Key points
- Read your travel insurance policy before you leave for your trip to familiarize yourself with the coverage, claims filing process and what documentation you need to support your claim.
- Travel insurance companies usually give between 20 and 90 days from the date of loss to file a claim, but some give up to a year with extenuating circumstances, like severe injury.
- Common reasons for claim delays include a lack of appropriate supporting documents, large claim volumes, slow response and documents lost in transit.
How do travel insurance claims work?
When a mishap occurs during your travels, whether it’s a medical emergency, lost baggage or a missed flight connection, it usually comes with unexpected costs. Purchasing a travel insurance plan before departure can help prevent or minimize financial loss.
Filing a travel insurance claim is the first step for reimbursement. Once you file the claim, the insurance company’s claims department will review it, determine if your loss is covered and pay according to the policy coverage.
How to submit a travel insurance claim
After you experience a loss or event for a covered reason, you’ll file a claim with the insurer by completing a claim form on the insurance company’s website or mobile app. You will need to supply supporting documentation as proof of loss.
Then, the insurance company will review the claim. They will either approve your claim and issue reimbursement according to your policy terms or request further documentation to make a decision.
Here are the steps to take for a smooth claims process.
1. Review the terms of your travel insurance policy
Travel insurance policies won’t cover every problem or unexpected expense you encounter on your trip. Make sure to read your policy carefully to know what’s covered and what’s not, including the types of coverages you have, the coverage limits, covered reasons and exclusions.
For example, if your policy includes trip delay coverage, it can pay for expenses like meals and hotel accommodations if your flight is delayed. But to be eligible for reimbursement under a travel delay claim, the flight must be delayed for a covered reason and a minimum amount of hours.
The required delay period can vary by insurer and may be anywhere from three to 12 consecutive hours. So if the airline delays your flight for four hours and your plan has a trip delay time of six hours, there’s no coverage. There’s also a per-day cap, usually between $100 and $300, and a maximum reimbursement per person, typically between $100 and $2,000. However, some comprehensive travel insurance policies may offer more coverage.
If you plan to participate in adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping or horseback riding, make sure the policy covers it. Most policies exclude adventure or extreme activities, so if you need to receive medical treatment after a related incident, your expenses won’t be eligible for compensation.
Travel insurance will only reimburse prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses and unexpected medical services. If you have to cancel any part of your trip, check first to see if you can get a refund. If not, then file a travel insurance claim with the insurance company.
2. Gather supporting documentation
“It’s always a good idea to review which documents you might need before you travel and certainly before you file your claim,” advised Angela Borden, product specialist at travel insurance provider Seven Corners. “Not submitting all the required documents at the time you make your initial claim can result in delays.”
If you’re filing a travel medical insurance claim, for example, get an itemized bill detailing the treatment you received and the medical costs you paid. You should also get a copy of your medical records, including the doctor’s notes, which can provide more information about your medical condition. If possible, get a police report documenting how you received the injuries, especially if you were in a car accident or received a serious injury.
Keep all receipts and correspondence about canceling any part of your itinerary, even if you don’t think it’s necessary. You may be asked for additional documents to support your case, and having the necessary information available will improve your chances of getting full reimbursement.
3. Submit your claim and documentation
Submitting your trip insurance claim online or through the insurer’s mobile app is usually the fastest way to get reimbursement. You can also call the insurance company for help or to process the claim. Some providers will even take the claim form by email.
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Documentation for travel insurance claims
The required information for medical claims is usually more detailed than for lost or stolen baggage or travel delay claims. “Documentation varies but may include medical [records], police reports, receipts, invoices and trip itineraries,” said Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance. “Baggage claims may require proof of ownership, receipts and value of items.”
Be sure to answer all claims questions completely and thoroughly. The more details and supporting documentation you can provide in the initial claim, the quicker it will process and the less likely you will be asked for additional information.
Trip cancellation documentation
The type of documentation needed will depend on the reason you’re canceling your trip.
For instance, if you or your traveling companion suffer an injury or illness before the trip starts, you’ll need a doctor’s note advising you to avoid travel during your trip dates. If you lose your job or get laid off, expect to provide an email or notarized letter from the company providing the loss.
You’ll also have to prove you canceled your trip itinerary with the travel supplier and whether you received any refund or credit. In this case, you may only receive partial reimbursement unless you weren’t eligible for a credit or refund of your prepaid trip costs.
Trip interruption documentation
If you have an injury, illness or emergency with a family member that requires you to return home early, be prepared with the appropriate documentation, such as:
- Your medical records or those of the affected family member.
- Death notification (if death in the family).
- Accident or police report.
Travel delay documentation
If you experience a flight delay, provide a copy of the email notification or proof of the canceled itinerary, including the reason, like mechanical issues or a natural disaster.
Let’s say you can get on another flight the following day, but you now have to pay for a hotel, meals and an Uber to get to and from the hotel. Keep all your receipts to submit along with your claim.
Baggage and personal effects documentation
Suppose your baggage is delayed, lost or stolen on your way to your destination. In that case, you may need to purchase essentials, like a change of clothes, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, until your items arrive. Save a copy of the police report for stolen items to include with your claim.
