DEAR MEMBER, PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE FAQs ARE CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED WITH NEW ADDITIONAL AND USEFUL INFORMATION. IN THE EVENT THAT YOU HAVE A QUERY THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY ADDRESSED BY THESE FAQs, PLEASE
CONTACT GEOS BY CLICKING HERE.

PRIVATE SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) SERVICE

1   Is GEOS Search and Rescue insurance? How does it work?
GEOS Search and Rescue is NOT insurance. GEOS Search and Rescue is a Membership Program entitlement where the insured is GEOS Travel Safety Group and the entitlement extends to purchasers of SPOT who have selected to purchase the SAR benefit at the time of SPOT activation or from the GEOS website.

2   How is a claim to be made, by whom and to whom?
Private SAR is a Membership Benefit thus no claims should be necessary however complete information may be found in your Members Area or by clicking here. GEOS handles the service through its GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), which is just North of Houston, Texas. Once you have pressed the 911 button and GEOS establishes that additional resources are necessary, we handle everything from start to finish.

3   When should I press the "911" button?
In the event of a situation arising, where there exists a threat to human life or health as a result of an unforeseeable emergency, the Member should press the "911" button on their GPS device (SPOT, locator or other approved device...)

4   Who can authorize expenditure?
The GEOS IERCC has sole authority from GEOS and our Insurers to act within the terms of your GEOS membership.

If private resources are necessary, the Response Centre can authorize this on behalf of GEOS and has referral to the Insurers 24/7 Emergency Call Center in the UK if it needs any help or clarification.

5   What are the exclusions?
The main exclusions to the cover are if:
a)   your situation is caused by circumstances such as a forecast change of weather
      conditions, which could reasonably have been anticipated at the date you started your trip
b)   you have NOT made adequate provision of resources or training or competence needed to
      complete your planned trip
A typical exclusion example would be going up a mountain in a T-shirt or high heels without reasonable necessary supplies.

For complete Terms and Conditions, please go to the SAR microsite here.

In addition, please note that:
a)   in the case of death of the GEOS Member, GEOS will not be responsible for the
      transportation of the body
b)   GEOS will endeavour to arrange a successful rescue but cannot accept liability for failed
      rescues due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control

GEOS & SPOT
1    What is the difference between SPOT and GEOS?
SPOT manufacture the actual SPOT device and provide your satellite "airtime". GEOS, on the other hand, provides the 24/7/365 Emergency Response capability i.e. if you're ever in a situation that threatens your life or safety and you have to press the "911" button, one of our Duty Officers at the GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston, Texas will be dealing with your emergency, liaising with Police, Coastguard or any other relevant authority as well as coordinating any additional private Search & Rescue resources that may be required to rescue you or save your life. That is what we, at GEOS, do. We are a travel safety and travel security organization and SAR Membership is one of our travel safety programs.

2    Why do I need a GEOS SAR login to use my SAR benefit?
Your GEOS SAR login enables you to update any of your personal information stored on the GEOS database (blood group and emergency contact details). If we are dispatching (or are about to dispatch) a rescue team to wherever in the World you may be, it is very useful for the Duty Responder to be able to liaise with any medical personnel on the rescue team and to be able to pass on certain basic information, such as your blood type for example, so that any medical personnel at the scene can have any necessary blood supply standing by should it be needed. The contact details section is also important as, in the event of a real emergency, our Duty Officers will attempt to call the Emergency Contact Number you have given us or, if this fails, the Alternate Contact Number and will try to determine matters such as:
a)   your approximate age, build, complexion, how you are dressed, your hair color and style,
      are you currently carrying a firearm etc.
b)   when was the last time your emergency contact spoke with you?
c)   are there any medical conditions that may be relevant for the Emergency Services such as
      allergies, blood group, disabilities, heart condition, medication etc.?
This type of information assists us in providing the best level of response to your 911 and support to the Emergency Services. Please note that although the provision of medical information to us is not mandatory, we would ask you to consider providing, at least, the basic blood type information for the reasons given above, as well as the Emergency and Alternative contact numbers.

3   Will my information remain private?
Yes. In accordance with our Privacy Policy: "personal information volunteered to us is never passed to third parties, except if release is required by law or is pertinent to judicial or governmental investigations or proceedings or if we consider it necessary to do so in order to prevent risk of death or serious personal injury to you or others. There are no other circumstances under which we will provide or sell personal information to third parties".