travel insurance with repatriation in case of death clause

Repatriation of Remains explained

October 31, 2016 By : Administrator

Return of Mortal Remains/ Repatriation of Remains explained:

Why repatriation of remains travel insurance benefit is so important to you and your family

When an American dies overseas, the disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.

Imagine what would happen if you were to pass away overseas. Your family would have to deal with:

Obtaining an original death certificate and identification of your body

Clearing border patrol/customs

Shipping/transportation

Police reports/inquiries

USA customs and ports

All in another language, different procedures, infrastructure and possibly red tape/corruption. Travel insurance covers this and more for your family.

Although none of us likes to think about it, the reality is that expats and tourists do die overseas away from their country of residence. Sometimes that can be in a country that is struggling with infrastructure, red tape and even corruption. REGARDLESS of development, every country has rules that will cause additional pain and stress to family members who are already grieving a loss.

Travelers die every year. For things they couldn’t prevent:

• Approximately 6,000 Americans die abroad every year, according to the State Department. Some were tourists, others business travelers, still others longtime expatriates.
• More than half of travelers’ deaths appear to be due to injuries from traffic accidents and other unforeseen events, according to a survey of international research published in the Journal of Travel Medicine.

Now, imagine that your family can’t speak the language, are trying to deal with someone within our embassy overseas, differing time zones, and can’t even plan a date for a funeral because they cannot predict when the body will arrive home. Let alone, trying to communicate with a local police department to figure out who to speak with regarding getting the right paperwork completed for the Consulate.

What happens when a traveler or tourist dies overseas:

Most countries will require an autopsy when a non-resident dies. Autopsies may not be performed during weekends, and could take up to 4-5 working days.

Following the autopsy, a local coroner or police investigator will determine the cause of death, usually within one day but in some countries, if overworked, reports could take much longer.

That foreign nation will then issue a death certificate.

Local Police or government officials will then issue a transit permit authorizing the release of remains for local burial or shipment overseas to a proven next-of-kin.

Funeral shipping for a body back to the United States can be expensive. International shipping usually costs around $1,000 – $4,000USD and that does not include the airline shipping fee itself. This is simply the professional fee for a funeral home in the USA to collect the body, go there or have it prepared for shipping, complete all the necessary consular documentation and escort the body to the airline/back home.

If I don’t have insurance, how much will it cost?

Your total costs for getting the body back to the U.S. could amount to $5,000 – $8,000USD. depending on location. Even Mexico could cost your family $5,000. All of which could have been prevented for $20-40. (The fee for forwarding remains to another funeral home usually ranges from $1000.00 to $3000.00. The fee for receiving remains from another funeral home usually ranges from $800.00 to $2500.00.) – You will likely have to pay both of these fees, in addition to any other funeral home costs, if you do not have good international travel insurance.

If your family member is not up to scratch i the local language, it can be extremely daunting to have to suddenly deal with this task. Even filling out the forms could be a real challenge and may require locating and hiring a local attorney.

In case of death overseas, won’t the U.S. State Department or my embassy help?

The Department of State has no funds to assist in the return of remains or ashes of U.S. citizens who die abroad. The Bureau of Consular Affairs can assist the next-of-kin on how to transmit the necessary private funds to cover the costs overseas.

The U.S. Embassy will not (cannot) help arrange funeral services or shipping of the body for you. What they can do is help you locate a funeral home to handle arrangements for you. And you will be responsible to pay.

Consular Mortuary Certificate

The U.S. Embassy or Consular Agent will want to prepare a “Report of Death” after a local physician certifies the death, identifies the cause of the death, and issues the preliminary death record/report.

The U.S. Embassy will issue a ‘Consular Mortuary Certificate’, which allows the remains to be shipped/enter the United States (This facilitates U.S. Customs clearance). The certificate is in English and confirms essential information concerning the cause of death, as well as an affidavit from a local funeral director.

Additional documents may be required depending on the circumstances of the death. Your consular officer will ensure that all required documents accompany the remains to the United States.

In addition, local health authorities at the port of embarkation will issue a transit permit, which will accompany the remains.

If a family member does not accompany the remains, the airline carrier must also issue a bill of lading to cover the transport.

Proof of “next-of-kin” will also be required to claim the body or make arrangements through/by local authorities.

“Known Shippers” and the TSA

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that funeral homes requesting to transport human remains via air be approved as “Known Shippers.” If you are planning on air-shipping the body (either from one country to another or from one city to another), ask the funeral home you’re working with if it’s an approved “Known Shipper.” If it isn’t, you will want to consider finding a funeral home that is. The customs house permit for entry to the United States is obtained by the airline carrier at the point of departure and is used to make sure quarantine and customs are cleared.

