Will life insurance cover LifeFlight?
Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states.
After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health in…
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Written by
Rachael Brennan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Benjamin Carr was a licensed insurance agent in Georgia and has two years’ experience in life, health, property and casualty coverage. He has worked with State Farm and other risk management firms. He is also a strategic writer and editor with a background in branding, marketing, and quality assurance. He has been in military newsrooms — literally on the frontline of journalism.
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Reviewed by
Benji Carr
Former Licensed Life Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jan 28, 2022
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Quick Facts
LifeFlight may not be covered by your life insurance policy
Insurance companies are often tricky about covering LifeFlight rides
Without insurance, a LifeFlight ride can cost up to $40,000 per ride
Most people are familiar with air ambulances, as they save hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Also known as LifeFlight, air ambulances are faster to transport those in need of immediate medical care than regular ambulances.
Often, it is confusing as to whether your health or life insurance policy will cover a LifeFlight ride. Since LifeFlight is usually a medical expense, it may be covered by your health insurance policy. However, there may be situations where LifeFlight is covered by your term or permanent life insurance policy.
Keep reading to learn more about whether life insurance covers LifeFlight, which companies offer LifeFlight coverage, and how much LifeFlight rides and insurance costs.
Before jumping in, enter your ZIP code into our free online tool for instant life insurance quotes from companies near you today.
Will life insurance cover LifeFlight?
Air ambulances, like LifeFlight, are often a lifeline for those in need of immediate medical attention or have been involved in a severe accident that a regular ambulance cannot help. Unfortunately, although it is a necessary service at times, most insurance companies are tricky about covering a LifeFlight expense.
Essentially, air ambulances are covered by health insurance when medically necessary. However, insurance companies often dictate the term “medically necessary.” Insurance companies do everything they can to avoid paying more than necessary, and with LifeFlight being an expensive service, its coverage is often arguable.
If you are in a situation where you need a LifeFlight, it is crucial to know whether or not your insurance policy will cover the expenses. Because LifeFlight is a medical expense, it is more likely to be covered by your health insurance policy rather than your life insurance policy.
There are a couple of situations where your life insurance policy may cover LifeFlight.
If, for instance, your current health insurance policy does not cover a LifeFlight, you may be able to use the payout from your or a loved one’s permanent or term life insurance policy to cover the expense. Of course, using the life insurance payout is not ideal, considering all other end-of-life costs, but it could be an option.
You may be able to use some of the money in the cash value part of your permanent life insurance policy to cover LifeFlight expenses. Cash value is the aspect of your permanent insurance policy that accrues interest and is available to you in case of emergencies. Therefore, it may be another option to consider.
Even though LifeFlight is convenient and potentially life-saving, you do not want to be stuck with all costs. Before you need a LifeFlight, be sure that you know whether or not you will be covered and plan accordingly. Talk through your options with a life or health insurance agent.
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Do I need LifeFlight insurance?
With LifeFlight coverage from your insurance company being up in the air, it is beneficial to consider purchasing LifeFlight insurance. However, LifeFlight insurance is not typically sold as a standard insurance policy because it is not technically insurance.
Often, medical flight services are sold as memberships with a specific air ambulance organization. These companies include:
LifeFlight Network
Air Ambulance Worldwide
Global Rescue
These memberships serve as an addition to rather than in place of your current insurance policy. LifeFlight memberships are meant to cover expenses that health insurance companies wouldn’t otherwise cover.
LifeFlight Network, for example, works directly with your insurance company for their portion, and the rest of the cost is covered by your membership. So if you are in a severe accident and need a LifeFlight, you can rest assured that you will not have to pay the LifeFlight costs out-of-pocket.
How much does LifeFlight insurance cost?
As you may be aware, health care costs in the United States are notoriously expensive, and LifeFlight costs are not exempt. Without proper insurance coverage, LifeFlight costs can be up to $40,000 per ride.
Most people do not usually have $40,000 available to cover the cost of a medical flight, especially with the unpredictability of medical emergencies. Therefore, it is advantageous to consider investing in a LifeFlight membership.
Through LifeFlight Network, you can get a membership for as low as $69 a year. You may also choose to purchase a two-year membership for $130, a five-year membership for $300, or a lifetime membership for $1,200.
Because insurance providers are so selective about paying for LifeFlight, it is often recommended that people look into these LifeFlight memberships and find a good personal injury lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer may be able to help find loopholes that require your insurance company to pay for some if not all of the costs of a medical flight.
Before you purchase LifeFlight insurance, make sure to discuss with your insurance agent whether LifeFlight expenses are covered under your current insurance policy.
LifeFlight: The Bottom Line
Although it may be a necessary medical expense, LifeFlight is not always covered by your insurance provider. Often, an insurance company will deem a LifeFlight helicopter ride an unnecessary expense and refuse to pay for the service, leaving patients with all costs.
Since it is a medical expense, LifeFlight is not typically covered by a life insurance policy. However, you may use life insurance payout money or pull it from your cash value account to help alleviate some of the costs of a medical flight.
You can also look into purchasing a LifeFlight membership through an air ambulance organization. These memberships are low-cost and will be extremely useful in keeping you from paying the entire LifeFlight cost out-of-pocket.
Similarly, if you have had a LifeFlight or think you may need one in the future, look into hiring a personal injury lawyer to help mediate the expenses with your insurance company.
If LifeFlight insurance is something you need, talk with your insurance agent to know whether or not LifeFlight is covered under your insurance policy.
Ready to search for life insurance policies that cover LifeFlight? Enter your ZIP code into our free online tool for instant life insurance quotes from companies near you today.
