such as illnesses (think covid here) But ask yourself if you could afford a air ambulance ride home for 8,000 miles if you did get sick and needed and or wanted to go home for treatment. There are all kinds of problems that can come up on a trip, not just a hunting trip but any trip that people don't think about. But while you are here on US soil you pretty much don't have to worry about it, you have your health insurance and are fairly close to home and great care. But go on a trip to a foreign country 8,000 + miles away and something happens what are your plans? A lot of our home based insurance companies will not cover very much if anything once you are out of the North America land mass, and none of them have plans to bring you home if necessary.

 

[mallardsx2]

Good points that I am sure 95% of people never think about.

I would hate to end up "washing dishes" in Africa for the rest of my life. lol

 

[JimP]

I doubt that you would end up washing dishes but you may have to sign over your home, and kids. They don't take wife's over there, they already have enough of them.

 

[Rich M]

Scott - do they have a life insurance rider to go along with the policy? Might be another good thing. I want to say we had that on our trip as well as the travel & health insurance.

 

[BobbySuek]

Since I was a lil child my father used to tell me that I’m his chronicle pain in the neck. The most weird thing is in the fact that I’m still being mentally and physically stable counting my love to the adventure. I found myself a couple friends with the same hobby. Then we’ve managed to go on the wild hunt where each of us had been personally acquainted to the big old bloodshot bull. For this reason my friend lost his middle finger on the left hand and received the refund from his insurance company,because he bought a trip ticket to TX with https://nomadgirl.co ,seems like they’re providing the insurance, I would better travel using their services next time just to be safe!

 

[ScottR]

Since I was a lil child my father used to tell me that I’m his chronicle pain in the neck.

BobbySueK you have about a half hour to post a meaningful introduction. Otherwise you will be added to the spam list.

 

[Slugz]

1st hand experience here. I've used Allianz and AIG.

Hands down difference I use AIG all the time now. Do they pay out, yes.

The records you keep is the real long pole in the tent that drives how quickly you get reimbursed. Make a folder now and everything you pay for make a hard copy and put it in the folder.

I'm actually going through the drill now and getting it from AIG for my AK moose hunt next year. You can add on almost everything needed if not covered.

For those wondering
Buying it 9 ish months out, 15k coverage per hunter ( total 30k) = 1600$ policy

 

[JimP]

A member of our African hunting group had a small problem on his first day of hunting. He stepped on a rock that rolled out from under his foot. Down he went onto some more rocks resulting in a couple broken ribs. He spent a night in a South Africa hospital.

We all had signed up with Rip Cord Travel insurance and they paid for everything.

In two trips to South Africa I've had the insurance and iI was going to set foot on a airplane to get me to the hunting area or using a outfitter I wouldn't leave my home without it.

 

[churcberna]

I stumbled upon this thread from a year ago, and I can't resist jumping in. It's amazing to hear that your bucket list hunts are transitioning from dreams to action plans. That's the spirit!
When it comes to remote hunts in places like Mexico or South America, having rescue plans in place is a wise move. Safety should always be a priority, especially when venturing into unfamiliar territories.
By the way, if train travel is part of your journey, https://www.dbfahrplan.com/de is a handy resource for checking train schedules and routes. Keep that in mind for your travel plans.