travel insurance if relative dies

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How Travel Insurance Works With a Death in the Family

When you purchase travel insurance, you are trying to plan for the unexpected. In the unfortunate event that there is a death in the family, you may be eligible for coverage under your travel insurance plan.

Coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Delay, and Trip Interruption

Trip Cancellation is a benefit that can provide coverage for non-refundable trip payments in the event that a trip has to be cancelled for a covered reason. One covered reason for trip cancellation is the death of a family member of yours or your traveling companion.

If you have to cancel your trip due to the death of a family member and meet all the criteria for coverage as detailed by your policy, then your non-refundable, pre-paid expenses such as hotels and airfare are eligible for reimbursement.

This coverage applies to the Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits as well. So you may have coverage in the event you have to cut your trip short or start your trip late due to a death of a family member.

Does Your Family Member Need a Travel Insurance Policy to be Eligible for this Coverage?

No, your family member does not need to be a covered traveling companion under your travel insurance policy in order for you to be eligible for this coverage. If you are the traveler and have your own travel insurance policy, death of a family member may be covered.

Who is Considered a Family Member?

Under an Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy, the definition of “family member” is expansive. This may include you or your traveling companion’s:

• legal spouse (or common-law spouse where legal),
• legal guardian or ward,
• son or daughter (adopted, foster, step or in-law),
• brother or sister (includes step or in-law),
• grandparent (includes in-law),
• grandchild,
• aunt or uncle,
• niece or nephew,
• domestic partner,
• caregiver or child caregiver.

Is a relative different from that above a family member?

For the purpose of coverage under your Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy , only those listed in the definition of a family member are considered in determining your coverage.

When is a Death in the Family Not Covered?

There are some exclusions to the benefits, highlighted below, when it comes to claims related to deaths in the family. For a full details of the coverages, imitations, & exclusions please refer to your policy.

Under an Arch RoamRight travel insurance policy, death of a family member resulting from suicide is not eligible for coverage.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Death of a family member as a result of a pre-existing condition is not covered under an Arch RoamRight policy unless you and your traveling companion(s) – “the travelers” – have a policy that includes a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver.

A pre-existing condition is defined as:

“An illness, disease, or other conditions during a specified period immediately prior to the effective date of the insured’s coverage for which the insured or insured’s traveling companion, business partner, or family member: 1) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustments or change in the required prescription throughout specified period before your coverage is effective under the policy.”

For most Arch RoamRight plans, the specified time period is 180 days, however there are a few plans that have a shorter, 60-day time period.

In order to have a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver, you must meet the following criteria at the time of your purchase:

• Purchase your travel insurance plan within 21 days of making your first trip payment;
• Insure the entire non-refundable cost of your trip;
• Must not be disabled† from travel at the time your premium is paid; and
• This must be the first and only booking for this same time period and destination.

† For definitions, please refer to the travel insurance policy .

The Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver is available with the Arch RoamRight Preferred , Elite , Pro , and Pro Plus plans.

Related Articles

What To Do When The Worst Happens On A Trip: While we do not always want to plan for it, it is always a good idea to know what to do in an extreme emergency when traveling. Read More ->

Non-Refundable Flights & An Emergency: What To Do: These tips on what to do in an event of an emergency as it relates to non-refundable flights can be helpful when you are in a bind. Read More ->

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Does Travel Insurance Cover Death in the Family?

When a death occurs in the family, there can be a lot of turmoil and disruption. For travelers, a death in the family can be even worse because you may have to cancel your trip, interrupt it and come home early, and otherwise abandon or change your travel plans.

Changing even a single airline ticket these days is often cost-prohibitive and it’s up to the discretion of the airline representative whether to waive the change fee or not. The same is true for cruises and tours that have already been booked and paid.

Many travelers – especially those with elderly parents or family members who are ill – want to know if travel insurance covers death in the family.

It does … with some exceptions.

How travel insurance helps with family death

Here’s how travel insurance works when a death occurs in the family:

• If you have to  cancel an insured trip  because a family member unexpectedly dies, travel insurance will reimburse you for your pre-paid trip expenses.
• If you have to  interrupt your trip and return home  due to a family death, travel insurance will reimburse you for your unused pre-paid costs due to your change in travel plans.

Important exceptions

It’s important to note that there are some important exceptions travelers should understand. These include:

• The family member must be a ‘covered’ family member and every plan defines this differently. In some cases, for example, a sister- or brother-in-law may not be considered a covered family member. You’ll find the list of covered family members in the definitions section of your travel insurance plan documentation.
• The death must not have been the result of a pre-existing medical condition (even one that you or the family member didn’t know about) unless you purchase a plan with  coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .
• The death must not have been the result of suicide or mental illness as these are excluded from all travel insurance coverage.

Many people are surprised when their travel insurance plan doesn’t cover the loss of best friends, close acquaintances, and even pets. This is because those persons and pets who are important to us may not be considered family members as defined by the travel insurance policy.

To be able to make a claim on your travel insurance policy should someone who is not a family member as defined by the travel insurance plan documents die, you’ll need to have  ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage  and you’ll have to cancel your trip within the time frame defined by that coverage (sometimes as early as two days prior to your trip).

DamianTysdal

Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.

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Travel insurance for a death in the family

Travel insurance can help with the expenses if a relative gets sick or dies when you’re away from home..

In this guide

Does travel insurance cover you for a death in the family?

How am i covered by travel insurance for family emergency compare your options, what do insurers consider as a ‘relative’, am i covered if my relative falls ill or dies from a pre-existing medical condition, can i resume my trip and be covered for it, example: john and sue's trip re-arrangement, frequently asked questions.

Destinations

What you need to know

• Travel insurance can reimburse you for costs associated with returning home at short notice.
• To be covered, the emergency must be unexpected.
• There is generally no cover if you were aware of any pre-existing medical condition before the policy started.

Yes. If a family member falls ill or dies while you are travelling or before you depart, comprehensive travel insurance can help you recover your cancellation costs including pre-booked tickets and hotels, costs associated with returning home at short notice and costs associated with resuming your journey at a later date. Most insurers have the following conditions:

• The person must meet the insurer’s definition of a relative
• The person must be under a specified age limit (according to the travel insurance policy)
• The death or illness must be unexpected

Note: This information was last updated August 2022

In order to qualify for trip cancellation cover following the illness or death of a relative, your family member must meet the insurer’s definition of ‘relative’. The term normally refers to a:

• Spouse, de facto partner, fiancé or a fiancée
• Parent or parent-in-law
• Son, daughter, son-in-law or daughter-in-law
• Brother, sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law
• Grandchild or grandparent
• Step-parent, step-son or step-daughter

The exact definition of a relative for each travel insurance policy will differ. It is best to check with your insurer if you're unsure.

A pre-existing medical condition is a condition that is known about prior to an insurable event.

In most cases, you won't be covered if a relative falls ill or passes away due to a pre-existing condition. This is an exclusion with most insurers. However, if you were unaware of the condition at the time you took out the policy, then travel insurance can cover you.

What is considered as 'aware'

Travel insurers will typically exclude cover if your family member is on any sort of waiting list or if you were aware of any recent:

• Consultation
• Required medication
• Upcoming surgery

Most trip cancellation policies will allow you to resume your journey at a later date after being forced to return home due to the illness or death of a relative. There are normally specific conditions surrounding this type of cover, including:

• Your trip must have been for a minimum number of days
• Your insurance must have had a minimum period left to run (usually at least 50%)
• You must have had no knowledge that such an incident might occur prior to your departure
• Your resumption expenses must be pre-approved by your insurer
• You must resume your journey before your policy expires.

John and Sue were into the second week of their month-long European holiday when their son called and told them that his 9-year-old daughter, Emily (their granddaughter), was unwell and had been admitted to hospital. She had been diagnosed with a rare blood disease and would be undergoing life-saving treatment in the next few days.

This was completely unexpected news for John and Sue, and they immediately rang their airline and insurance company to arrange to cancel their trip and return home to be with their granddaughter.

Emily remained in hospital for several weeks, but soon began to make a full recovery. A relieved John and Sue were then able to resume their interrupted European holiday, thanks to their resumption of journey cover reimbursing them for the costs associated with rebooking their flights and accommodation.

