What is repatriation insurance?
Repatriation insurance guarantees your return to France, or to your country of residence, in the event of an extreme emergency. For example, if you have an accident or fall ill while traveling. Repatriation only takes place if the situation requires it. Some countries do not have the medical facilities or equipment to deal with certain illnesses or injuries. What’s more, health care abroad is very expensive, and insurers sometimes prefer to repatriate you. Health and repatriation insurance is very reassuring during your stay abroad. There are three types of medical repatriation. Non-medical repatriation concerns injuries requiring a return to France, without the need for medical assistance during the journey. For example, a broken leg. In this situation, repatriation can be carried out by a standard airline. Then there’s medical repatriation, which requires the presence of a nurse or doctor during transport, as in the case of a heart attack, for example. The final type of repatriation involves evacuation by medical plane, reserved for cases of extreme necessity, such as a serious road accident.
European residents
If you’re traveling within the European Union, there is an agreement in place that gives you access to healthcare in addition to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Under the European convention on social and medical assistance, signatory members undertake to provide legally resident nationals of other countries who do not have sufficient resources with the social and medical assistance provided by the legislation in force in their country.
What does repatriation insurance cover?
When you take out health and repatriation insurance, you’ll have access to an assistance service that can be contacted 7 days a week in the event of a problem. In the event of illness or accident abroad, repatriation covers :
- hospitalization costs
- rescue services
- medical treatment expenses
- round-trip transportation for a family member to join you if you are hospitalized for more than ten days
- medical repatriation if necessary.
You will be assisted and advised in the event of injury or illness, and directed to the appropriate medical services in the country where you are staying. We advise you to be vigilant as to the conditions of application and the limit of expenses covered. In the worst-case scenario, should you die abroad, international health insurance provides for repatriation of the body to the country of your choice. Repatriation insurance is only used in cases of extreme necessity, and it is advisable to take out additional travel health insurance . Repatriation is sometimes an optional extra in international health insurance policies.
Who pays for repatriation insurance?
There are several ways to access repatriation insurance. What you pay for and what you get depends on your choice.
Repatriation insurance and reimbursement via credit card
If you have a Visa card, repatriation insurance is automatically included when the trip has been paid for with this same card. It covers the cardholder, children and grandchildren under the age of 25, as well as your spouse or partner. Reimbursement of expenses is subject to a ceiling.Bank card repatriation insurance ceilings are often very low. They do not cover all expenses incurred.
Social security reimbursement
In cases of extreme necessity, Social Security may cover part of the costs incurred. Social security reimbursement rules vary enormously from country to country. It is very rare for social security to intervene in repatriation cases. Repatriation will certainly be at your expense.
Reimbursement with international health insurance
If you have taken out international health insurance for your trip, some contracts include an option for repatriation. In some high-end contracts, repatriation is included at no extra cost. Travel health insurance will cover you in the event of bodily injury and/or property damage. Check the rates and benefits of your contract before you leave, as they vary according to your insurance company.
Other options for repatriation from abroad…
In rare cases, you may have access to repatriation insurance through your various insurance contracts: home insurance, car insurance, etc. This depends on your insurance company and your contract. Some companies may cover only a small part of your repatriation or transport to hospital. In this case, you will only be reimbursed for rescue costs, and with a low ceiling. There are several ways in which you can be repatriated. The safest solution is to take out travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation
