International SOS has a different take on standard travel insurance. While some of their plans offer travel medical insurance, International SOS’s key benefits are emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. International SOS will repatriate you to your home country or the nearest medical center of excellence in a medical emergency.
Advantages
- World-class medical evacuation insurance trusted by some of the biggest companies in the world.
- Invaluable in a medical emergency when you need to be evacuated from a remote area.
- Combining their membership and their travel insurance plan gives you comprehensive coverage.
- 24/7 assistance is available.
- International SOS has information available about medical and travel details related to your destination country.
Disadvantages
- International SOS is NOT travel health insurance (though some plans offer optional travel health insurance).
- The Visitor USA plan only provides up to $25,000 for medical repatriation and $75,000 for medical evacuation.
About the Company
International SOS was founded in 1985 and now has 12,000 employees working in 90 countries, with Canadian offices in Edmonton and Vancouver. It’s a large company, used by businesses, NGOs, academic institutions, governments, and individuals around the world.
International SOS employees speak over 110 languages and dialects. The International SOS network providers comprise over 85,000 accredited providers in healthcare, security and aviation, with over 4,800 medical professionals.
Does International SOS Offer Standard Medical Health Insurance for Travellers?
International SOS memberships do not include medical travel health insurance. However, International SOS does offer optional travel medical insurance through their Global Traveler, Scholastic Traveler and Visitor USA Plans.
All International SOS annual memberships for Canadian travellers provide:
- 24/7 connection to emergency assistance, travel, security and health in daily life and emergencies
- No deductible
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation to $1,000,000 per incident
- Transportation to join a hospitalized member up to $2,500 per incident
- Accommodation while visiting a hospitalized member up to $2,500 per incident
- Return of a minor child up to $2,500 per incident
- Return of a travelling companion up to $2,500 per incident
- Travel arrangements after a medical evacuation up to $2,500 per incident
- Pre-trip up-to-date information on vaccinations, medical care, and other relevant health and travel details for the countries you plan to visit
Who Would Benefit most from International SOS?
- Expatriates
- Business travellers
- Students and teachers abroad
- Cruise ship passengers. Many travel insurance policies do not cover emergency medical evacuation by helicopter from cruise ships.
- Travellers concerned about medical evacuation insurance
- Companies with employees stationed overseas
Quick Guide to Plans from International SOS
| Global Traveler | Global Traveler Medical | Global Traveler Premier | Scholastic Traveler | Scholastic Traveler Medical | Scholastic Traveler Premier | Visitor USA | |
| Travel assistance(before, after & during trip) |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Medical Evacuation & Repatriation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $25,000 medical repatriation and $75,000 medical evacuation |
| Access to exclusive online services | | | | | | | |
| Maximum duration | Up to 90 days (up to 1 year with Extended Stay) | Up to 90 days (91-180 days with Extended Stay) | Up to 90 days | Up to one year | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days | Up to one year |
| Medical health insurance option available |  | Yes, up to $500,000 | Yes, up to $100,000 |  | Yes, up to $500,000 | Yes, up to $100,000 |  |
| Trip cancellation available |  | Trip interruption and baggage only | Yes, single trip up to 90 days |  | Trip interruption and baggage only | Yes, single trip up to 90 days |  |
You Need to Know
If you’re interested in an International SOS membership, you need to know:
- You must apply for an International SOS membership at least one day before your trip starts.
- Accidents or injuries resulting from hazardous sporting activities are not covered. These activities include, but are not limited to, trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing (needing guides or ropes), caving, potholing, parachuting, skydiving, ballooning, bungee jumping, deep sea diving utlitizing a hard helmet with air hose attachments, hang gliding, rallying, martial arts, racing (any kind other than on foot), and any organized sports (professional or sponsored).
- Pregnancy is not covered (though there are some very specific exceptions for the first 24 weeks of pregnancy).
- Pre-existing conditions are included in evacuation services with International SOS.
- Group discounts are available for groups of six or more for trips less than 90 days in length.
- Refunds are generally available by written request before the policy’s effective date. No refunds are available after the policy has started.
How to learn more
You can learn more and get a quote online, directly from International SOS.
Want to Compare International SOS Insurance Rates?
The easiest way to compare Canadian travel insurance rates is to use a comparison website.
Comparison websites, like BestQuote Travel Insurance, let you compare travel insurance from several different companies at once. Type in a few details about your trip, and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice.
Still considering other insurance options? Check out our reviews of Tugo travel insurance, BMO travel insurance, and Blue Cross travel insurance, and our helpful post that answers the question what type of travel insurance do I need?