Costs incurred

• Fee for bringing the date of original return flight forward: $200
• New round trip flights back to resume journey: $3,500
• Fees for changes to accommodation dates: $150

Total costs covered by insurance

Out-of-pocket costs.

• $150 in excess

Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts

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Can you cancel a flight due to family emergency.

You may be eligible for a free change or refund with the airline, depending on their rules. However, travel insurance can cover you if you need to cancel your trip, including your flights, because of a family emergency such as the unexpected death of a relative.

Will travel insurance cover cancellation due to family illness?

Yes, it can. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies can cover cancellation if a close family member falls unexpectedly ill. In most cases, it can reimburse you for the cost of your flights home.

Am I still covered if my relative is over 90 years old?

Age limits apply to many trip cancellation policies in terms of the illness or death of a relative. The age your relative can be will vary with insurers, but many set a maximum age of around 90, after which the illness or death is not deemed to be 'unexpected' and no cover is offered. Some travel insurance brands do not state an age limit, but the health of your relative is a condition many policies will consider.

If your relative is elderly and you are concerned about whether you will be covered if an incident occurs while you're away, you should read your product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully and contact your insurer for further information.

When won't I be covered?

As with all forms of insurance, trip cancellation cover has certain exclusions or circumstances in which a claim will not be paid. These depend on the individual insurer, but they generally include:

• Travelling despite suspecting that your relative might die or become hospitalised
• Expenses that you incur while you're at home
• The cost of a return flight home if you haven't already booked one (considered part of normal costs rather than emergency expenses)
• Any expenses that you've already claimed for elsewhere in your travel insurance policy
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Jessica Prasida

Jessica Prasida is a travel insurance expert for Finder. She lives and breathes travel, having worked as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel for over 4 years, then writing about travel insurance with Finder for another 5 years. Jess has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification.

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Table of Contents

What is travel insurance?

Does travel insurance cover death, how to get accidental death travel insurance, filing a claim, accidental death travel insurance recapped.

Vacations are always exciting. The chance to get out of town, see some new things and explore new places is an opportunity many dreams of. However, traveling is always risky, especially if you intend to undertake activities such as hiking or bungee jumping. Travel insurance can help protect you if things go awry, with coverage such as emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance and accidental death insurance. But do you need travel life insurance — and how does it work? Let's take a look.

There are many different kinds of travel insurance available to customers, and the type you'll need will depend on travel style, destination and how long you'll be away. Generally speaking, here are some of the more common types of travel insurance:

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

You'll find a few different varieties of coverage within the broader accidental death travel insurance umbrella. Generally speaking, the way that accidental death travel insurance works is that you'll purchase a policy covering the period that you're away. Then, if a covered accident occurs, you or your designated beneficiary will receive the payout from your insurance company. Despite its name, accidental death travel insurance can cover more than just death. Here are some different types of injuries that your insurance policy may cover:

Loss of life.

Loss of speech and/or hearing.

Loss of thumb and index finger on the same hand.

Loss of hand/s.

Loss of foot/feet.

Loss of eye/s.

The amount you'll be paid will be determined by the policy you've purchased and the extent of your injuries. Depending on your policy, your spouse and unmarried children may also be covered against accidental death. You'll also want to be aware that different accidental death travel insurance policies can cover you at different times. Accidental death flight insurance, as you'd suspect, will provide coverage for you while you're flying. Meanwhile, 24-hour accidental death insurance will protect you anytime during your trip. You don't need to be traveling for your policy to be enacted, though there are certain limitations to this. For example, don't expect to be covered while you're in the middle of skydiving. Finally, common carrier accidental death insurance insures you while traveling on any ticketed public transportation. This can be flights, buses, ferries or even trains. » Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Just like there are multiple types of travel insurance, there are various ways to acquire accidental death travel insurance.

Buy a policy

Probably the most common option is to purchase a policy for life insurance from an insurance company. Whether you're looking for accidental death insurance or trip cancellation insurance, you can find policies to cover various issues from providers. Before you buy a plan, be sure to gather as many quotes as possible. Different levels of coverage will affect the cost of your policy, as will your age, travel dates, destination and residency. Websites like Squaremouth can help you find the best policy to suit your needs. For example, Squaremouth compares coverages and costs from a wide variety of providers on a single screen as an aggregator. Expect insurance coverage amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. » Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Use your credit card

If you hold a travel credit card, you may be eligible to receive accidental death insurance for free. Many different types of credit cards provide trip insurance , including:

Trip cancellation insurance.

Trip delay insurance.

Emergency medical insurance.

Accidental death insurance.

The type of insurance you'll receive will vary greatly depending on which card you hold, so you'll want to read your guide to benefits carefully if this is something you'll be relying on. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® , for example, provides you two types of accidental death insurance. You'll be covered throughout your trip with 24-hour coverage if you charge your travel bookings to the card. The coverage limits and payouts will differ, however, based on when the incident occurs.

Chase's 24-hour travel accident insurance only covers you for the first 30 days you're out of the country.

The Platinum Card® from American Express , meanwhile, will only provide you with common carrier accidental death insurance, though you'll also be covered when en route to and from your common carrier. Terms apply. » Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The process for making a claim on your insurance will vary based on your provider. For example, you may need to contact a benefits administrator or create a file online. Usually, you'll have a specific period during which you must report the incident, file the claim and complete your documentation. Documents that you can expect to turn in with your claim include the following:

Your completed claim form.

A copy of your travel itinerary.

A police report confirming the accident.

A death certificate.

Have a plan for submitting the required documentation ahead of your trip. » Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Travel insurance, as a whole, can be a good option for you if you're worried about accidents while you're away from home. Along with emergency medical and trip cancellation insurance, accidental death insurance can provide you and your family coverage when things go wrong. Before buying a policy, however, be sure to check if your credit card already provides complimentary travel life insurance. Doing so can save you money while ensuring you're always protected.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Travel Erudition

Does travel insurance cover death of a relative?

When a loved one dies, it is often an unexpected and devastating event. If you are planning a trip when this happens, you may be wondering if your travel insurance will cover the death of a relative. The answer to this question depends on the specific policy that you have. Some policies will cover the death of a relative, while others will not. You should check with your insurance provider to find out what is covered under your policy.

No, most travel insurance policies do not cover the death of a relative.

Does travel insurance cover funeral expenses?

Most travel insurance plans include coverage for repatriation of remains, which is transportion of the remains of the deceased insured person back to their home country. Additionally, some visitors insurance plans also cover local cremation or burial. This can be a valuable benefit for travelers, as it can help to alleviate the cost and stress of making arrangements for the transport of a loved one’s remains in the event of their death while abroad.

When looking for travel insurance, it’s important to check if family members are included in the coverage. Some plans will include children 17 and younger automatically, while others will require that you add each family member individually. This can make a big difference in the overall cost of the policy, so be sure to check before you buy.

Can you get a refund on a holiday if someone dies

Cancellation cover is a great way to protect yourself from having to forfeit the cost of your holiday if you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. It can reimburse you for things like illness or injury, being called to jury service, or bereavement.

When you purchase visitor travel insurance, you will have the opportunity to name a beneficiary. This is the person who will receive a payout in the event of your death. It is important to choose someone you trust to receive this money, as it can be a significant amount.

What happens if a family member dies abroad?

If you’re abroad when someone dies, you should contact the nearest British embassy, High Commission or consulate. They’ll be able to give you advice on what to do. If you’re on a package holiday you should tell your package organiser’s representative in the resort as soon as you can.

If you need to fly for a funeral or to escort a body on a plane, many airlines offer bereavement fares. These fares are generally a percentage off the normal ticket price, with discounts ranging from 5% to 25%.

What reasons are not covered by Travelers insurance?

There are a few things that travel insurance does not cover, such as fear of travel due to a pandemic, outbreak or other reason, natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance, some last-minute changes, bad weather and trip cancellation.

Pre-existing medical conditions can be a tricky area when it comes to travel insurance. Some policies will exclude them entirely, while others may offer coverage for an additional fee. It’s important to read the fine print of any policy before purchasing to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered. Common exclusions include bone and joint conditions, so if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, it’s important to check with your insurer to see if they will be covered.

