Do Read Your Policy Carefully

Take the time to read your policy carefully, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your policy provider if you have any questions. Don’t make any assumptions. If you read and understand your policy correctly, you can avoid disappointment and frustration later by knowing exactly what benefits you are entitled to and how to obtain them.

Do Contact Your Emergency Assistance Company

Trying to coordinate the necessary arrangements in an emergency – whether it’s for medical assistance, lodging, additional transportation, etc. – can be stressful. Making those arrangements on your own could cause your travel insurance claim to be denied.

This is why it’s so important to contact your emergency assistance provider as soon as you find yourself in need. They are typically available worldwide by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and they can coordinate many services for you. For example, in the case of a medical emergency, an assistance coordinator will work with a licensed physician to determine if you need emergency medical evacuation from your location. If you do, they will organize an air ambulance to evacuate you right away. Or, if you are well enough to be transferred to a hospital by ground ambulance, the assistance company will locate the closest hospital and arrange transportation for you.  Allowing your emergency assistance provider to make these arrangements for you ensures that they are approved and covered by your plan.  

Do Document Everything

This is pretty self-explanatory. If you know you are going to need to file a travel insurance claim, make sure to document everything along the way. This includes police reports, medical documentation detailing what treatment you need to receive, as well as any bills incurred along the way.  

Not having the proper documentation is one common reasons a travel insurance claim could be denied, so credible documentation is vital.

Don’t Accept Money from Outside Sources

After an accident, or other situation in which an injury or damage occurs, the offending party may attempt to make amends by offering cash or some other form of payment. Although the gesture may sound tempting, never accept compensation from outside parties.

Why is this so important? Because if you do accept cash or some form of compensation from outside sources, you may forfeit your right to receive benefits for your travel insurance claim. So please make sure to never accept money from outside sources.

Don’t Make Medical Arrangements Without a Doctor’s Consent

It’s important to consult with a medical professional or doctor to ensure you actually need a particular medical service. As mentioned above, you’ll want to contact your emergency assistance service before you make any arrangements during emergency situations, too.

Insurance companies will verify whether the medical costs you incurred were actually necessary in those situations. Always make sure to keep track of any doctors’ notes and documentation from hospitals or medical centers.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to File Your Claim

Make sure to keep your insurance company aware your activities, from the very beginning when you make any inquiries about your policy, to when you finally file a travel insurance claim. The sooner you start, the sooner your insurance company can begin processing the claim, and the sooner you will receive benefits. Keep in mind that there may even be a time limit for filing a claim, so be sure to consult your insurance provider to know when the deadline occurs, especially if you need extra time to assemble information and paperwork or digital files.  

If you have questions, ask your insurance company along the way. Don’t wait until the very last minute to have any sort of contact with them.

We hope we’ve given you some valuable tips to ensure your travel insurance claim is approved by your insurance company! By following these steps, you can help to provide the necessary information needed to file a claim and get the most value from your insurance policy. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!