Case Study: Trip Interruption

Q: Does international medical insurance cover trip interruption when a family member is critically ill or near death?

A: Usually not. Most travel medical insurance plans only provide a Trip Interruption Benefit once a family member has legally passed away. If travel occurs before the official time of death, even in compassionate circumstances, the claim may be denied.

Understanding how insurers define “death” as the triggering event can prevent heartbreak and financial loss when acting on urgent news from home.

Note: Alternatively, Trip Cancellation insurance typically covers a trip interruption for both circumstances (illness or death of a family member).

Scenario Snapshot

A mission traveler serving in Guatemala flew home after learning her sister was near death, purchasing her ticket before the official time of passing. Her Trip Interruption claim was later denied because the policy only activates after a family member’s death has legally occurred. The case underscores how timing and documentation determine whether a compassionate emergency qualifies for coverage.

Country

Guatemala

Claim Type

Trip Interruption

Death of a Family Member

Flight Benefit

Claim Value

~$545

Outcome

Denied

Narrative Summary

While serving abroad, Participant C was informed that a close family member in the United States had sustained a catastrophic injury and was likely to be declared brain-dead. Acting on instinct, she purchased an immediate return ticket home to be with her family. The family member passed away several days later. When Participant C returned to the field, she submitted a Trip Interruption claim seeking reimbursement for her flight.

The claim was denied. Although the plan provides reimbursement for a trip interrupted as a result of the death of a family member, the policy defines coverage as beginning only once a death has officially occurred. Because the flight was purchased and used prior to the legal time of death, the event did not meet the benefit trigger. The carrier determined that the travel was related to illness or anticipated death rather than the qualifying event of death itself.

Please note: While International Travel Medical Coverage offers Trip Interruption only in the case of the death of a family member, alternatively, Trip Cancellation Coverage typically covers both circumstances.

*HopeWorks Travel Global is the anonymized name for an actual MissionSafe Client. All organization and individual names have been changed for the privacy of those involved.

Get the Complete Breakdown

Click below to download the full case study, analysis, and resources. See exactly how MissionSafe's advocacy team provides critical support during a crisis and learn actionable steps to prepare your organization.