Updated December 22, 2003 -- Medjet, a travel insurance provider best known for providing jet transports to its customers in need, has just announced new programs to assist travelers who fall ill while away from home. In addition to the regular year-round insurance available, you can now buy short-term coverage for as little as seven days, and get the use of an international cell phone as an added bonus with its new extended plan.
The company has long offered annual memberships at $195 for individuals and $295 for families -- a program that we continue to tout as a good value for medical evacuations, without any hidden catches. Now, with its new, one-off programs, you can pay less for similar assistance for only the specific times you travel. They now have plans for seven days ($69 for individual, $129 for family); 14-days ($89 and $169); and 21 days ($109 and $199).
Its other new program, called Medjet Assistance Plus, gives you all the benefits of annual membership (the most important of which is that air ambulance from wherever to a hospital of your choice) and, for an additional $99, the following benefits.
Secure online maintenance of your medical records; up-to-the-minute travel intelligence (about politics, public health, general safety and more in 260 cities and 180 countries around the world); cash advance for medical emergencies of up to $50,000 to take care of any immediate medical needs; and that free international cell phone for your first week of travel. This phone gives you one cell number that works in more than 130 countries, with voice mail so there are no missed messages when your phone is turned off. The phone includes digital clarity, security, text messaging and a link to Medjet's travel intelligence service. They say that the average weekly rental rate for international cell phones is $75, so you will save this much, at least.
For more information and enrollment, contact Medjet at 800/963-3538 or call collect from anywhere in the world to 205/595-6626. Their website is www.medjetassistance.com.
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