What is family travel insurance

The main purpose of family travel insurance is to cover expenses related to medical emergencies, cancellations, and other unforeseen events that may occur while you are traveling. This type of insurance can be a valuable asset for families who travel frequently or who are planning a trip abroad.

If you are faced with the death of a loved one while away from home, the most important thing to do is to call your hometown funeral director. By doing so, you can arrange to have the body transported back home for the funeral. This will allow you to have the funeral in a place that is familiar to you and your family, and it will also allow you to work with a funeral director that you know and trust.

Can you get a flight refund for a death in the family?

In the event of the death of the customer, immediate family, or traveling companion, American may consider tickets for refund. Proof of relationship for immediate family member is required.

If a person dies without leaving a will, their children will inherit the whole estate. This applies regardless of the value of the estate. If there are two or more children, the estate will be divided equally between them.

What happens to insurance money when someone dies

The death benefit is the money that the life insurance company will pay out when the policy owner dies. This money will go to the named beneficiary, which is the person or persons that the policy owner designate to receive the money. If there is no named beneficiary, then the death benefit will be paid to the deceased’s estate.

Your beneficiaries will receive a single payment that includes the entire death benefit in this scenario. The death benefit will be placed by the insurer into an interest-bearing account, and beneficiaries receive monthly or annual payments of an amount they choose. This payout option allows your beneficiaries to receive regular income payments while still allowing the death benefit to grow over time.

Does the beneficiary get everything?

If you are a beneficiary of an estate, you generally will not receive any assets or property until the estate has been taken care of. This includes paying outstanding bills and other expenses. Depending on the estate, distributions may occur before the estate closes.

The cost of shipping a dead body depends on a few factors, including the distance, weight, and method of transportation. In addition to the cost of the travel, you’ll have to purchase a container as well as other services. The cost can range from $1,500 to as much as $15,000 for an international shipment.

How many days are you entitled to when a family member dies

A bereavement policy is a policy implemented by a company to support employees during the death of a close family member or friend. The policy typically includes a certain number of days of paid leave, but can also include other support such as counseling services.

If you have to cancel your trip because a family member died, your travel insurance policy might be able to help you with the costs. In order to make a valid claim, the death must have been unexpected and not caused by any medical condition your relative had before you got travel insurance.

Final Words

Most travel insurance policies will cover the death of a relative. This coverage may include travel expenses to attend the funeral, as well as reimbursement for any prepaid travel expenses.

There is no one definitive answer to this question since policies differ and coverage varies. However, it is generally advisable to purchase travel insurance when planning a trip, especially if traveling abroad, as it can provide some financial protection in the event of an unexpected emergency.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson is passionate about traveling. He loves exploring new cultures and places, and discovering the world around him. He believes that travel can open up new perspectives and opportunities for growth and development. Scott has visited many countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, and he continues to seek out new destinations for his adventures.

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How Travel Insurance Works if a Family Member is Hospitalized or Dies

Buying travel insurance to cover your whole family is a great idea, since one family travel insurance plan can usually provide travel protection to you, your loved ones and your trip. But, did you know certain travel insurance coverages can kick in even if a non-traveling family member is hospitalized or dies?

Whether you have elderly family or have understandable concerns about the pandemic causing a family member to be hospitalized, you can plan a trip with more peace of mind, knowing if you need to cancel the trip for a covered reason you won’t lose your vacation investment. 

Also read: 7 Questions to Ask to Find the Best Family Travel Insurance

What about family members who are not traveling?

There are a few ways family members not going on your trip could impact that trip and the travel insurance coverages you might have.

All of our plans include Trip Cancellation coverage that reimburses your trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason. One of those reasons is a non-traveling family member being hospitalized or passing away due to an illness or injury and you are unable to take your trip.

Everyone wants a vacation to be a carefree time, and even if everyone on the trip is doing the right thing, staying healthy and out of trouble, there’s no guarantee that things will be going along swimmingly back at the hacienda.

If trouble strikes back home, our Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse you for the unused portion of your trip and help arrange for transportation back to your loved ones at home, in case of a covered event.

One other way family members could become involved with travel insurance is if you’re traveling alone and hospitalized for more than seven days and need family support. Our Emergency Assistance and Transportation benefit includes coverage  to fly one person of your choosing to come accompany you. Their lodging, meals, local transportation and telephone calls during this time can also be covered by the plan.

Also read:  Does Travel Insurance Cover the Flu or Other Illness?

Defining “Family”

It’s very important that you understand who is considered a “family member” when you buy travel insurance with this in mind. Don’t assume that your cousin qualifies – because in this case, they don’t.

You can find those specific details in the  Plan Details , but we’ve pulled the definition for our plans out of the fine print.

FAMILY MEMBER means:

• Insured ’s or Traveling Companion’s Spouse 
• grandparent, great-grandparent or grandchild or great-grandchild;
• son-in-law or daughter-in-law; 
• brother-in-law or sister-in-law; 
• parent-in-law;
• step-parent, step-child or step-sibling; 
• aunt or uncle; 
• niece or nephew; 
• legal guardian; 
• foster child or legal ward;
• step-grandparent or step-grandchild;
• step-aunt or step-uncle.

See more travel insurance definitions

Coverage For One, Coverage For All

The topic of family travel insurance often results in many questions, starting with the basic question, “Can one travel insurance policy cover my entire family?”

The answer is yes – one travel-insurance policy can cover up to 10 people. Adding each family member (or traveling companion , technically) to the plan increases the total premium, but everyone has coverage under the same policy, enjoying the same benefits.

The only exceptions to that is if your traveling family exceeds 10 people or a family member(s) fall outside the traveling companion definition .

Another common question family travelers have is, “What if one of my family members has to cancel their trip because of illness, but the rest of us don’t? Does family travel insurance cover one cancellation because of illness?”

The person who has to cancel their trip has coverage under Trip Cancellation (assuming they’re canceling their trip for a covered reason, of course), while the rest of the family’s coverage continues on.

This can happen time and again. If your grandfather’s luggage is lost he can get coverage under the Baggage benefit, without compromising the benefit in case your sister subsequently loses her luggage. And, if your nephew needs emergency medical attention, he will have coverage under the plan – without changing the amount of the Medical and Dental benefit you have on tap in case you need it.

On the other hand, if everyone needs to use their benefit at once, they can. So if grandma back home gets sick and the family needs to interrupt their trip to be with her, they all can

That’s one of the great advantages of families using travel insurance: the incredible versatility. It works just as well for one family member as for an entire family.

Also read:  Buying Travel Insurance in a Post-Pandemic World

Making Sure Everyone’s Covered

If you’re planning a big family vacation and want to make sure everyone has coverage, here’s what you need to do:

• Read your policy. Make sure everyone you want to be covered under the plan is actually covered – and on a per-person basis. If they’re not, shop around for a plan that can accommodate everyone.
• Make plans early. It’s easier to get everyone coverage when everyone is on board right away, and the plan is purchased soon after the trip is paid for. It’s harder but not impossible to add family members after the plan is purchased. Learn more about adding to an existing plan.
• Look for medical coverage. Usually with family trips the most desired coverage is emergency medical protection. Make sure your plan has good Medical and Dental and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage – the more the better.
• Put one person in charge of insurance shopping . If everyone is out looking for plans there can be confusion and delay in getting everyone coverage – and sometimes that can mean no one gets coverage at all. By making one person responsible for finding the travel insurance for the entire family the process is consolidated – and the outcome is generally favorable.
• Have personal information handy. If you go the route of trusting one person with the insurance shopping, they’ll need everyone’s birthdate to buy a plan. Make sure they have this information before they start shopping. 

Also read: Info You Need to Know Before Getting a Travel Insurance Quote

Getting an entire family travel insurance coverage makes a lot of sense – and doing it online is fast and easy. Plus, with coverages that work even if a non-traveling family member gets sick or injured – it’s a no-brainer. It’s the best way of making sure your family travels get off to a great start and continue that way.

Start the process with Generali by comparing plans and getting a quote .

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• Section 4 - Injury & Trauma
• Section 4 - Poisonings, Envenomations, and Toxic Exposures

Death During Travel

Cdc yellow book 2024.

Author(s): Francisco Alvarado-Ramy, Kendra Stauffer

• Death Onboard a Conveyance
• Obtaining US Department of State Assistance

Importing Human Remains for Burial, Entombment, or Cremation

Exporting human remains.

