Last updated on 03/27/2023
When you purchase a travel insurance plan, you are essentially preparing for the worst. In a perfect world, you would never have to use that plan. Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect and the best way to stay ahead of the game is to have coverage in place.
Whether you have purchased a comprehensive plan, travel medical plan or something more specific to your needs, the claim process is probably very similar. Why make the process more stressful than necessary? By knowing what you need prior to actually filing the claim, you’ll streamline the process for both yourself and the travel insurance company.
Contact Your Travel Insurance Company
While not all travel insurance concerns involve the safety of you and your fellow travelers; that should always come first. After you have secured the safety of yourself and your traveling companions, call your travel insurance company.
In many situations which you may find yourself – a natural disaster, the victim of stolen bags, a delayed flight, the representative on the other end of the 24-hour assistance phone line can help talk you through it. They will give you clear directions for what steps to take. Listen to them; it will help you in the long run.
The 24-hour assistance phone line is important as some medical plans have pre-certification requirements for certain treatments or supplies. The 24-hour assistance phone number is important to know of, and how to call it if you’re overseas, in the event you need to meet pre-certification requirements. Also, make sure that you have the 24-hour assistance contact info readily available so that the medical staff at the hospital can use it to contact the company in the event you’re not able to.
Keep All Documents – We Mean All
Don’t think that receipt from lunch is worth keeping? Think again. If it’s for a meal that you purchased during a covered delay, you may be eligible for reimbursem*nt, but only if you have that receipt. When you find yourself in a travel situation that requires you to file a claim with the insurance company, the more documents you keep the more prepared you will be.
If you require emergency medical care and are discharged from the medical facility, do not leave without an invoice or statement of payment. If you are delayed while traveling, keep every receipt you get between the time you are delayed to when your travel resumes. Here’s a more detailed list for you:
- Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses
- Unused travel tickets and proof of payment for those tickets
- Explanation of diagnosis from doctor, as well as medical bill
- Police report for any stolen items or car accident report
- Proof from airline that your baggage was lost or delayed
Don’t wait too long
Most of the time, you’ll need to wait until you arrive home to file your claim. It’s recommended not to wait too long to start the claims process. The longer you wait the more history stacks up in between your situation and when the travel insurance company starts investigating.
The sooner you file the proper documents when you return home, the better. Some plans may have a cut off dates for when claims can be filed, meaning so many days after you return from your trip or after the incident. You don’t want to be fighting deadlines when you are going through the claim process.
Know your plan details
One of the biggest mistakes made by travelers that can cause unnecessary headaches during the claim process is not fully understanding their travel insurance plan and its coverage. Every plan has exclusions for each type of coverage as well as coverage limits. By understanding the exclusions in the plan and the maximum amount for reimbursem*nt, you can really streamline your claim process.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
FAQs
Keep All Documents – We Mean All
- Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses.
- Unused travel tickets and proof of payment for those tickets.
- Explanation of diagnosis from doctor, as well as medical bill.
- Police report for any stolen items or car accident report.
- Proof from airline that your baggage was lost or delayed.
Legitimate claims
According to the United States Travel Insurance Association, one out of every six insureds ends up filing a claim, and less than 10 percent of those claims are denied. If your travel insurance claim is denied, you may be upset,. However, getting upset is not going to help you.
How do I fight a denied travel insurance claim? ›
How to Appeal a Travel Insurance Claim Denial
- Step 1: Review the Denial Letter. A denial letter is a document an insurance company sends you to inform you that it has denied your travel claim. ...
- Step 2: Gather Relevant Documentation. ...
- Step 3: Craft a Persuasive Appeal Letter. ...
- Step 4: Submitting the Appeal.
Note that some travel insurance, especially trip-cancellation coverage, is reimbursem*nt-only: You'll pay out-of-pocket for your expenses, then submit the paperwork to your insurer to recoup your money. (If your trip gets canceled, don't expect insurers to refund policy premiums.)
How easy is it to claim travel insurance? ›
Contact your insurer as soon as possible and ask them to send you a claim form. They may be able to email this to you to speed things up. Complete the claim form carefully and keep a copy for yourself. You'll need to include copies of all paperwork that will help your claim, including receipts or medical certificates.
What is the most common travel insurance claim? ›
By far, the most common and often most significant travel insurance claim is for medical emergencies. A sudden illness or injury during your trip can not only ruin your plans but also cause a severe financial strain.
How does travel insurance verify claims? ›
Provide documentation from the incident to help us verify your claim.
- Receipts.
- Official reports/news articles.
- Photos.
- Doctor's notes.
- Notices of travel delay or severe weather.
Incorrect or duplicate claims, lack of medical necessity or supporting documentation, and claims filed after the required timeframe are common reasons for denials. Experimental, investigational, or non-covered services are also likely to be denied.
What conditions are not covered by travel insurance? ›
Conditions which may not be covered
Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.
What are the possible solutions to a denied insurance claim? ›
You can ask your doctor to resubmit the claim and correct the error. If your claim was denied for another reason, let your doctor know that you're appealing a claim. You can ask your doctor to write a letter explaining that the service was medically necessary, or provide other supporting documents.
The Financial Ombudsman Service will look into your complaint and make a decision. The insurer will have to follow their decision, but you don't have to. If you don't agree and want to take your complaint further, you can take your insurer to court.
How can I stop my insurance claim being rejected? ›
Your right to appeal
Internal appeal: If your claim is denied or your health insurance coverage canceled, you have the right to an internal appeal. You may ask your insurance company to conduct a full and fair review of its decision. If the case is urgent, your insurance company must speed up this process.
What does travel insurance not cover? ›
Most travel insurance policies won't pay out if you're negligent while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and have an accident or have property stolen.
How long does it take to get money back from trip insurance? ›
Most major travel insurance companies process claims within two weeks, except for the most complicated ones. So if yours wasn't complicated, it might be stuck – or lost. Here's how to avoid a travel insurance claim slowdown: ► Keep your receipts.
Does Travelers pay claims well? ›
Leif Olson, Car Insurance Writer
Travelers is decent at paying claims compared to the average insurance company, according to J.D. Power's latest claims satisfaction survey. Travelers scored 864 out of 1,000 for their claims process, compared to the industry average of 873 out of 1,000.
How to claim insurance for travel insurance? ›
When filing a travel insurance claim, your insurer will require you to provide documentation to substantiate your claim. Very often, the insurer will require copies of airline tickets, police reports, medical bills and reports, carrier irregularities report and original purchase receipts etc.
When should I file a travel insurance claim? ›
For most travel insurance plans, you must file your claim within 90 days of the incident, also known as the timely filing limit. Submitting your claim outside the timely filing limit could result in your claim being denied.
Does travelers insurance go up after a claim? ›
If you file a claim and we make a payment, it is very likely that your rate will increase at renewal. Because of the incident, you're likely to pay a higher rate for three to five years.
How to prove illness for travel insurance? ›
Regardless, if you feel too sick to travel it's important to have your opinion confirmed and your diagnosis documented by a doctor. Medical documentation will be required if you're looking to be reimbursed for your non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip.
