Nederlands
English
Deutsch
Français
Español
Português
Space Tourism Gets Specialized Insurance Products
Major insurers have launched first-of-their-kind policies specifically designed for space tourists. The new products cover two critical concerns: emergency medical evacuation from space habitats and substantial compensation for flight delays caused by technical issues or weather.
What's Covered
The medical evacuation coverage addresses worst-case scenarios where tourists need emergency return from orbital stations like the ISS or future commercial stations. Policies include:
- Specialized spacecraft deployment costs
- On-orbit medical stabilization
- Earth re-entry coordination
- Ground-to-hospital transfers
- Technical scrubs (common in new space industry)
- Weather-related cancellations
- Regulatory holdups
Why Now?
With companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic increasing flight frequency, insurance demand has surged. "We're seeing 300+ booked flights through 2026," says Lloyds of London space underwriter Marcus Chen. "Tourists want protection against the unique risks of space travel."
Cost and Availability
Policies start at 15-20% of ticket price ($250k-$500k). For a $2 million orbital flight, insurance adds $300k-$400k. Currently available through:
- AXA Space
- Allianz Space Insurance
- Lloyds of London
Industry Response
SpaceX commented: "This validation shows space tourism's maturity. Protection gives customers confidence." Medical experts note evacuation could take 6-48 hours depending on orbital position.
