Really like this. Another reason for me to keep Revolut
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That is actually quite interesting. I need to read through their terms and exclusions to see if that makes sense.
One thing to keep in mind, though: Despite itās marketing as āTravel Insuranceā in this tweet itās really āOverseas Medical Insuranceā (and correctly labelled as such once you open the app). That means it covers only medical emergency care while you are abroad, but not many other things that are typically included in Travel Insurance, such as having to cancel a trip for health (or other) reasons before you even leave, bankruptcy (e.g. Monarch in recent memory), weather, war, natural disasters, etc.
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Really good points actually. I am bit less impressed now 
Quite frankly, it can still be a good thing. I think everyone should have medical insurance when travelling overseas, as that can cause serious hardship to you or your loved ones quite easily. The other stuff may be less needed as the financial impact of having to cancel your trip is usually much less (a flight ticket is typically much cheaper than a week in the hospital - let alone a repatriation). So, I think there is value in a cheap medical insurance that only covers the most financially devastating aspects, but I donāt know how their service compares to other overseas medical insurances. (I have a suspicion that the comparison on their website might concern full travel insurance, but I havenāt checked the numbers.)
Isnāt a repatriation when you go ābankruptā abroad and the government brings you home and confiscates your passport until you pay them some absurd repatriation expense loan thatās far more than a normal plane ticket would cost?
Or do I misunderstand entirely?
I think they were referring to a medical repatriation
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Like if you die and your family wants you buried at home? Sorry if Iām dense I donāt know what that is and Iām curious!
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A medical repatriation is if you are seriously ill or injured while on holiday. Think of Michael Schumacherās injury while skiing in the alps. It would have to be a medical flight staffed by doctors etc. The Association of British Insurers state that a medical repatriation to the UK could cost up to and in excess of Ā£211,000.
Here is an example from BBC News stating it would cost Ā£29,000 and that they cannot get any financial support for it.
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Exactly this! Beat me to it 
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Thanks! Two questions:
- If medical treatment is available in the country youāre in, is it not far cheaper to get treatment where you are?
- If you have travel insurance does it cover this?
- The injury would be assessed if repatriation was needed or if appropriate treatment available locally.
- All travel insurance covers this to varying degrees (check your individual policies under emergency expenses please!)
Here is MoneySupermarketās guide to repatriation:
Repatriation
Repatriation is defined as, āthe process of returning a person back to oneās place of origin or citizenship.ā This could mean a refugee, or a solider coming back from war. But it could equally apply to a holiday-maker who has suffered a serious illness or accident while abroad and needs to be brought back to their native country as they are unable to go under their own steam.Repatriation insurance?
But, whether you are travelling within Europe or to far-flung corners of the globe, you wonāt need to buy specific ārepatriation insuranceā for this unfortunate event. This is because repatriation is already covered under all standard travel insurance policies. Usually you will find repatriation under the medical emergency expenses section of the terms and conditions.Cover for repatriation
Pay out limits on repatriation cover will vary between insurers and even between different kinds of policies with the same insurer. For example, a cheap backpackers policy may carry less repatriation cover than specialist adventure sports insurance.But, on first glance, all levels of repatriation cover appear eye-wateringly high. Standard cover limits for repatriation is usually around Ā£5million but cover could be up to Ā£10million.
However, it is recommended that, when shopping around for your travel insurance repatriation cover, limits should be at least Ā£1million.
Repatriation costs
So why are repatriation costs so high? Firstly, you may not be able to come home via scheduled airline services. A specialist air ambulance may have to be deployed instead - all the way back to the UK. You might also require specialist medical equipment and potentially one or more medical escorts.This is not to mention the expenses you may have incurred at the destination you left behind such as rescue helicopters and/or water ambulances - as well the services of any medical teams or healthcare.
Who decides if I will be repatriated?
Travel insurers would clearly prefer not to fork out millions of pounds on your repatriation back to the UK. However, to put it brutally, it will be a lot more expensive for the insurer if you die.Your case will therefore be assessed in detail by a specialist team at the travel insurers who will decide if and when you should be repatriated home.
Depending on the facilities and level of care available in the country in which you became sick or had a serious accident, it might be that you are repatriated immediately to the UK to seek treatment and recover.
However, it may equally be that it is medically unsafe for you to travel. This is usually established by way of an authorisation note from a doctor who is treating you in that country
Shopping around for repatriation
Repatriation cover comes as standard in every travel insurance policy, but when you are shopping around for the best deal, keep an eye on the level of cover it offers. Although it might seem a lot on first glance, if the worst comes to the absolute worst, you or your family could be left with a very expensive shortfall.A few extra pounds in premiums when buying your policy could prove to make a world of difference to the rest of your life.
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Holy cow! Iād never even thought of this before. The two contexts Iād heard of repatriation were if stuck abroad and the Embassy gets you a ticket in exchange for your passport and ārepatriation of remainsā which is in my travel insurance.
I have an American Express travel insurance plan. Itās like Ā£30/year for unlimited trips. I canāt imagine itās very good for that little. It would be even cheaper if I never travelled to the US. Now I wonder if it would cover such a ridiculously expensive happening. Iāve always just kinda assumed that if I took ill abroad, theyād just pay for treatment there.
Thank you!!!
i upgraded to premium and then asked to downgrade straight away (I shouldnt have been playing around 
)
they got back to me the next day and this was done but there was nothing said about a cancelation fee
Just a couple more points:
I am firmly convinced hat emergency medical cover is an absolute must whenever you leave the UK. Things can happen (and @Chapuys link is an example) that can leave you truly devastated (financially and otherwise). Itās also dirt cheap (when I was still young and single I used to pay about Ā£5-10 for single trip worldwide insurance - when you are older, or have some existing medical conditions it can get more expensive though).
With travel insurance in my experience the cover, exemptions and conditions tend to vary widely. Especially if you have a preexisting medical condition, are older, or travel outside EU + US itās a good idea to read these.
Finally, an EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance! Itās an addition to it.
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The US one it is probably worth noting that at least some insurers charge extra. I have American Express travel insurance, and I have to pay extra to cover the US, it isnāt in the basic fee.
Iāll have to check the medical repatriation coverage now that @Chapuys made me aware of it, and its cost!
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Where do you buy that from please?
I bought it through one of the comparison sites. It was a lot more expensive directly from Amex. Iāve had it a couple years now (they renew it) so I canāt remember which one, Iām afraid.
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Travel medical insurance is certainly needed in US, Asia, etc but in many northern and western European countries (not southeastern) it is not needed as a British passport holder is treated the same as a local. I have had hospital treatment in the Baltics and my son had an ambulance call out, all without charge.
Having worked in insurance I am aware policy limits for travel to the US tend to be 5 or 10 times higher than travel to other regions of the world, this is mainly because the medical treatment and medical repatriation by air ambulance is much more expensive over there.
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Well, you are probably aware, but this does of course have nothing to do with British passport per se. It has to do with having an EHIC which every UK resident (regardless of nationality) is entitled to (while a British passport holder whoās not a UK resident is not entitled to one). Even as a British passport holder you should still get an EHIC when travelling to the EEA, as thatās what proves your entitlement to health care, and not your passport.
The reason why Iād still strongly recommend insurance, though, is that repatriation for example is NOT covered by the EHIC.
Actually it is to do with your passport. A) certain European countries have agreements in place with the UK that are irrespective of and predate membership of the EU, B) some countries will decide entitlement if you produce a passport or EHIC and will base entitlement on your citizenship not just on holding a little bit of plastic.