Lastly, the nearest embassy or consulate will also prepare a Consular Report of the Death of an American Abroad (CRDA). This is similar to a U.S. death certificate. Up to 20 copies of that report are provided to the next-of-kin or legal representative and may be used in U.S. courts to settle estate matters.

More on the CRDA:

The consul prepares a Report of Death based on the local death certificate; this report is then forwarded to the next of kin for use in estate and insurance matters. The consular “Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad” (CRDA) provides the essential facts in English concerning the death of a U.S. citizen, disposition of remains, and custody of the personal effects of a deceased citizen. This form is generally used in legal proceedings in the United States in lieu of the foreign death certificate. The report of death is based on the foreign death certificate and cannot be completed until the foreign death certificate has been issued. This process can sometimes take from four to six weeks or longer after the date of the death, depending on how long it takes local authorities to complete the local form.

U.S. embassies and consulates work with local authorities and your insurance to see that this time is as short as possible. The CRDA is used for settling the deceased’s estate in the U.S. Without this correct paperwork, there is no life insurance payout and no probate. Understand that depending on the length of time you are overseas, U.S. domestic life insurance may not cover you or your benefactors. If you need international term-life insurance go to https://www.gninsurance.com/health/supplemental/term-life/ .

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/events-and-records/death/CRDA-copy.html

U.S. State Department on the Death of U.S. Citizens Overseas:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/events-and-records/death/return-remains.html

A few other links and some advice on what you can do, below.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/conveyance-transportation-issues/death-during-travel

Death abroad and known shippers – http://www.nfda.org/resources/operations-management/shipping-remains/death-abroad

What you can do to make this process much easier on your family

1.) Get a good, affordable travel insurance policy that includes repatriation of remains / return of mortal remains every time you travel abroad. “ Travel often?” Get an annual multi-trip plan that includes unlimited trips and repatriation of remains and is renewed once yearly. See: https://www.gninsurance.com/travel/annual/

Travel insurance itself should cost you about $1-$2 a day on average. Go to: https://www.gninsurance.com/travel/

2.) Next, get our free 40pg. Travel Safety guide at: https://www.gninsurance.com/resources/guides/travel-safety-overseas/

It has important travel advice and a checklist to make sure you and your loved ones have the right copies of documents they/you will need in case of a mishap. Forget those, and you could be creating a ton of work for loved ones before your body could be released from another country.

By carrying certain documents when abroad, and leaving photocopies of them with friends or family at home, you can smooth the handling of your remains and help survivors cope with the practicalities of your death.

These include your passport and other identification, emergency contacts, next of kin and more. More on T he Top Three Risks When You Travel Overseas at: www.dontgetstuckoverseas.com.

3.) Consider a signed notarized note stating what you want done with your remains, and a durable-power-of-attorney document. You can find sample forms on states’ websites or ask your attorney. Understand that if you live overseas (an an expatriate or own property overseas this will complicate matters, since probate is determined by where the decedent was residing – http://www.americanbar.org/publications/gp_solo/2011/april_may/estate_planning_withforeignproperty.html ).

4.) For more, call us or email [email protected] . We can find you the right policy or help you get the answers you are looking for.

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What is Repatriation?

Posted in General Travel Insurance Travel Insurance , Repatriation on 26 May 2022

Repatriation is something holidaymakers tend not to think about when travelling overseas as we would all like to believe that any trip we plan goes ahead without any hiccups. However, many unforeseen accidents and injuries can happen on holiday and in some cases, repatriation is needed in order to get you back to your home country.

This could be for a number of reasons but these include to get you access to medical treatment, following an incident or in the worst possible case scenario, to repatriate your body back home following death. Whilst it is something no one wants to think about or believe could happen to them, it's important to understand what this section of cover means and why it is so important to have when purchasing an extensive travel insurance policy.

As we get older and in some cases develop medical conditions, the potential need for medical treatment abroad can arise more frequently. That is why in this article, Able2Travel Travel Insurance explains what repatriation is, when it may be needed and why it is important to ensure you are covered for this on any upcoming trip.

Repatriation is the act of returning someone to their country of origin (Merriam-Webster, 2022). In terms of travel insurance, this usually relates to requiring access to emergency medical treatment.

Why Would I Need Repatriation Cover?

The emergency medical assistance team of your travel insurance policy may decide that it is better for you to be repatriated back to your home country rather than stay and receive treatment in the country you are in. This could be for a number of reasons but it may be that the country you are visiting lacks the medical facilities to provide the care you need. Equally it may be decided that repatriation may be the better option, in terms of treating you via the NHS, rather than incurring expensive medical bills overseas.

Unfortunately, the cost of repatriation isn't cheap. Should you need to return back to the UK for emergency medical care or following emergency medical care, the cost of this can easily be in the tens of thousands of pounds, with you paying the bill if you don't have a travel insurance policy that provides cover for repatriation.

