Why do you buy travel repatriation insurance?

Are you going on a trip and still feel free to sign up for repatriation travel insurance? This article is here to guide you in your decision.

When you travel, there may be unexpected accidents or accidents, it happens. But there are assurances to remedy and protect themselves from all these risks. These insurances have many conditions, such as the travel cancellation guarantee. But the one that interests us today is the repatriation clause. Discover then why it is necessary, without mandatory, to subscribe to travel insurance, and in particular a trip insurance repatriation .

1. Repatriation insurance: how does it work?

What does repatriation insurance take into account?

The repatriation insurance is very interesting. In fact, it covers some or all of the hospitalization, emergency response and other care expenses. But it also allows you to be assured that you can return to France in the event of a health or family emergency.

If you are seriously injured, requiring at least one return, the repatriation insurance will take charge of the costs and, depending on your contract, may even compensate you for the return ticket of your trip that you will not have taken. If you are not able to travel at all, the repatriation insurance can cover the costs of traveling a loved one to your bedside in case of immobilizing hospitalization.

Finally, you can ask for urgent repatriation if one of your loved ones dies to be with your family. Please note that this guarantee also applies to your family members, which may be an important point in making a decision.

Obligatory or not?

Like the Travel insurance “classical”, repatriation insurance is not mandatory... everywhere. Indeed, if you can travel without a visa, then the repatriation insurance is only recommended. On the other hand, if you have to apply for a visa, some countries require a certificate of subscription to travel repatriation insurance to issue the visa. The countries concerned are: Russia, Ecuador, China, Cuba, Mongolia and Iran. So, do you know well and above all, don’t forget to do it.

The destination is important

Indeed, check well in the terms and conditions of your travel insurance contract that the country in which you visit is covered. This is specific to each insurer, so we can't get you a list. If your destination is supported, review the application conditions. It is important to know the extent of your coverage and whether the insurance you choose covers you as you wish.

Disease history not covered

It is also important to note that, in the case of diseases, insurers do not take valid medical history past or ongoing. For example, if you suffer from respiratory failure before your trip, you will not be covered if you are hospitalized for this reason.

The importance of local legislation

The laws of a country are paramount and must be respected. Otherwise, you could see your repatriation impossible, even in case of hospitalization. For example, you rent a scooter, but roll without a helmet. However, in the country where you are located, the wearing of the helmet is mandatory. If there is an accident that requires hospitalization, you will not be covered by your repatriation insurance which will see there a violation of the law. All this is indicated in the lines of your contract. Read it well!

2. Repatriation insurance, who must subscribe to it?

Long-term travel

Travel repatriation insurance is for a certain type of traveller even if everyone is able to subscribe to it. However, for long-term or long-distance travel, it is particularly recommended. Indeed, if you decide to survey the world to discover cultures, it is not in a week that you will. You need at least six months or even a year.

For this type of travel where the destination changes regularly, repatriation insurance is an additional security since, according to the country, the danger varies. Moreover, danger is not only health, it can be family. For example, you may need to go home due to a family emergency (malad, death, etc.).

Risk zones: be sure to be!

If you plan to travel to a risk zone, we can only recommend travel insurance including the repatriation clause. If your curiosity and your desire for discoveries have no limit, your life, yes.

3. How do I subscribe repatriation insurance?

We often hear about the insurances included with bank cards. However, be aware that bank cards do not have the same terms and do not have repatriation insurance. It is to be subscribed more, during subscription to travel insurance. Are you afraid of doubling? It's normal. But read the small lines of your contracts and you will realize that everything is not covered by bank cards. You will need to choose additional insurance if you want to pre-pack during your trip.

4. When do I buy repatriation insurance?

Repatriation insurance is based on a principle of prevention. So you have to think about it in advance and not once left, because anyway, you can't subscribe to it. The best time to purchase repatriation insurance is when booking the ticket. You will be able to negotiate directly with your insurer for an immediate or delayed takeover. Let us imagine that your trip to the Caribbean takes place only in three weeks. No matter the day the contract is signed, you will only be covered from the agreed date (on the first day of the trip, that’s better).

The most prudent of you will also subscribe to cancellation insurance. This will have the effect of getting your contract started earlier. So, yes, you will pay more money, but will be compensated if your trip was cancelled. Refer to the cancellation conditions that can be pointy according to insurers.

5. When do you ask for a return to your insurer?

Although you should – fortunately – not resort to emergency repatriation, it is well to know the procedures to be applied. Many people testify to conflicts with their insurer because of a simple mistake in the process. For example, if you (or a member of your family) have to be admitted to a foreign hospital, notify your insurer as soon as you know. Do not wait too long to report the admission. Of course, it is on a case-by-case basis. If you travel alone and are not able to warn, the mitigating circumstances in your favour will be applied.