Whenever I leave for the woods, I grab my Garmin inReach. I know, I know, for long-time RideApart readers, I've talked a lot about my Garmin and how it saved my life. But it bears repeating that these devices can, and do, save lives when you don't have cell service.
It's also worth noting two things. First, I was fine in terms of my body, so all I needed to do to be rescued was text my wife, who then relayed my message to the awesome backcountry rescuers who live in my neighborhood. That is, I didn't have to push the SOS function of my inReach Mini 2. And second, since I didn't have to push the SOS button, I didn't have to incur any sort of financial hit from being rescued, i.e. having S&R helicopter in and pick my stranded ass up to the tune of a couple thousand bucks or have wildly expensive Flight for Life helicopter ride to the hospital.
But that's not the case for everyone in the backcountry who needs saving. A lot of people will find themselves staring at a bill as long as a CVS receipt. And that's where Overwatch x Rescue apparently comes in, as it's an $80 a year service that goes along with your rescue beacons like Garmin's inReach, Zoleo, or Spot, and acts sort of like insurance, as well as working with rescue operations.
I don't know how the company can offer such savings, but let's talk about the program.
According to Overwatch x Rescue, "For just $79.99 a year, iPhone 14 users and higher (in the U.S. and Canada), and those with satellite communicators (Spot X, Garmin inRech, Zoleo, etc.), can now access 24/7 emergency assistance and rescue coordination, with full financial coverage for rescues—including medical evacuations." Likewise, it also covers high-altitude and hazardous sports arenas, which the company states its competitors charge even more for.
Overwatch x Rescue also states, "In critical emergencies, the exorbitant costs of medical evacuations can be a significant burden. Traditional insurance and most emergency assistance plans in the market often fall short, leaving individuals financially vulnerable in critical moments. For instance, the average cost of an air ambulance within the United States ranges from $12,000 to $55,000, depending on distance and medical needs. Ground ambulance services are also costly, with average prices increasing from $820 in 2012 to $1,093 in 2021. However, the final cost can be influenced by the distance traveled, the level of care provided during transport, whether the ambulance was dispatched by a private or public EMS service, and whether insurance covers part of the expense."
The company also provides a graphic breakdown of what it charges compared to its competitors, which I've linked below.
What I don't see, however, is how it can charge such a reasonable price for something that's inherently an expensive expense. Garmin, along with Zoleo, Apple, and now T-Mobile, all offer satellite communications, along with some search and rescue aid, but none of them are as inexpensive as Overwatch. Which begs the question, how?
Overwatch's parent is FocusPoint International, "a trusted leader in critical event management with over a decade of expertise and composed of former military personnel, law enforcement officers, first responders and medical staff, that coordinates around 15,000 rescues annually." So they're a private rescue operation, which would potentially bring costs down. I just know that helicopter fuel ain't cheap, though.
The company states that the plan allows customers to include three devices, and supports all the major satellite devices available, but given the iPhone's new satellite capabilities, you don't necessarily have to have a Garmin, Spot X, or Zoleo. That said, I've already told you how much I'd trust my safety to those.
But what do you all think? Is this coverage plan something you'd be into? Or are you sticking with the known assets? Let us know in the comments.