In 2017, the Association of British (ABI) Insurers reported that the average cost of an air ambulance from Spain is £25,000 and that figure is likely to have increased since then. 

Should you need to be transported home following a medical issue abroad, the reason the costs are so high for repatriation is because you may require a medical chaperone (for example a nurse or a doctor), a specialist air ambulance fitted with medical equipment and costs to cover your treatment and hospital stay. 

In some cases it might be medically unsafe for you to travel. This is usually judged by a doctor treating you in the country you’re visiting. The final decision is ultimately down to the emergency assistance provider as to whether or not it is medically necessary to be repatriated or if there is another solution available.

It is also worth considering that if you are traveling to a European country and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), neither of these provide cover for repatriation and so should not be considered as an alternative to travel insurance. Furthermore, It is also important to consider that the British Embassy or High Commission will not pay for any medical expenses or repatriation costs.

The repatriation section of cover provides comfort, peace of mind and confidence with traveling that should the unexpected happen and even in the worst case scenario, death, you can safely be returned to your home country without receiving hefty medical bills.

Travel Insurance cover with Able2Travel Travel Insurance

When you do decide to travel, it’s important not to forget to buy your travel insurance. Able2Travel Travel Insurance policies include cover for the following:

• Three levels of Travel Insurance Cover to meet your needs and budget.
• Emergency Medical Expenses up to £10,000,000 (including repatriation)
• Cancellation or Curtailment up to £5,000.
• Missed Departure up to £1,000.
• Personal Baggage up to £3,000.
• And much more…

Specifically relating to Covid-19, Able2Travel can help offer cover against:

Cancellation / Curtailment – protection is in place should you receive a positive test result within 14 days of departure or if you are admitted to hospital due to testing positive to Coronavirus (Covid-19) after the purchase of your policy.

Emergency Medical Expenses – should you unexpectedly contract Covid-19 symptoms or receive a positive test result whilst on holiday, Able2Travel can help cover your emergency medical expenses so long as the FCDO has not advised against ‘all travel’ or ‘all but essential travel’ to your intended destination.

So, if you are planning on travelling overseas, it’s important to ensure you're protected with a suitable and extensive travel insurance policy from Able2Travel. You can get an Able2Travel Travel Insurance quote by clicking here or by calling our helpful team on 01483 806 826 .

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Repatriation Cover & Travel Insurance

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Falling ill or suffering an accident abroad is far from ideal. Yet, despite the risks involved, it's surprising how many Brits still venture overseas without adequate travel insurance cover.

Imagine this scenario: You're enjoying your holiday, but suddenly, an unexpected illness or injury occurs, forcing your trip to come to an abrupt end. As a result, you find yourself in a situation where you need to make an emergency return back to the UK. Not only can this be emotionally distressing, but it can also be financially burdensome.

However, the good news is that most comprehensive travel insurance policies include cover for not only medical expenses but also repatriation. This means that in such unfortunate circumstances, you can rest assured knowing that you will receive the necessary medical assistance and support while you're away from home.

Having travel insurance with medical cover and repatriation is not just a wise choice, but it's also a responsible decision. It provides you with peace of mind, knowing that you're protected in case of unforeseen emergencies during your travels. So, before embarking on your next adventure, make sure you have the right travel insurance in place to safeguard yourself against any unexpected mishaps.

Specialist Medical Cover

We only work with providers who specialise in covering pre-existing conditions.

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What is repatriation cover?

Repatriation cover is a crucial component of your travel insurance policy, ensuring your protection in case of a serious illness or injury that requires you to be brought back home to the UK. This comprehensive coverage not only safeguards your return but also extends its protective reach to include a family member who may be supporting you abroad during your treatment.

Moreover, in the unfortunate event of a loss, repatriation cover provides financial protection against the substantial expenses associated with bringing a body back home. As part of your medical cover, a dedicated team of specialist medical professionals will assess your situation and determine whether it is in your best interest to be repatriated or continue receiving treatment abroad.

As an example, you may be brought home to the UK if:

• You can’t get the appropriate treatment or level of care where you are
• You need a long period of recovery, which will be more suitable back home
• It may be too costly for you to receive treatment where you are

Do I need repatriation cover?

You can never predict the unexpected, and although medical repatriation is an extremely rare event, it's wise to ensure you're covered. The reason why it's so important is that it can be financially burdensome. Repatriation isn't always as simple as boarding an earlier scheduled flight back home.

In more extreme cases, it might involve medical evacuation via an air ambulance or even a private aircraft from a more remote location. For example, imagine you were on a cruise ship in the middle of the vast ocean when a medical emergency occurs. In such situations, arranging for medical repatriation can be a complex and costly process.

