Traveling can be a great way to unwind and let your responsibilities fade away. A trip can also go wrong. Travel insurance can\u2019t prevent snafus from happening, but it can help recoup at least some of your money if the unexpected derails your trip. That\u2019s where the claim process comes in.<\/p>\n
If you encounter these unexpected issues, you can file a claim with your\u00a0travel insurance<\/a>\u00a0company for reimbursement, as long as your problem is covered by the policy.<\/p>\n To increase your chances of a prompt travel insurance reimbursement, take these steps to make the claims process smoother.<\/p>\n Travel insurance can\u2019t cover every problem. Understand what your policy covers and what it doesn\u2019t, so you know exactly how the policy will help you. That means you want to read the benefits, exclusions and coverage limits in your policy to make sure you\u2019re eligible for a claim and be sure to check for any required waiting times for delays.<\/p>\n For example, if you buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes a trip delay benefit, and on the day of your trip, you get to the airport and learn that your flight is delayed, this may trigger coverage under the policy as long as the delay is after the specified time outlined in your policy.<\/p>\n Check your policy for the required delay time to get reimbursement. For example, this could be three, five, six or 12 hours, depending on the travel insurance plan. Here, too, check your policy for the cap on reimbursable travel delay expenses. Your plan might provide anywhere from $100 to $300 per day, with an overall per person cap such as $500 to $1,000. Some items, such as cash, may be excluded from coverage.<\/p>\n Another possible scenario: you get injured bungee jumping during a thrill-seeking vacation. If your travel medical insurance excludes adventure activities\u2014and many do\u2014you would not be eligible to seek compensation for your medical costs.<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>:\u00a0How to read the fine print of your travel insurance policy<\/a><\/p>\n Documentation is important to ensure that your travel insurance claim is paid promptly.<\/p>\n When there are delays in processing a claim, \u201cthe primary reason is the policyholder not providing sufficient documentation to demonstrate their actual financial loss, thereby allowing the insurer to fully evaluate the claim,\u201d says James Page, a spokesperson for\u00a0AIG Travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n For instance, if you qualify for a travel delay claim, your travel insurance policy can cover extra expenses, such as food, an overnight hotel stay and even a cab ride to a friend\u2019s house, says Page. \u201cIf you provide documentation for those covered expenses, you may be reimbursed up to the capped amount for that benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n If your trip has to be completely canceled and you file a\u00a0trip cancellation insurance<\/a>\u00a0claim, your insurer is going to want documentation of your out-of-pocket expenses, says Page. This can include confirmation that you canceled your itinerary with the travel supplier and the amounts of any refunds or credits that the supplier has offered you as part of your reimbursement.<\/p>\n Travel insurance will reimburse you only for the pre-paid and non-refundable money that you lose. \u201cIn many cases, the supplier may refund a portion of the original trip cost, so your insurer needs to actually see documentation on what the supplier is, or isn\u2019t, going to refund,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need documentation for claims on other coverage types within a travel insurance policy, such as\u00a0travel medical insurance<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0baggage insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to keep all receipts so that you can make a successful claim. You also want to file loss reports with airlines or local authorities for problems such as lost baggage.<\/p>\n You can call your travel insurance company for help, read the website for directions, or access the company\u2019s app for guidance on what is required to complete the claim process.<\/p>\n If possible, submit your claim documentation online for a faster process. For example, AIG Travel has an online \u201cFirst Notice of Loss Portal\u201d that can lead to faster resolution of a claim.<\/p>\n You will need supporting documents if you file a travel insurance claim. These could include receipts, medical bills and police reports. The specific documentation needed depends on the type of travel insurance claim you are filing.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, what might be required for a medical expense claim may be more robust than perhaps a luggage or flight delay claim,\u201d says Carol Mueller, spokesperson for Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.<\/p>\n Cancellation documentation depends on the reason why you canceled. \u201cIn most cases, it\u2019s injury or illness, so this will require medical records like a note from your doctor saying they advise you not to travel,\u201d says Jason Schreier, spokesperson for\u00a0GoReady Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n For other issues, like\u00a0job loss<\/a>, you\u2019ll need a notarized letter from your prior employer, usually on their company letterhead, he says.<\/p>\n You may also have to provide documentation confirming that you canceled your itinerary with your travel supplier and the amounts of any refunds or credits that supplier offered as part of your reimbursement. (You can\u2019t claim money that was reimbursed by a travel supplier, like an airline.) You may also need to supply your unused plane tickets.<\/p>\n If your airline delays your flight, you\u2019ll need a notification from your airline explaining the reason for the delay, which is usually an email, Schreier says. Typically, the cause has to be due to weather or mechanical issues to be covered.<\/p>\n Also, be sure to hold on to\u2014and include in your claim\u2014receipts for expenses such as meals, hotel stays, transportation and personal essentials if you experience a travel delay.