When planning to travel or work abroad, most people take out health insurance. But not everyone thinks about what to do in case of a worst-case scenario – death, even outside their home country. Repatriation of the body – the process of bringing the deceased back home – is a complicated, not free and emotionally difficult procedure. Does insurance cover the costs? Let’s understand in detail.
What is repatriation of a body?
Repatriation is the transportation of a deceased person’s body from one country to another, usually the country of citizenship. The process involves numerous paperwork, embalming, purchasing a special casket, and transportation
How much does it cost to repatriate a body?
The cost of repatriation can range from €3,000 to €10,000, depending on the host country, the transportation chosen and local requirements. Transportation from North America, Asia or Australia is particularly expensive. Therefore, having insurance that covers these costs is critical.
What insurance policies cover body repatriation?
Not all standard insurance policies include repatriation coverage. However, most travel health or migrant worker insurance policies have such a clause, but it is worth reading the terms and conditions carefully.
1. Travel health insurance (travel insurance)
This is the most common type of insurance for traveling abroad. In most cases such policies include a clause “repatriation of the body in case of death”, although sometimes with restrictions.
What to check:
- Maximum amount of coverage
- Countries where the insurance is valid
- Obligation of relatives to notify the insurer in time
- Contact information for emergencies
2. Insurance for labor migrants
Migration policies are usually broader than travel policies and more often include repatriation. For example, Polish insurance policies for workers (e.g. PZU, Signal Iduna) almost always include this option.
Advantages:
- Valid for a long time (up to a year)
- Broader coverage than tourist insurance
- Often paid by the employer
3. private international insurance (Expats Insurance).
These policies are bought by those who live abroad permanently. They have a wide range of services, including not only medical treatment, but also repatriation, legal assistance and the like.
Disadvantages:
- High cost
- Often require detailed questionnaires and medical examinations
Conditions for reimbursement
In order for the insurance company to cover repatriation costs, certain conditions must be met:
- The death must be the result of a covered event (not suicide or alcohol or drug poisoning, if excluded)
- Relatives must notify the insurance company within a certain time frame
- There must be official medical or forensic documentation
In some cases, insurance companies will organize the entire process and coordinate transportation themselves.
What should I look for in an insurance policy?
- Availability of repatriation coverage
- Maximum amount of compensation
- Clearly spelled out conditions of death that are covered
- Availability of a 24-hour contact center
- Reputation of the insurance company
- What to do if your relative or acquaintance died abroad?
If a death has occurred, you need to:
- Contact the Ukrainian consulate in the relevant country
- Notify the insurance company (many have a 24-hour hotline)
- Provide documents: death certificate, passport, insurance policy
- Wait for instructions on how to proceed.
Conclusion
Repatriation of the body is a complicated procedure that is better provided for in your insurance. Before traveling abroad, make sure your insurance includes this service. Of course, no one plans for a bad scenario, but it’s best to be prepared for it. When choosing insurance, be attentive to the details – and may it never come in handy.