Death of a friend, relative, or coworker can be immensely distressing. The situation is aggravated when the death occurs abroad, where grieving individuals might be unfamiliar with local laws, language, culture, and processes for investigation and release of the body. Whether dealing with the death locally or from their home country, next of kin could face large, unanticipated costs and labor-intensive administrative requirements.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the death, some countries require an autopsy. For travel companions of the deceased, in addition to friends and relatives, sources of support might include the US consulate or embassy, a travel insurance provider (particularly if coverage included repatriation of remains), the airline, a tour operator, faith-based and aid organizations, or the deceased person’s employer. Official identification of the body will likely be needed, and official documents likely will need to be issued by the consular office. A body can be identified by witness statements of those who knew the person well, by analyzing DNA samples, by checking fingerprints, by reviewing dental radiographs, or by inspecting surgical implants.

Death Onboard a Conveyance

Federal regulations require that all deaths aboard commercial flights and ships destined for the United States be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For details, see Guidance for Airlines on Reporting Onboard Deaths or Illnesses to CDC and Guidance for Cruise Ships: How to Report Onboard Death or Illness to CDC .

Commercial Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that flight attendants receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at least once every 2 years. Under US laws, Good Samaritan laws offer protections for actions brought in a federal or state court that result from acts or omissions when people assist in a medical emergency during flight, unless there is gross negligence or willful misconduct.

If CPR is performed in an aircraft cabin for ≥30 minutes with no signs of life, and no shocks advised by an AED, the person can be presumed dead and resuscitation efforts halted. Airlines can choose to specify additional criteria for presuming death, depending on the availability of ground-to-air medical consultation services or a physician aboard the flight (see Sec. 8, Ch. 2, . . .  perspectives : Responding to Medical Emergencies when Flying ). In these cases, the body should be secured and covered for the remainder of the flight.

Cruise Ships

If death occurs on a cruise ship, the crew are usually able to provide logistical support to repatriate the body. Cruise ships are equipped with morgues and body bags and are staffed with health care professionals capable of providing clinical care. Any death involving an accident, violence, or foul play will require more extended and complicated processes. US consular officials will be able to provide general guidance and legal aid resource options . Some travel insurance products cover legal services abroad. Travelers should be aware of exclusions and limitations of travel insurance products prior to purchasing.

Obtaining US Department of State Assistance

When a US citizen dies outside the United States, the deceased person’s next of kin or legal representative should notify US consular officials at the Department of State. Consular personnel are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist US citizens during overseas emergencies.

If the next of kin or legal representative is in the foreign country with the deceased US citizen, that person should contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for assistance. Contact information for US embassies and consulates overseas can be found at the Department of State website.

Family members, domestic partners, or legal representatives who are in a different country from the deceased should call the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, DC, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, at 888-407-4747 (toll-free) or 202-501-4444. For emergency assistance after working hours or on weekends and holidays, call the Department of State switchboard at 202-647-4000 and ask to speak with the Overseas Citizens Services duty officer. In addition, the US embassy closest to or in the country where the US citizen died can provide support.

The Department of State has no funds to assist in the return of remains of US citizens who die abroad. US consular officers assist the next of kin by conveying instructions to the appropriate offices within the foreign country and providing information to the family on how to send the necessary private funds to cover the costs of preparing and repatriating the deceased person’s remains. Upon issuance of a local (foreign) death certificate, the nearest US embassy or consulate can prepare a consular report of the death of an American abroad. Copies of that report are provided to the next of kin or legal representative and can be used in US courts to settle estate matters. If the deceased person has no next of kin or legal representative in-country, a consular officer will act as a provisional conservator of the deceased person’s personal effects.

CDC regulates the importation of human remains and provides guidance for their importation . The requirements are more stringent if the person died from a disease classified as quarantinable in the United States.

Except for cremated remains, human remains intended for burial, entombment, or cremation after entry into the United States must be accompanied by a death certificate stating the cause of death. A death certificate is an official government document that certifies that a death has occurred and provides identifying information about the deceased, including (at a minimum) name, age, and sex. The document must also certify the time, place, and cause of death, if known. If the official government document is not written in English, it must be accompanied by an English language translation of the official government document, the authenticity of which must be attested to by a person licensed to perform acts in legal affairs in the country where the death occurred.

In lieu of a death certificate, a copy of the Consular Mortuary Certificate and the Affidavit of Foreign Funeral Director and Transit Permit together constitute acceptable identification of human remains. If a death certificate is not available in time for returning the remains, the US embassy or consulate should provide a Consular Mortuary Certificate stating whether the person died from a disease classified as quarantinable in the United States. A person transporting human remains must also meet requirements of the country of origin, air carrier, the Transportation Security Administration, and Customs and Border Protection.

CDC does not regulate the exportation of human remains outside the United States, although other state and local regulations might apply. The United States Postal Service is the only courier legally allowed to ship cremated remains. Exporters of human remains and travelers taking human remains out of the United States should be aware that they must meet the importation requirements of the destination country. Information regarding these requirements can be obtained from the foreign embassy or consulate. Air carriers also might have their own requirements , of which individuals transporting remains outside of the United States should be aware.

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Francisco Alvarado-Ramy, Kendra E. Stauffer

Bibliography

Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Department. Death abroad. Available from:  https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/events-and-records/death.html . 

Bureau of Consular Affairs, US State Department. Return of remains of deceased US citizens. Available from:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/death-abroad1/return-of-remains-of-deceased-us-citizen.html . 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Importation of human remains into the United States for burial, entombment, or cremation. Available from:  www.cdc.gov/importation/human-remains.html . 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Importation of human remains final rule. Specific laws and regulations governing the control of communicable diseases. Available from:  www.cdc.gov/importation/laws-and-regulations/human-remains-importation-requirements.html . 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quarantine station contact list, map, and fact sheets. Available from:  www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantinestationcontactlistfull.html

Connolly R, Prendiville R, Cusack D, Flaherty G. Repatriation of human remains following death in international travelers. J Travel Med. 2017;24(2):1–6. International Air Transport Association. Death on board; 2018. Available from:  www.iata.org/contentassets/ccbdc54681c24574bebf2db2b18197a5/death-on-board-guidelines.pdf .

National Funeral Directors Association. International shipping regulations. Available from:  www.nfda.org/resources/operations-management/shipping-remains/international-shipping-regulations . 

US Customs and Border Protection. What is the process for bringing bodies in coffins/ashes in urns into the United States? Available from:  https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-237?language=en_US .

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Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

Travel Insurance & Family Emergencies

It's only natural to be concerned about your loved ones when you go away on your holidays.

If a family member or travelling companion falls ill or is injured on your trip, or before you depart for your holiday, it's important to know where you stand with your cover.

A common question that comes up again and again is;  Does travel insurance cover family emergencies? The answer is yes, but like all insurances, there are terms, conditions, and exclusions that will affect your claim.

Keep reading to learn about the cover conditions when it comes to travel insurance and family members.

Who is classified as 'Family'’?

'Family' in the world of travel insurance usually refers to your spouse (or legally recognised defacto) and your dependants.  

Cover for furbabies

Who is classified as a ‘relative’.

'Relatives' in terms of travel insurance will typically include, your or your travelling companions' spouse, de facto partner, parent, parent-in-law, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, step-parent, step-son, step-daughter, fiancé, fiancée or guardian.

NOTE:  aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends are not often included as a ‘relative’ so it pays to pay attention.

When Does Travel Insurance Cover For Family Emergencies?

Your policy will kick in if a family member or relative (as defined above or within your insurers' definitions);

• Dies unexpectedly
• Is disabled by an injury
• Becomes seriously sick and requires hospitalisation

When Are You Not Covered For Family Emergencies?

Like any type of insurance terms and conditions apply to your cover. Where your relative resides matters:  Relatives who live outside Australia or New Zealand are typically not covered by your policy. Most insurers state that they will only pay claims concerning ‘Relatives’ who reside in Australia or New Zealand. If you have a family member that lives in a different country to you, chances are you wouldn’t be covered for cancelling your trip.    Pre-existing illnesses can cause difficulties:   If you were already aware of a Relative’s illness when you booked your travel insurance, you may not be covered should they take a turn for the worse. However, some companies like 1Cover, Fastcover and Zoom Travel Insurance would provide limited cover under these circumstances, provided you were not aware of the likelihood of their hospitalisation or death when purchasing your policy. How the family member dies matters : If the death was due to the relative committing suicide, or related to alcohol or drug consumption you may find that isn't covered.  Any claims to do with alcohol, drugs or mental illness are typically excluded in Australian travel insurance policies. 

