What is repatriation by air ambulance?

You may have heard the term ‘repatriation’ before, but wondered exactly what it means in the context of travel insurance. Our Free Spirit policy wording defines it as: ‘the return of an insured person to his/her home, a hospital, nursing home or funeral director in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.’

Repatriation by air ambulance refers to a situation when you have fallen ill or been injured abroad and need to be brought home in an aircraft. An air ambulance will be arranged to bring you back safely to the UK. Depending on your injury/illness, you will either be sitting up or lying down while travelling. Transportation aboard an air ambulance will only be arranged if medically necessary. You should always contact the medical assistance team as soon as possible in the event of a medical emergency.

Why do I need repatriation cover?

Imagine if you were to fall ill abroad – no one thinks it will happen to them, but it is good to be prepared. SkyCare recently revealed the typical price range for medical repatriation. Let’s have a look at the average cost:

•  Private Air Ambulance in Europe: up to £35,000
• Private Air Ambulance from the Middle East: up to £100,000
• Private Air Ambulance from North America: £225,000+

These are scarily high figures, which is why it’s important to ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place.

Will I be covered if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Our Free Spirit policy covers pre-existing medical conditions as long as they have been declared to us. To get a quote, you will be taken through a detailed medical screening. This is where you will declare any relevant conditions, and we can look to offer you cover. We have created a series of Youtube videos to assist you in the medical screening. Alternatively, please call us to go through the details over the phone, and one of our specialist team members will be able to assist you.

If you are abroad and need an air ambulance for a medical situation relating to any pre-existing conditions, provided the conditions have already been declared to and agreed by us, you will be covered.

Does our insurance cover repatriation?

Yes. Our Free Spirit Cruise travel insurance covers repatriation within the Medical & Associated Expenses cover section. Depending on your cover level, this is up to £7.5 million with Gold or £10 million with Platinum cover.

On a cruise and need medical attention?

If you’re planning to travel on a cruise this year, have you considered what would happen if you were taken ill while on board? All major cruise lines have a medical centre on board. The first step is to head there and see if it can be treated on the ship. In the event you can’t be treated onboard, you will be medically evacuated from the ship.

Being medically evacuated could mean diverting to the nearest port or waiting until you arrive at the next one. This depends on the patient’s condition and other factors. The cruise ship medical team will advise you of what will happen. In some cases, when you reach shore, you will be treated in a local hospital. However, you may need to get an air ambulance home to the UK for treatment.

Is cruise travel insurance a legal requirement?

While cruise travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement, a lot of cruise companies insist you have it in place. Here is a list of some cruise companies that state you must take out travel insurance:

• Cunard
• P&O
• Royal Caribbean
• Fred Olsen

This is just a handful of cruise operators that require you to take out insurance. Cunard states: ‘If you’re unable to confirm you have arranged insurance, you may be denied boarding at your own expense.’

What our Customers Say…

Here are some reviews of clients who have used Free Spirit and needed our repatriation cover:

A Trusted Insurer

‘Returning to an Insurer, who we have used before. Three years ago, facing a serious injury overseas, this Company was excellent in dealing with the claim and getting us home. Now we are looking to start travelling again, this is a Company we trust, with very fair charges. Highly recommended.’

-Granny J

Holiday Repatriation

‘Whilst on holiday last summer, in Cyprus, I took ill and was hospitalised. Once my daughter, who was handling my affairs, contacted Free Spirit everything relating to my insurance and my wife’s continued stay at our hotel and my general wellbeing were dealt with sympathetically and efficiently. On discharge from the hospital both my wife and I were flown home (Me with the assistance of a doctor that Free Spirit had sent out from London!) There were no quibbles about expenses. Needless to say, I have booked my next year’s travel insurance with Free Spirit. Thank you.’

-Mr John (snr) McManus

Travel, With Confidence

Don’t get caught out when you travel. Travel, with confidence with Free Spirit travel insurance. Get a quote today to cover yourself for repatriation.