Backcountry insurance??

zacattack

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Hey all,
Do you purchase some type of insurance policy that would help pay for costs of a Backcountry rescue, or some type of incident in the back country?
I have made a few Backcountry hunt, I use a Garmin inreach. I've heard of backcountry insurance policies but have never looked into them and I'm not sure where to look.
If any members on here use that type of policy I would appreciate some input on who you use, why them, and pros and cons.
Thank you in advance!

We have life flight insurance. My wife rides horses and I’m in some fairly remote places for work as well as hunting and fishing.

A friend of ours had to get life flight one time and that shit was so damn expensive, I think 15k or something, I have no idea why people wouldnt buy the insurance for that.
 

Backyard

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I don't believe this covers any sort of air evacuation. I believe the cost allows the local SAR team to be reimbursed from the state for their expenses.
Air evac isnt the only option for extraction.
Last year when I had a problem and was talking to dispatch (I had cell service), they assured me that I had already paid for rescue on my tag and to not hesitate if I feel I needed the service.
 

Rich M

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No, I never had such insurance. A year ago I bought a piece of land in the forest and this year I built there a little cabin. The main reason is to cover us from rain and wind in the hunting days. I'm just wondering if I should take an insurance for that. I mean for the cabin. I saw pretty good offers on https://homeownersinsurancecover.net/connecticut/ , and even insurance for the off-grid homes. Would you guys insure a place where strangers will shelter?

Definitely - and I'd put up a sign that says use at your own risk. and then get a $1 million umbrella policy.
 
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Air evac isnt the only option for extraction.
Last year when I had a problem and was talking to dispatch (I had cell service), they assured me that I had already paid for rescue on my tag and to not hesitate if I feel I needed the service.

True. But the way it was stated above one could believe air evac was covered with the tag when in reality it is not.
 

Backyard

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True. But the way it was stated above one could believe air evac was covered with the tag when in reality it is not.

One could interpret that. But I was commenting on the OP’s original question that asked about backcountry rescue. I don t recall him asking about air evac specifically. Sorry if I missed it.


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Rokwiia

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Can you folks provide the name of insurers that you've contacted? I'm having trouble finding insurers at all.
 
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IdahoElk

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Air evac isnt the only option for extraction.
Last year when I had a problem and was talking to dispatch (I had cell service), they assured me that I had already paid for rescue on my tag and to not hesitate if I feel I needed the service.

For the $50-$80 it costs for Life Flight it's worth it. The only other option is to have search and rescue hike in and carry you out which might not be so comfortable or smart if you have anything serious.
Speaking from first hand experience when your messed up and not doing well in the backcountry the sound of the helicopter is the sweetest sound you'll ever hear.
 

IdahoElk

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One could interpret that. But I was commenting on the OP’s original question that asked about backcountry rescue. I don t recall him asking about air evac specifically. Sorry if I missed it.


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What other type of rescue is there in the backcountry?
 

Cockeye

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Rokwiia

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Life Flight works if you in the covered area (Pacific, NW, Idaho, Montana, etc) . If you are outside that area, then what?

Global Rescue provides services but you must be traveling at least 100 miles from home. Cost looked to be around $360/year. Also in the Member Services Agreement it says:

"Company shall not be under any obligation to provide Medical Transport Services if, in Company’s sole discretion: (i) the Traveling Member is not reasonably accessible and cannot be transported safely or is located in a region that is not safely accessible.."

In my opinion, a lot of language, such as "reasonably" and "safely", that provides an out on their part.

https://www.globalrescue.com/grmkt_r...r&source=grcom

The reason we want to buy insurance in the first place IS to cover the cost of a transport in an area that may not be easy to get to.
 

Mosby

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Here is a listing of Air Ambulance companies and some brief information on the regions and states they cover. Not insurance per se but membership covers all related air transportation expenses. I researched the company that covers my home area and found that they belong to a much larger partnership with three other companies that covers multiple states including Colorado. Provides a significant amount of geographic coverage. Under $85 per year for an air transportation membership seems like a reasonable expense that I can live with compared to the amount they would charge without. Worst case is you have to join a couple of different memberships, depending on where you are hunting and how remote it is.

 
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My brother is a spear fisherman on the west coast and belongs to an association with a couple thousand members. Someone collectivized and they pay a reduced premium for a group rate On life flight and other rescue insurance. Seemed like a smart idea. I wonder if you could pull it off for hunters.
 
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