Compare Family Member Age Limits

As mentioned above, many policies have age restrictions in the event that a family member falls ill or dies while you are travelling or before you depart.  Whilst travel insurance can help you recover your cancellation costs including pre-booked tickets and hotels, costs associated with returning home at short notice, and in some instances resuming your journey at a later date, it's important to understand the restrictions. Our experts have done some digging to bring the important relative age limits to the forefront.  Many insurers limit a relative's age to 84 and there are a few insurers that do not pose any age restriction.

Can I resume my trip if it was cut short due to a family emergency?

Most policies with a family emergency benefit will allow you to resume your journey at a later date after being forced to return home due to the illness or death of a relative and still be covered.  This is sometimes included as a sub-limit within the trip cancellation benefit or, it may be under a benefit called "resumption of journey".   This will often include the cost of flights for you to return to the destination where your trip was disrupted. There are normally specific conditions surrounding this type of cover, including:

• You must have had no knowledge that such an incident might occur prior to your departure
• Your resumption expenses may be limited or must be pre-approved by your insurer
• You must resume your journey before your policy expires
• You may need to resume your journey within a certain time of returning to Australia.  Usually within 30 days.

Other Options

As mentioned, the majority of insurers would not cover family emergencies if the relative in question suffered from a pre-existing medical condition.  However, specialist insurer  AllClear  may cover you  provided that your relative’s doctor is prepared to state that at the date you booked your trip, he/she would have seen no substantial likelihood that his/her patient’s condition would deteriorate to such a degree that you would need to cancel or curtail your journey.  

Carolina Tran

Carolina has been working exclusively in the travel insurance industry for over two years. With a customer consultancy background and currently studying law, she is a fine-print wizard who loves helping travellers find a policy that actually works for them. Speaking two languages and having travelled all over the world, Carolina discovered that she is not cut out for working holidays after a stint on her grandparents’ southern Vietnam farm, and is definitely a lounge-by-the-pool kind of lady.

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Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

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June 1, 2020

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Travel insurance -death of a relative

JoB1977 · 14/03/2024 19:08

MIL died yesterday. We have a holiday booked for Easter hols. Really don’t want to go now as FIL needs us. However, after contacting travel insurance it seems that, as she has had inpatient treatment over the last 12 months, we can’t claim. She went in for a procedure. It wasn’t meant to kill her but things went wrong. This just seems really unfair. YABU - it’s in the terms and conditions (in stupidly small writing on page whatever of whatever) YANBU - how are you meant to properly weigh up the health risks of all family members (who aren’t even travelling with you!) before you ever book a holiday??

Am I being unreasonable?

102 votes. Final results.

Are you sure it's her having treatment it refers to? I used to work for travel insurance and usually they just asked if anything was expected to happen while you were away / had terminal diagnosis?

First of all, sorry for your loss. It seems unusual that the insurers are taking a pre-existing condition into account under these circumstances OP, the last time I bought travel insurance you were eligible to claim if you cancelled due to the death of a close relative. Assuming MIL wasn't due to travel with you, then I'd have expected you to be covered.

You are usually covered for death of a close relative but not if what they died from was a known pre-existing condition. So, for example someone who had had treatment for cancer and died - you wouldn't be covered even if they hadn't been expected to die. Someone healthy who had an unexpected event (heart attack, stroke etc) - you would be covered. This is how it was explained to me by my insurance company.

Complain to insurance company, they may review the case. Can any of the cost be reclaimed from the accommodation , travel etc even if just tax on flights. Insurers would expect you to try and provide evidence of costs.

Thank you. She had a triple heart bypass 19 years ago and a kidney transplant 10 years ago. She lived the best she could with these issues. Over the last year she was getting more breathless and had a couple of A and E admissions which led to one stent being put in in December and a further planned for this month. It was meant to be a straightforward procedure (as much as anything can be when you have more than one thing up with you and are in your 80s) but there was a complication and here we are. The policy says you can claim for cancellation if a close relative dies, but in the exemptions bit says about if they have had inpatient treatment or are awaiting tests when you booked the holiday. It’s just, when you think about it, how could you ever be sure you are covered, especially as you age and therefore the people you know age too? She wasn’t coming on the holiday so I was never asked about the medical conditions of everyone I loved. I suppose I’m fixating on this because I’m upset (I am lucky, I have amazing in-laws) and it seems unfair.

So was she actually having inpatient treatment or awaiting tests when you booked the holiday OP? If not, then I'd go back to the insurance company, but if so, then I'm afraid it was down to you to check before accepting that the policy was suitable. I know this won't be what you want to hear, and seems terribly unreasonable, but I guess we all risk this when we take out insurance and can't be arsed to read all the small print, which I'm actually the worst at, glazing over before I get half way through, so I always get my DH to read it too, just to be on the safe side. However, as a previous poster suggested, it might be worth checking whether you can get any money back on other parts of the holiday, such as hotels, etc.

I'm sorry for your loss. As a pp said, could you put an official complaint in writing. I do hate insurance companies, they seem to look at every single case as an exercise in how not to pay out.

So sorry for your loss. It may depend on whether you knew that she was having the procedure before you took out the insurance if this is in their terms and conditions. I would definitely follow this up. Alternatively, is there any chance that you can ask the tour operator or airline/hotel if they can help you. If they are not able to refund you, would they let you change the holiday dates to next year or provide you with vouchers to be used at a later date?

Was it in the key facts doc when you took out the policy?

It was insurance I have with the bank account so I hadn’t taken it out specifically for this trip but yes, I can’t deny it is written down. If this is a cautionary tale for anyone else then at least I will feel I achieved something! I suppose she was just someone who always had health things going on so it was never something that felt individually significant, until it was (obviously). Have contacted the travel agent to see if there is anything that can be done but yeah, that’s the situation. Hope no one else ends up in the same boat.

I learned insurance companies often decline (almost all) claims at first. Many people don't object.... Object to their reasoning, as you explained on here, that she didn't die from the condition she was in care for. Please try again.

I have started the process of a claim, but haven’t actually claimed yet. This is because in order to claim, and be declined, I have to cancel the holiday and send proof of cancellation. However this means if they then decline my claim I’ve lost the lot. I’m currently trying to sell the holiday instead. It’s a bugger. Yes, they are within their terms and conditions (which I’ve now read all 48 pages of).My issue is; I’m late 40s, my husband is 10 years older, my parents are in their 70s and my dad has Parkinson’s. Realistically; most people I love may well have an inpatient episode or be ‘awaiting tests’ within any 12 month period. By the terms and conditions; should I need to cut short or cancel a holiday due to death or serious illness I’m not covered for anyone I know. Is that a risk I’m willing to take??

These insurers are a bunch of dirty thieves IMO. Their policies are worded so that they can always wriggle out of paying. It's horrible. Like legalised fraud. Your MIL died yesterday, you ought to be well within your rights to claim for a holiday that's in a couple of weeks.

On her death certificate we were told it would be a combination of heart and kidney. She had A and E admissions for her heart ( hence the procedure, which was supposed to make it better) over the last 12 months). She also had a 10 year old kidney transplant which had regular monitoring. I know it sounds daft but on paper yes she was a medical nightmare but face to face you wouldn’t have thought ‘she’s ill’ and she didn’t present that way. I don’t know. I know insurance is a business but I never thought about this. I just thought that the cancellation clause would support us. ultimately we will be there for family but I’d rather do that without being out of pocket for over £2000 - perils of being a teacher and tied to school holidays I suppose…. I loved her. I don’t want to be worrying about this

Professionalnot · 15/03/2024 18:53

This is NOT true in the slightest. I have worked at many insurers and there is no incentive for claims teams to deny any claims. Products are also monitored by regulators and if claim denials are high there would definitely be investigations and fines. An insurer will monitor and investigate any products where the claim denials are below over 20% of claims made to ensure it isn't being misunderstood or missold. This rule does sound like a harsh one, but similarly insurance has to be based on providing cover for events that are unlikely or unexpected to happen. The risk is too likely to happen in the case of a relative considered to be seriously ill at the time of booking for them to be able to cover it. Ultimately they have to price a product at a price that allows a break even between money in and money out in their statistical modelling. (Before anyone starts on the money grabbing bastards angle the profit for most bulk insurance like this is generally only from interest earned in the delay between premiums in and claims out so insurance is run pretty much for cost price). I'm sorry OP I understand this is hard. Travel insurance attached to bank accounts is cheap insurance priced on low risks. For coverage on high risks like older relatives receiving treatment or health problems in those travelling you usually have to buy specialist high risk policies which are quite a bit more expensive to reflect the higher chances of claims.

