Body repatriation insurance
What to do if a person died abroad?
Before taking any action to organize repatriation of a deceased person, several issues should be taken into consideration. Did the deceased travel as a tourist or that was a business trip? Did he have an insurance covering the costs of returning the body in the event of death? Here is clear-up points:
1. Citizen of the Russian Federation on a tourist trip abroad:
If a person died while on a leisure travel, it is important whether the trip was organized independently or it was a tour purchased at a travel agency.
Tour with a travel agency
Insurance is almost certainly included in the price.
For all questions regarding the organization of a funeral in the country of travel or transportation of the body back home, you should first contact the tour operator. If necessary, they will give the contacts of the insurance company responsible for compensation under the policy.
The tour was organized independently:
Travel insurance policy was purchased separately for each participant of the trip. Some insurance companies provide a family travel policy.
The insurance policy should include compensation for the posthumous transportation of the body.
Please note! Some insurance companies may not include this article in their insurance services. This especially refers to budget insurance policies that minimally satisfy the terms for obtaining a visa.
The absence of a relevant clause in the policy agreement entails high costs in case of death while on a trip abroad and severely complicates the organization of body transportation.
Arranging proper insurance with posthumous repatriation included is an important (mandatory) step when organizing a tourist trip independently. To leave a copy of the policy to your authorized representative before the trip is highly recommended.
2. Citizen of the Russian Federation died on a business trip abroad:
There might be different types of a business trips: a tour of duty, independent travel for side labour, study, etc. Each case has its nuances.
The deceased person was on a business trip, working for a Russian organization:
When organizing a business trip abroad, the employer in Russian Federation is not obliged to provide a travel insurance for his employee, but he is liable to compensate for travel expenses (article 168 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation). However, insurance is required to enter many countries. Picking up the right insurance in this case is the responsibility of the employee while the employer compensates it as transportation costs.
In the event of the death of an employee, the employer must pay the remaining wages to an employee`s heirs (Article 141 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation) as well as pay compensation for unused days of leave of the deceased (Article 127 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation).
Relatives of those whose work is associated with higher risk are entitled to higher compensation payments. Such professions include military service and some other equivalents such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, the Federal Fire Service and others. For example, if a soldier died while performing military service, his relatives receive compensation in amount of 3 million rubles.
According to Article 1183 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the same applies to other payments not received by the deceased (pensions, scholarships, etc.).
Close relatives of the deceased are entitled to take leave at their own expense (Article 128 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation). In addition, the relatives of the deceased are due to be paid a federal burial allowance in amount of 6,964.68 rubles (as of February 1, 2022). Besides, municipal regional laws establish additional burial benefits for benefit-entitled citizens. For example, in Moscow it amounts to 12,625 rubles for non-working pensioners and registered unemployed.
Relatives of military and some equivalent professions are entitled for compensation of funeral expenses. In Moscow and St. Petersburg its size is 28 178 rubles, in the regions – 20 350 rubles. Various types of compensation can also be obtained from the employer of the deceased, but this comes as an act of goodwill from the company, unless such compensation was specified in the employee`s contract.
The deceased was a RF citizen and worked abroad for a foreign company:
In this case, the compensation is regulated by the labor legislation of the country of which the employing company is a tax resident and by the contract with the employee.
This also applies to insurance issues. As a rule, insurance is necessary for overseas employment
Relatives still have the right to apply for financial assistance from Russian funds.
The deceased was a RF citizen and worked abroad illegally
In this case, all compensation issues are regulated by contract between the deceased and his direct employer.
To obtain employment visa, a person going abroad must have an insurance. Otherwise, relatives of the deceased will face big problems, both legal and financial.
If the deceased was unemployed in the Russia and he was registered with the state employment agency, his relatives are entitled to have compensation from this organization.
The deceased was abroad on an internship or educational program
As in the case with a work visa, a student visa requires insurance for the entire period of study. Some universities offer their own insurance programs, which can be significantly cheaper. As a rule, they cover a smaller range of medical services, but include compensation for the costs of repatriation of the body. There are insurance systems included in educational grants. Learn more about such programs when applying for a grant or when applying for a foreign educational program.
Foreign citizen on a trip to Russia
According to the Law N 114 of the Russian Federation, every foreign citizen entering the Russia must have an insurance policy, which covers the costs of transportation the body back home in the event of death.
Citizens of countries that are not liable to obtain a visa to enter the Russian Federation should decide on life insurance and post-mortem repatriation themselves. If there is no such insurance, then in the event of a person`s serious illness or death on the territory of the Russia, all expenses are borne solely by the relatives of the deceased.
The rules and recommendations for choosing insurance are the same as for a traveler from Russia. We advise you to be careful while choosing an insurance company and be sure to check the contract to see if it contains an item concerning the posthumous transportation of the body to the homeland.
Foreign citizen working in the Russian Federation
If a foreign citizen stays in Russia on a work visa, then insuring life and posthumous repatriation is mandatory. However, the arrangement of such a policy is the responsibility of the Russian employer (Labor Code of the Russian Federation, article 327).
The provisions of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation apply also to non-residents working in Russia, so that in case of death, relatives of the deceased person expect the same payments and compensation as the Russian citizens.
Labour migrants are required to have an insurance policy for staying and working in the territory of the Russian Federation and they must arrange for it themselves. It is important to remember that since 2016 the minimum coverage amount for a labor migrant is 100,000 rubles, so insurance companies that offer a smaller amount of compensation are invalid. With such a policy, you cannot get a valid and legal permission to work in Russia. Moreover, the absence of insurance with coverage of 100,000 rubles or more may result in an administrative fine of up to 7 thousand rubles.
Foreign citizens who have been living in the Russian Federation for a long time and have a residence permit, have the right to apply for a Compulsory Health Insurance (“ДМС”) policy that gives them access to a free medicine system within Russia.
To comply with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation, a foreigner's insurance policy must meet the following requirements:
It is valid for the entire person`s stay in the Russia;
It covers any costs associated with obtaining medical care and transporting the body back home in case of death;
Compulsory Health Insurance is valid throughout the Russian Federation.
A foreign citizen visits Russian Federation on a training program
Applying for a study visa to Russia requires insurance;
Foreign students gain access to "student" clinics under voluntary health insurance policy (“ДМС” policy).See Also
