• Search and rescue coverage supports emergencies in remote or unsafe locations by helping coordinate professional rescue efforts and eligible evacuation when a traveler cannot return safely on their own during a covered trip.

• Coverage applies only under specific conditions and is subject to travel protection plan terms, benefit limits, exclusions, and required documentation; it does not apply to routine travel disruptions or voluntary activities.

• Timely coordination and proper documentation are essential, as contacting local authorities and AXA’s assistance services early can help support rescue coordination and the claims process.

When planning a trip to remote or rugged destinations, such as hiking in the mountains or sailing offshore, many travelers focus on the adventure and overlook what might happen if things go wrong. Search and rescue coverage is a lesser-known but important part of some travel protection plans. If you're injured or lost in a hard-to-reach area, getting help can be logistically complex.

That's where search and rescue coverage can help. This type of benefit may help cover the costs of locating and retrieving you in an emergency, such as helicopter transport or rescue team coordination. Understanding what’s included and what isn’t can make a difference when choosing the right travel protection plan for your needs.

What is Search and Rescue Coverage?

Search and rescue coverage is a benefit included in AXA travel protection plans. It is designed to help when a traveler experiences an unexpected emergency during a covered trip and cannot return to a safe location without professional assistance.

This benefit may apply when a situation requires coordination with local authorities or licensed rescue teams to help locate and evacuate a traveler. It is intended for emergencies that arise suddenly and are beyond the traveler’s control, not for routine travel disruptions or convenience-related changes.

Search and rescue coverage focuses on situations where organized intervention, location tracking, and specialized transportation, such as helicopters, boats, or ground rescue vehicles, are necessary to assist the traveler. Coverage is subject to the travel protection plan’s terms, benefit limits, exclusions, and documentation requirements, and does not function as a general emergency response service.

When Does Search and Rescue Coverage Apply?

Search and rescue coverage may apply when a traveler is unable to return safely on their own or faces a serious emergency that requires professional rescue coordination during a covered trip.

Examples of situations where this benefit may apply include:

• Becoming lost or disoriented in remote or rugged areas, such as mountains, forests, deserts, coastlines, or wilderness trails

• Being stranded due to sudden weather changes, natural hazards, or environmental conditions

• Experiencing a medical emergency or injury in a location that is difficult to access

• Facing dangerous conditions during water-based activities, such as strong currents or equipment failure

• Requiring assistance from specialized rescue providers, including helicopter evacuation, boat deployment, or ground transport, to reach a safer location

AXA’s Search and Rescue Coverage Limits

AXA offers search and rescue benefits on select travel protection plans. Coverage amounts vary depending on the plan selected:

Explorer OnTrip: Maximum Search and Rescue Benefit of $5,000

Explorer Elite: Maximum Search and Rescue Benefit of $100,000

What Search and Rescue Coverage Includes

Search and rescue coverage focuses on organized efforts required to locate and evacuate a traveler during an emergency. Covered services may include the following components, when approved and documented.

Organized Rescue Operations

Professional rescue teams may be deployed to locate a traveler who is lost, stranded, or unable to move safely. These teams are typically trained to operate in challenging environments and may include mountain rescue units, maritime responders, or wilderness search teams.

Emergency Transportation

Search and rescue operations often require specialized transportation. Coverage may include costs related to:

• Helicopter evacuation

• Boat rescue operations

• Ground transport from remote locations

These services are intended to help move a traveler from a hazardous area to a safer location where further assistance can be provided.

Assistance in Remote or Difficult Terrain

Search and rescue coverage may apply in environments such as:

• Mountains and high-altitude regions

• Forests and wilderness trails

• Deserts and isolated rural areas

• Coastal or offshore locations

Operations in these areas often involve logistical complexity, which is why coverage focuses on professional coordination rather than informal assistance.

Emergency Aid During Rescue

In some cases, emergency care may be provided on-site as part of the rescue effort. This could include basic medical assistance necessary to stabilize a traveler during extraction.

What Search and Rescue Coverage Does Not Include

While search and rescue benefits can help in serious situations, they have clear limitations. Common exclusions may include:

Activities Outside Travel Protection Plan Eligibility

Search and rescue benefits may not apply when an emergency arises from activities that are not covered under the travel protection plan. This can include participation in restricted activities, unapproved expeditions, or certain adventure sports that fall outside the travel protection plan’s eligibility guidelines.

Informal or Unverified Rescue Efforts

Expenses associated with rescue attempts carried out by private individuals or unlicensed parties are generally not eligible for reimbursement. To qualify, services must be provided by recognized rescue organizations or local authorities that can supply official documentation.

Reckless or Prohibited Behavior

Incidents caused by criminal activity, entering restricted areas, or ignoring official warnings may fall outside coverage.

Missing or Incomplete Documentation

Without official invoices or written confirmation, reimbursement may not be available.

Each travel protection plan outlines its exclusions in detail, and travelers should review these carefully before relying on the benefit.

How to File a Search and Rescue Claim

If search and rescue services were required during your trip, the following steps can help support the claims process.

