It’s one of the first questions people ask, often within the first phone call: will insurance pay for this? Understandably so, given repatriation isn’t cheap and most people don’t have a spare few thousand pounds sitting around for a situation they never expected to be in.

The honest answer is that it depends on the policy, and sometimes on details that are easy to miss when you first took it out. This article walks through what’s usually covered when arranging to bring a loved one home, what catches people out and what happens if there’s a gap between what insurance pays and the final cost.

For a broader look at what affects repatriation cost in general, our main guide covers that in more detail.

Read more: The Cost of Repatriation: A Complete Price Guide

What travel insurance repatriation cover usually includes

Most travel insurance policies that include repatriation cover will pay towards bringing the deceased back to their home country, along with a portion of the associated costs, such as a coffin suitable for transport and basic local arrangements. Some policies go further and include things like additional documentation costs or a contribution towards funeral expenses, though that’s less common and worth checking specifically.

Cover levels vary a lot between insurers. A policy bought for £15 online through a comparison site is not going to offer the same protection as one arranged through an employer or a more comprehensive annual policy. It’s rarely obvious from the policy summary alone, so if there’s any doubt, it’s worth reading the actual policy document rather than the marketing page.

Medical repatriation and repatriation after death aren’t the same thing

This trips a lot of people up. Many policies are quite generous about medical repatriation, meaning bringing someone home while they’re still alive and need ongoing treatment. Repatriation after death is a separate section of the policy, sometimes with a much lower limit, and occasionally excluded altogether if the policy is basic.

If you’re checking a policy, look for a section specifically headed something like “repatriation of remains” or “funeral expenses abroad”, rather than assuming the general medical cover extends to this.

GOV.UK also provides up-to-date guidance on handling death abroad.

What to check in the policy

  • The specific repatriation limit, which may be lower than the overall medical cover limit
  • Whether the death needs to relate to illness or accident, or whether any cause of death is covered
  • Exclusions around pre-existing medical conditions, which can void cover if not declared when the policy was taken out
  • Exclusions related to alcohol, drugs, or certain high-risk activities, which some policies specifically exclude
  • Whether the trip was within the policy’s stated dates and destinations, since travelling outside those can affect a claim

None of this is meant to sound like we’re looking for reasons a claim might fail. Most straightforward cases are covered without issue. It’s just worth knowing where the edges of a policy are before you’re relying on it.

What happens if insurance doesn’t cover everything

If the policy limit is lower than the actual cost, or if part of the claim is declined, the family typically covers the difference. This isn’t unusual, and it’s not something to be caught off guard by if you know it’s a possibility from the start.

We’d always recommend getting a repatriation quote from us in parallel with submitting an insurance claim, rather than waiting to hear back from the insurer first. Claims can take time, and repatriation often needs to begin before that process is finished.

Can Rowland Brothers International deal with the insurer directly?

Yes, in most cases. We regularly liaise directly with travel insurers and their assistance companies, and we’re used to the kind of documentation they ask for. This usually makes things easier for the family, since you’re not passing messages between two organisations at an already difficult time.

If you’re not sure where to start, call us first. We can often tell you fairly quickly whether a policy is likely to cover the situation, based on what you can tell us about it.

We’re Here to Help 

Rowland Brothers International has worked with insurers, embassies and families for over 55 years, arranging repatriations from almost every country in the world. Whether or not there’s insurance in place, we’ll always be upfront with you about cost and what to expect.

Contact Rowland Brothers International for a no-obligation repatriation quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many policies do, but cover levels and conditions vary significantly between insurers. It’s worth checking the specific repatriation or “funeral expenses abroad” section of the policy rather than assuming general medical cover applies.

Medical repatriation covers bringing someone home while they’re alive and need treatment. Repatriation after death is a separate part of the policy, sometimes with a lower limit or additional conditions.

If the limit doesn’t cover the full cost, the family usually pays the shortfall. We can give you a clear picture of likely total cost so you know roughly what to expect against your policy limit.

The family typically covers the cost directly, sometimes with help from an employer or other means. We’re happy to talk through the likely cost and process either way.

Yes, we regularly work directly with insurers and their assistance teams to coordinate repatriation and manage the documentation they require.

Rowland Brothers Team Headshots

Fiona Greenwood is the Operations Director at Rowland Brothers International

She is a bilingual English/Spanish speaker with 26+ years extensive Operations Management experience in the Emergency Assistance & Travel Claims Industry, her Teams managed complex travel medical emergencies involving emergency medical treatment abroad, emergency medical evacuations/repatriations along with organising repatriations for those insured members that passed away abroad.

Fiona has worked both in the UK & USA and joined Rowland Brothers International in 2011.

She now has almost 40 years’ experience in managing complex situations, repatriations and assisting families during most difficult circumstances.