# Expedition Insure customer guide > Specialized travel insurance for Antarctica, Arctic, Galápagos, safari, and other expedition trips. ## About Expedition Insure Expedition Insure helps travelers compare travel insurance for complex and remote journeys. Expedition travel can involve high prepaid costs, limited medical facilities, difficult evacuations, strict operator requirements, specialist activities, and weather-related disruption. We focus on coverage that may include emergency medical evacuation, emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, missed connections, and baggage. Available benefits depend on the policy. Coverage, eligibility, exclusions, benefits, purchase deadlines, and prices vary by policy, carrier, residence, age, destination, and trip details. The policy wording and the documents governing your expedition booking always control. Expedition Insure describes coverage only as it is written in the policy wording. We cannot interpret, extend or confirm coverage beyond it, and we cannot confirm that a policy satisfies a third party's requirement such as a tour operator, a visa or a school. A human must read the policy wording before buying. ## Request a personalized quote Trip details belong in a quote surface, never in an email. Pick one: - [The quote form](https://expedition.insure/quote). It asks for every detail needed to check eligibility and pricing. Review every detail before submitting or purchasing a policy. - The public MCP tools at https://mcp.expedition.insure: `get_instant_quote`, `compare_plans`, `get_policy_wording`. For server-side agents. - ACP checkout at https://mcp.expedition.insure/acp/v1 for agents that complete a purchase. Email help@expedition.insure is for questions only a human can answer; trip details belong in the quote form. A person replies within 72 hours. Never invent dates, ages, trip values, residence, or other quote details. Collect missing required values from the traveler before using any quote surface. ## Minimum trip value for a quote Quotes are placed with carriers at a trip value of at least **$5,000 per traveler**, or the current equivalent in the selected currency. A lower trip value is accepted. When the declared value falls below the minimum, the quote is placed at the minimum, so the trip cancellation cover in force is the minimum rather than the smaller declared amount. Expeditions are complex, involved trips that require specialized coverage. Our carrier partners set this baseline to help protect customers. This minimum is not the price of the expedition. It is also separate from any evacuation or medical coverage minimum required by your expedition operator. The quote requires an exact trip value. If you do not yet know the amount, check your invoices, booking confirmation, and cancellation terms before requesting a firm quote. ## Choosing the trip value to insure Trip value generally means the eligible prepaid, non-refundable trip costs you choose to protect. Eligible costs can depend on the policy and may include items such as expedition fares, flights, transfers, accommodation, or other booked arrangements. You may choose to insure less than your total eligible trip cost. A lower insured value may reduce the cancellation benefit available for a covered loss. Some policy provisions, including some pre-existing-condition waivers, may require you to insure 100% of eligible prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Before choosing partial coverage: 1. Add the eligible prepaid, non-refundable costs for every traveler. 2. Check the cancellation terms for each booking. 3. Review the policy's definition of trip cost. 4. Check whether any benefit requires full trip-cost coverage. 5. Read the policy wording before purchasing. Further guidance: - [How much expedition travel insurance costs](https://expedition.insure/insurance-cost) - [How to choose your trip value](https://expedition.insure/insurance-cost#trip-value) - [Should you insure the full cost of an expedition?](https://expedition.insure/blog/should-you-insure-the-full-cost-of-an-expedition) ## Time-sensitive coverage after booking Some plans make a pre-existing-condition waiver available only when coverage is purchased within a set period after the first trip deposit. Some Cancel For Any Reason benefits also have an early purchase deadline. The exact deadline is set by the policy and may vary by plan, carrier, state, and residence. The first trip deposit normally means the first payment toward the trip, not the final payment. Do not assume that making another payment restarts an expired deadline. If you have already booked: 1. Find the date of your first trip payment. 