Global Rescue vs Travel Guard: A Comparison
Written by Antonio Cala.
Table of Contents
When setting out on an adventure or remote travel, having dependable travel insurance is vital for peace of mind and safety. Global Rescue and Travel Guard are two leading providers in this arena, each offering specialized coverage for adventure travelers. However, they differ in several key areas, including what they actually cover, their customer’s satisfaction, and pricing.
This article aims to provide a thorough comparison of Global Rescue and Travel Guard, detailing their respective strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision on which travel insurance provider best meets your needs.
If you would like to know more about insurance options for adventure travel, make sure to check out our Complete Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance. Let’s jump in.
Global Rescue & Travel Guard Overview
Global Rescue
Global Rescue provides medical protection specially designed for adventure travelers venturing into remote areas, either solo or in groups. The coverage is available to all nationalities, with options for individuals over 75 years old.
Their services exclusively cover medical and evacuation, and does not include trip protection or baggage coverage.
Their main attractive is their extensive rescue network worldwide, that allows them to offer unparalleled emergency evacuation services to adventure travelers.
Travel Guard
Travel Guard on the other hand is more of a traditional travel insurance policy offering medical & emergency evacuation coverage, trip protection and equipment coverage under the same plan.
Their main strength is the high trip protection coverage, making it very competitive for high-ticket adventure holidays, like adventure cruises.
Global Rescue in Detail
Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.
Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.
Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.
Situations covered: It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).
Reasons To Buy
Remote locations coverage.
Coverage available for 65-84.
Pre-existing conditions accepted.
All nationalities accepted.
Reasons To Avoid
The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue.
It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays.
It doesn’t cover equipment.
Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.
Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.
Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.
Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.
My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.
Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.
High Altitude Evacuation.. This is for individuals traveling above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel). It also includes emergency physical transport due to injury or illness.
Global Rescue offers the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide, featuring minimal restrictions and extensive coverage compared to other medical insurance options.
It provides medical-only protection specifically designed for adventure travelers heading to remote areas, whether independently or as part of an organized trip. Coverage is available for all nationalities, with options for individuals over 75.
For adventure trips, especially in remote locations, Global Rescue is our top recommended choice.
Travel Guard in Detail
Nationalities: Only residents of the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and UAE can purchase a Travel Guard insurance policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 65-75 are covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 364 days.
Groups: One children aged 17 and under is included with an adult policy at no extra cost.
Reasons To Buy
Highest medical expenses and trip cancellation/interruption coverage combined under the same policy.
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver Available (must be purchased within 15 days of the Initial Trip Payment).
Reasons To Avoid
Not all nationalities are covered.
Must be less than 75 years old.
Travel Medical Expense/Dental Expense: Up to $100,000/$500. Travel Medical Expense pays for medical expenses incurred due to a Sickness or Injury that happens while on a Trip. A $500 sub-limit applies for dental expenses.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains: Up to $1,000,000. Covers evacuation expenses as directed by a Physician to the nearest adequate medical facility or home in the event of death or if medically required.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100% Insured Trip Cost. Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must cancel your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $150,000.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150% Insured Trip Cost: Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must interrupt your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $225,000
Trip Interruption – Return Transportation Only: Up to $1,000. Reimburses the additional Transportation expenses incurred by you to reach the Return Destination if your Trip is interrupted by one of the Unforeseen events shown in the Policy Trip Interruption section.
Trip Delay: Up to $1,000. Reimburses up to $200 per day for Reasonable Additional Expenses until travel becomes possible if your Trip is delayed for more than 5 hours due to covered reasons.
Baggage Coverage: Up to $2,500. Reimburses you if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while on your Trip. Coverage is primary.
Trip Saver: Up to $5,000. Reimburses up to $5,000 for meals, Hotels and additional Transportation if the Insured must begin their Trip sooner than the originally scheduled Departure Date due to Inclement Weather or Common Carrier changes.
Baggage Delay: Up to $500. Reimburses you for the purchase of necessary personal effects if your bags are delayed for more than 12 hours.
Missed Connection: Up to $1,000. Reimburses you if Inclement Weather or Common Carrier causes cancellation or a delay to your point of departure of regularly scheduled airline flights for three or more hours. Does not apply if you do not leave adequate time between connecting flights.
Security Evacuation: Up to $100,000. Coverage for security evacuation, Flight Guard® and Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption due to a riot or civil disorder.
Cancel for Any Reason Bundle. Reimburses up to the Maximum Limit shown on the Schedule of Benefits if you cancel your Trip for any reason, not otherwise covered under the Policy, up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
Adventure Sports Bundle. Removes the exclusions for adventure and extreme activities from all benefits on the Policy.
Pet Bundle. Daily benefit for boarding, and a medical expense coverage for illness or Injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes coverage for Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption if your Pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days prior to the Departure Date.
Wedding Bundle. Trip Cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom in the wedding.
The Travel Guard Deluxe plan is good option for adventure travelers going on expensive organized trips or expeditions.
It offers one of the highest trip cancellation coverage (up to $150,000), a competitive medical coverage up to $100,000 and emergency evacuation up to $1,000,000.
Comparing Coverage Details
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Trip Delays |
Equipment Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Travel |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
None |
None |
None |
 |
Deluxe |
$100,000 |
$1,000,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,500 |
Pricing
Comparing the two companies based solely on price wouldn’t be fair, as they offer distinct services.
Global Rescue specializes on world-class medical and evacuation services globally and they offer it to any nationality with minimal exclusions.
In contrast, Travel Guard provides a more traditional travel insurance policy, with one of the highest trip protection coverage on the market.
Overall, Global Rescue policies tend to be more affordable than those of Travel Guard. However, it’s important to note that they offer very different types of coverage.
What's Covered & Who's Eligible
Company |
Nationalities Covered |
Preexisting Conditions |
Coverage for Seniors Over 65 |
Destinations Covered |
Adventure Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
All |
Yes |
Yes, up to 84 |
All |
All |
|
|
Only 14 |
Yes |
Yes, up to 75 |
Some not covered |
Some not covered |
User Reviews and Testimonials
Insurance companies often receive negative online reviews due to issues like complex policy language, claim denials, slow processing times, and perceived unfair practices.
Global Rescue and Travel Guard are no exception, as they also encounter their share of negative reviews online.
However, Travel Guard receives a lot of bad reviews online, while Global Rescue receives mostly positive ones.
Global Rescue Online Reviews
Travel Guard Online Reviews
Conclusion
If you plan to go adventuring in remote areas or doing any adventure activity, the absolute best choice is Global Rescue. Its robust medical evacuation system is simply unmatched by any other provider.
If you plan to go on a high-ticket adventure trip, like an adventure cruise, an African safari or Polar expedition, Travel Guard is a fantastic option to protect your investment from a possible cancelation.
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about other insurance companies for adventure travelers, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Allianz
- Dive Assure
- Divers Network Alert
- Global Rescue
- Faye
- Medjet
- Ripcord
- SafetyWing
- Travel Guard
- Travelex
- World Nomads
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Other Reviews Online
While conducting your research, it may be helpful to read what other publications have to say about Global Rescue and Travel Guard.
Although articles directly comparing the two are scarce, here are some of the most popular reviews for each provider.
The Complete Guide to AIG Travel Guard Insurance – by nerdwallet.com
Global Rescue Travel Insurance Review – by nerdwallet.com
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix