Unexpected death while traveling
I know an unexpected death while traveling isn’t pleasant to think about, but I know people who have experienced it and I used to be in charge of processing deaths (the paperwork and funeral home/coroner stuff, what were you thinking?) in a major hospital and I know it happens more than we care to think about.
Unfortunately, there are people who prey on travelers during this vulnerable time.
MSNBC has an article, Dealing with an unexpected death on the road looks at ways to avoid being scammed in this situation.
No one wants to think about their loved one dying out of town, but it happens. As it is with many situations, especially those related to aging, the key is to be prepared.
Do your work ahead of the trip. Give at least some thought to what you would do and how you would handle it, especially if you’re going to be away for a while. Review your life insurance policy, put contact numbers in your wallet, make note of hospitals in the area and consider funeral pre-planning in some cases.
This topic brings to mind the movie “Vacation” when the grandma dies and they strap her on top of the car. I would also hate flying a body home. Oh, it’s all pretty gruesome.
My husband is a representative for a very unique type of protection for just this situation. It is a plan that covers a person for life, once they are enrolled. Should they die while traveling at least 100 miles or more away from their legal residence, the plan provides for the deceased to be prepared at the place of death and transported back to their home area. He tells me that this can run anywhere from $1,200 to as much as $15,000 if a person were to die in a remote location. The coverage is very reasonable at $450 per person, or $875 for a couple for lifetime coverage. This is not insurance, but similar to an automobile club membership. Service is provided when needed to members with no additional charges to the grieving family. All service work is coordinated by Inman Shipping Worldwide, the largest company in the world specializing in the repatriation of human remains. Quite good protection for travelers in my mind.