What Is Repatriation Coverage and Who Needs It?

Planning an international trip takes time—you book flights, arrange accommodations, and map out your itinerary. But many travelers overlook planning for the unexpected. What happens if you face a medical emergency or, in the worst case, pass away while abroad? 

It’s no fun to think about, but if you want to prepare for everything, this is part of it. Luckily, planning for these scenarios is fairly painless, and that’s where repatriation insurance comes in.

Repatriation insurance ensures that if you suffer a serious illness, injury, or even death while traveling, you or your remains can be safely transported home. Without it, the cost of repatriation can be overwhelming. In this post, we’ll break down what repatriation insurance is, what it covers, who needs it, and why it’s an essential part of responsible travel planning.

What is repatriation coverage?

Repatriation coverage, sometimes called repatriation insurance, helps cover the cost of returning a traveler home after a medical emergency or death while abroad. There are generally two situations when you might need this type of coverage: medical repatriation and repatriation of remains.

Medical repatriation 

If you’ve been admitted to a hospital due to a serious illness or injury while traveling abroad and local medical facilities cannot provide the necessary treatment, medical repatriation ensures your safe transportation back to your home country for specialized care or recovery. This service is only available to hospitalized patients — outpatient or emergency room visits do not qualify.

Insurance may cover the cost of medical repatriation if the transport is deemed ‘medically necessary’ or ‘medically reasonable.’

The method of travel depends on the severity of your condition: 

• Air ambulance: For critical patients who can’t travel on their own and require intensive-care medical attention.
• Commercial flights: For noncritical patients, when accompanied by an appropriate medical escort. 
• Ground ambulance transport: For less critical patients needing long-distance transportation equipped with intensive-care capabilities.

Various factors influence the cost of medical repatriation, including distance, urgency, the patient’s health status, the number of accompanying persons, and the need for specialized transportation. 

The type of insurance used and the specific policy details (deductibles, out-of-network services, etc.) will also significantly impact cost.

Repatriation of remains

If a traveler passes away abroad, repatriation of remains covers the costs of preparing and transporting the deceased’s body home. It’s a sensitive topic, but one that’s important to discuss.

Repatriation insurance can cover the costs associated with embalming, cremation, or international shipping arrangements, which generally range from $3,000 to $20,000. 

In cases where professional funeral services or international assistance is needed, especially in remote locations, repatriation insurance can facilitate these complex logistics, providing loved ones peace of mind and support in a difficult time.

What is medical evacuation? 

Medical evacuation, or medevac, is the emergency transport of a patient to the nearest appropriate medical facility by air ambulance, medically equipped commercial flight, or ground transport. If local hospitals lack the necessary resources for treatment, medical evacuation transfers you to a facility that can provide the proper care.

Situations that require medical evacuation can happen anywhere, whether you’re traveling or not. For example, you may need medevac transport if: 

• You experience a serious injury sustained from a falling accident while hiking or from a car accident
• You are in a remote location and need to be transported to a hospital with more advanced equipment or specialized medical care, such as for a severe infection or complex surgery
• You require interfacility transport to a regional hospital with a specialized care center or advanced trauma center   

Without coverage, medical evacuation costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, depending on factors like distance, urgency, and required medical support. 

Medical evacuation vs. repatriation

While medical evacuation and repatriation both ensure patients receive necessary medical care, they serve different purposes. Generally, the main difference is where the medical emergency occurs and where the patient is transported: 

• Medical evacuation occurs when transporting patients from their home country (usually) to receive care at the nearest qualified medical facility, domestically or internationally. However, medevac also includes transporting you to a different hospital while abroad for a higher level of care after an emergency.

• Repatriation involves transporting a patient who experienced a medical emergency while abroad back to their home country for ongoing treatment and recovery or, in the worst case, transporting their remains home.

Both services prevent travelers and their families from facing overwhelming costs and logistical challenges, but understanding the differences can help you choose the right protection for your needs.

Who should obtain repatriation coverage?

Repatriation coverage provides peace of mind and financial relief during medical emergencies, especially when traveling to areas with limited healthcare. Comparing different plans can help you find the right fit for your travel needs.

These travelers should strongly consider repatriation coverage:

• International travelers: Being far from home increases the risk of unexpected medical emergencies requiring transport back to your home country.
• Travelers to remote or rural areas: Limited medical facilities can make it difficult to receive proper treatment, making repatriation coverage ideal.
• Travelers with preexisting conditions: Health complications can arise unexpectedly, and access to your preferred doctors and hospitals at home can be critical.
• Elderly travelers: Older travelers are more vulnerable to health issues and may require medical transport home for specialized care.