Having comprehensive coverage that includes medical repatriation can provide peace of mind, knowing that you'll receive the necessary care and assistance, regardless of the circumstances. It's better to be prepared for the unexpected and have financial protection in place to handle any unforeseen medical situations that may arise.

Does travel insurance cover repatriation as standard?

Fortunately, most standard travel insurance policies will include this type of cover (but, be sure to double-check). In most cases, this will be listed alongside any medical coverage listed in your policy - although some providers may list it as a separate item altogether.

Moreover, if you decide to take out specialist travel insurance to cover a pre-existing condition , you may find that there is even more extensive coverage for medical-related areas, including medical expenses and repatriation. This additional coverage ensures that you have peace of mind and comprehensive protection throughout your travels.

What cover is typically included?

The first thing to bear in mind is that cover will vary from policy to policy. However, broadly speaking, when it comes to repatriation cover, you'll usually find that it includes several important aspects.

• It covers the cost of getting you safely back home once you've been cleared to travel. This means that you don't have to worry about the financial burden of arranging your own transportation.
• Repatriation cover often includes accommodation and travel expenses for a companion who can stay with you until you are able to travel home. This ensures that you have the support and company you need during your recovery.
• Some providers go the extra mile and actually take care of organising the entire trip home on your behalf, saving you time and effort.
• Repatriation cover also typically offers emergency helpline assistance that is available 24/7. This means that no matter where you are in the world, help is just a phone call away should you require any assistance or guidance.
• In the unfortunate event of a death, repatriation cover often covers the cost of returning the insured traveller's body to their home country.

It's important to note that there are certain exclusions to be aware of. For example, cover for pre-existing medical conditions is typically not included in standard travel insurance policies. To ensure that you have the necessary coverage for any medical conditions you may have been diagnosed with, it's advisable to seek a specialist policy that caters to your specific needs. Failing to do so could potentially invalidate your policy, leaving you without the appropriate coverage when you need it most.

How much repatriation cover do I need?

As above, medical repatriation can be an incredibly expensive undertaking. It is essential, therefore, to ensure that your insurance policy provides sufficient coverage for such circumstances. Fortunately, many travel insurance policies offer a minimum coverage of £1 million, and some providers even go above and beyond by offering coverage in excess of £10 million.

While this may seem like a staggering amount to some, it is an indispensable buffer when you consider the exorbitant costs associated with emergency medical care in foreign countries. It provides peace of mind, knowing that you are adequately protected in the event of an unforeseen medical emergency while travelling.

Who decides if I need to be repatriated?

Your insurance provider plays a crucial role in determining whether or not you will be repatriated. They collaborate closely with a medical assistance company, which directly communicates with the doctors treating you. This collaborative effort enables them to make an informed decision based on your condition and the specific type of treatment you require.

Additionally, the availability of medical facilities and resources in the country where you fell ill will also influence this decision. However, it is important to note that there may be situations where you are deemed medically unfit to travel, further impacting the outcome.

Can you get repatriation cover with a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes - just like any standard travel insurance policy, a specialist policy covering pre-existing conditions should include cover for repatriation. This means that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to be safely brought back to your home country due to any pre-existing conditions, you can rest assured knowing that your insurance will take care of the costs associated with repatriation. In fact, it's crucial to emphasise the importance of declaring any pre-existing conditions when purchasing travel insurance. Failure to disclose these conditions to your insurance provider can have serious consequences. If you require repatriation as a result of an undeclared pre-existing condition, the likelihood is that you probably won't be covered for any of the associated costs. So, to ensure peace of mind and comprehensive coverage, it's always recommended to be transparent and upfront about any pre-existing conditions.

What should you expect if you need repatriation?

In the event that you or a family member require repatriation, it is important to understand that the final decision lies with the specialist medical assistance team who collaborates with your travel insurance provider.

As mentioned earlier, they will consult with the medical professional responsible for your well-being after experiencing illness or injury abroad. Subsequently, they will carefully determine the most appropriate course of action. This may involve arranging your transportation on the next available commercial flight or considering more intricate options such as an air ambulance or a private plane. Rest assured that their expertise and thorough evaluation will ensure your safe return home.

Where can I get the best deal on repatriation?

When it comes to travel insurance policies, it's crucial to keep in mind that not all of them offer the same level of coverage for medical repatriation. This is an important consideration when comparing different insurance options.

To have peace of mind during your travels, you may find it worthwhile to pay a slightly higher premium in order to ensure you receive the best possible protection. After all, your well-being and safety should always be a top priority.

At Medical Travel Compared, we make the process of comparing quotes from a wide range of travel insurance providers who offer medical repatriation cover incredibly easy. We understand the importance of finding the right policy that suits your specific needs, so you can travel with confidence and reassurance.