In many cases, family members don’t share the details of their ailments - especially when they get to a certain age and have quite regular trips to the doctors/hospital/optometrist/hearing aid centre/chiropodist etc. or have dementia and can’t even remember who we are. My MIL wouldn’t tell my DH details of her health conditions (she’d be more likely to tell my SIL) and I don’t accompany him on visits as she lives close to his work and he pops in on his way home. So are we all expected to ask all family members to complete some kind of health questionnaire?! It’s ridiculous!

Not sure. They might only cover your DH.

Interestingly when I've bought travel insurance over the past few years, one of the initial questions asked is if family members have health issues & you are warned that the insurance cover won't be valid if you do. I think it was to do with hospital admissions & chronic illnesses but as it didn't apply to my family, I'm afraid I didn't pay attention to the precise questions asked.

It seems that we must have been lucky with our claim. DP's Father died a few years ago while we were on holiday. He had had a stroke several months previously, had dementia (albeit undiagnosed) and had recently moved into a care home. We came home as early as possible but were in Asia and getting back involved travel to a city with international flights, an overnight hotel and expensive long haul flights. We claimed for dp, myself and dp and our claim was agreed.

I bought travel insurance a few weeks ago and a clause of this nature was highlighted at the top. Never seen such a thing before so it seems they are either making people more aware or (more likely?) looking for more reasons to take our money but not pay out.

I have seen this often on travel insurance policies but then I am someone who likes to crawl the T&Cs so I know what I am covered for. My DM was diagnosed as having terminal cancer but she lived for years after that diagnosis and I did know I wasn't covered for cancellation if I tried to claim because of her death because it was a 'known' risk.

I think a policy you paid for would have been more generous. I’ve never relied on the free ones when going abroad for this reason. I am sorry though - last thing you need.

Thanks for the replies. I accept that they are legally correct I just think it’s morally shitty but they are a business and need to make money. Hope this thread might help someone else before they get into a similar situation.

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Is a life insurance payout taxable? Here's what you need to know

Life insurance provides for your loved ones. but do they have to worry about uncle sam.

If you are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the payout — known as a death benefit — is typically tax-free. There are some exceptions, however.

Here's what you need to know about your tax liability if you receive proceeds from a life insurance policy.

When is life insurance taxed?

• When withdrawing money from cash value
• When surrendering the policy

When it's an employer-paid group life insurance

When the beneficiary is an estate, when payment is in installments, what to do with life insurance proceeds, bottom line, compare and find the right life insurance policy, when withdrawing money from the cash value.

Both whole life insurance and universal life insurance policies earn interest, referred to as cash value, and policyholders may be able to make withdrawals or take out a loan against the balance. If the withdrawal or loan is more than the total amount of premiums you've paid, the excess can be taxed.

MassMutual offers whole and universal life insurance up to age 60 or 90, depending on the policy. In 2023, it was one of JD Power's highest-ranking insurers for customer satisfaction and it received fewer complaints than expected for a company its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

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If you cancel a whole life or universal life insurance policy , you typically receive the cash surrender value, which is your policy's cash value minus any fees. You don't have to pay taxes on the principal when it's returned, but any cash value your policy has accrued will be taxed as income.

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Pacific Life offers permanent life insurance policies in addition to term insurance. A number of riders make it possible to customize the policy to fit your needs.

If you are receiving proceeds from an employer-paid life insurance policy, any death benefit beyond $50,000 is taxed as income, according to the IRS .

If you receive a policy payout in installments rather than as a lump sum, any interest that accrues is taxable. The principal death benefit is still not taxed.

If your estate is the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, the death benefit may be subject to estate taxes . In 2024, the federal estate tax ranges from 18% to 40%, depending on how much of the estate is over $13.61 million, the exclusion limit. for 2024 Without congressional action, the limit will revert to $5 million (indexed for inflation) at the start of 2026. In addition to the federal tax, twelve states and the District of Columbia impose an estate tax, with the exemption limit ranging from $1 million in Oregon to $13.61 million in Connecticut.

If you've received a life insurance death benefit, that money can help solidify your financial future.

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While life insurance benefits are typically not taxed, there are some circumstances when a payout can expose you to tax liability, including receiving it in installments.

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Missing workers in Key Bridge collapse presumed dead, search called off: Live updates

BALTIMORE − The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday evening it was calling off the search-and-rescue mission for the six construction workers that went missing when a cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early in the morning, sending it collapsing into the frigid Patapsco River and shutting down a critical artery for East Coast shipping .

Officials said water temperatures around 46 to 48 degrees, poor visibility and changing currents played a role in the decision after a dogged attempt to find the workers.

“Based on the length of time that we’ve gone on this search, the extensive search efforts that we’ve put into it, the water temperature, at this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,'' Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon N. Gilreath said in a news conference. "So this evening at about 7:30 we are going to suspend the active search-and-rescue efforts.’’

The focus of the operation would switch to recovery and restart at 6 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday a Singapore-flagged vessel named Dali struck the Key Bridge as it was leaving the Port of Baltimore, causing the span to collapse in seconds. Officials said the crew warned of a power issue and sent out a "mayday" before the collision. Footage of the incident shows the cargo ship smash into one of the columns before the bridge snapped, hit the water and partially fell on the ship, where a burst of flames and smoke could be seen rising into the night sky.

Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of impact and plunged into the river, which was cold enough to cause hypothermia. There were multiple contractors on the bridge who were repairing potholes, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said. So far two people have been rescued. One was unharmed and the other remains in "very serious condition," he said.

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at an afternoon news conference the agency will lead the investigation, but she would not provide information on fatalities or injuries from the incident, leaving that to local authorities.

A senior U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY the ship apparently lost power a few minutes before striking the bridge. A federal report has confirmed that version of events , saying the crew lost its ability to control the vessel.

Developments:

∎  Brawner Builders, the employer of the six missing workers, told media outlets including the Baltimore Sun that they're presumed dead.

∎ The University of Maryland Medical Center's trauma center treated one patient from the collapse who has been discharged, Michael Schwartzberg, the medical center's spokesperson, said in an email. Schwartzberg declined to say more about the person's injuries, citing patient privacy concerns.

∎ Dr. David Efron, the center’s chief of trauma, said falling from the bridge − with clearance of more 185 feet − into 48-degree water would present life-threatening risks. Being submerged for more than an hour in water at that temperature is “almost invariably going to not be survivable.”

∎  The National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to hold a news conference about its investigation into the incident Tuesday afternoon.

∎ Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued a state of emergency to better mobilize resources and work quickly to "address this crisis," he said in a post on X . The governor of Maryland issued a state of emergency earlier Tuesday.

Crew lost control as propulsion deserted ship, report says

The Dali lost propulsion leaving port and its crew lost control of the ship, prompting the crew to alert Maryland officials of a possible collision, an unclassified Department of Homeland Security report revealed Tuesday.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to USA TODAY that the DHS cybersecurity agency is working with federal, state and local officials "to understand the potential impacts of this morning’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge."

This was not the Dali's first harsh encounter with a pier, and that time its leadership was determined to be at fault. It's too early to know what caused Tuesday's accident.

The cargo ship that  struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge  collided with a shipping dock in Belgium in 2016. That incident occurred as the Dali was leaving port in Antwerp and hit a loading pier made of stone, causing damage to the ship’s stern, according to the VesselFinder.com website, which tracks ships across the world. An investigation determined a mistake made by the ship’s master and pilot was to blame.

No one was injured in that crash, although the ship required repair and a full inspection before being returned to service. The pier – or berth – was also seriously damaged and had to be closed.