Make sure the personal belongings you purchase make sense for the length of the delay. You won’t get reimbursed for an entire wardrobe if your bags were only delayed for 12 hours.
Medical claim documentation
If you or your partner receive medical care, keep receipts for everything you purchase and bills you pay. U.S. residents typically have to pay for medical expenses upfront before they can leave after receiving medical treatment in foreign countries. And your normal health insurance typically won’t cover you outside the United States.
Most travel insurers offer travel insurance benefits like 24/7 assistance as part of the plan. If you need emergency evacuation and can’t pay the hospital in full, the assistance team may be able to fast-track your medical claim and pay the expenses to expedite your care.
Timing for filing travel insurance claims
Time limits for filing a travel insurance claim can vary by travel insurance company and policy. Some insurance providers may only give you 20 days to file the claim, while other insurers will give you up to 90 days or as long as a year.
It’s important to read the fine print to determine how much time you have to submit your claim. File as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on an eligible reimbursement.
“We always recommend that policyholders start filing a claim as soon as something has gone wrong during their trip — and they can certainly begin the process while their trip is in progress,” said Lea Lundquist, vice president of operations & legal affairs for WorldTrips travel insurance.
There can also be extenuating circumstances that allow for a longer claim filing deadline. Carnicelli said that Generali Global Assistance requires written proof of loss within 90 days of the date of loss. “However, if individuals are medically or legally incapacitated, they can submit their claims up to 1 year after the incident.”
Why travel insurance claims get delayed
A delay is different from a denial. Claims can be denied if you received a full refund or there is no insurance coverage for the claim you submitted. For example, your claim will be denied if your travel insurance plan doesn’t cover weather and you cancel your Caribbean cruise because of a hurricane.
“A claim may be investigated and subsequently delayed for many different reasons, including if it’s of high value, the relationship between claimants is unclear [or] the documentation provided is in a different language,” said CoverGenius CEO Angus McDonald.
Other common reasons your travel insurance claim may be delayed include:
- Not providing proper documentation.
- Large claim volume due to peak travel times or severe weather.
- Missing receipts, photos or other evidence.
- Mailed claims may be lost or delayed in transit.
What to expect after you file a travel insurance claim
Check your email after filing your claim to make sure the insurance company received it. You’ll also typically receive any follow-up requests for further documentation or clarification regarding your claim by email.
If the travel insurer denied your claim, read your policy and plan documents for limitations, exclusions and conditions. If you believe it was denied in error or want to appeal, contact your insurance agent or the travel insurer’s claims department for help.
You may also have access to a program like Anytime Advocates if you purchase your insurance plan through InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison website. “The Anytime Advocates will contact the provider to figure out why a claim is delayed or was denied…[and] can also help a traveler appeal a claim denial,” Suzanne Morrow, InsureMyTrip’s senior vice president, said.
If you did everything right after filing or providing additional information, you should be notified of claim approval and the reimbursement amount. Direct deposit into your bank account is often the fastest way to receive your funds, though you can also request a check in the mail.
Tips for filing a travel insurance claim
These tips can help you avoid delays or denials when filing a travel insurance claim:
- Before your trip begins, thoroughly read your policy to determine what it does and does not cover as well as how much time you have to file a claim.
- Gather all documentation before filing the claim.
- Get all claims-related documentation, like police reports and medical records, before returning home.
- Submit your claim using your insurer’s online portal or app for faster processing.
- Track the claims process online.
- Check your emails or in-app communications frequently for follow-up requests.
- Review the travel insurer’s website for helpful FAQs, checklists and forms to understand what documentation is needed before you begin your travels.
Common mistakes to avoid while filing a travel insurance claim
“Common mistakes include providing incomplete information, missing deadlines or failing to adhere to plan terms and conditions,” said Carnicelli.
Borden said they see four common reasons for claim denial:
- Filing claims that occur before the travel insurance policy effective date.
- Receiving preventive or routine medical care, which isn’t covered.
- Submitting a claim for an event that is not a covered reason in the plan documents.
- Submitting the claim outside the filing time limit.
Also, keep in mind that unless you purchased your policy early enough to be eligible for the pre-existing condition waiver, you or any travelers included in your plan won’t covered for any pre-existing medical condition — even if it’s a medical emergency.
Travel insurance claims FAQs
The time it takes to get reimbursed for a travel insurance claim depends on how fast the claim is approved and the payment method. Direct deposit or funds transfer is usually the fastest method, while a mailed check is often the slowest option.
Keep in mind that claims can be delayed if you don’t provide the appropriate documentation when you file the claim or if there is a high volume of claims filed at the same time, such as after a major weather event.
The documents you need for a travel insurance claim may include medical records, a police or accident report, trip itinerary, purchase receipts or other documentation. Consult your policy to determine which documents are needed.
Not sure if can file a claim? What does travel insurance cover?
Yes, receipts are one of the most common documents you need to get travel insurance claims approved. If you purchase anything or pay for medical expenses, keep the receipts as proof to receive reimbursement.