My son and I are going to South Africa for our first African hunt.

Over the years I've seen on AR different recommendations for companies like Global Rescue and Travel Guard.

Can I get some recomendations?

We used Ripcord, very easy to get set up. I am sure Global Rescue would be fine also.

irich,

Travel Guard took very good care of my client when he was hit by a buffalo.

Mark

I've been using Gracy Travel since my first Safari in 07'...this year they switched me over to Ripcord. One never really knows until it's time for them to act. We'll see...

Does anyone know of a negative experience with one of those 3 companies?

I have always used Global Rescue but have never implemented their services either.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Does anyone know of a negative experience with one of those 3 companies?

I have always used Global Rescue but have never implemented their services either.

Just hope you never need them.

I have been a member for a number of years, and I do hope I do not need them.

Travel Guard is the weakest one out there IMO. IIRC, they wont fly you out of the country unless medically necessary. These other three will fly you out at your request if you are medically stable.


Medjet Assist- oldest 'legit' company out there
Global Rescue- been around, havent heard anything bad
Ripcord-new kid on the block

Research them yourself, don't take your booking agent's word. Read the fine print. It gets real big when you need the services you purchased.

I've bought MedJet and Global Rescue before, using Ripcord this time. Never needed it so far, so no real input other than you need the coverage.

I have used Ripcord my last two Safaris. I am not sure you need it in South Africa unless you already have medical issues?

Because of my health history, I am leery of being overseas with no insurance. I used Ripcord and although I did not need their services,I knew they would be available if a situation warranted it. Jerry Hoover

I purchased Global Rescue last year only for the reason of obtaining extraction coverage as I was going to be in Zambia that was supposed to have rioting from elections according to the State Dept, it never happended. The only rioting that I ran into was in Jo'berg.

If you have an AMEX Platinum or Centurion card, you have medical evacuation coverage included with your annual fee.

I have Global Rescue. You really do not need it in South Africa. There are a couple of direct flights going to the US everyday. Let the State Department know you travel days and keep the number of the US Embassy in Pretoria. You can get a sim card that will allow you to use your cell in most of RSA.

While South Africa has excellent healthcare facilities, Global Rescue provides another layer of protection and additional peace of mind for those on the road. With Operations Centers in six countries standing by 24/7, we provide immediate access to our paramedics, nurses and physicians, including Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations to provide lifesaving consultative support to our members. Read an AR members personal experience with Global Rescue’s advisory services here.

In the event of an injury or illness requiring further care, Global Rescue will also deploy one of our own physicians’ or critical care paramedics to the member’s bedside to oversee care and evaluate the member’s stability for transportation to the members’ home hospital of choice. Read Missy Corn’s story here while a Global Rescue paramedic remained bedside for weeks while she remained hospitalized.

As soon as our members’ are stable and fit-to-fly, we provide transport via private and commercial aircraft to the member’s chosen home hospital. Every membership we offer provides evacuation up to $500,000 from the point of injury/illness to a member’s home hospital of choice.

I'm in Poland right now and then off to Niger, Chad, Jordan and others in 2017. While I use Global Rescue any reputable service for medical evacuation is dirt cheap insurance for what you might need. And if you own a business it is tax deductible which lowers the cost even more. We had a business partner get so sick coming out of Cameroon that he had to spend several days in a hospital in Morocco. That was a guy who was wishing he had some help. Immunizations, malaria pills, deet and medical evac. insurance are your friends in Africa.

Don

Agreed. I have always had Global Rescue and currently have them.

A few years back, we switched from Medjet to Global Rescue. I don't remember why now.

Shortly after the change, we went to Argentina on a duck/dove hunt. Both my kids became DEATHLY ill. It was bad. I decided to give Global Rescue a call. In minutes, they had a paramedic on the phone giving me advice. In a very short period of time, I want to say about a half hour, they had a doctor from Johns Hopkins on the phone with me giving me very specific instructions. He told me what hospital to take them to, what tests to have done, etc. GR organized a plane outfitted with appropriate medical medical equipment to fly them home if necessary. Fortunately, we were able to stabilize them. I had business class tickets. I got them home.

Was I impressed? Hell yes!

This was not the end of it. GR called several times after we got back to check on them.

I am sticking with Global Rescue.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
A few years back, we switched from Medjet to Global Rescue. I don't remember why now.

Shortly after the change, we went to Argentina on a duck/dove hunt. Both my kids became DEATHLY ill. It was bad. I decided to give Global Rescue a call. In minutes, they had a paramedic on the phone giving me advice. In a very short period of time, I want to say about a half hour, they had a doctor from Johns Hopkins on the phone with me giving me very specific instructions. He told me what hospital to take them to, what tests to have done, etc. GR organized a plane outfitted with appropriate medical medical equipment to fly them home if necessary. Fortunately, we were able to stabilize them. I had business class tickets. I got them home.

Was I impressed? Hell yes!

This was not the end of it. GR called several times after we got back to check on them.

I am sticking with Global Rescue.

From your testimony to GR's response, I don't see why to go anywhere else.