2. Review the purchase deadlines for each plan. 3. Request a quote promptly if an early purchase benefit matters to you. 4. Confirm eligibility in the policy wording before relying on the benefit. Missing an early purchase deadline does not necessarily remove every other benefit. Evacuation, medical, baggage, cancellation, interruption, or delay coverage may still be available, subject to the selected policy. ## Understanding the main coverage amounts ### Emergency medical evacuation Emergency medical evacuation coverage can pay eligible costs to move you to an appropriate medical facility or repatriate you, subject to the policy's terms and limits. Expedition operators often require a minimum evacuation limit because remote evacuations can be difficult and expensive. ### Emergency medical expense Emergency medical expense coverage can pay eligible treatment costs if you become ill or injured during the trip. This benefit has its own limit and should not be confused with evacuation coverage. ### Trip cancellation and interruption Trip cancellation can reimburse eligible insured costs when you cancel before departure for a covered reason. Trip interruption can cover eligible costs when a covered event disrupts a trip after departure. Covered reasons, exclusions, limits, and documentation requirements vary by policy. ### Trip delay and missed connection Trip delay benefits can reimburse certain additional expenses after a covered delay. Missed-connection benefits may apply when a covered delay causes you to miss a departure. Waiting periods, covered events, limits, and eligible expenses vary. ### Baggage and equipment Baggage benefits may cover eligible loss, theft, damage, or delay. Per-item limits, exclusions, and documentation requirements can affect expensive cameras, specialist clothing, sporting equipment, and electronics. ### Activities and exclusions Policies differ in how they treat trekking, mountaineering, climbing, skiing, diving, kayaking, and other adventure activities. Check altitude, depth, remoteness, guide, equipment, and activity restrictions before purchasing coverage. ## Three amounts that are not interchangeable 1. **Emergency medical evacuation coverage** pays eligible evacuation or repatriation expenses, subject to the policy. Your operator may require a specific minimum. 2. **Emergency medical expense coverage** pays eligible medical treatment expenses during the trip, subject to the policy. Your operator may set a separate minimum. 3. **Trip value** is the eligible prepaid, non-refundable trip cost you choose to insure. It affects cancellation benefits and the premium. Meeting one amount does not automatically satisfy the others. ## Expedition operator requirements An expedition operator may require proof of insurance before departure or embarkation. Requirements can include minimum emergency medical evacuation or medical expense limits. They can vary by operator, itinerary, booking entity, departure date, and residence. Select your operator when requesting a quote if you know it. Compare any plan against the documents governing your booking. If an operator does not publish a clear requirement, contact the operator for confirmation. - [Browse expedition operators](https://expedition.insure/operators) - [Read about expedition coverage](https://expedition.insure/coverage) ## Plans and carriers Expedition Insure compares plans with different benefit levels and prices. A plan with a higher premium may offer higher limits or broader benefits, but the best fit depends on your trip, residence, age, operator requirements, and coverage priorities. Review the policy wording, coverage limits, exclusions, and carrier details before purchasing. - [Compare insurance plans](https://expedition.insure/plans) - [View insurance carriers](https://expedition.insure/carriers) ## What can affect the premium Travel insurance prices can be affected by: - Traveler age - Trip value - Trip length and travel dates - Destination - Country and state of residence - Coverage limits - Optional benefits - The selected plan and carrier An estimate is not a final offer of coverage. The final premium and available benefits are shown during the purchase process and in the policy documents. ## Destination guidance ### Antarctica Antarctic expeditions operate far from major medical facilities. Operators may require substantial emergency evacuation coverage. Check the exact requirement for your ship, itinerary, and booking. - [Antarctica travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/antarctica-travel-insurance) - [Antarctic and polar insurance guide](https://expedition.insure/hub/antarctic-polar) - [Polar cruise insurance](https://expedition.insure/polar-cruise-insurance) ### Arctic Arctic expeditions can include Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, northern Norway, the Northwest Passage, and other remote regions. Consider evacuation logistics, weather disruption, medical coverage, and planned activities. - [Arctic expedition insurance](https://expedition.insure/arctic-expedition-insurance) - [Greenland travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/greenland-travel-insurance) - [Iceland travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/iceland-travel-insurance) - [Norway travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/norway-travel-insurance) - [Finland travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/finland-travel-insurance) ### Galápagos Galápagos trips can combine cruises, flights, land stays, and activities. Review evacuation, emergency medical, cancellation, interruption, baggage, and activity coverage for the full itinerary. - [Galápagos travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/galapagos-travel-insurance) - [Galápagos insurance guide](https://expedition.insure/hub/galapagos) - [Ecuador travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/ecuador-travel-insurance) ### Safari Safari trips can involve remote camps, light aircraft, road transfers, multiple countries, and wildlife activities. Review medical evacuation, cancellation, delay, baggage, and