I was in Peru during the political protests when airports shut down and roadblocks trapped tourists in Cusco. I called my health insurer to get a helicopter out. They said, “Are you injured?” I said no. They said, “Then we can’t help you. We cover medical evacuation, not political inconvenience.”
Key Takeaways
- Medical vs. Security Evacuation: Standard health insurance (SafetyWing, Cigna) only evacuates you if you are dying (Medical). If there is a war, riot, or coup, they will leave you there unless you are physically hurt.
- The “Civil Unrest” Exclusion: Most policies exclude claims arising from “civil commotion, riots, insurrection, or war.”
- Specialized Memberships: To get pulled out of a war zone or riot, you need a security membership like Global Rescue, Medjet Horizon, or Covac Global.
- Government Help: Do not rely on your embassy. They rarely evacuate citizens until it is too late, and they bill you for it.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Safety vs. Health.”
Insurers insure your body. Security firms insure your safety. A riot is a safety issue. Unless a protester breaks your leg (turning it into a medical issue), the health insurer has no liability to move you.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: “Political evacuation and kidnapping are NOT covered under Nomad Insurance.” (Note: Their Remote Health plan usually doesn’t cover it either).
- World Nomads: The “Explorer” plan has a benefit for “Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation” (e.g., due to civil unrest), but the trigger is strict: The US State Department must issue a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” after you arrived.
- Global Rescue: I called them. “If you feel unsafe due to civil unrest, call us. We send a security team to extract you.” Cost: ~$350/year.
Comparison Table: Evacuation Triggers
| Feature | Standard Health Insurance | World Nomads (Explorer) | Global Rescue / Medjet Horizon |
| Broken Leg | YES | YES | YES |
| Airport Closed (Riots) | NO | YES (Conditional) | YES |
| Terrorism Threat | NO | NO | YES |
| Kidnap & Ransom | NO | NO | YES (Consultation) |
[IMAGE: Graphic of a helicopter lifting off from a chaotic street scene, labeled ‘Security Evacuation’ vs an ambulance labeled ‘Medical Evacuation’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Assess Your Destination: Going to Japan? You don’t need this. Going to Haiti, Lebanon, or Peru? You absolutely do.
- Buy “Horizon” or “Security” Upgrade: If you buy Medjet, get the “Horizon” edition. If Global Rescue, get the “Security” add-on. Base plans are medical only.
- Register with STEP (USA): Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It proves you were there before the advisory changed.
- Keep a “Go Bag”: If security evac comes, you have 10 minutes. Passport, cash, meds. Leave the giant suitcase.
FAQ
Will they evacuate my laptop?
No. Humans only. One small bag.
Does it cover natural disasters?
Yes, usually. If an earthquake destroys the infrastructure, security teams can extract you.
Can I buy it during the riot?
No. There is usually a 7-14 day waiting period for security coverage to prevent this.