Many travellers are unaware as to how to make a claim on their travel policy and what information they need when doing so, so here at PayingTooMuch.com, we have complied some useful tips for travellers when it comes to making a claim.
What To Take?
The most important thing to remember, is to take your travel documents away with you, so that if required, you have your policy number and the insurers contact details to hand in the event of a claim being made. Many hospitals will also want to see proof of your insurance before treating you, so having your certificate to hand is a must.
You will need to contact your insurer to lodge a claim as soon as you are able, as most insurers have a deadline for claim notification (usually 31 days).
It is particularly important to act promptly in the event of an emergency medical claim. You (or a representative) will need to contact the insurers’ emergency assistance company as soon as possible, to get authorisation from the insurer that they will pay your claim, before you receive any treatment. Failure to gain the correct authority could result in your claim not being paid.
How To Pay For Treatment?
The most common thing people are unaware of is how to pay for general medical treatment.
It is important to contact the emergency assistance company before receiving treatment, to ensure your claim would be accepted. In general, the rules are, if you receive outpatient treatment abroad, then you should pay the hospital or clinic up front, and claim back the expenses when you return home. This is unless the claim is likely to cost more than £500. If the claim will be in excess of £500 you should contact the emergency assistance team to find out how to proceed with your claim.
Non-Medical Claims
In the event of a non-medical or non-emergency claim, if informed while you are abroad, the insurer will usually take details of the incident and you will be sent a claims form to complete upon your return home.
If you are claiming for a theft or crime, then it is your responsibility to contact the local police in the area that you are travelling, within 24 or 48 hours to report the crime. You will need to obtain a written police report and crime number. The insurers will not pay your claim if you do not have this information.
You will be asked for evidence to support your claim (if applicable) – the evidence required will depend on the type of claim, for example if you are cancelling your holiday due to ill health, the insurer will require a completed medical form from your GP. If you are claiming for personal possessions, you will be asked to provide receipts to prove the items value, and proof of ownership.
It is important to ensure you’re aware of the limits on your policy also. The amounts that you can claim will vary depending on the type of claim. You should also be aware of the excesses you will be required to pay, and check these before you make a claim. If you are claiming for a minor incident, it may be worth covering the cost of the claim yourself, as sometimes the policy excess could be more than the cost of the claim.