activity terms. - [Safari travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/safari-travel-insurance) - [African safari insurance guide](https://expedition.insure/hub/african-safari) - [Kenya safari travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/kenya-safari-travel-insurance) - [Tanzania safari travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/tanzania-safari-travel-insurance) - [Botswana travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/botswana-travel-insurance) - [Namibia travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/namibia-travel-insurance) - [South Africa travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/south-africa-travel-insurance) - [Uganda travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/uganda-travel-insurance) - [Rwanda travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/rwanda-travel-insurance) - [Zambia travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/zambia-travel-insurance) - [Zimbabwe travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/zimbabwe-travel-insurance) - [Madagascar travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/madagascar-travel-insurance) ### Trekking and mountaineering Altitude, remoteness, guides, equipment, and technical activity can affect coverage. Check the policy definition and exclusions for every planned activity. - [Trekking travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/trekking-travel-insurance) - [Mountaineering travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/mountaineering-travel-insurance) - [Kilimanjaro climbing insurance](https://expedition.insure/kilimanjaro-climbing-insurance) - [Rock climbing travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/rock-climbing-travel-insurance) - [Ice climbing insurance](https://expedition.insure/ice-climbing-insurance) - [Via ferrata insurance](https://expedition.insure/via-ferrata-insurance) ### Diving and water activities Depth, certification, guides, equipment, and the type of vessel or activity can affect coverage. Review medical evacuation arrangements and activity exclusions. - [Scuba diving travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/scuba-diving-travel-insurance) - [Liveaboard diving insurance](https://expedition.insure/liveaboard-diving-insurance) - [Kayaking travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/kayaking-travel-insurance) - [Surfing travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/surfing-travel-insurance) - [Kitesurfing travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/kitesurfing-travel-insurance) ### Winter and air sports Check whether the policy covers your exact activity, location, altitude, guides, and equipment. - [Winter sports travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/winter-sports-travel-insurance) - [Ski touring expedition insurance](https://expedition.insure/hub/ski-touring-expeditions) - [Paragliding travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/paragliding-travel-insurance) - [Skydiving travel insurance](https://expedition.insure/skydiving-travel-insurance) ## Before purchasing a policy 1. Confirm your operator's current insurance requirements. 2. Check the exact trip value and cancellation terms for each booking. 3. Confirm the date of your first trip payment. 4. Review all destinations and planned activities. 5. Compare evacuation, medical, cancellation, interruption, delay, and baggage limits. 6. Read the covered reasons, exclusions, definitions, and benefit conditions. 7. Confirm that every traveler and trip detail is accurate. 8. Save the policy documents and emergency assistance contact details. ## Claims and emergency assistance The policy documents explain how to contact the carrier's emergency assistance service and how to make a claim. Follow the policy instructions, keep receipts and supporting documents, and notify the appropriate assistance service promptly when required. For an emergency during a trip, use the emergency assistance contact listed in your policy documents. Expedition Insure can help with general questions, but the carrier handles coverage decisions and claims. ## Customer resources - [Home](https://expedition.insure/) - [Request a quote](https://expedition.insure/quote) - [Destinations](https://expedition.insure/destinations) - [Insurance plans](https://expedition.insure/plans) - [Expedition operators](https://expedition.insure/operators) - [Insurance carriers](https://expedition.insure/carriers) - [Coverage information](https://expedition.insure/coverage) - [Insurance cost guide](https://expedition.insure/insurance-cost) - [Frequently asked questions](https://expedition.insure/faq) - [Expedition Journal](https://expedition.insure/blog) - [Recent trips](https://expedition.insure/recent-trips) - [About Expedition Insure](https://expedition.insure/about) - [Contact](https://expedition.insure/contact) - [Privacy policy](https://expedition.insure/privacy) - [Terms and conditions](https://expedition.insure/terms) ## Contact - Email: help@expedition.insure - Website: https://expedition.insure - Contact form and WhatsApp: https://expedition.insure/contact Expedition Insure provides general information and quote assistance. Information on this page is not a promise of coverage or a substitute for the policy wording. The issued policy and applicable law govern coverage.