− Josh Meyer, Emily Le Coz and Claire Thornton

Two Guatemalan workers among six missing

Two Guatemalan nationals are among the six workers who were on the bridge when it was struck early Tuesday, the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry said. Their ages are 26 and 35, respectively, and their families have been notified, the ministry said in a statement, which also noted the other missing workers are from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. 

"We will continue requesting information from the authorities and information about search and rescue efforts to find the missing Guatemalans," the statement said.

− Eduardo Cuevas

What did the most recent inspection report say about the bridge?

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was listed in overall fair condition in 2021, the most recent inspection report in the Federal Highway Administration’s  National Bridge Inventory  at the time of its  collapse early Tuesday morning . 

However, the database noted that, “Bank protection is in need of minor repairs. River control devices and embankment protection have a little minor damage. Banks and/or channel have minor amounts of drift.” 

Other structural elements showed  “some minor deterioration”  but were otherwise listed in satisfactory condition.

− Cecilia Garzella and Yoonserk Pyun

'We're with you': Biden says federal government will rebuild bridge

President Joe Biden said he intends for the federal government to cover the entire cost to rebuild the Key Bridge, and he committed not to leave “until this job gets done.”

“We're with you. We're going to stay with you as long as it takes,” Biden said Tuesday afternoon from the White House Roosevelt Room.

Biden said he spoke with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other local and state officials about the bridge’s collapse, and said he would visit the site in the future. “I told them we're going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency − I mean all the federal resources. And we're going to rebuild that port together.”

Biden said eight people remain unaccounted for, but the figure might change. Two people were rescued. "Everything so far indicates that his was a terrible accident,” Biden said, adding there’s no reason to believe it was intentional.

“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved ones right now,” Biden said. “I know every minute in that circumstance feels like a lifetime.”

Biden said the ongoing rescue operation remains the top priority but relayed that he told Moore he has directed his team to “move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible."

− Joey Garrison

Crewman reports all on board Dali are safe

This past weekend, Andrew Middleton took the ship's captain and a crewman shopping at a nearby Walmart. Since 9/11, international crews have to be escorted by a vetted person through most port areas, and Middleton said it's fairly common for crews like the Dali's to request assistance from the Apostleship of the Sea Baltimore Stella Maris International Seafarers' Center, where he is the director. The group is part of the Catholic Church's Archdiocese of Baltimore.

"They were by all appearances in good spirits," Middleton said, and they chatted in his van about the ship's planned 28-day voyage around the Horn of Africa to Sri Lanka. Middleton said crews usually buy personal toiletries and snacks before long trips.

Middleton woke up Tuesday morning to the shocking news the ship hit the bridge, and he immediately messaged one of the crewmen via WhatsApp. "My question to him was, 'Is everyone OK?' And the answer was, 'Yes sir, everyone is safe,'" Middleton told USA TODAY.

The crew is still aboard the ship while authorities assess the situation. Middleton said he's prepared to send them any supplies they need if they're stuck aboard for an extended period. And he said he's making plans to help them once they're freed and returned to shore. He said he expects the Dali will be towed back into the harbor and docked for a damage assessment. Middleton added that he worries both about the missing workers from the bridge and also the port workers who may be temporarily unemployed if the harbor gets shut down.

"Obviously, this incident has a large impact on the port community,'' he said. "If this extends a long period of time, we're going to have longshoreman and stevedores who are not working, tugboat crews who are not working. It has the potential, if it becomes a drawn-out event, to affect many lives."

− Trevor Hughes

Commuter finds sight of damaged bridge 'devastating to watch'

Charlotte Robinson's commute from her home in Delaware to her accounting job in Washington, D.C., took a detour Tuesday morning, when driving over the Francis Scott Key Bridge wasn't an option. In the past she figured that route was safe, but the bridge's collapse sparked difficult discussions with her colleagues who commute.

"It was devastating to watch,'' Robinson said of the crumpled bridge after it was hit by a 985-foot-long cargo ship. "And you have to ask yourself, if that was me, what would my plan be? How would I try to survive this, if I was trapped, if my car went into the water?”

Robinson said she often sees ships passing under the bridge during her morning commute; in the evenings, when she’s on her way home, there are usually fewer boats. Tuesday, she said, “You could see all these boats, just lined up because they had no place to go.”

Another common sight during her commute was construction workers both on the bridge and below it, sometimes hanging over the water in harnesses. Her thoughts turned to those workers as she watched the news Tuesday in her office. "I almost couldn't breathe watching the news," she said.

− Phaedra Trethan

'It's devastating to the city'

Greg Trenchard, 43, awoke Tuesday to a flurry of text messages and missed calls from his out of state relatives checking in on him after hearing about the Key Bridge collapse.

“I’ve driven over it 100 times and now to see that it’s gone is pretty crazy,” he said Tuesday.

Trenchard, an auditor, said he then tried to make his way to Fort Armistead Park, where he’d come many times before to take photos of the bridge at sunrise and sunset. But the normally quick drive took nearly 40 minutes due to the traffic detours, and a police roadblock next to Royal Farms, a convenience store, about a mile and half from the park stopped him from getting any closer to the scene.

“It’s a blow,” he said of the collapse. “It’s devastating to the city, it’s devastating to port traffic and everything they’re trying to do to revitalize the shipping industry in Maryland and keep that going.”

– N'dea Yancey-Bragg

Air, land and water search underway

Multiple local, state and federal agencies are coordinating the massive search, which spans a vast section of the river – both above and below the surface of the water – and the ship itself, Wallace said. Divers, helicopters and sonar technology were being used and had located several vehicles submerged in the river, which is about 50-feet-deep where the bridge collapsed.

"This water is current influenced, so right now we think the tide is coming back in," he said.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he is working with an interagency team to "quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration."

"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.

Expert says river current makes search more difficult

Jim Bellingham, the executive director for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy and expert in marine robotics lives in nearby Fells Point, and talked to USA TODAY about some of the challenges faced by rescuers.

“Nothing is staying put in the ocean,” he said. “Everything is moving” in the Patapsco River, a tidal estuary, which presents just one difficulty for rescue efforts. Rescuers would have to determine the speed and direction of the current to figure out where to search – toward Baltimore Harbor, or out toward the Chesapeake Bay.

Bellingham said it’s likely any workers who may have been on the bridge would have been wearing reflective vests and even flotation devices that would improve visibility in the dark river. They might also have flares, and are more easily spotted by rescue helicopters.

Rescuers are using sonar, lights, cameras and robotic machinery as well as human divers, but Bellingham said divers would face their own risks, as the wreckage might not be stable.

The longer the search goes on, the less likely rescuers are to find survivors, given the temperature of the water, and the likelihood of people being trapped with little to no air. But Baltimore, with many Navy and Coast Guard facilities and military contractors nearby, might be as well prepared to deal with the disaster as any place.

“Their job is to rescue people,” Bellingham said. “They want to believe they can do that, and there’s a tendency not to want to give up.”

– Phaedra Trethan

Cargo ship was headed for Sri Lanka

The container vessel was chartered by the major shipping company Maersk and was carrying its cargo, according to a statement from the company. When it crashed into the bridge, no Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel, which is operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group and owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Pte.

The Dali was slated to arrive April 22 in Sri Lanka, according to MarineTraffic, a global ship tracking service.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," Maersk said in a statement. "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali collided with one of the pillars of the bridge and that all its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Erin Palmer said at a news conference Tuesday that the agencies remain focused on search-and-rescue. She did not comment on the crew of the ship or provide additional details about the collision.

All vessel traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore was suspended until further notice, but the port is still open for truck transports, Wiedefeld said. Traffic, meanwhile, is being diverted from the area around the Key Bridge.

Baltimore port closed to ships 'until further notice'

Shortly after the bridge collapse, the Port of Baltimore suspended vessel traffic “until further notice,” according to its website.

“This does not mean the Port of Baltimore is shut down. We are still processing trucks inside of our terminals,” the statement said.

But Bloomberg reported that the port “looks to be out of commission indefinitely.”

At least 40 ships are now more or less trapped inside the port, according to Reuters. At least 30 other ships planned to arrive there.

