If an insured person sadly passes away while travelling outside the United Kingdom, their CoverForYou travel insurance can provide financial assistance with repatriation or funeral arrangements abroad.
We understand that dealing with the loss of a loved one overseas can be extremely difficult. Our Emergency Medical Assistance Service can help with the arrangements covered under your policy.
What costs are covered if someone passes away abroad?
Your policy provides cover for two types of arrangements, subject to the applicable terms, conditions and benefit limits.
1. Returning the Deceased to the UK (Repatriation)
Your policy can cover the necessary costs of returning the deceased person's body or ashes to their home area within the United Kingdom.
This helps with the financial costs associated with bringing a loved one home following a death overseas.
2. Funeral or Burial Arrangements Abroad
Alternatively, your policy may provide financial assistance towards local funeral and burial expenses in the country where the death occurred.
To qualify:
The death must have occurred outside the United Kingdom.
The funeral or burial must take place within the country where the death occurred.
Expenses must meet the applicable policy conditions and benefit limits.
Important: Repatriation and overseas funeral assistance are alternative arrangements. The costs covered will depend on the option chosen and the terms of your policy.
Are funeral costs in the UK covered?
No. Your policy does not cover funeral, cremation or burial expenses incurred after the deceased person's body or ashes have been returned to the United Kingdom.
This means that, although the policy may cover eligible repatriation expenses, any subsequent funeral arrangements within the UK are not covered.
For example:
Returning the deceased person's body or ashes to the UK: May be covered.
An eligible funeral or burial in the country where the death occurred: May be covered.
A funeral, burial or cremation in the UK following repatriation: Not covered.
What should I do if an insured person passes away abroad?
If an insured person passes away during their trip, we recommend contacting our 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance Service as soon as possible.
The team can explain the assistance available under the policy and provide guidance about the next steps.
We recommend speaking with the team before committing to repatriation or funeral arrangements so that the available cover and relevant requirements can be confirmed.
Emergency Medical Assistance and Claims Information
You may also find guidance about deaths abroad on the UK Government website.
Please note: All repatriation and overseas funeral expenses are subject to your policy's terms, conditions, exclusions, benefit limits and any applicable excess. Funeral, cremation and burial expenses incurred within the United Kingdom following repatriation are not covered.