Claiming travel insurance usually requires documentation from doctors and other sources; keeping detailed records and receipts will make the filing of your claim much simpler.
Some online insurers at https://auras.insure/ , like Seven Corners, allow travelers to upload documents directly from their smartphones or tablets - speeding up the submission process considerably compared with sending physical submissions.
1. Contact Your Insurer
When traveling abroad and encountering a medical emergency, it's crucial that you document as much of the incident as possible - receipts, injury/accident reports and physician statements should all be included. It is also advised to promptly file a claim with your insurer as soon as possible either online or using the number on their card - in either case prompt action can prevent potential financial misfortune and ensure timely treatment.
Travel medical insurance providers offer an assortment of plan options at various price points, with coverage limit and deductible details easily accessible online for easy comparison of plans and rates.
Some plans are intended to serve as primary coverage, paying out claims before any other form of health insurance coverage does. This can be useful if your primary plan does not cover all emergency costs abroad, while secondary plans only pay out after your primary policy has paid out claims.
2. Collect Documentation
When filing a travel insurance claim, it will be necessary to submit supporting documentation, such as receipts, doctor's statements and medical reports. To expedite and ensure all information is included during this process, keep track of and store any paperwork you receive from insurers or related parties - such as emails sent directly to you, digital copies of any scanned/uploaded documents and bank statements showing charges - that could speed things up considerably.
Pre-trip cancellation reimbursement can be easier if you provide evidence from a physician that your condition prevents travel and is covered under your policy. Seek medical attention immediately in order to prove this claim is indeed valid.
If you find that you have lost luggage or possessions, it is crucial that you report this immediately to local authorities so they can file a police report with your insurer for review. In order to claim reimbursement from them, original itemized receipts of any replacement purchases made must also be presented as evidence.
3. Submit Your Claim
Assuming your claim has been submitted correctly and contains all the required paperwork, your insurer should reimburse you within the specified timeline listed on their website. Just in case something goes amiss and gets misplaced in transit or forgotten altogether, make sure that any paperwork sent in is screen shotted or photocopied so you have copies saved for yourself - computers and mail can sometimes malfunction, so to stay safe always back up all claims documents!
As soon as filling out your claim form, be as detailed as possible - leaving no blank spaces and providing all relevant details of what occurred will speed up the claim process and expedite its completion.
Avoid padding your claim with inaccurate items as travel insurance companies review claim submissions closely in order to detect fraudulence. Be transparent regarding preexisting medical conditions and avoid traveling against World Health Organization or security advice when booking trips; don't participate in dangerous or adventurous activities without first checking whether your policy covers them as these can all lead to denied claims.
4. Wait for Reimbursement
Once a claim is submitted, it can take some time for processing. Your insurer will examine your paperwork to assess if it falls under their coverage, before providing reimbursement. Depending on the reason behind filing your claim, documentation may include medical services from doctors or hospitals, photocopies of airline tickets with proof of payment as well as itemized invoices/receipts related to prepaid expenses.
Travel insurance policies with pre-existing condition waivers typically require insurers to review your medical history over an agreed upon period prior to purchasing their policy, in order to make sure your health condition will not be negatively impacted by travel. This review process must ensure your wellbeing will not be negatively impacted during travel.
Tip: Whether submitting online or via email, be sure to take pictures at every step in the process and save physical copies of all your documents just in case something goes amiss and your claim doesn't process properly. Computers may encounter glitches or emails get misplaced - taking this precaution will give you extra proof that everything was submitted correctly and processed successfully.