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Single Trip insurance is for one-off, individual trips and will cover your specified travel dates. This is usually up to 45 days; however, some insurance providers can cover up to 94 days. If you’re not a frequent traveller, single trip cover is a great option and will likely be cheaper than an annual multi-trip cover .

If you travel 2 or more times a year, annual trip cover may very well save you money. The maximum duration of any trip will always be specified and will vary by provider. But don't worry, when you get a quote, we'll ask you what your maximum trip length is and only show you quotes that match!

If you don't travel much then a single trip cover is perfect as you can cover specific dates suited to your trip. If you have cancellation cover, you'll also benefit from this as soon as you buy your policy.

If you travel 2 or more times a year, it may be cheaper for you to go for an annual multi-trip cover. It's best to start your annual trip cover as soon as possible, as if you have cancellation cover, you'll only benefit from this from your policy start date.

A pre-existing is any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before applying for a travel insurance policy. For some conditions, we'll need to know if they have ever been present, whilst for others if they occurred within a certain period.

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

It is simple and quick to do! After you've told us about your trip details and answered some medical history questions you can add your pre-existing conditions, one by one, for each traveller. You'll only need to enter your details once, it's all online and there's no need to call, or provide details of your conditions in writing.

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Repatriation Travel Insurance

The right travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions can give you the peace of mind to really enjoy your travels. Our repatriation travel insurance covers you should you fall ill or get injured while on holiday and need to be transported back to your home country for further care.

Page contents

Why do i need repatriation travel insurance.

Repatriation travel insurance covers you should you fall ill or get injured while on holiday, and need to be transported back to your home country for further care. This type of insurance covers you for medical emergencies, which is vital to prevent unexpected medical bills and give you the support you need if you have any medical problems while you are away.

Because if you fall ill or get injured while on holiday, you may need to be transported back to your home country for further care – this is where your repatriation insurance kicks in and why it’s essential.

But how much do you really know about the levels of repatriation cover available? And what steps to take if you need to use it? We answer these questions and more below!

Which Policies Include Repatriation Cover?

We are pleased to tell you that cover for repatriation is included as standard on every AllClear policy . Please note, this may not be the case for other insurance providers!

Explaining the True Value of Repatriation Travel Insurance

If you need to be transported home following a medical problem abroad, it can cost thousands of pounds, because you may require:

• A medical escort
• A specialist air ambulance
• Expenses for hospital stays, treatment, and equipment
• Travel and accommodation costs for your companion

If you are travelling in Europe, you may believe the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can protect you. However, it’s important to know the EHIC does not provide repatriation cover , and according to the Association of British Insurers, an air ambulance from Spain can cost £25,000 . If you think that’s costly, please note that repatriation from countries like the USA is significantly higher, potentially running into hundreds of thousands of pounds, due to their predominantly private and expensive healthcare systems. Without repatriation cover, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself.

Thankfully, specialist medical travel insurance can cover repatriation and offer 24/7 emergency helplines to help you get the treatment you need wherever you are in the world.

Benefits of AllClear Cover

Can you get repatriation cover with a pre-existing medical condition.

Yes! Every AllClear policy covers medical expenses AND repatriation caused by your pre-existing conditions. So, all you have to do is declare your conditions during our simple 3 step quote process and you can get repatriation cover for up to £15,000,000 .

Simple 3 step quote process

1. call us or click a quote button on our site, 2. complete our simple medical screening process, 3. get your quotes, why more than 3 million people have trusted allclear, read allclear trustpilot reviews, what our customers say.

“Recommended by a friend who deals with repatriation and understands the problems with various insurance companies. Easy over the phone. Reasonable price and great reassurance.”

Mike Pittard – Trustpilot

Discover why 97% of customers rate us as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’!

How Adventure Breaks and Winter Sports Affect Repatriation Cover

If you’re planning on hitting the slopes, then you’ll need the add on of Winter Sports cover to ensure you’re covered for medical repatriation.

Likewise, if you’re planning an extra adventurous holiday with ‘hazardous activities’ planned, you should check that all planned events are covered. For example, if you are trekking above 3,000M on AllClear policies there may be an additional premium to pay to cover the activity.

However, you may also be surprised with how many activities can be covered for no additional cost on AllClear branded policies, from kayaking to surfing to even banana boat rides!

What Is the Process If You Need Repatriation?

If you are unlucky enough for repatriation to be considered, your case will be assessed by the specialist medical assistance team of your travel insurance policy, and the assessment of your doctor abroad.

Their decision will depend on several factors, including the facilities and level of care available in the country where you are being treated, and whether it is medically safe for you to travel.

Written by: Russell Wallace | Travel Insurance Expert Last Updated: 23 November 2023

[1] Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 30,000 reviews as of January 2023.

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• Travel Insurance and Repatriation

What is Repatriation?