“They will likely have to reroute shipping to other ports on the East Coast,” said Kevin Linderman, a professor and supply chain expert at Pennsylvania State University. “However, this will put additional demand on these ports, and shippers may not be able to access US markets” as efficiently, he said.

“One critical question is, can the other ports handle the products that were destined to Baltimore?”

– Daniel de Visé

'A lot of tears' for families

Baltimore residents turned out to support those affected by the tragedy. Dozens of people gathered at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station during an emotional prayer vigil Tuesday evening.Faith leaders and city officials including Mayor Brandon Scott prayed for the families of those missing after the bridge collapse and the first responders working at the scene.“We can only imagine what is going through their minds and through their hearts and through their bodies. None of us want to experience that,” Scott said Tuesday. “We have to lift them up, support them not just today, not just tomorrow but for the foreseeable future.”Father Ako Walker, priest at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, said a prayer in Spanish to show solidarity with the six people who are still missing after the collapse. Following the vigil, Walker told reporters he has been providing support to family members whose loved ones are missing.“It’s difficult for them,” he said. “You know, you can see the pain etched on their faces. There’s a lot of tears.”

Will the Baltimore bridge collapse impact cruises?

Baltimore is a destination for several major cruise lines. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival have April sailings that could be impacted by the bridge collapse, according to their websites. 

Carnival told USA TODAY it was premature to comment on impacts to future sailings.

American Cruise Lines has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website. The cruise line told USA TODAY their schedules remain unaffected but will make adjustments if needed to future cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t appear to have any Baltimore sailings until September.

– Eve Chen and Nathan Diller

Will the port shutdown affect consumer goods, prices?

Several big firms have distribution warehouses near the port, including Amazon and FedEx, one analyst noted in a tweet on X.  

Even so, some analysts predict only a minimal impact on the movement of goods up and down the East Coast from the bridge collapse.

Baltimore’s port holds just 4% of all East Coast trade volume, according to S&P Global. New York’s port, by contrast, does 38% of that business.

Yet, the port offers the deepest harbor in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, is closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port, and is within an overnight drive of one-third of the US population, according to the port website .

The port boasts five public and 12 private terminals. In 2023, it ranked first in the nation in handling automobiles and light trucks. 

“For the American consumer, the biggest impact will be felt in terms of imported motor vehicles,” said Jason Miller, a business professor at Michigan State University. If sales remain strong, he said, “we could see inventories drop on the lots of dealers that sell imported vehicles until alternative arrangements can be made. This could increase motor vehicle prices for some makes and models.”

Alternate routes around collapsed Baltimore bridge

The Maryland Transportation Authority was suggesting drivers take Interstate 95 or Interstate 895 as alternatives to the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge along Interstate 695.

“I-695 Outer Loop closed at MD 10 (exit 2) and Inner Loop closed at MD 157/Peninsula Exp (exit 43),” MDTA said in a post on X.

Drivers could take several other, longer routes around Baltimore, but I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) and I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) are the most direct alternatives across the water.

There are few exceptions.

MDTA notes, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13-feet and 6-inches high or 8-feet wide may not use the 1-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14-feet and 6-inches high or 11-feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel.

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

How cold is the Patapsco River?

The Patapsco River is about 50 feet deep where the ship hit the bridge, officials said during a press conference Tuesday morning. Part of the 39-mile river helps form the Baltimore Harbor, just northwest of the bridge collapse, and it flows out to the Chesapeake Bay.

A buoy in the Patapsco River indicated the water temperature Tuesday morning was currently about 47 degrees, while the air is around 41 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Whereas hypothermia is thought to occur at very cold temperatures, it can occur in waters below 70 degrees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Key Bridge collapse draws comparisons to Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse

In 1980, a Florida bridge also collapsed after a ship collided with it, leading to the deaths of 35 motorists and bus passengers.

A 1,200-foot chunk of the Sunshine Skyway bridge – which connects St. Petersburg and Bradenton – collapsed after the massive Summit Venture freighter slammed into one of its central support piers.

When the section of the bridge fell into Tampa Bay, it took a truck, seven cars and a Greyhound bus with it.

The Herald-Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported the crash happened during an intense thunderstorm , with winds reaching 80 mph and heavy rain. At the time, visibility was near-zero, according to local historians who made a documentary film about the collapse.

After the collapse, the freighter remained stuck beneath the bridge, with part of the roadway on top of its bow. Photos from the time also show how one motorist was able to skip his car to a stop just inches away from where the bridge fell into the water.

-Claire Thornton

How vital is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the author of the "Star Spangled Banner," is a 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge that crosses over the Patapsco River, according to the MDTA. It opened in 1977.

The port’s private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any U.S. port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.

The span is the outermost of three major Patapsco River crossings at Baltimore Harbor, according to the American Civil Engineering Society. The steel-arched bridge, with a total length of 8,636 feet, was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the world when it was built and remains the second longest in the United States and third in the world, according to the society .

Contributing: Reuters; Tom Vanden Brook, Eduardo Cuevas , USA TODAY

What we know about the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge

• The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday was the Singapore-flagged Dali.
• The container ship had been chartered by Maersk, the Danish shipping company. 
• Two people were recovered from the water but six remain missing, authorities said.

A container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing its collapse into the Patapsco River.

A livestream showed vehicles traveling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just moments before the impact at 1:28 a.m. ET.

Baltimore first responders called the situation a "developing mass casualty event" and a "dire emergency," per The Associated Press.

James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore Fire Department, said in a press conference that two people had been recovered from the water.

One was uninjured, but the other was transported to a local trauma center in a "very serious condition."

Wallace said up to 20 people were thought to have fallen into the river and some six people were still missing.

Richard Worley, Baltimore's police chief, said there was "no indication" the collision was purposeful or an act of terrorism.

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency around 6 a.m. ET. He said his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore added.

Understanding why the bridge collapsed could have implications for safety, in both the shipping and civil engineering sectors.

The container ship is the Singapore-flagged Dali, which is about 984 feet long, and 157 feet wide, per a listing on VesselFinder.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per the outlet.

The Dali's owner is listed as Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and its manager is listed as Synergy Marine, which is also headquartered in Singapore.

Shipping news outlet TradeWinds reported that Grace Ocean confirmed the Dali was involved in the collapse, but is still determining what caused the crash.

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Staff for Grace Ocean declined to comment on the collision when contacted by Business Insider.

"All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," Synergy Marine said in a statement.

The company did not respond to a request for further comment from BI.

'Horrified'

Maersk chartered the Dali, with a schedule for the ship on its website.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," the Danish shipping company said in a statement.

Maersk added: "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Per ship tracking data, the Dali left Baltimore on its way to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, at around 1 a.m., about half an hour before the crash.

The Port of Baltimore is thought to be the largest in the US for roll-on/roll-off ships carrying trucks and trailers.

Barbara Rossi, associate professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, told BI the force of the impact on one of the bridge's supporting structures "must have been immense" to lead to the collapse.

Dr Salvatore Mercogliano, a shipping analyst and maritime historian at Campbell University, told BI: "It appears Dali left the channel while outbound. She would have been under the control of the ship's master with a Chesapeake Bay pilot onboard to advise the master.

"The deviation out of the channel is probably due to a mechanical issue as the ship had just departed the port, but you cannot rule out human error as that was the cause of the Ever Forward in 2022 just outside of Baltimore."

He was referring to the incident two years ago when the container ship became grounded for a month in Chesapeake Bay after loading up cargo at the Port of Baltimore.

The US Coast Guard found the incident was caused by pilot error, cellphone use, and "inadequate bridge resource management."

Claudia Norrgren, from the maritime research firm Veson Nautical, told BI: "The industry bodies who are here to protect against incidents like this, such as the vessel's flag state, classification society, and regulatory bodies, will step in and conduct a formal investigation into the incident. Until then, it'll be very hard for anyone to truly know what happened on board."

This may not have been the first time the Dali hit a structure.

In 2016, maritime blogs such as Shipwreck Log and ship-tracking site VesselFinder posted videos of what appears to be the stern of the same, blue-hulled container vessel scraping against a quay in Antwerp.

A representative for the Port of Antwerp told BI the Dali did collide with a quay there eight years ago but couldn't "give any information about the cause of the accident."

The Dali is listed as being built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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