What are emergency reunion services? Emergency reunion services are very closely related to emergency medical evacuation services and if you have coverage for one of these in your policy, you are likely...
Emergency reunion services are very closely related to emergency medical evacuation services and if you have coverage for one of these in your policy, you are likely to want coverage for both of them.
If you are unfortunate enough to be taken sick while traveling, apart from medical treatment, you may want to have one or more family members with you. Basically, emergency reunion services cover the costs of bringing a family member or relative to be with the sick or hospitalized person during a medical emergency.
As with any other travel insurance policy, be sure to read the small print to see exactly what is covered - your main concerns may be how many family members will be covered and how quickly they will be able to be with you. Depending on the definition, family members may include in-laws, cousins and grandparents. It may be possible to add on to the basic policy so that it covers several people.
To have someone with you especially if you are in a foreign country; or especially if you will be hospitalized there for some time, is a major benefit and something that an injured person would certainly appreciate.
Apart from actually getting a relative to you if you are hospitalized, there are other costs you may want to consider and which may or may not be covered by the policy. Ask whether the policy cover the costs of accommodation, meals, phone calls, etc - which may be substantial depending on the nature of the injury or sickness. You may have to keep receipts for meals, accommodation and other services; and then submit them for reimbursement later.
There may be other travel arrangements that you are unable to easily change or deal with as a result of illness or hospitalization. Some of these travel insurance policies also cover such practicalities and necessities as returning a rental car or canceling shore based excursions.
It's important to note that emergency reunion services usually only cover the cost of transporting a family member to you - rather than the opposite. If you are traveling and have to return home due to a family member or relative passing away or being taken ill, you are usually responsible for those additional costs.
If you are holding a restrictive plane ticket, in this eventuality, always check with your airline as far s waiving the rules. Even if you have purchased non-refundable, non-changeable plane tickets the airline may work with you if you can provide verification of the situation. Usually this takes the form of a doctor's letter or even just a phone number that the airline can call and verify your situation.
And if you don't have the necessary insurance to cover the costs of flying family members around the world to be at your hospital bedside? The Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS), a division of the State Department assists American citizens overseas with such things as financial aid, emergency evacuation and other assistance.