Repatriation put simply means ‘to return you back to your home country’. There are a number of different forms of repatriation, but in the context of travel insurance, we are referring to if a traveller becomes sick, is injured or dies while overseas and needs to be brought back to Australia. The most important thing to understand is that repatriation is NOT the cost of medical expenses but medical transportation in the event of your death.

What is Repatriation and Emergency Evacuations used for?

Repatriation is used for emergency medical situations or death.

When we travel, the last thing we are looking out for is the worst-case scenario. Whilst life-threatening events are uncommon, the unexpected does happen such as critical medical conditions, car accidents, skiing accidents, terrorism, random acts of violence and natural disasters that can result in serious sickness, injury or death.

Repatriation is to bring your remains back to Australia in the event of your death.

What does repatriation travel insurance provide cover for?

Repatriation travel insurance provides:

• Cover for your emergency medical evacuation
• A team of medical professionals to manage your case and provide advice for the best course of action
• A specialist team experienced in arranging transportation via air ambulances and returning remains to Australia.

How does Repatriation work?

Repatriation is a service provided by our Emergency Assistance team and needs to be approved and arranged by us. In the event of an emergency, you should contact the  for advice on what you need to do in such a scenario.

To use our Repatriation benefit you will need to know:

• Medical evacuations must be approved in advance by us before a team will be sent to you
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation cover only extends to Australia and no other country where you may have stayed in or where your family resides
• Repatriation costs are unlimited^

Costs for Repatriation

Repatriation costs vary from scenario to country to insurer.

As Repatriation can be a very complicated and expensive exercise, all scenarios are managed on a case by case basis by our Emergency Assistance team. Some situations are easily attended and do not require specialised assistance. Some instances call for specified transportation such as a MediVac service helicopter with medical assistance readily on hand.

Who decides whether Repatriation is necessary?

The decision to repatriate is made by our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team and the insurer to decide whether Repatriation is necessary. This is judged by the impact of the situation on your health and how to best solve your situation.

The Emergency Medical Assistance team and claims team would decide whether bringing you back home to Australia for treatment is the better option or to place you in a facility closer to your travel region.

If your loved one or travel companion dies while travelling

If your loved one or travel companion dies while travelling, by law you should contact the nearest   Australian consulate or embassy   as they require notification of the death of an Australian while overseas, for their records.

Examples of Repatriation

A claimable event under Repatriation may be:

• In the event of car accident, you are seriously injured.
• You are seriously injured at the top of mountain or ski field where you can’t physically remove yourself from the area you are in.
• You suffer a serious medical condition such as a stroke or heart attack and it is deemed that it is best for you to be repatriated back to Australia to receive further medical treatment that will paid for by Medicare or private health care.   Your cover for medical expenses ends once you return back to Australia.
• An illness that results in death.
• An accident that leads to accidental death.

In any emergency situation, contact an ambulance, police or relevant authority as your first point of call and our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team as soon as possible.

Important information

• We will not pay for medical evacuations, funeral services or cremation or bringing your remains back to Australia unless first approved by us.
• In the event of an emergency, you must contact our  24/7 Emergency Assistance team .
• If you do not contact us when you need medical attention, we may not pay for any evacuations or airfare costs unless they have been approved by us.

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^ Price as at 20/03/2024 compared to the price calculated today for this policy.

* See Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions and exclusions and limits that apply.

† Fast Cover has a referral arrangement with this company.

The entity that referred you does not act for Fast Cover and may receive remuneration from us. You can ask them or us for more details. Make sure any information listed in any quote provided remains accurate and if not, please change it on our website.

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Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance Cover

Medical emergency and repatriation insurance.

Repatriation cover comes as standard on most travel insurance policies . In the event that you fall ill or are injured on holiday and you are unable to get the level of treatment you need, then repatriation cover supports you by covering costs should it be decided that the best course of action is to bring you or a travelling companion home to continue treatment.

The decision could be made because of the treatment required being available more readily in the UK or because the cost of treatment may well be cheaper in the UK. This could be particularly true if you fall ill whilst travelling in the United States . 

What does repatriation mean?

At its simplest it means returning someone to their home country.

Repatriation insurance in the context of travel insurance means the return home of you or a travelling companion after an illness or injury to continue care and recovery in the UK. It can also apply in the event of death and the return of the body to the UK.

The form repatriation can take include being escorted back home on a repatriation flight or getting you home using an air ambulance.

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Does travel insurance include repatriation?

Yes. Repatriation cover normally comes as standard on travel insurance policies.

Our single trip travel insurance , annual multi-trip travel insurance and backpacker travel insurance policies all include repatriation as standard under the emergency medical assistance section. We provide cover up to £2,000,000 on our Bronze level cover, up to £5,000,000 with our Silver level cover and up to £10,000,000 on our Gold level cover. 