Benefits of repatriation coverage

Repatriation coverage ensures that travelers receive the necessary medical transport home without the burden of high costs or complicated logistics. Whether facing a serious illness, injury, or an unexpected tragedy, this coverage provides essential support for both travelers and their families.
Key benefits include:

• Financial protection: Reduces out-of-pocket costs for medical transport, which can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Emergency medical repatriation: Safely brings travelers home for continued medical care when local treatment is insufficient or for rehabilitation.
• Repatriation of remains: Helps cover the cost and logistics of returning a traveler’s remains home with dignity and care.
• 24/7 assistance and coordination: Provides access to a dedicated support team that handles medical transport arrangements, paperwork, and communication with authorities.
• Peace of mind for travelers and families: Reduces stress by professionally managing all repatriation needs in an emergency.

How do you get repatriation coverage?

Most travelers don’t purchase standalone repatriation coverage—it’s typically included as part of additional services. There are two main ways to obtain repatriation protection:

Travel insurance policies

Travel insurance’s repatriation coverage covers the necessary and reasonable costs of medical transport, typically based on medical necessity and the urgency of the situation. The decision to repatriate a patient often involves consultation with medical professionals and depends on the ability of local facilities to provide adequate treatment.

Most travel insurance plans cover two key scenarios:

• Emergency medical evacuation: Transporting a traveler to the nearest medical facility.
• Repatriation of remains: Returning a traveler’s remains home in the event of death.

As with all insurance plans, the traveler must arrange services, file a claim, and wait for reimbursement. Payouts depend on policy details, and most insurers impose cost limits. Additionally, “medical necessity” can be a gray area, making claim approvals unpredictable.

Travel assistance memberships

A travel assistance membership, like EA+, offers comprehensive repatriation support beyond just financial reimbursement. These services include:

• Coordinating medical care: Arranging and providing necessary medical support before and during transport, including determining the safest travel method, such as an air ambulance or medical escort.
• Logistical support for medical repatriation: Managing all aspects of transport, from securing commercial flight arrangements to organizing air ambulances when needed.
• Repatriation of remains: Handling the legal and logistical steps required to return a traveler’s remains home, including working with local authorities, funeral homes, and airlines.
• Legal and administrative assistance: Navigating foreign legal systems, obtaining necessary clearances, and coordinating with embassies or consulates.
• Support for family members: Assisting family members who need emergency travel arrangements or accommodations to be with the patient.

Unlike travel insurance, travel assistance, like EA+, takes care of arrangements up front, offering seamless support during medical emergencies or repatriation situations.

Learn about EA+ memberships

Common coverage exclusions 

While repatriation insurance and medical evacuation coverage offer essential protection, they often come with exclusions that travelers should be aware of. Understanding these limitations can help you choose the right plan for your needs. 

Common exclusions include:

• Preexisting medical conditions: Many plans won’t cover repatriation related to a condition diagnosed before your trip.
• High-risk activities: Injuries from extreme sports like skydiving, scuba diving, or mountaineering may not be covered.
• Travel to restricted areas: Some policies exclude coverage for travel to destinations with government-issued travel warnings.
• Self-inflicted injuries: Incidents resulting from reckless behavior, drug or alcohol use, or self-harm are typically not covered.
• Nonmedical repatriation: Standard plans cover medical emergencies but may not cover repatriation for nonmedical reasons, such as political unrest or personal preference.

Protect travel plans with repatriation coverage

Repatriation coverage isn’t just an insurance formality—it’s a critical safety net for travelers who may need emergency medical care or assistance returning home. Whether it’s medical repatriation or the repatriation of remains, having the right protection ensures that logistical and financial burdens don’t fall on you or your loved ones.

Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) goes beyond standard coverage by handling every aspect of repatriation, from coordinating medical care to managing complex transportation logistics with sensitivity and expertise.

If your travels take you far from home, let EA+ be your trusted companion. Learn more about how we can safeguard your journey and provide essential assistance when you need it most. Safe travels start here.

Enroll today

FAQ 

In insurance, repatriation refers to the coverage that helps transport a traveler home in case of a medical emergency or death while abroad.

Does travel insurance cover repatriation?

Many travel insurance policies include repatriation, but coverage varies. Some plans only cover medical evacuation, while others include repatriation of remains as well.

What is a repatriation benefit?

A repatriation benefit covers the cost of returning a traveler to their home country due to medical necessity or, in the case of death, repatriation of remains.

What is medical evacuation and repatriation insurance?

Medical evacuation insurance covers transport to the nearest medical facility, while repatriation insurance ensures you are returned home for continued care or after death. Some plans offer both under one policy.