Does Travel Insurance Cover a Death in the Family?
![multi-generational family on walk together](https://www.staysure.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/multi-generational-family-on-a-walk-2.jpg.webp)
Whether your travel insurance can cover you for bereavement will depend on your relation and if the death was unforeseen.
It’s important to check that your policy covers you for the claim you’re making before you contact us.
Here, we explain how your travel insurance can help if you have a death in the family and need to cut your holiday short, or cancel it altogether.
What is an unforeseen death or illness?
When it comes to claiming on your travel insurance, the incident, illness or medical condition that has caused the death in your family must be unexpected.
This means you may not be able to claim on your travel insurance if the death in your family was caused by a diagnosed serious medical condition or terminal illness.
Can you claim for the cancellation of your holiday for a death in the family?
Travel insurance is designed to protect you against unforeseen events, including illness, injury or death of a close relative or travelling companion.
You can submit a claim for the cancellation of your holiday for an unforeseen death in the family (a close relative or travelling companion) up to the cancellation limits of your policy.
Already paid towards your trip (accommodation or flights)? Your travel insurance can help with the cost of nonrefundable deposits and other payments you had to pay, if you have to cancel your trip because of the death of a close relative or travelling companion.
Am I covered if there’s a death in the family while I’m on holiday?
If there’s a death in the family while you’re on holiday, you may be able to claim for having to cut your trip short as long as the death was unforeseen.
If you needed to return home before your scheduled return flight because of:
- The unforeseen death of a close relative
- The unforeseen, imminent death of a close relative
- An unforeseen serious accident or illness of a close relative
Your travel insurance could cover you for cutting your trip short/trip interruption – please check your policy limits.
What should I do if I have a death in the family?
If you’ve had an unexpected death in the family and need to claim on your travel insurance, it’s important you contact us as quickly as you can.
If you’re on holiday, it’s important you contact us before you schedule any flights home, to let us know of your situation and to check what your policy will cover you for.
You might be asked to send us proof to help with your claim when you’re back home. This usually means we’ll need to see a copy of the death certificate. We know it’s a sensitive time when you’re dealing with a loss and we’ll do our best to help make this process as simple as possible.
Who is a close relative for travel insurance?
For travel insurance, a close relative is seen as any of the following:
- The person you live with (in a relationship for at least 6 months at the same address, either married or cohabiting)
- Your children (including step, fostered or adopted children)
- Grandchildren
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Parents-in-law
- Sons or daughters in law
- Brothers or sisters in law