What does Repatriation Insurance cover?

• Organisation of getting you home : We'll make sure that once it become clear that you need to return to the UK for treatment the organisation of travel is handled quickly and efficiently, leaving you to concentrate on your recovery.
• Relative accommodation and travel costs : We could help to cover the cost of having a close friend or relative stay with you during your treatment and repatriation to the UK providing support and comfort at the most difficult of times.
• 24/7 emergency assistance helpline : We're here no matter where you are, when you need us or how many times. Our emergency assistance helpline is available in your policy documents and can be a first port of call for repatriation issues.
• Repatriation due to death : In the unfortunate event that an insured individual passes away while overseas we could assist with the repatriation of the body.

What doesn't it cover?

There are some things that could invalidate your claim under the repatriation insurance section of cover, meaning you’ll have to cover the cost of medical expenses and getting back home yourself. These include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions that haven’t been declared and accepted by your insurer
• Illness and injuries that happen while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Injuries caused by your or a travelling companion's  violent  conduct and reckless behaviour
• Travelling to countries against UK government advice
• High-risk sports and activities that aren’t covered by your travel insurance policy.

For more information regarding repatriation cover please see the policy documents .

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, as with our policies, the insurer makes the decision on whether it would be best to repatriate you. This decision is based on conversations with our in house medical advisers and the doctor who is treating you at the time.

Once the decision is confirmed, usually repatriation will be via a regular airline or ambulance, but in serious cases where it is medically urgent we will use air ambulances – we’ll make sure this is the case by consulting with the doctor treating you and our medical advisers.

When heading home, you will need the doctor treating you to provide a fit to fly certificate to ensure that you are able to board the repatriation flight back to the UK. 

Should you need any help, our assistance co-ordinators can help answer your questions at any time of the day or night.

Whilst we would recommend that you have a valid GHIC card when you travel, it is not a replacement for travel insurance.

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) only covers state-run emergency medical treatment in the EU. It does not cover the cost of repatriation to bring you back to the UK. So if you fell ill and need to return home in order to find or continue treatment then you will need a travel insurance policy in order to provide cover for this.

Certainly it is something that you hope not to need, but to cover for that eventuality repatriation insurance is usually included as standard on  most travel insurance policies.

With our single trip , annual multi-trip and backpacker policies you can be covered for up to £10,000,000 which should be more than enough to bring you home should you require repatriation to the UK.

Popular insurance types that may interest you

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Trip interruption and travel health insurance

If you plan to travel outside Canada—even for a day in the United States—you should buy trip interruption and travel health insurance before you leave.

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Where you can get trip interruption and travel health insurance, why you should buy travel health insurance, choose the best insurance based on your needs, if you need to make a claim, if you live or work outside canada, if you need help while outside canada.

You can buy trip interruption and travel health insurance directly with an insurance company or through:

• a travel agent
• an insurance broker
• an employer’s insurance provider
• a credit card company

If you encounter a medical emergency while abroad, you should know the following:

• Your medical bills may not be paid by your personal Canadian health insurance
• Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad including a medical evacuation, if needed. It will never pay your bills up front
• Hospitals and clinics in other countries can be very expensive and may require immediate cash payment
• In some countries, hospitals and clinics will not treat you if you don’t have enough insurance or money to pay your bills
• The Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills

What your travel health insurance should cover

No matter where you’re travelling, your travel health insurance policy should always cover 3 things:

1. Medical evacuation

Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation to Canada or to the nearest place with medical care. The policy should also cover the costs of a medical escort to travel with you to your destination.

2. Pre-existing medical conditions

Ask the insurance provider to explain the definition of and the limitations and restrictions on any pre-existing conditions and tests and treatments you may have had:

• Make sure you get a written agreement that your insurance covers your pre-existing medical condition, otherwise you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
• no changes to your medical condition
• no new medical conditions, symptoms or medications during the stability period before your trip.
• a compassion clause saying that an inaccurate statement may not invalidate the entire policy
• a change-of-health clause.

3. Repatriation in case of death

Make sure that your plan includes everything to help your loved ones if you die outside Canada as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness.

Your insurance should cover:

• the preparation and return of your remains
• local cremation or burial outside Canada
• additional expenses if someone needs to travel to identify your body

Learn more about what to do if a Canadian dies outside Canada.

Why you should buy trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance is different from medical travel insurance. Trip interruption insurance provides coverage for situations that lead you to have to cancel a part of your trip once you’ve departed. It will reimburse the unused portion of your trip if you must return early, due to an unforeseen incident.

It’s also different from trip cancellation coverage, which applies only when you cancel your trip before it starts.

Research your needs. Verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of your insurance policy before you leave Canada.

