Navigating Heartache Abroad

Imagine you're finally on that dream holiday you've been planning for months. Sunshine, relaxation, and adventure are at the forefront of your mind. Then, tragedy strikes—a family member back home passes away or falls critically ill. This is a devastating scenario no one wants to think about, but it is an unfortunate reality some travellers face.

This guide aims to help you understand how travel insurance can become a vital tool in such distressing times. By the end of this post, you'll be better equipped to deal with the complexities involved in navigating travel insurance when a family member passes away, ensuring you're prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.

Understanding the Basics

Travel insurance serves as a safety net for unexpected events that could disrupt your trip. Knowing the basics will help you see why it's indispensable, especially in a crisis. Here, we'll break down the fundamental aspects of travel insurance and why having a policy is essential when travelling.

Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. However, its role becomes more complex when dealing with a death abroad. Policies generally offer specific benefits designed to assist in these situations, from covering the cost of returning home early to helping manage the repatriation of a deceased family member's remains. They also often include protection for medical expenses incurred abroad, which can be astronomical without insurance.

READ MORE: What Does a Good Travel Insurance Policy Look Like?

Some people tend to believe that they do not need to buy travel insurance until the night before they go away - however, you should buy travel insurance ASAB (As Soon As you Book your holiday) - to ensure that you are protected even before your holiday, should anything unexpected occur that may cause you to cancel your trip.

Will Travel Insurance Provide Cover Following a Death in the Family?

When the unexpected happens and you receive news about a loved one becoming seriously ill or passing away while you’re abroad, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. Understanding your travel insurance policy in these challenging times is essential.

Most travel insurance policies provide cover for trip cancellations, curtailments, or interruptions due to the death, illness, or injury of:

• Yourself
• An immediate family member
• A travelling companion or their immediate family member
• A person you plan to stay with while on holiday.

Immediate Relative

In travel insurance terms, the definition of an "immediate relative" will vary from provider to provider. This term may go by a different name too, such as "Immediate Family" or "Close Relative" and usually includes family members such as:

• Partner (husband, wife, spouse, civil partner, fiancé/e,)
• Your Children (including adopted, fostered and grandchildren)
• Parents (including legal guardians, stepparents, and parents-in-law)
• Siblings (including stepsiblings and siblings-in-law)
• Grandparents
• Extended Family (aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, niece).

However, it is essential to read over your policy documents to verify the specific definition of “immediate relative” and the conditions under which these benefits apply, as they may vary from one insurer to another.

Travel Insurance Benefits

The advantages of having travel insurance go beyond just financial reimbursement. It offers peace of mind, knowing you're prepared for the unexpected. Here's a closer look at the specific benefits that become invaluable when a family member passes away or falls critically ill.

Trip Cancellation: One of the primary benefits is protection for trip cancellation. If a close relative passes away or falls ill before your trip, insurance can cover non-refundable travel expenses, should you need to cancel. This allows you to be with your family without worrying about financial losses.

READ MORE: Cancellation Cover

Trip Curtailment: Likewise, if a close relative back home passes away or becomes ill, necessitating an early return from your trip (curtailment), your insurance can assist in recovering any non-refundable expenses incurred due to the interruption.

READ MORE: Curtailment Cover

Repatriation: Additionally, medical expenses and repatriation services are among the most crucial features that can help those insured under their travel policy. If an insured relative you are on holiday with falls ill, these services ensure they receive appropriate medical attention and, if necessary, facilitate their return home. Furthermore, if you pass away on holiday, your policy can help repatriate your remains home, removing the stress of the situation away from your family and loved ones.

READ MORE: Repatriation Cover Explained

When Might a Death in The Family Not Be Covered by Travel Insurance?

While travel insurance can provide crucial support in the event of a family bereavement, there are circumstances where cover may not apply. It's vital to understand these exclusions to avoid any unpleasant surprises during a difficult time.

Claims relating to individuals outside the Close Relative / Immediate Family definition: If an individual passes away that does not meet the criteria of a 'close relative', or 'immediate family' your insurer may not uphold your claim. Be sure to check your policy documents to determine in what circumstances you can claim.

Known Health of Non-Travelling Individuals: It's important to know that insurers typically won't pay claims if you were aware that a non-travelling individual was already in a serious condition at the time you purchased your policy. Insurers may request a medical practitioner to confirm that the non-travelling individual was not in hospital or receiving palliative care and confirm that there was no reason to expect their health to deteriorate.

Undisclosed Pre-Existing Conditions: If you or a travelling companion fall seriously ill or pass away whilst on holiday due to a pre-existing medical condition, insurers will only uphold the claim if you and/or your insured travelling companions declared these conditions when purchasing the policy. Any pre-existing condition not declared can lead to claims being declined, or even the policy being made void from inception - removing any protection in place.

READ MORE: Which Medical Conditions do I Need to Declare?

Unauthorised Travel Arrangements: If you've decided to head home early and have made your travel plans, it’s important to remember that these arrangements need to be pre-approved by your insurer. Without that approval, your claims may be declined. To avoid any surprises, be sure to check with your insurance provider before booking your return trip.

Do make sure to check your policy wording to fully understand in what scenarios will be upheld, as this can vary between providers.

Preparing for a holiday should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one. However, understanding the complexities of travel insurance in the event of a family member's passing can provide much-needed peace of mind. From understanding the basics to knowing what’s covered and what’s not, being informed can make all the difference during a crisis.

Having travel insurance is not just about protecting your trip—it's about safeguarding your family and ensuring that you're prepared for the unexpected.