Does the US coast guard do the medical evacs when in the Bahamas/ castaway/ lookout?

[justme0729]

I’m considering how much a medical evacuation would cost to see if DCL insurance gives enough. We are doing a Bahamian cruise… I read If the US coast guard does your medical evacuation, it is free. Do they go to castaway, lookout, and the Bahamas?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have no idea what the charge is, but in 2015, the Coast Guard did evacuate a person from CC.

 

[Mango7100]

Keep in mind the Coast Guard brings you to the nearest hospital able to care for you in your current state, not necessarily the nearest US hospital. So yes you can get to a Bahamian hospital, but if you decline once arriving there and need to be transferred then that is on your dime. We get insurance with 500 k medical evacuation. I know there are some of these boards who advocate relying on the Coast Guard and not needing medical evacuation, but I prefer to get the extra insurance.

 

[auntlynne]

Agree with above. I get evacuation coverage to get me to the US, not just from the ship or day’s port to nearest hospital. Also includes Security Evacuation.

This is an annual plan. It actually is not for the expense of missing a cruise. It’s for what could go wrong while on vacation. And especially if I couldn’t cover the cost myself.

 

[insureman]

Don't depend on the Coast Guard being able to evacuate you when having a medical emergency. If they have assets in the area then there is a possibility but it would be much better getting trip insurance. Just google trip insurance and use a company with a good reputation and at least 10 carriers.

 

[Sakura1017]

Agree with above. I get evacuation coverage to get me to the US, not just from the ship or day’s port to nearest hospital. Also includes Security Evacuation.

This is an annual plan. It actually is not for the expense of missing a cruise. It’s for what could go wrong while on vacation. And especially if I couldn’t cover the cost myself.

View attachment 868820

Which annual plan do you have?

 

[auntlynne]

Which annual plan do you have?

I have bought one through USAA. And more recently, Travel Guard.

I have not filed against either, so no idea how easy it would be to file or get claim fulfilled.

AIG, Allianz, the Travellers…. I would consider if the reviews aren’t full of disgruntled passengers. I think I went through Insure My Trip, which shows quotes from multiple companies. There is GeoBlue for medical coverage. Lots of choices.

(A well-known, established, company doesn’t mean any one or group of travelers will be well served. I am leery of any insurer until I file a claim. Not just travel insurance. Most of us have heard stories of claims being declined for health, home, and auto. As they say, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Look at reviews. Mainly written by those who have filed. And usually by those who are unhappy. If there are a lot of them, I would look elsewhere).

I think USAA was about $79, but was mostly evacuation and medical - and for an entire year’s travel.

Travel Guard, bought last year, for a 62 yo single from my state, was $279 and did cover more aspects of trip costs.

I think state of residence may come into play.

Neither asked about preexisting medical conditions before a price quote.

…Remember to check your credit card - portions of your trip charged may be covered.

 

[Sakura1017]

I have bought one through USAA. And more recently, Travel Guard.

I have not filed against either, so no idea how easy it would be to file or get claim fulfilled.

AIG, Allianz, the Travellers…. I would consider if the reviews aren’t full of disgruntled passengers. I think I went through Insure My Trip, which shows quotes from multiple companies. There is GeoBlue for medical coverage. Lots of choices.

(A well-known, established, company doesn’t mean any one or group of travelers will be well served. I am leery of any insurer until I file a claim. Not just travel insurance. Most of us have heard stories of claims being declined for health, home, and auto. As they say, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Look at reviews. Mainly written by those who have filed. And usually by those who are unhappy. If there are a lot of them, I would look elsewhere).

I think USAA was about $79, but was mostly evacuation and medical - and for an entire year’s travel.

Travel Guard, bought last year, for a 62 yo single from my state, was $279 and did cover more aspects of trip costs.

I think state of residence may come into play.

Neither asked about preexisting medical conditions before a price quote.

…Remember to check your credit card - portions of your trip charged may be covered.

Thanks I will look into travel guard. I thought aig travel guard was the same as travel guard so I will have to further look. I wanted Allianz annual plan but the limits were to low for household but then I saw an executive plan that might work out. The only thing is I definitely want to insure the Panama Canal cruise 2026. I asked if I brought an annual plan and renew if it would cover the Panama Canal cruise with preexisting conditions and Allianz said yes over the phone but I’m not sure if that would work since it’s covered fully for the year. They said they could look back on dates of when u signed up.

 

[Karin1984]

With travel insurance it all depends on risk averse you are.

Yes, maybe you can get a free trip in case of a medical emergency, but maybe you can't. Conditions and rules can change or do not apply in every situation.

Are you asking because there is a good chance you (or a member in your party) might need a medical emergency? Or are the chances very small?

 

[tvguy]

With travel insurance it all depends on risk averse you are.

Yes, maybe you can get a free trip in case of a medical emergency, but maybe you can't. Conditions and rules can change or do not apply in every situation.

Are you asking because there is a good chance you (or a member in your party) might need a medical emergency? Or are the chances very small?

Pretty much sums it up. Although for a U.S. Citizen in the Caribbean, the U.S Coast Guard is about the only option to evacuation from a cruise ship. I say "about the only", but to be honest, I know of no OTHER option in that situation. And there is no charge for a Coast Guard evacuation. I have no idea about where they would take you, but I would expect them to take you back to their base in the U.S. unless your condition is dire.
A former co-worker was evacuated off HAL's Amsterdam on a cruise from San Diego to Hawaii when his appendix burst. They sent TWO helicopters (in case one crashed) and a refueling fixed wing aircraft and flew him to San Francisco. He was 900 miles west of San Diego. No charge. If this sounds familiar, ABC World News Tonight did a story on his evacuation .

 

[Girl of the South]

Will the US Coast Guard evacuate a foreign national for free? (Asking for a friend . . )

 

[Mommb]

Something else to keep in mind: while helicopters taking people off the ship are memorable, they are also rare and would be used only for critical issues that arise while the ship is at sea and unable to dock quickly. Another possibility is that a medical crisis arises while the ship and/or the affected passenger is in port or the ship is close enough to divert to a port. The passenger would be taking to the nearest hospital until stable. Even a broken leg, for example, might not be fully treated until after the ship departs. Trip insurance could cover transportation to the next port or back home.