When assessing a travel health insurance plan, you should ask a lot of questions:

• Plans with 100% coverage are more expensive but may save you money in the long run
• Does the plan offer continuous coverage for the length of your stay outside Canada and after your return?
• Does the plan exclude or limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit?
• Travel health insurance rarely covers routine health checkups, non-emergency care or cosmetic surgery.
• It may not cover mental health disorders.
• Does the plan cover drug or alcohol-related incidents? 
• Does the plan exclude coverage for activities such as mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving or extreme sports?
• Does it offer coverage that is renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay?
• Does the company have an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country?
• Does it pay for hospitalization for illness or injury and related medical costs at your destination?
• Does it pay your bills or provide cash advances up front, so you don’t have to pay them?

If you’re driving, make sure you have driver and vehicle coverage in case you have an accident.

If you’re flying, make sure you get insurance for trip interruption, lost luggage and document replacement. You may also want to consider trip cancellation insurance.

Meet the terms of your policy

It’s your responsibility to know and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Read the fine print and ask for help if you need it.

The information you provide must be accurate and complete. If you have any questions, contact the insurance company. Ask them to send you a written explanation.

Carry your insurance information with you and leave a copy with a friend or relative at home.

Get a detailed report and invoice from your doctor or hospital before leaving the country where you received medical treatment. Trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away can be frustrating.

Always submit the original receipts for medical services or prescriptions you received abroad. Keep a copy of the documents for your files.

Effects of travel advisories on travel insurance policies

Many travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel to regions where the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory to “avoid all non-essential travel” or “avoid all travel.”

The Government of Canada is not responsible for travel insurance policies nor how Travel Advice and Advisories may affect travel insurance policies. The Government of Canada does not issue its Travel Advice and Advisories for the purpose of travel insurance coverage or refunds.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories provide information and recommendations about safety and security conditions in destinations around the world to help you make informed decisions.

We issue travel advisories when the security or health situation in a country or region may pose a significant threat to the personal safety and security of Canadians travelling or living there.

As new information becomes available, we review the level of risk. A travel advisory for a destination may be issued, upgraded, downgraded or removed.

Before you book your trip and buy insurance, check the details of any insurance policy you’re considering and the travel advice and advisories for your destination.

Travel insurance is not intended to be used when you are living outside Canada for an extended period, or permanently.

If you live abroad or you’re planning to, consider your insurance needs. Local laws may require that you have medical insurance, and you may have to include proof of medical insurance with your visa application.

If you study outside Canada

If you study or plan to study outside Canada, contact your educational institution or program administrator for advice on the insurance coverage you need.

The Government of Canada is limited in the help it can provide you when you are outside Canada.

See the services available at our consular offices outside Canada.

Our travel advice and advisories provide recommendations about safety and security conditions outside Canada to help you make informed decisions. The decision to travel is yours and you’re responsible for your personal safety abroad.

Whether you are planning a vacation or living outside Canada, sign up for the free Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that we can notify you in case of an emergency outside Canada.

For help with emergencies outside Canada, contact the:

• nearest Canadian office abroad
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

Related links

• Say yes to travel insurance
• Bon voyage, but…
• Well on your way
• A guide to travel health insurance (Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association)
• Guide to travel health insurance (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers)

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Repatriation Cover

All our travel insurance policies include cover for repatriation back to the UK. Repatriation is the process that medical staff follow to enable you, or any other person named on the policy, to be brought back to your home country safely. This may include being escorted by a member of the medical services on your return journey or another person named on the policy travelling with you.

• Up to £15million Emergency Medical and Repatriation cover
• Repatriation back to the UK with companion
• Medical escort provided if necessary
• Return of your ashes or body in case of death
• 24 hour assistance dedicated to help you while abroad

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Key Benefits of Emergency Repatriation Cover

Did you know, that last year hundreds of Britons required Emergency Repatriation after experiencing a medical setback while travelling abroad? Repatriations are either by scheduled airline services or by specialist air ambulances and may include a medical escort if considered necessary.

Repatriation cover is an integral part of the Emergency Medical Expenses section of this travel insurance policy. Repatriations are arranged by whatever means are deemed to be medically appropriate for the individual case, as determined by the Assistance Service on the policy.

You can contact the emergency medical team at any time, day or night. You will be answered by one of their experienced assistance co-ordinators who you should give all relevant information to. Please make sure you have details of your policy before you phone.

We consider repatriation to be an integral part of your travel insurance policy. 

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* If your cover does not meet your requirements, please notify us within 14 days of receiving your policy schedule and if requested return all your documents for a refund of your premium. If during this 14 day period you have travelled, made a claim or intend to make a claim then we can recover all costs that you have used for those services. Please note that your cancellation rights are no longer valid after this initial 14 day period.

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