<\/p>\n If you need to return home before your trip ends due to an illness or injury to you or a travel companion or a family emergency back home, you will need to present applicable paperwork, such as signed medical documentation or hospital records.<\/p>\n If your airline, train or other transportation company loses your luggage, you will need to document it by filing a report with the company. Your travel insurance company will usually want proof that the transportation company will not reimburse you before it pays out your claim.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most common mistakes made is when baggage has been damaged or stolen. Insureds are required to file a report of the lost or damaged items to the airline, the police, or airport security,\u201d says Schreier. \u201cWithout that report, their claim is unlikely to be approved.\u201d<\/p>\n You will also need to submit a list of what you packed and the value of the items.<\/p>\n For personal belongings that are stolen, be sure to include in your claim a police report or a loss report from your tour operator or hotel manager. You will also need to present documentation proving the value of the items you are claiming.<\/p>\n When filing a medical expense travel insurance claim, you need to include all medical documentation issued while under the care of medical professionals.<\/p>\n Save receipts for medicine or other medical supplies. You will be required to submit all these materials when filing a claim.<\/p>\n Time limits regarding insurance claim filings will vary according to the company, underwriter and your policy. For example, some travel insurance plans allow as little as 20 days for you to file a claim, while others may allow a year.<\/p>\n \u201cTypically, it ranges from 20 to 90 days from the date the covered loss occurs, although some plans don\u2019t list a time limit at all,\u201d says Schreier. \u201cHowever, what is consistent is that all plans typically have the caveat of \u2018or as soon as is reasonably possible.\u2019 Unless someone has endured some extraordinary event, we usually give clients one year from the date of the covered loss to file the claim.\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless of the timeframe, it is better to act sooner rather than later to ensure your travel insurance claim reimbursement.<\/p>\n If you file a claim without all the proper documentation or evidence, the insurance company will send a note back that the claim cannot be reviewed yet, says Page.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to note that this is not a \u2018denial\u2019 of the claim. You can still submit the documentation that\u2019s been requested to have the claim reviewed,\u201d says Page.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth underscoring the difference between \u201cincomplete claims\u201d and \u201cdenied claims.\u201d<\/p>\n Page says the lack of receipts and documentation will result in a claim being considered \u201cincomplete,\u201d but that claim can later be \u201ccompleted\u201d if all requisite documentation is provided.<\/p>\n Another top reason for denial of a travel insurance claim is that the problem simply isn\u2019t covered.<\/p>\n For example, if you buy a trip to the Caribbean during hurricane season, make sure your travel insurance policy covers weather. If it doesn\u2019t, and you cancel the trip because of a hurricane, you have a cancellation that isn\u2019t covered, says Page.<\/p>\n If you want your travel insurance plan to cover Covid-related trip cancellation or medical expenses, make sure you buy a\u00a0Covid travel insurance plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Comprehensive travel insurance plans include trip cancellation insurance, but you can make a cancellation claim only if your reason is listed in the policy.<\/p>\n For the broadest ability to cancel a trip and get some reimbursement, look for a policy where you can add\u00a0\u201dcancel for any reason\u201d travel insurance<\/a>. This add-on coverage lets you cancel a trip for any reason, even if it\u2019s not listed in the base policy as an acceptable reason. You\u2019ll generally get back 50% or 75% of your non-refundable trip costs under a \u201ccancel for any reason\u201d claim, depending on the plan, as long as you cancel no less than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.<\/p>\n Related:<\/strong>\u00a0How To Handle Flight Cancellations<\/a><\/p>\n Daniel Durazo, a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance, which oversees\u00a0AIG Travel<\/a>, suggests reviewing the policy\u2019s \u201dfree look period.\u201d This is usually 10 to 15 days. During that time, read your policy and understand what it covers and doesn\u2019t cover. If you regret your travel insurance purchase, you can cancel the policy for a refund and buy another plan.<\/p>\n Another smart move is to work with a\u00a0travel insurance agent<\/a>\u00a0who can help you choose not only the right coverage but also understand the policy\u2019s limitations. A travel insurance agent can also help you price shop the best plans.<\/p>\n Armed with the knowledge of what your travel insurance policy covers, you can enjoy your travel experience without unpleasant insurance surprises.<\/p>\n After you file a claim, be sure to check your email, as there could be follow-up requests from your travel insurance company. You may be asked for additional documentation or clarification about your claim.<\/p>\n If your claim is denied, be sure to review the details, especially the exclusions, of your travel insurance policy. The claim may have been rejected because the incident isn\u2019t covered by your policy, and you were unaware. If you still have questions, ask your travel insurance agent for help.<\/p>\nHow to Properly Submit a Travel Insurance Claim<\/h2>\n
Review your travel insurance policy terms<\/h3>\n
Gather documentation<\/h3>\n
Submit your claim with documentation<\/h3>\n
Documentation for Travel Insurance Claims<\/h2>\n
Trip cancellation claim documentation<\/h3>\n
Trip delay claim documentation<\/h3>\n
Trip interruption claim documentation<\/h3>\n
Baggage and personal effects claim documentation<\/h3>\n
Medical expense claim documentation<\/h3>\n
What Are the Time Limits To File a Travel Insurance Claim?<\/h2>\n
Why Travel Insurance Claims Get Delayed<\/h2>\n
Use the Travel Insurance Free Look Period<\/h2>\n
What to Expect After You File a Travel Insurance Claim<\/h2>\n