MedJet Assist Travel Insurance: Quick Overview
Here’s the thing about MedJet: it’s not actually travel insurance in the traditional sense, and that’s precisely what makes it valuable. Think of it as your emergency evacuation lifeline when things go seriously wrong abroad. After diving deep into what this company offers, it’s one of those services you really hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be incredibly grateful to have if you do.
Overall, we rated MedJet Assist Travel insurance 9.8 out of 10, which means it offers great service. However, it was omitted from our list of the best travel insurance companies due to its limited functionality as travel insurance. That doesn’t mean it might not be right for you. Read more to learn about what MedJet Assist Travel Insurance has to offer.
Key Strengths
- You get transported to YOUR hospital of choice back home, not just the nearest adequate facility. This is huge.
- No pre-existing condition exclusions for travelers under 75, which is rare in this industry.
- Coverage kicks in anywhere you’re hospitalized more than 150 miles from home (both domestic and international).
Key Weaknesses
- Doesn’t cover the typical travel insurance stuff like trip cancellations, lost baggage, or flight delays.
- That 150-mile minimum requirement means if you’re hospitalized close to home, you’re on your own.
- Services aren’t available in countries with Level 3 or 4 State Department travel advisories.
Who is MedJet Assist Travel Insurance Best For?
Frequent travelers, adventure seekers, people with chronic health conditions, digital nomads, and anyone who wants the peace of mind of knowing they can get home to their own doctors if hospitalized abroad.
MedJet Assist Travel Insurance
MedJet is uniquely positioned as an essential service for specific categories of travelers, particularly those whose trips involve a higher degree of risk or who have chronic health concerns. It is highly recommended for frequent international travelers, especially to remote or developing countries where quality medical care may be uncertain. Adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts should also consider it, as MedJet covers activities like rock climbing, scuba diving, and skiing which many traditional travel insurance policies either exclude or require an extra cost for. For these individuals, the annual membership provides unparalleled peace of mind, acting as a crucial safety net that goes above and beyond what standard insurance offers.
What truly sets MedJet apart is its core guarantee: the "hospital of choice" benefit and the waiver of the "medical necessity" requirement. Most medical evacuation services will only transport a patient to the nearest adequate facility, which may still be in a foreign country far from family and personal doctors. MedJet, by contrast, transports the member to their chosen hospital back home. Furthermore, this transport is arranged as long as the member is an inpatient and stable enough to fly, regardless of whether a local doctor deems the move "medically necessary." These two differentiating factors solve the primary anxieties of travelers who worry about the quality and continuity of their care if they are hospitalized abroad.
Finally, the service is immensely valuable to people with pre-existing medical conditions who are under age 75, as MedJet explicitly includes a no-exclusions policy for them—a rare feature in the travel insurance industry. When you factor in the high cost of a single international air medical transport (which can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars) and the fact that MedJet covers this expense with no dollar caps, the annual fee becomes a strong value proposition for high-frequency or high-risk travelers. While it's an additional cost, its role is to complement, not replace, comprehensive travel insurance, filling a critical gap in coverage for medical emergencies.
- You choose your destination hospital, not the insurance company
- Transport happens regardless of medical necessity
- No caps on transport costs and zero out-of-pocket expenses beyond membership
- No pre-existing condition exclusions for members under 75
- Covers adventure activities that many insurers exclude
MedJet Assist Overview
MedJet was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The company pioneered the air medical transport membership concept and has been offering this service since 1998. MedjetAssist is an air-medical transport membership program in the U.S.
The company operates throughout the United States and serves residents of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. MedJet maintains a network of over 50 dispatch locations worldwide with access to more than 250 private air ambulances. The company is available to U.S., Canadian, and Mexican residents, with services covering both domestic and international travel.
MedJet is BBB Accredited and holds proper licensing from the Federal Aviation Administration (Private Pilot license) and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
MedJet Assist Financial Strength & Solvency
MedJet Assist, underwritten by Lloyd’s, carries serious weight in the insurance world. Lloyd’s has an A+ (superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, which was upgraded from A (excellent). AM Best has given Llyod’s the Financial Strength Rating of A+.
This is about as solid as it gets in the financial strength department. Lloyd’s has been around for centuries and has the capital backing to handle claims, so you don’t need to worry about whether they’ll be there when you need them. The company has been in business for over 30 years with no significant financial hiccups.
