My Insurance Won’t Cover Medical Repatriation – What Can I Do?

Introduction: A Situation No One Wants to Face

You’re abroad. You’re injured. The doctors say you need to go home for ongoing care. But your travel insurance provider has just refused to pay for your repatriation flight. Insurance won’t cover your medical repatriation—so what now?

At SkyCare, we regularly help people in exactly this situation—frustrated, stuck, and unsure how to get their loved one home. In this guide, we’ll explain why insurers often decline repatriation, what options are still available to you, and how we can help bring your family member home safely and quickly.

Why Insurance May Deny Medical Repatriation

According to the UK’s Financial Ombudsman Service, thousands of complaints each year are related to denied medical claims abroad. Common reasons insurers refuse to cover repatriation include:

• Undeclared pre-existing conditions – The most frequent reason for denial
• Treatment in a private hospital without prior authorisation
• Engaging in high-risk activities not covered by the policy
• Delayed communication with the insurer or assistance provider
• Policy exclusions that limit repatriation to “life-threatening” only

Unfortunately, many families only discover these limitations when it’s already too late.

How Much Does Medical Repatriation Cost Without Insurance?

The cost of repatriation depends on where the patient is, their medical needs, and the transport method. To give you a rough idea:

• Commercial medical escort within Europe: From £1,000
• Ground ambulance within Europe: Often cheaper than air travel and ideal for stable patients
• Private air ambulance within Europe: Typically £10,000–£35,000
• Air ambulance from the Middle East: £40,000–£100,000
• Air ambulance from North America: £80,000–£225,000+

These figures can vary depending on clinical requirements, time of day, and international clearances. For more detail, visit our full breakdown here:

📊 View Our Medical Repatriation Cost Guide

Can I Get Home If Insurance Won’t Cover Repatriation?

Yes. Even if your insurance won’t pay, there are several ways to organise safe medical transport—some more affordable than you might expect. Here are your options, roughly ordered from least to most expensive:

1. Crowdfunding – Many families turn to platforms like GoFundMe to raise funds for repatriation. It’s not instant, but it can help cover essential costs quickly.
2. Speak to your embassy – Your embassy may help with temporary loans, paperwork, or referrals to local services. They can’t fund repatriation directly, but they can assist.
3. Ask the hospital for help – Some clinics offer flexible payment plans or can transfer patients to public care while you coordinate transport.
4. Commercial flight with a medical escort – If the patient is stable and able to sit up (or a stretcher flight so they can lie flat if the airline offers this), this can be a cost-effective option.
5. Ground ambulance (within Europe) – For patients in nearby European countries, a long-distance ground ambulance may be cheaper than flying and still medically safe.
6. Private air ambulance – The safest and fastest choice for patients who are unstable, require intensive monitoring, or cannot fly commercially. Fully staffed and ICU-equipped aircraft are available 24/7.

SkyCare can help you explore all of these options and match the solution to your medical and financial situation. Our team gives clear advice and works within your means to get your loved one home.

How SkyCare Helps When Insurance Refuses Medical Repatriation

We regularly work with patients and families whose insurance has let them down. Here’s how we support you:

• Same-day medical clearance once hospital reports are received
• Sea-level flights and ICU air ambulances available
• Transparent quotes with zero obligation
• Full bedside-to-bedside coordination—including ground ambulances
• Multilingual team available 24/7 for updates and support

While we don’t handle insurance disputes directly, we can provide a detailed medical report and flight summary after the repatriation. If you wish to pursue reimbursement or challenge your insurer’s decision, this documentation may support your case. We can also connect you with legal firms that specialise in travel insurance disputes, should you want to take the matter further.

What to Do If You’re Facing This Now

If you’ve just been told your insurance won’t cover repatriation, act quickly:

• Request all medical documentation and imaging from the hospital
• Contact SkyCare directly for a no-obligation assessment
• Keep your insurer informed, even if they’ve refused—this helps with appeals

We’ve helped hundreds of families in this position—you’re not alone, and there are solutions.

Need Urgent Help?

We’re available 24/7 to talk through your situation and provide a plan to bring your loved one home, even without insurance funding.

📞 Contact SkyCare
📝 Get a Quote
💬 Chat on WhatsApp