Review Your Travel Protection Plan

Confirm that your travel protection plan includes search and rescue benefits and that the incident meets eligibility requirements.

Gather All Documentation

Collect invoices, reports, receipts, and written explanations from rescue providers or authorities involved in the operation.

Submit Your Claim

Claims can be submitted through AXA’s online portal, AXA's claims department, or by contacting the claims team directly.

Respond to Follow-Ups

Additional information may be requested to clarify details or confirm eligibility.

Submitting detailed and accurate documentation can help avoid delays during review.

FAQs About Search & Rescue Coverage

What is the purpose of Search and Rescue coverage?

Search and Rescue coverage is intended to help address the costs associated with locating and evacuating a traveler during a serious emergency when returning safely without assistance is not possible. It applies when professional rescue services are required due to unexpected circumstances during a covered trip. The benefit focuses on organized rescue operations, coordination with local authorities, and emergency transport. Coverage is subject to plan terms, benefit limits, exclusions, and documentation requirements, and does not apply to routine travel issues or voluntary situations.

Does Search and Rescue coverage apply if I am not injured?

Search and Rescue coverage may apply even if no physical injury has occurred. If a traveler becomes disoriented, unable to proceed safely, or is exposed to environmental risks that prevent independent return, professional rescue coordination may be necessary. Situations such as difficult terrain, severe weather, or isolation can qualify, depending on travel protection plan terms. Eligibility depends on whether the circumstances meet the definition of a covered emergency and require organized intervention.

Are medical expenses covered under the Search and Rescue benefit?

Search and Rescue coverage primarily addresses the operational aspects of locating and evacuating a traveler. Emergency aid provided during the rescue may be included if it is part of the coordinated operation. However, ongoing medical treatment, hospitalization, or follow-up care is generally handled under separate medical benefits within the travel protection plan. Travelers should review their travel protection plan to understand how medical and rescue benefits interact and what documentation is required for each.

What types of transportation are included in Search and Rescue operations?

Coverage may include emergency transportation required to extract a traveler from a hazardous or inaccessible location. This can involve helicopters, boats, or specialized ground vehicles, depending on the environment and circumstances. Transportation must be part of an organized rescue effort coordinated with professional providers or local authorities.

Does Search and Rescue coverage apply during water-based activities?

Search and Rescue coverage may apply to emergencies that occur during water-based activities, such as kayaking, rafting, or sailing, when professional rescue services are required. Coverage depends on whether the activity is permitted under the travel protection plan and whether the emergency meets eligibility criteria. Situations involving strong currents, sudden weather changes, or equipment failure may qualify if an independent return is unsafe and rescue coordination is necessary.

Are solo travelers eligible for Search and Rescue coverage?

Solo travelers may be eligible for Search and Rescue coverage if a qualifying emergency occurs during a covered trip. Eligibility does not depend on traveling with others but on the nature of the incident and whether professional rescue services are required. Travelers should follow local regulations, use appropriate safety equipment, and maintain documentation, as coverage applies only to qualifying emergencies handled in accordance with travel protection plan terms.

Are costs covered if friends or locals help with the rescue?

Generally, no. Expenses related to informal assistance provided by friends, travel companions, or unlicensed individuals are not eligible for reimbursement. Search and Rescue coverage applies to services performed by recognized rescue organizations, licensed providers, or local authorities that can supply official documentation. Claims require itemized invoices and written confirmation from professional providers involved in the operation.

What documentation is required to file a Search and Rescue claim?

To support a claim, travelers must provide itemized invoices from rescue providers, official reports from local authorities or rescue teams, proof of payment, and a written explanation of the incident. Documentation must clearly show that professional rescue services were required and provided during a covered trip. Missing or incomplete records may affect eligibility, so travelers should retain all paperwork related to the rescue.

Is there a deadline for submitting a Search and Rescue claim?

Claims should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible after the incident. Timely submission helps ensure that documentation and official records are available for review. Specific filing deadlines are outlined in the travel protection plan documents and may vary. Delays in submitting a claim could result in processing delays or difficulty obtaining required verification from rescue providers or authorities.

Should I contact AXA or the local authorities first during an emergency?

In an emergency, travelers should first contact local authorities or emergency services if immediate assistance is required. Local responders are often best positioned to provide urgent help based on location and conditions. Travelers are also encouraged to contact AXA’s 24/7 travel assistance services as soon as it is safe to do so. AXA can help coordinate search and rescue efforts by communicating with local authorities, licensed rescue providers, and medical services. Early contact with AXA can support coordination, help clarify coverage eligibility, and ensure appropriate documentation is gathered during the response.

Are group rescues handled differently from individual rescues?

When multiple insured travelers are involved in the same emergency, rescue operations may be coordinated as a group to improve efficiency and response time. However, coverage is evaluated separately for each traveler. Benefit limits, eligibility, and applicable exclusions are determined individually based on each traveler’s travel protection plan. Participation in a group rescue does not combine benefit limits or change coverage terms. Each traveler must meet travel protection plan requirements, and reimbursement is subject to the individual plan’s terms, conditions, and documentation standards.