MedJet Assist Coverage Options
MedJet offers two main membership types, and understanding the difference is crucial:
MedjetAssist is the base plan that covers only medical evacuation. When a member becomes hospitalized as an inpatient due to an illness or injury while traveling 150 miles or more from home, Medjet will assist you by arranging air medical transport services to the hospital of the member’s choice in their home country. Transportation happens regardless of whether it’s medically necessary, which is a game-changer compared to traditional insurance.
MedjetHorizon includes everything in MedjetAssist, plus additional travel security and crisis response benefits. This upgraded option provides evacuation assistance for non-medical emergencies like natural disasters, terrorism, political unrest, violent crime, and kidnapping.
Additional services included with both plans:
- Medical monitoring and consultation from MedJet’s medical staff
- Telephone interpretation services for communicating with foreign medical providers
- Travel assistance information and referrals
- Visa, passport, and immunization requirement information
- Transport of mortal remains (not available to Oregon residents)
Coverage Limits & Flexibility
Here’s where MedJet really shines. There are no dollar amount caps on medical transport costs. You pay your membership fee, and if you need to be transported, they cover the entire cost, whether it’s $30,000 or $200,000.
The service allows up to two medical transports per membership year. One travel companion can accompany you at no additional cost. For families where multiple members need simultaneous transport, each family member receives one transport. Significant limitations to know about:
The 150-mile minimum is absolute. If you’re hospitalized 149 miles from home, MedJet won’t help (though MedjetHorizon has some flexibility here for specialty hospital transfers).
Because the U.S. State Department advises against travel to certain countries (Level 3 or 4 advisories), MedJet unfortunately can’t fly any U.S.-registered planes or send their staff into those high-risk areas. As a result, membership services are unavailable in those specific locations. Currently, this includes countries with Level 3 or 4 travel advisories.
Medical transport won’t be provided if your primary admitting diagnosis is an inpatient psychiatric disorder, or if you traveled specifically to seek medical treatment. Minor injuries, such as simple sprains or fractures that don’t prevent you from continuing your trip, don’t qualify.
For travelers under age 75, Medjet memberships are straightforward: no pre-existing condition questions or exclusions apply! If you’re aged 75–84, you can contact MedJet directly for details on specialized Diamond Membership.
MedJet Assist Affordability & Value
Let’s talk money. Most Medjet customers select annual memberships, which begin at $315 for an individual and $425 for a family. That breaks down to less than a dollar per day for an individual annual membership.
For short-term coverage, pricing starts at $99 for an 8-day membership. A 30-day membership runs around $250 for MedjetAssist or $345 for MedjetHorizon. Multi-year memberships offer discounts (1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year options are available).
Family coverage is reasonable. The family plan covers a primary member, spouse or domestic partner, and up to 5 unmarried dependent children under age 19 (or up to 23 if they’re full-time students).
When you consider that a single medical evacuation can cost anywhere from thirty thousand to over two hundred thousand dollars, the annual membership fee seems reasonable. However, you should consider whether you’re likely to need this service. If you’re taking one beach vacation per year to a resort with good medical facilities, you might not need it. But if you’re doing adventure travel, visiting remote areas, have chronic health conditions, or travel frequently, the value proposition gets much stronger.
The big caveat here is that MedJet doesn’t replace comprehensive travel insurance. You still need coverage for trip cancellations, lost baggage, medical bills, and other standard travel mishaps. So this is an additional cost on top of your regular travel insurance.
Discounts available:
AARP members receive a 20% discount on both MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon memberships. Some professional associations and organizations also offer member discounts.
MedJet Assist Customer Service
MedJet operates a 24/7/365 assistance center, which is precisely what you need for medical emergencies. You can reach them toll-free from anywhere in the world (they provide AT&T USA Direct access numbers for calling from various countries).
The company is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and maintains assistance centers that can be contacted at any time. Based on customer reviews, wait times are reasonable, though specific average wait times aren’t publicly available.
Support Channels
Members can contact MedJet through:
- 24/7 toll-free phone support (collect calls accepted from abroad)
- Email support
- Member web portal
- Digital ID cards for quick access to account information
The company doesn’t offer live chat or significant social media customer service, which feels a bit dated in 2025. Most communication happens over the phone, which makes sense for emergencies but can be frustrating for routine questions.
Customer Service Quality
Customer Service During Trip 5.0/5 according to Squaremouth ratings. The real test of a company’s customer service is how it performs during an actual emergency, and the reviews here are overwhelmingly positive.
