Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific.
With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East.
You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.
Travel Insurance Repatriation
When you are on holiday far from home it’s important to know you're properly protected should things take a turn for the worst.
If you unexpectedly fall sick, become injured, or tragically die overseas, your policy can give you peace of mind knowing you’ll be covered you to bring you back home.
There are two types of repatriation cover to consider when purchasing a policy.
Medical repatriation covers you if you unexpectedly fall sick or become injured overseas and medical staff deem it necessary to bring you back to Australia. A lot of comprehensive policies include unlimited repatriation or medical evacuation cover in their policies. This also gives you access to specialist medical assistance teams around the world 24/7.
Repatriation of remains is when your body is brought back to Australia in the event of your death and/or cover for the cost of a funeral or cremation overseas. There are usually limits that apply to the repatriation of remains benefit. The following table details these.
Compare repatriation of remains cover
**Click on each row to expand and see more details**
| Insurer | Underwriter | Is it covered? | Amount | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover |
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's |  For the reasonable cost of either a funeral or cremation overseas and/or returning your remains to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 |
Mitsui Sumitomo | In the event of death, you are covered for conveyance of the body or ashes to Australia (the cost of burial or cremation is not included) or; local funeral expenses overseas limited to $1,500. If you are aged under 16 or over 75 at the time of the accident the death benefit will be limited to funeral and other expenses up to $1,500 and the permanent total disablement benefit will not apply. |
 |
|
 AMEX |
Chubb Insurance Australia Limited | We will pay to reimburse reasonable funeral or cremation expenses incurred overseas, or the cost of returning Your remains to Your Home as a result of Accidental Loss of Life during the Period of Insurance and while on a Journey. |
$15,000 | |
 Budget Direct |
Auto & General | $20,000 for the cost of returning your body or ashes to Australia or up to $10,000 for the cost of the funeral and burial expenses in the country in which you die if this is outside Australia. |
$20,000 | |
 Columbus Direct |
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | The cost of returning your body or ashes to your Home or a funeral in the country where you died (up to the equivalent costs of returning your remains to your Country of Residence. |
|
|
 Fast Cover |
Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd | Funeral or cremation overseas and/or returning your remains to your home in Australia. |
$15,000 | |
 Itrek |
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | For the reasonable cost of either a funeral or cremation overseas and/or returning your remains to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 InsureandGo |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | Up to $20,000 for the cost of returning your body or ashes to Australia or up to $10,000 for the cost of the funeral and burial expenses in the country in which you die if this is outside Australia |
$20,000 | |
 Simply Travel Insurance |
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | For the reasonable cost of either a funeral or cremation overseas and/or returning your remains to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 Southern Cross Travel Insurance |
Southern Cross | In the event of your death during your journey, your estate must contact Southern Cross Emergency Assistance and they will pay or reimburse actual and reasonable costs, up to the amount stated in the Coverage table: a) to cremate or embalm your body; b) for funeral expenses incurred in the area where the death occurred or to return your remains to your home town in Australia; and c) for a scheduled return economy flight for an immediate family member to assist with (b) above. |
$15,000 | |
 Tick |
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | Up to $20,000 for the cost of returning your body or ashes to Australia or up to $10,000 for the cost of the funeral and burial expenses in the country in which you die if this is outside Australia. |
$20,000 | |
 Travel Insurance Saver |
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | Consider the PDS and TMD from TIS and if the policy is right for you. |
Chosen limit | |
 Virgin Money |
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | If you die as a result of an injury or a sickness during your journey, we will pay for your reasonable funeral expenses incurred overseas or the cost of bringing your remains back to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 Worldcare |
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | If you die as a result of an injury or a sickness during your journey, we will pay for your reasonable funeral expenses incurred overseas or the cost of bringing your remains back to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 Webjet |
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | If you die as a result of an injury or a sickness during your journey, we will pay for your reasonable funeral expenses incurred overseas or the cost of bringing your remains back to your home. |
$15,000 | |
 Zoom |
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | For the reasonable cost of either a funeral or cremation overseas and/or returning your remains to your home. |
$15,000 |
General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
How much does repatriation cost?
Flying a sick or injured person isn’t cheap! Depending on your condition you may be required to travel with medical equipment or a nurse to be by your side during transit. Or you may not be able to fly in Economy Class due to injuries. At any rate, medical evacuation costs can end up in the tens of thousands of dollars. Cost of repatriation by air ambulance from Bali can be upwards of $50k and Europe can be as much as $300k. If there is any reason to convince you why to get travel insurance, this is it.What does repatriation benefits include?
- Helicopter evacuation: Had a slip on the slopes or need to be brought to shore quick-smart from your cruise? Your travel insurance will cover your medical transfer or evacuation transporting you to the nearest hospital for emergency medical treatment overseas
- Trained staff by your side: Arrangements to bring you back to Australia with appropriate medical supervision
- Hospital expenses: Guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses for emergency hospitalisation that may be required overseas
- Contacting your family: Passing on messages to your family or employer in the case of an emergency
- Bringing your loved ones to you: Arrangement for your dependants to return to Australia if they are left without supervision following your hospitalisation or evacuation
- Funeral or repatriation fees: An amount (usually around $15,000) for either a funeral cremation overseas and returning your remains to your home
What's Isn't covered?
- Medical treatment costs once you are back in Australia: You will not be covered for hospital treatment back home as this is covered by the Australian government health system Medicare
- Advice that you decline: Your insurer is unlikely to cover you if you do not follow the advice from your medical practitioner
- Repatriation of remains to countries outside of Australia: In most policy documents it is stipulated that remains must be brought back to Australia or New Zealand
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is repatriation?
Repatriation insurance typically covers you for emergency evacuation to get you home or to a hospital in the event of injury or illness, or the return of your remains to bring your body home in the event of your death.
Is repatriation automatically included in travel insurance?
You should never assume. Each insurer is different and cover will depend on the level that you purchase. It will usually be included as part of Emergency Medical Assistance benefits, or Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. It’s best to speak to your chosen insurer directly to see what they cover.
Am I covered for helicopter evacuation off a ski slope after a skiing accident?
Yes, repatriation cover usually includes cover for air ambulance services to get you off a ski slope following an accident. Generally speaking you will be taken to the closest medical facility that can adequately take care of you. You may not be covered for domestic air ambulances within Australia, so speak to your insurer to check.
Am I covered for medical evacuation from a cruise ship at sea?
Yes, comprehensive travel insurance covers you from ship to shore. Should you need to be medically evacuated from a cruise ship days from shore your 24/7 emergency assistance team will work with the cruise line to find the best way to get you to a medical facility as quickly as possible. A cruise pack may need to be purchased to be adequately covered for cruise holidays.
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