Guide to Insurance Policies Relating to Homicide Abroad

At Murdered Abroad, we always recommend to bereaved families that they check insurance policies to see if there might be any financial assistance they can claim following a homicide. Body repatriation is an obvious example given the potential high costs involved, but there are others.

To assist the bereaved in such traumatic times, set out below is a summary guide of the various insurance policies which might be referenced to see if claims might be made following a homicide. Google website, AI Insight and the FCDO website have been used as references.

In all instances, it is highly recommended that you seek specialist advice from your insurance agent and/or legal advisor who will be better placed to interpret the terms and conditions of an insurance policy.

Travel Insurance

A key insurance policy to reference.

UK travel insurance can cover some costs related to homicide abroad, especially for repatriation, legal fees, and other expenses for the deceased's family, focusing more on direct costs rather than compensation for crime itself. Families should contact the insurer immediately for potential coverage of burial/cremation and returning remains, but also check for victim compensation schemes in the host country or government support (Homicide Service) if insurance is insufficient.

What Travel Insurance Might Cover:

  • Repatriation: Returning the body to the UK or local burial/cremation costs.

  • Legal & Admin Fees: Costs for lawyers, translations, and other official processes.

  • Travel Costs: Expenses for a family member to travel to the location.

  • Post-mortem: Travel insurance does not cover UK coroner costs or second post mortems following repatriation of the deceased. Insurers generally will not pay for the costs of local legal proceedings or investigations abroad.

  • Emergency Assistance: Support from the insurer's emergency teams.

Key Actions:

  • Contact Insurer: Immediately notify the travel insurance provider.

  • Contact FCDO: Get advice from the British embassy/consulate.

  • Check Other Schemes: Explore victim compensation or the National Homicide Service if needed.

Life Insurance

Standard UK life insurance usually covers a British national murdered abroad if they were a UK resident and the policy was up-to-date.

Exclusions can apply for travel to high-risk areas or dangerous activities.

Beneficiaries should contact the insurer and possibly the GOV.UK for help with documentation and repatriation costs (often covered by separate travel insurance), with the FCDO providing support for murder/manslaughter cases.

Key Considerations for Payout:

  • UK Residency: Most policies require the insured to be a UK resident or maintain strong ties to the UK; losing residency can invalidate cover.

  • Policy Terms: Check for specific exclusions for certain countries (e.g., those the FCDO advises against travel to) or dangerous activities (e.g., extreme sports).

  • Prompt Reporting: Informing the insurer promptly is crucial, especially for complex cases like murder abroad.

Key Actions for Beneficiaries:

  • Contact the Insurer: Notify the life insurance company as soon as possible and report the death.

  • Contact the FCDO: Call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for support in murder/manslaughter cases.

  • Gather Documents: You'll need the death certificate from the foreign country (obtainable via local authorities or the embassy) and possibly other evidence, which can cause delays.

  • Check Travel Insurance: Travel insurance often covers repatriation of remains and other related costs, which life insurance typically doesn't.

Special Circumstances

  • For murder/manslaughter, the FCDO offers guidance and can connect you with support but will not pay funeral expenses.

  • International life insurance policies exist for expats. Standard UK policies generally cover UK residents abroad unless specific exclusions apply.

Health Insurance

Standard UK health insurance (such as Private Medical Insurance) does not provide coverage for medical treatment, repatriation, or funeral costs if a British citizen is murdered abroad. These policies are designed exclusively for healthcare within the UK.

Bank Insurance

UK bank insurance (like Financial Services Compensation Scheme - FSCS) does not cover homicide claims abroad. Instead, you may be able to claim Criminal Injuries Compensation from the country where the crime occurred. A list of the 24 countries that have schemes open to UK residents can be found on the FCDO's website. There may be other countries with compensation schemes.

For all countries, you should contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate to find out how to apply for compensation.

Key Points:

  • Bank Role: Your bank might freeze cards or help with cash transfers but will not pay homicide compensation.

  • FSCS: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects your money if a UK bank fails, not for criminal acts abroad.

  • Evidence: Keep detailed records of the crime, reporting, and contacts for any claim.

Motor Insurance

Standard UK motor insurance does not directly cover claims for homicide abroad.

Compensation should be pursued through the legal system in the country where the incident occurred, potentially with help from specialist solicitors and the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) for uninsured drivers, but homicide cases (criminal acts) fall outside standard MIB coverage, requiring separate legal claims for damages.

A "hit and run" murder abroad requires complex, country-specific legal action rather than a simple insurance payout. Compensation for injuries caused by an unknown driver is usually claimed through the foreign country's equivalent of the MIB.

Pension Funds

UK State Pensions do not cover homicide claims abroad directly.

You will not get a standard UK pension payout for a homicide abroad, but various government bodies and schemes offer support for related costs and compensation, with the FCDO being a crucial first point of contact for overseas incidents.

UK private pension schemes typically do not provide specific payouts for murder abroad.

UK Trade Union Insurance Policies

For a British national homicide victim abroad, trade union insurance policies (like those from UniteProtect) can provide financial support for life traumas, covering aspects like legal help or repatriation.

Eligibility depends on policy specifics, often requiring UK residency or citizenship.

Trade Union Insurance

  • Check Your Policy: Policies offered by unions (e.g., UniteProtect) often cover significant life events, including those resulting from crime overseas, but this is not guaranteed.

  • Coverage Scope: Look for clauses covering trauma, accidental death, or assault, which might help with legal costs, repatriation, or family support, but terms vary.

  • Eligibility: Confirm if the policy covers incidents occurring outside the UK and what nationality/residency requirements apply for the member or family.

Key Steps for Families:

  • Contact the Union: Immediately contact the trade union to understand their specific insurance benefits for such situations.

  • Contact Victim Support: Victim Support offers support for victims of crime abroad, including guidance on accessing resources.

  • Check Travel Insurance: Review any personal travel insurance policies, as these may also offer relevant benefits.

  • Consult Legal/Consular: Seek advice from the FCDO or legal experts if unsure.

Final Recommendations

As soon as possible following the homicide, check the victim’s insurance polices to see if there are grounds to make claims and ensure that these are initiated within the specified time noted in the policy(ies).

Again, seek specialist advice from your insurance agent and/or legal advisor who will be able to interpret the terms and conditions of an insurance policy to see if valid claims might be made.