Medjet did an excellent job monitoring his hospital stay and organizing the trip back to our hospital, according to one BBB review. Another customer detailed how MedJet guided them through the entire process of a complex international evacuation involving multiple hospitals and medical consultations.
The consistent theme in positive reviews is that MedJet staff stay in communication throughout the process, coordinate between multiple parties (local hospital, home hospital, family members), and handle the logistics so members don’t have to worry about it during an already stressful situation.
MedJet Assist Online & Digital Experience
The MedJet website is functional but not particularly flashy. The quote process is straightforward with a calculator that helps you estimate costs based on your specific needs. The purchase flow is clear enough, though it requires you to decide on coverage type, duration, and whether you want domestic or international coverage.
Information is generally easy to find, though the site could benefit from better organization of its extensive documentation. The Rules and Regulations documents are available, but can be dense to wade through.
Mobile App
Here’s a pain point: MedJet doesn’t appear to have a dedicated mobile app as of 2025. In an age where most services have apps, this feels like a missed opportunity. Members receive digital ID cards that can be stored on their phones, but there’s no full-featured app for managing memberships, filing claims, or accessing services.
Digital Tools
Members can access policy documents and membership information through the member portal. The company provides digital ID cards that include essential contact information and membership details.
However, there’s no online claims filing system because, well, there aren’t really traditional “claims” with MedJet. You call them when you’re hospitalized, and they coordinate everything. It’s actually more straightforward than a conventional claims process, but it means everything happens over the phone rather than through a user-friendly digital interface.
MedJet Assist Customer Satisfaction & Reputation
Here’s what’s trending about MedJet:
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Medjet has an A+ rating with BBB and has been accredited since 2015. There are no complaints on file in the past three years, which is pretty impressive for any company, let alone one dealing with emergencies.
The BBB page features multiple five-star reviews from members who’ve actually used the service. The detailed testimonials describe complicated international evacuations handled smoothly and professionally.
Trustpilot
TrustPilot Score 4.6/5, which is solid. The reviews on Trustpilot and similar platforms tend to be positive, with most criticism coming from people who either didn’t understand what the service covers or ran into limitations they weren’t aware of.
Reddit & Social Media Sentiment
Discussions on travel forums like FlyerTalk and Rick Steves’ forum show generally positive sentiment. Users report having subscribed for many years, with comments like “I think it is a sound investment if you have frequent international travel” being common. Most users admit they haven’t had to use the service, but feel reassured knowing it’s there.
One user recounted fighting with a different evacuation insurance company for 9 days, stating, “The woman owner of one of the ABQ companies was very forceful in stating that only MedJet is worth buying; they are the only company that really covers medical evacs.”
The main criticisms you’ll find online are from people who:
- Didn’t realize it doesn’t cover standard travel insurance items
- We were frustrated by the 150-mile requirement
- Purchased it but never needed to use it, and felt it was wasted money
Industry Awards & Recognition
MedJet is a vetted Virtuoso member, which means high-end travel advisors and agencies recommend them to clients. The company has established partnerships with organizations like AARP and various professional associations. While they haven’t won recent splashy consumer awards, their reputation within the travel industry is strong.
MedJet Assist Claims Process
The beautiful thing about Medjet? There’s no traditional claims process. Since it operates as a membership service—not conventional insurance—you simply call a 24/7 assistance line when you need an emergency evacuation. MedJet will handle all the arrangements and paperwork, so you never have to file a claim.
How MedJet Works
When you’re hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, you (or a family member) contact MedJet’s 24/7 assistance line. Their medical staff will:
- Consult with your attending physician to understand your condition
- Determine if you meet the criteria for transport (basically, are you stable enough to fly?)
- Coordinate with your home hospital to arrange admission
- Handle all logistics for the medical transport
- Pay for everything directly
You don’t submit claims, chase reimbursements, or argue about whether something is covered. They just handle it. The only “documentation” you need is your admission as an inpatient and your doctor’s clearance for transport.
Average processing time is hard to measure because it’s not about processing a claim but about coordinating a complex medical transport. From customer reports, MedJet typically begins working on your case immediately and can have you transported within days, depending on medical clearances and logistics.
The one area where this gets a low score in some reviews is Customer Service During Claim, with a 1.0/5 rating, but this is based on a small sample size and may reflect situations where people were trying to use the service for something it doesn’t cover.
