How to make a claim 

PayingTooMuch.com acts as an insurance intermediary and therefore we are unable to handle your claim on your behalf. You will need to contact the insurance provider listed on your policy documents to process your claim. Usually this can be completed via an online form or over the telephone. Note that waiting times for calls to be answered can vary. If you are able to submit a claims form online, this may be your quickest option.

To help you find the relevant claim phone number, you can enter your policy number below and we will show you who to call. If you do not have your policy number to hand, then we have supplied a full list at the bottom of this page of all the insurance providers we use and their up to date claim numbers.

What's your policy number? Enter your policy number here to get the phone numbers for your specific policy.

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When you speak to your provider, you’ll need to give them your policy number and details of the incident. You’ll then need to fill out a claim form detailing what happened and what you’re claiming for. You should be able to do this online. If not, your provider will post a form to you. It’s important that you keep any receipts or invoices to hand to support your claim, as with most claims you will need to provide evidence of additional expenditure. 

Make sure you keep a copy of the claim form for your own records and hang on to all your original evidence in case anything is queried down the line.

Our top tips for making a successful travel insurance claim

1. Find a travel insurance policy that gives you the cover you need. Look at how much excess you’ll have to pay and the maximum you can claim for individual items, for example. Make sure you have cover for any sports or activities you’re planning on holiday. The excess is the amount you will have to pay to the insurer towards the claim. For example, if your excess is £100, you will need to pay the first £100 of your claim, and if the claim is successful, your insurer will pay the rest.
2. Take copies of important documents and any bookings you’ve made. Obtain proof of purchase for any valuables you’re taking with you and save them in a format that you can access while you’re travelling.
3. Stay safe while you’re travelling. Some things are completely out of our control, but you can reduce your chances of needing to make a claim by taking certain precautions, such as keeping a watchful eye on your luggage and storing your valuables in a safe place, such as a safe in your room.
4. If you need to make a claim, the more evidence you can give to your insurance provider, the better. Take a note of any dates and times which you might need to refer to when filling in your claims form.
5. Check the claim deadline. Be sure you can make your claim within the stated time limits for your policy.
6. Be accurate. Take the time to complete the claims form accurately, as any false, inaccurate or misleading information could potentially lead to your claim being rejected.
7. Make sure you do not incur any expenses for medical treatment which are likely to exceed £500 without getting authorisation from the medical assistance team, as you may not be entitled to claim these back.

Making a claim for medical emergencies and personal injury

DO NOT HAND YOUR PASSPORT INTO THE MEDICAL FACILITY.

Keep hold of your passport and ensure you contact the emergency assistance team as soon as possible. Have your policy schedule with you on your trip so that someone else can contact the emergency assistance team on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

If you need medical treatment while on holiday, contact your insurance provider and get them to agree to any treatment in advance. If it’s an emergency and that’s not possible, call your insurance provider as soon as you can. They’ll be able to liaise with the hospital to make sure you’re getting the care you need, and they can also help with translation and repatriation, if needed.

You may have to pay up front for medical treatment and medication, up to a certain limit. If you do, keep all the receipts so you can claim back the costs on your travel insurance.

Remember that you’ll need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when you take out travel insurance. Failure to declare your pre-existing conditions may result in a claim being declined. If you have any questions or concerns about the medical disclosure process, please contact one of our friendly UK based travel experts and they will be happy to guide you though this.

 Travel Insurance is not a Private Medical Insurance policy. This means there is no cover for any expenses incurred in private medical facilities if the insurer has confirmed medically capable public facilities are/were available.

Making a claim if you need to cancel or cut short your trip (curtailment)

You’ll only be able to claim for cancelling or cutting short your trip under certain circumstances. These will be set out in your policy and may include:

• An unexpected death of a close relative
• If you or someone you’re travelling with suffers a serious illness or injury
• There’s a fire, burglary or flood in your home shortly before your trip
• You’re made redundant
• You’re called up to jury service or as a witness in court
• You become pregnant after booking the trip or have been advised not to travel due to pregnancy
• If your travel insurance policy includes COVID-19 cover, you may be able to make a claim for cancelling your holiday if you test positive in the 14-days prior to travel or are denied boarding as you’re showing symptoms.

If you need to cut short your trip, you may only get a refund for any unused time in your holiday accommodation and the extra travel costs to get home, along with other non-refundable expenses such as excursions or airport parking.

What evidence will I need when making a claim?

Supporting evidence can include receipts for anything lost or stolen. If you’re claiming for a delayed flight, you’ll need proof that you bought a ticket for that particular flight, such as a boarding pass and evidence that the flight was delayed, such as an email from the flight operator. If you’re claiming for a cancelled trip because you have to serve on a jury or be a witness in a court case, you’ll need proof from the court. For outpatient medical expenses, you’ll need paperwork from the healthcare facility where you were treated. And if you’re cancelling because of a death or serious illness or injury in the family, you’ll need to provide a death certificate or medical certificate. The insurer may also need to check that there were no known circumstances which would have given rise to a claim prior to purchasing the policy.

Your policy documents should clearly set out what evidence is required to make a claim. It’s important that you read your policy documents carefully, and contact us as soon as possible with any questions you may have.

It's a good idea to take photos of any valuables you’re taking with you and create digital copies of receipts so you can use them as evidence if you need to make a claim. You’ll also need a crime reference number or incident report from the local police if you’re claiming for the theft of personal belongings or money.

You should also take copies of important documents, such as your passport, as well as any bookings you’ve made in advance.

It pays to be organised with your paperwork prior to your trip and will likely reduce the stress of making a claim, should this be necessary. Keep a record of any conversations/correspondence you have with your insurance provider, including the date/time and name of the person you spoke with in case there’s any dispute with your claim.

Can my claim be denied?

It is possible for a travel insurance claim to be denied by the insurer. There could be a few reasons for this:

• You did not accurately declare any pre-existing medical conditions when taking out a policy.
• An incident happened when you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• You failed to get the recommended vaccinations before you travel and fall ill as a result.
• You did not get the required Visas or documentation for entry to your destination.
• If your possessions are stolen because you’ve left them unattended, for example on the front seat of a car or unattended on the beach.
• Not providing adequate supporting documentation, such a police report.

You can reduce the possibility of having your claim rejected by filling in the details as accurately as possible when you complete a travel insurance quote.

What can I do if my travel insurance claim is rejected?

You’re entitled to a clear explanation of why your claim was rejected. If, after reading the explanation and checking the small print of your policy carefully, you think the decision is unfair, you can make a formal complaint to your travel insurance provider by following their internal complaints procedure. Details of the complaints process can usually be found in their policy wording.

If you don’t agree with their final response you have six months to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). If you’ve complained and the insurance provider hasn’t responded within the set time limits, you can also take the complaint to the FOS.