Guide

Medical evacuation insurance by UN duty station

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

UN duty stations are graded by hardship, roughly A (easiest) to E (hardest), and postings in harder stations often require medical evacuation cover on top of medical insurance. Medevac pays to move you to adequate care when local facilities cannot treat you. Check your contract and duty station for the exact requirement.

What medical evacuation cover does

Medical evacuation, or medevac, pays to transport you to a place that can treat you when the care you need is not available where you are posted. In remote or under-resourced duty stations, that can be the difference that matters most, and it is why many assignments ask for it specifically.

Duty station hardship: A to E

The UN grades duty stations by hardship, from the easiest through to the hardest. Harder postings are more likely to require medical evacuation cover, because local medical facilities may not be able to handle serious cases. Requirements vary by agency and contract, so confirm what your posting expects.

What to check on your certificate

If your posting needs medevac, make sure the certificate states it clearly, alongside your medical and hospitalisation cover and repatriation. Note the usual limits honestly: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Between contracts and across postings

Consultancy postings change, and cover tied to one contract usually ends with it. A portable policy that travels between duty stations avoids gaps and keeps your evacuation cover in place as you move. See the aid-worker cover or request a quote.

Get a certificate that meets the published rule

Tell us your destination, visa, and who’s moving. Our team reviews it against the current requirement and calls you with a quote — no obligation.

Before you request a quote: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are not covered — including conditions you did not know about. We say this up front so a quote is worth your time.

Common questions

What is medical evacuation insurance?

Cover that pays to move you to adequate care when the treatment you need is not available at your location. It is common for remote or hardship postings.

Which UN duty stations require medevac?

Harder duty stations are more likely to require it, because local facilities may not handle serious cases. Requirements vary by agency and contract, so check your posting.

Is medevac the same as repatriation?

They overlap but differ. Evacuation moves you to the nearest adequate care; repatriation returns you to your home country. Many policies include both; check the certificate.

Do I need medevac cover between contracts?

If your next posting may need it, a portable policy that runs across contracts keeps the cover in place and avoids a gap between assignments.