MedJet Assist Unique Features
What actually sets MedJet apart from competitors?
The “hospital of choice” guarantee: This is the big one. Most medical evacuation coverage through travel insurance or credit cards will only take you to the nearest adequate facility. MedJet takes you to YOUR chosen hospital at home, period. This means you can be treated by doctors who know your medical history, be close to family, and avoid the stress of navigating a foreign healthcare system.
No medical necessity requirement: Traditional medevac insurance requires that the transport be “medically necessary.” MedJet doesn’t. As long as you’re admitted as an inpatient and cleared for transport, they’ll take you home even if the local facility could technically treat you.
No pre-existing condition exclusions (for members under 75): This is huge for people with chronic conditions. Most travel medical insurance has extensive pre-existing condition exclusions.
Coverage for adventure activities: Got injured rock climbing, scuba diving, or skiing? MedJet covers you. Many travel insurance policies exclude these activities or charge extra for them.
Motorcycle protection add-on: For motorcycle enthusiasts, MedJet offers a special add-on that ensures your bike gets transported home along with you.
COVID-19 coverage: MedJet covers transport for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with some restrictions on quarantine requirements and travel companion limitations.
Pros and Cons of MedJet
Pros
- You choose your destination hospital, not the insurance company
- Transport happens regardless of medical necessity
- No caps on transport costs and zero out-of-pocket expenses beyond membership
- No pre-existing condition exclusions for members under 75
- Covers adventure activities that many insurers exclude
- Simple, streamlined process with no claim forms to file
- Strong financial backing from Lloyd’s of London
- Excellent reputation and customer service during actual emergencies
Cons
- Doesn’t replace comprehensive travel insurance, so it’s an additional expense
- The 150-mile minimum requirement limits the usefulness for regional travel
- No services in Level 3 or 4 State Department travel advisory countries
- No mobile app or robust digital tools
- Doesn’t cover non-medical travel mishaps (cancellations, delays, lost baggage)
- For travelers who never get seriously ill abroad, it can feel like wasted money
Our Verdict & Overall Score for MedJet Assist
MedJet is worth it if you fall into any of these categories:
You should definitely get MedJet if you’re a frequent international traveler, especially to developing countries or remote areas. If you travel internationally more than 2 or 3 times per year, the annual membership pays for itself in peace of mind alone. Adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the lack of activity exclusions. People with pre-existing medical conditions under age 75 benefit enormously from the no-exclusions policy. Digital nomads and expatriates who spend extended time abroad should consider this essential. Parents sending kids to study abroad programs can sleep better knowing their children have this safety net.
Consider looking elsewhere if you’re a casual traveler taking one beach vacation per year to a resort destination. If your credit card already provides comprehensive medical evacuation coverage (check the fine print), adding MedJet might be redundant. Budget travelers who can’t justify the additional cost beyond basic travel insurance may find it hard to stomach. People who travel only domestically and close to home won’t benefit from the service, given the 150-mile requirement.
The bottom line is this: MedJet isn’t traditional insurance, and that’s precisely why it works. It fills a particular gap that comprehensive travel insurance leaves open. When you’re seriously ill or injured abroad and want to get home to your own doctors and family, MedJet delivers precisely what they promise. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you can get home regardless of cost or medical necessity is genuinely valuable.
Is it something you’ll never use? Yeah, hopefully. But if you do need it, you’ll be incredibly grateful you had it. For frequent travelers, people with health concerns, or anyone doing adventure travel, the value proposition is strong enough to justify the cost. Just remember it’s meant to complement, not replace, your comprehensive travel insurance.
About Our Methodology
We use a weighted scoring system for travel insurance reviews. We compared 20 companies on key factors, including their travel insurance rates, to inform our ratings. Once we scored each company, we applied a curve based on the best overall product. Here’s what we look for:
- Financial Strength & Solvency: 20%
- Affordability & Value: 15%
- Customer Service: 20%
- Online & Digital Experience: 10%
- Customer Satisfaction & Reputation: 20%
- Claims Process: 15%
How AXA Scored
- Financial Strength: 9.5/10
- Affordability: 7.5/10
- Customer Service: 8.5/10
- Online Experience: 7.0/10
- Customer Satisfaction: 8.5/10
- Claims Process: 9/10
You can learn more about how each company scored and what curve was applied here: Travel Insurance Reviews.
