Guide for your Travel Insurance Claims

The purpose of a Travel Insurance Policy is to offer financial reassurance after losses incurred during any unfortunate situation that might occur during your travel trip, be it domestic or international one. In order to ensure that your insurance lives up to its purpose, do your part of finding how to use it at your disposal by knowing, how to make Travel Insurance Claim.

Pre-travel Preparations

• Photograph all your documents and valuables and secure them on your email/google drive, so that they are easily accessible at all times.
• Jot down the details that can help identify your items like the serial number and model number of your electronic device, etc.
• Make at least two copies of all your travel documents, leave one with a family member or friend, and carry the other copy with the originals on your trip. Make sure you keep both the sets separately; carrying the originals in the cabin luggage and keeping the copy in the check-in baggage. This is an ideal way to do it.
• Make sure your policy number and emergency contact details come in handy, if need arises.

Making a Claim for Lost/Stolen/Damaged Luggage

• In case your luggage is lost or stolen, report it in your nearest police station within 24 hours of the incident. You will need the copy of this report as an evidence for your insurance claim.
• If a police report is not available due to any reason, some insurance providers might except an evidence provided by your hotel manager or transport provider.
• The money spent on replacing essential items during luggage delays can also be claimed. This too will require an evidence report from your travel provider.

Making a Claim for Medical Expenses

• For non-emergency treatments, try to contact your insurance provider and get their approval before you go ahead with the treatment. Secure the bills for claiming the money once you get back.
• In case of an emergency or an accident you are required to report it as soon as you can. Use the emergency number and provide each and every detail about your condition and treatment. If you are unable to do the same, you can request people accompanying you during your trip to report the incidence on your behalf. Don’t forget to keep all the receipts safely.
• If you need follow-up care from your insurer’s end, keep in regular contact with your company at each stage. This will ensure that all the costs are met.
• For receipts that you will be using for evidence purpose, check that they are duly signed and dated, specifying the address of the medical centre where you received the treatment.
• In an accident scenario where a third-party is involved, the insurance provider will demand a copy of the police-report too.

Making a Travel Insurance Claim for Cancellation

• Claims made for covering the cost of trip cancellations or shortening of the travel period are the trickiest of all. Your insurance provider will only accept this claim if it is supported with strong and justifiable reason.
• Like everywhere else, in this scenario too, you need to present written evidences. For instance,
• Show the death certificate if your trip cancelled due to a family member’s demise,
• In case of a theft or burglary present a police report,
• If you are called for jury service or a witness in the court, support the claim with the official letter you received for the same, etc.

Filing a Claim

• File a claim as soon as possible. Every company allots a specific period until you can claim the returns. This is usually 40–60 days after your return date.
• In most companies, you can do the process online. In general:
• Download the claim form from your insurance company’s website
• Submit your duly filled claim form along with other required/relevant documents via email.
• Some companies may require you to post the documents. If you do so, ensure that you make a copy of all the documents before you send the originals to your company.