SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 24, 2025 – Anyone traveling abroad should be insured in the event of accidents or sudden illnesses. The bills for medical treatment at the vacation destination or for repatriation to the home country can quickly add up to several thousand euros. According to DEVK statistics, repatriation from abroad cost an average of 18,900 euros in 2024.
Understanding the Need for Comprehensive Travel Insurance
For this purpose, almost 100 insurance cases were evaluated, for which DEVK paid a total of more than 1.8 million euros for medical transport back to Germany. With improved services, DEVK now offers more security when traveling abroad - from more flexible protection for return transport to higher benefits for families.
Enhanced Safety During Patient Repatriation
What is new is that medical repatriation is not only covered when it is medically necessary, but also when it is medically sensible and justifiable. "With this clarification, we want to offer our customers a reliable basis. Unfortunately, repatriation from abroad is necessary more quickly than expected. It is not only emotionally stressful for those affected, but also puts a considerable strain on the holiday budget," explains Nadine Kurtz, Head of Foreign Travel Health Insurance at DEVK.
The High Costs Associated with Patient Flights
The numbers speak for themselves: transport by ambulance from Switzerland to Munich with medical supervision costs around 2,500 euros. It is even more expensive by plane: an intensive care transport by ambulance plane from the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, to Germany can easily cost 55,000 euros. And these are just examples within Europe - the bill is often even higher intercontinentally. "It is precisely in cases like this that the value of comprehensive protection becomes apparent," emphasizes health insurance expert Kurtz.
Increased Performance in Rescue, Recovery, and Search Operations
DEVK is increasing its benefits for rescue, recovery and search costs to 15,000 euros. For example: If hikers fall into a crevice or skiers are buried by an avalanche in alpine terrain, mountain rescue teams and/or helicopters are deployed. In Austria, those affected have to cover the costs of the search and recovery themselves. According to the Alpine Association, a rescue by helicopter cost an average of 5,000 euros in 2023. With the increased benefits from DEVK, insured persons are financially protected.
Prioritizing Family-Friendly Travel Insurance
Families in particular benefit from the new services. What happens if the accompanying grandmother falls ill and no one is there to look after the children? Or if the child unexpectedly has to go to hospital while on holiday? In such cases, DEVK ensures that a parent can stay with their minor child in hospital - the costs for "rooming-in" are covered. If the accompanying person is unable to attend abroad due to illness, DEVK covers the costs of looking after the children or transporting them back home. Thanks to cooperation with experienced partners such as the Malteser Hilfsdienst, organizational help can also be provided quickly in such emergencies.
Enjoying Carefree Travel with Enhanced Coverage
With the improved protection for trips abroad, holidaymakers can concentrate fully on the pleasant aspects of their stay abroad. "Travelling is simply more carefree," says Kurtz, "when you know that you are optimally covered in an emergency."
For more information visit.