Here comes the sun

I read about Kinsure in the Australia & New Zealand magazine, they are an insurance company who provide travel flights and accomodation for you to get to relatives who live abroad in an emergency. From there website its not clear if it applies to expats living abroad and getting back to the UK.

Are there any insurance companies out there that offer this service for expats? The premium on kinsure for a familly with relatives worldwide is only £89 a year. If it applied to expats who needed to get back to the year i would be more than happy to pay it. So if anyone has a similar policy it would be great to here from you.

www.kinsure.co.uk

sarahw

I had a look at the website and it appears that it does cover you if you live in NZ and need to return to the UK.

Well spotted - I might take out a policy

Ozzidoc

Many airlines provide cheap flights to people who are going home because someone is on their last legs or has just died... I understand that a copy of the death cert needs to be shown on check-in for the return leg.

A search of this site (maybe the US section?) provides some more info about this.

RobClubley

BritsNZ supply repatriation insurance - http://www.britsnz.co.nz/
I think it's a little more expensive than the above.

cally49

Hi there this exact thing happened to me when my gran was dying in the UK last year and i flew Air New Zealand was peak prices and of course i needed to go so i paid the price not realising until i phoned to change my return ticket and the consultant said to me i notice you booked and paid to go to the Uk within 3 days? When i explained why she said write to air nz on your return and explain your position. I did this they emailed me a form to which i scanned a copy of my grans death notice fom the paper (which had my name on it also) and also part of the page of the will with my name on it wth no financial details it was just further proof as i had no access to the death certificate without contacting my grans solicitor. Bottom line is they refunded me about $250nz dollars. But as this girl said to me its not something the airlines promote and you cant do it before you go it has to be on your return and it was lucky i got hold of her i guess. Anyhow thats just the experience i had but an insurance policy is probably a good idea depending on the cost i guess.
Cheers
Cally

Avid

I think, though I'm not sure, that you can also contact the nearest embassy/consulate/high commission and they can sometimes help you with emergency travel.

Bearing in mind that the British Embassy must surely be one of the unfriendliest in the world!

teambwr47

I'm very close to my grandparents and my while sadly my grandmother died a few years back, my grandfather is about to turn 90.

However much i hate to think about it and hope its years away the time will come we need to get back at short notice.

I thought that insurance could be a good idea but.......in the conditions...

Tan0410

Did anyone actually go ahead and get one of these insurance policies?

Tan

Nerine

I had a quick look at it now and the relative has to be under the age of 75
and it doesn't cover pre-existing medical conditions which have required a medical consultation during the last 2 years, plus another clause relating to any prior occurence of cardiovascular problems.

If you were thinking seriously about taking it up it might be worth clarifying with them: if you make a claim what supplying "supporting documentation" entails - I'm guessing it could be things like medical reports, death certs. and check that you can fax this to them, rather than post it.

Tan0410

Cheers...

Had seen the 75 age thing so know it won't cover Hubby's grandmother...but all parents on both sides are in their 60's so seemed worthwile. Both also leaving siblings behind. Figured that for £89 we couldn't really go wrong...especially as it would cover costs for all four of us to return!!!!

Tan

Nerine

The max claim is $5,000 in one year and if you don't have to claim for accommodation it should cover a family of 2 adults and 2 kids.