Travel Insurance with Repatriation Cover

When you’re abroad and facing a medical emergency, Travel Insurance with repatriation ensures you can return safely to the UK when local treatment isn’t sufficient. We believe everyone has the right to travel with confidence, which is why repatriation cover is included as standard across all our policies.

What does repatriation mean, and why is it so important?

Repatriation means arranging and paying for your return to the UK if you experience a serious medical condition, injury, or die while abroad.

Many travellers are unclear about what repatriation actually involves. Simply put, it’s the process of bringing you home to the UK when you need medical treatment that’s either unavailable locally or when your condition requires specialised care back home.

It’s important to understand the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation. Medical evacuation moves you to the nearest appropriate medical facility, which could still be abroad. Medical repatriation, however, brings you all the way home to the UK for treatment.

Repatriation isn’t automatic. It only happens when medically necessary and approved by our medical team. This decision is made in consultation with local doctors and our specialist medical advisors, who assess whether you’d benefit from treatment in the UK.

How much does medical repatriation to the UK cost?

The cost of medical repatriation can be significant if you’re not prepared. Depending on your destination and medical needs, you could face bills running into tens of thousands of pounds or more.

These costs include several expensive components:

• Air ambulance with medical equipment
• Qualified medical escort throughout the journey
• Specialist life-support equipment
• Commercial flight seat conversion for stretcher cases
• Travel and accommodation for your companion

It’s important to be aware that Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) won’t cover any of these repatriation costs. You’ll face the full bill without proper Travel Insurance.

Why your GHIC isn’t enough

Your GHIC gives you access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries and certain other destinations. However, it does not replace Travel Insurance and comes with important limitations.

GHIC does not cover:

• Private medical treatment

• Mountain rescue or air ambulance services

• Medical repatriation back to the UK

• Cancellation or curtailment of your trip

• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage

• Treatment in most destinations outside Europe

A GHIC will not pay to bring you home.

If you require medical repatriation, costs can reach tens of thousands of pounds. Without specialist Travel Insurance in place, those expenses could fall to you.

Travel Insurance provides broader protection, helping to cover emergency medical expenses, repatriation and unexpected disruption to your trip, in line with your policy terms and conditions.

Does standard Travel Insurance cover repatriation?

Not all Travel Insurance policies treat repatriation equally. Many basic or promotional policies may offer reduced or excluded repatriation cover, so it’s essential to check your policy documents before you travel.

With AllClear, repatriation is included as standard across all our policies. You won’t need to worry about whether you’ve accidentally bought a policy that doesn’t include the repatriation cover you may need to return to the UK for treatment.

Which policies include repatriation cover?

We are pleased to tell you that cover for repatriation is included as standard on every AllClear policy. This may not be the case for other insurance providers.

• Repatriation cover on Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum policies
• Up to unlimited emergency medical and repatriation expenses, depending on your chosen policy
• Air ambulance cover when medically necessary
• Clear policy wording and transparent pricing for repatriation cover
• Companion costs are covered when medically necessary

Will you be covered if you have pre-existing medical conditions?

Living with a condition doesn’t mean you can’t travel with confidence. AllClear specialises in providing cover for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, and this includes repatriation when medically necessary.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Declare all conditions during our online screening process
• Cover can include emergencies related to your declared conditions
• Repatriation is included if medically necessary, and your condition was properly declared

Failure to declare a condition could invalidate your entire claim. We make the declaration process straightforward, so there’s no reason to risk your cover.

Our medical screening is designed to be comprehensive and accessible. We’ll ask about your conditions and medications to ensure you’re properly covered. This specialist expertise is why we’re trusted by travellers who may struggle to find suitable cover elsewhere.

Does Travel Insurance cover death abroad?

This is a sensitive topic, but it’s important to understand what happens if someone dies while abroad.

When someone passes away abroad, repatriation of remains is typically included in comprehensive Travel Insurance policies, subject to policy terms and conditions. The insurance can cover:

• Repatriation of remains to the UK
• Alternatively, local burial or cremation arrangements
• Support for family members during this difficult time
• Coordination of all necessary arrangements

Our 24/7 assistance team provides compassionate support to families, handling the complex arrangements needed while ensuring everything complies with local laws and UK regulations. All arrangements are subject to policy terms and conditions.

Unlimited cover: what does it mean?

When comparing repatriation cover, the limits matter significantly. Many UK Travel Insurance policies set a fixed upper limit for medical and repatriation expenses.

With AllClear, you can choose between different levels of protection, including the option of up to unlimited medical expenses and repatriation cover on our Platinum policy.

Unlimited medical expenses and repatriation cover means you can travel with confidence, knowing that even very complex medical situations are covered within the terms of your policy. This is particularly valuable for long-haul destinations or situations where costs can escalate quickly.

What happens in an emergency abroad?

Understanding the process can reduce anxiety about what happens if you need emergency repatriation:

1. Call our 24/7 multilingual helpline – Contact us immediately when you have a medical emergency
2. Medical assessment – Our medical team works with local doctors to assess your situation
3. Repatriation approval – If medically necessary, repatriation is approved and arranged
4. Full coordination and cost management – We handle all arrangements and costs up to your policy limit
5. Return to UK hospital – Safe transport home with appropriate medical supervision

Remember: Repatriation decisions are made by AllClear’s medical team and must be medically necessary. We work closely with medical professionals to ensure the right care at the right time.

Our Travel Insurance: A simple 3 step quote process

How adventure breaks affect Repatriation Cover

If you’re planning an extra adventurous holiday with ‘hazardous activities’ planned, you should check that all planned events are covered before purchasing your policy. Some activities may be excluded entirely from cover on AllClear policies, including certain high-altitude trekking activities. Cover availability varies by activity and policy type, and not all activities can be added for an additional premium.

What is the process if you need repatriation?

If you are unlucky enough for repatriation to be considered, your case will be assessed by the specialist medical assistance team of your travel insurance policy, and the assessment of your doctor abroad. Their decision will depend on several factors, including the facilities and level of care available in the country where you are being treated, and whether it is medically safe for you to travel.