Overwatch x Rescue Review (Search & Rescue Insurance)

I’m not affiliated with Overwatch x Rescue and this isn’t a sponsored post. I’m just a fan of what they’re doing and they’ve been generous in sharing behind-the-scenes access so I could understand how it all works. They also offered my readers a discount, use code HIKEGUY15 at checkout for 15% off.

What It Is

Overwatch x Rescue is an SOS subscription service, not insurance. You pay once a year and if your rescue ends up costing money, they pay the bill directly.  You don’t submit a claim or wait for approval. You just send them the invoice, and they take care of it. There’s no deductible and you're covered for two full rescues per year (based on your annual term) And unlike other options like Garmin SAR insurance, the price doesn’t change based on the activity or altitude.

Overwatch x Rescue has coordinated over 15,000 rescues in more than 220 countries.

Aren't Most Rescues Free?

Most rescues are free, but you have no control over who gets dispatched. If the free option isn’t available or appropriate, say you need an air ambulance, the rescue coordinator might send a private helicopter, and those can cost tens of thousands of dollars. You might have health insurance, but check your policy; most won’t cover a non-hospital helicopter evacuation. With Overwatch x Rescue, the financial question is gone. You can call for help without second-guessing what it might cost or whether it could leave you with a massive bill.

Not Just Backcountry Rescues

Overwatch x Rescue isn’t limited to backcountry or wilderness situations. The same coverage applies if you’re traveling, climbing, skiing, or even on a road trip. If you’re injured overseas, they can coordinate hospital transfers, medical flights home, or bring a family member to your bedside. They’ll also handle situations beyond accidents, like natural disasters, civil unrest, or wrongful detention while abroad. It’s essentially a global safety net that goes far beyond hiking rescues.

Here’s a good example. A moto-overlander traveling through India was arrested for carrying a satellite communicator, which is illegal there. Here’s what happened.

Who’s on the Other End of SOS

When you trigger SOS, you’re not reaching a basic call center. Overwatch runs two crisis response centers, one in Florida and one in South Africa, staffed by experienced coordinators: veterans, paramedics, EMTs, and search-and-rescue specialists. They work 24/7/365 and speak multiple languages. If local authorities can’t respond, they escalate through their global network until someone can.

Overwatch x Rescue is a veteran owned and operated company, and many of the employees are also ex-military, law enforcement, and emergency services.

Unlike some systems that hand off your alert and disconnect, Overwatch stays on the case until you’re confirmed safe. If one agency can’t act, they contact another. That persistence can make the difference between delay and rescue.

I was lucky enough to check out the crisis response center in Florida when I was reviewing the Motorola Defy and I was really impressed.

And here's a story from an Overwatch x Rescue user who hit SOS after falling and getting a head wound on the CDT.

Works With Any SOS Device

Overwatch x Rescue is device-agnostic. You can register up to three devices under one plan, including:

• Garmin inReach (any model using the Messenger or Earthmate apps)
• iPhone 14 or newer (iOS 18.5+) with satellite SOS
• Android phones with satellite service through Verizon, T-Mobile, or One NZ
• ZOLEO, SPOT, and other Globalstar-based communicators

You can mix and match, say a Garmin and a smartphone,  both are covered. They’re also working directly with companies like Garmin and Apple to make sure alerts hand off smoothly.

Garmin SAR Insurance vs Overwatch

Again, this isn't insurance, but more like AAA for the outdoors. Here are some of the key differences between the standard SAR plan you can get from Garmin.

Why I Use It

I carry a Garmin inReach everywhere I hike, but I still use Overwatch x Rescue because it covers what the inReach doesn’t, the cost and coordination after the SOS. When you hit that button, you can’t control who’s dispatched or whether it’s a free rescue team or a private helicopter. I like knowing that no matter what happens, I’m not going to get stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars.

It also goes beyond hiking. If I’m traveling overseas, they’ll coordinate hospital transfers, bring a family member to my bedside, or even help with evacuations during a natural disaster. It’s one of those services you hope you never need, but if you do, it means you can hit SOS without hesitation and just focus on getting home safe. For me, the cost is worth it.