One in 30 Trips Ends in a Medical Emergency — Here's How to Get Home

Lucía Torres · 2026-09-16

Global travel always comes with risk. But have you ever stopped to think about how you'd actually get home if you landed in a hospital overseas? Or if a natural disaster left you stranded thousands of miles from your family? That's exactly where Medjet comes in. The Agency recently sat down with Medjet CEO John Gobbels to unpack everything you need to know about medical transport and travel safety — whether you're traveling for work, vacation, or sending a kid off to study abroad. And here's the good news: The Agency and Medjet have partnered to offer discount memberships to clients. That means real peace of mind for you and the people you love, no matter where in the world they roam. Want details? Just reach out to your agent at The Agency. ### Meet Medjet: 35+ Years of Getting People Home Medjet has been in business for over 35 years. As Gobbels puts it, they're "the oldest, and still best, program of our kind." They don't publish exact numbers, but over the decades they've helped thousands of members get to hospitals back home. Here's a stat that might surprise you: about **1 in 30 trips** ends in a medical emergency or safety concern. That's more common than most people realize — which is why Medjet stays busy. ### Is Medjet Insurance? Not Exactly This is a big one. Medjet is *not* insurance. It's a private membership program, and that distinction matters in practice. If you need transport, Medjet handles all the arrangements and pays 100% of the transport costs. Bedside to bedside. No claim forms, no bills, no out-of-pocket expenses beyond your initial membership fee. ### Who Is Medjet Really For? Any resident of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico who travels frequently. That covers a lot of ground — corporate executives, families, young solo travelers, retirees, athletes, even celebrities. Their MedjetHorizon membership adds security and crisis response benefits, and it's especially popular with solo travelers and families sending kids to study abroad. Members get 24/7 access to expert advice, in-country help, and security evacuation if things go sideways. ### How Medjet Differs from Travel Insurance With security services, Medjet doesn't require hard triggers like government-issued evacuation orders. Their teams can respond to a broader range of threats — and respond earlier — than most insurance policies allow. On the medical evacuation side, most insurance policies and credit card benefits only get you to the "closest, most appropriate facility." They'll move you further only if it's medically necessary. If the hospital you're in is deemed adequate, you're basically stuck there. With Medjet, once a member is stable, they get moved to the hospital of their choice back home. Just because they prefer it. That's the biggest difference. Gobbels still recommends everyone carry travel insurance — at least $100,000 for medical expenses and evacuation to the nearest hospital. Medjet kicks in when you're ready to be moved back to your home country for continued treatment. > "Medjet has been in business for over 35 years... Statistics show that about 1 in 30 trips end in a medical emergency or safety concern. A lot of people don't realize how common it is, so we're always busy." > — John Gobbels, Medjet CEO ### The Accidents and Illnesses Medjet Sees Most Gobbels has seen it all: car accidents, ski accidents, e-bike and motorcycle accidents, paragliding accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and more. The takeaway? It doesn't matter how careful you are — emergencies happen. What matters is having a plan to get home when they do. If you're a frequent traveler, or you've got loved ones scattered across the globe, a Medjet membership through The Agency could be one of the smartest safety nets you'll ever buy. Contact your agent to learn more.