Medical repatriation & flying phobia

foxyclobo

I like to cruise because:

1. It's awesome, and
2. I don't have to fly!

I have a fear of flying, however, I have to have travel insurance that covers repatriation (in case I get Covid-19 and have to quarantine abroad etc.)

My current insurance provider said that it cannot guarantee that it would provide other means of getting home in this scenario. 

Does anyone know if there are any travel insurers that could provide this? I'd also need cover for pre-existing medical conditions because I'm disabled. The thought of flying, under any circumstances, makes it almost not worth going on holiday due to the anxiety it causes 

Thrugelmir

How can travel insurers guarantee the unknown?  

Cruise from a UK port.  Then you'll return on the ship back home. 

kayleighali

Surely it would depend on the reason for repatriation and your health at the time? If you had to quarantine abroad and had to be repatriated with oxygen etc then flying may be the safest/most cost effective option which is what most insurers would go for. 

Just out of interest, what would happen if you were to take ill on board and had to be flown to a hospital?

elsien

I hate to break it to you but going on a cruise does not guarantee that you won't need to fly.

A relative was taken seriously ill on a cruise while at sea and had to be airlifted off the boat to the nearest hospital.
If you're in the state that may require medical repatriation, and there are any number of reasons - accident, illness, flare up of existing disability- then the chances are you are beyond caring anyway.
Relative was in a Portuguese intensive care unit for several weeks before he was well enough to be flown home and he didn't have a clue where he was at any stage of the process.

Otherwise there would probably be the option of a sedative if you weren't able to cope without it. 

emmajones1976

Maybe its for the best if you dont go abroad ever again.

emmajones1976

Maybe its for the best if you dont go abroad ever again.

Sandtree

If you are ever on a medical flight then you are almost certainly accompanied and equally can be given significant sedatives, if you arent already sedated due to the ongoing issue. 

Went on a flight once with someone given a heavy sedative, manovering them around the airport was a paid and when they woke up the next morning they thought they were still on holiday and had missed their flight... no recollection of any part of the trip home.