Insurance to Cover Medical Evacuation by Chopper?

[brettsh]

Hi,

I'm in a group of Victorians planning to hike the South Coast Track on Nov. We are taking an emergency beacon.

I thought it might be prudent to get insurance that would cover us against anyone having to be choppered out in the case of a medical emergency.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I've contacted these guys:

https://www.1cover.com.au/travel-insura ... insurance/

https://service.travelinsurancedirect.c ... g-trekking

However, I'm not sure about the answers I got. In both cases, there seems to be no hesitation in saying yes. But when I read their Product Disclosure Statements there seem to be all these exclusions.

I get the impression that hardly anyone will cover you for doing something daft like getting lost. Fair enough. However, in the unlikely event that someone gets hurt it would be nice to not get hit with a huge bill for a chpper.

Thanks

Regards

Brett Sh

[north-north-west]

There is no charge for the rescue chopper in Tasmania, so insurance is not needed for it.

[andrewp]

...but you will be charged for the ambulance that takes you from the chopper to the hospital, so I would recommend ambulance insurance. There are reciprocal arrangements with Victoria.

[ChrisJHC]

In most cases, if you have private health insurance, it includes ambulance cover. Worth checking.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Strider]

...but you will be charged for the ambulance that takes you from the chopper to the hospital, so I would recommend ambulance insurance. There are reciprocal arrangements with Victoria.

Not in Tasmania. Ambulance services are also free of charge.

[andrewp]

Not in Tasmania. Ambulance services are also free of charge.

I believe that only applies to Tasmanian residents. Non-residents have to pay.

[north-north-west]

Not in Tasmania. Ambulance services are also free of charge.

I believe that only applies to Tasmanian residents. Non-residents have to pay.

Yes. There are supposed to be reciprocal arrangements in place for members of the Victorian ambulance service but I know of at least one case that resulted in a prolonged argument about financial responsibility.

[Azza]

https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ambulance/fees_and_accounts

If you live in Queensland and hold ambulance cover, the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) will pay the invoice if you provide appropriate proof of Queensland residency. Please contact your local QAS office for further details.
The South Australian Government is phasing out cover for interstate ambulance transport. Please contact the South Australian Ambulance Service to determine whether or not you are covered for interstate ambulance services.
If you reside in ACT, Victoria, NT, NSW or SA and you hold ambulance cover in your state or territory, under most circumstances you will be covered for emergency road ambulance services in Tasmania.
Please forward the Ambulance Tasmania invoice to your ambulance cover provider for processing.