Accident Insurance Claim Guide (while travelling abroad)
It’s always a good idea to ensure you have travel insurance while you are travelling abroad but its s a good idea to research first since many accidents are not covered and premium charges will also differ based on which part of the world you are travelling to. If you are travelling to Europe, you can avail of many medical services but for some parts of the world, the tale is very much different. It is always best to stay informed so read below to learn about some steps which you can follow to file your insurance claim while travelling abroad.
File an early claim
If you find yourself in a medical emergency in a foreign land, it is best to contact the insurer as soon as possible. Most often, you will have to pay for the associated costs and apply for a reimbursement later on but it’s still a good idea to check with the insurance company because they may not honour charges that they find unnecessary. If you find yourself in a position wherein you cannot contact the insurer, then your relatives will have to do it for you. Most often, insurance companies have 24 hours hotline service which can be availed of in such emergencies.
Avoid evacuation
Do not arrange for your evacuation all by yourself without taking your insurance company on board first. They may have some alternate plans or local partners which can be of help and evacuation may not be necessary in their opinion.
Store Documents safely
All insurance claims need supportive documents. If you are availing of a claim for theft, then a police report will be necessary without which your claim will never be entertained. If you are filing a claim for medical bills, you will need to submit copies of receipts so keep them safely to prevent any hassles later on. In some cases, proof of purchase to establish you were the owner of the valuable item in the first place may also be required so keep all original bills and receipts safely and well documented if you are thinking of filing a claim later on.
File Claims as soon as possible
Most insurance companies have strict deadlines and in most cases, the insurance cover cannot be availed if a significant amount of time has already passed. Therefore, it is best to file your claim as early as possible otherwise your claim will not be honoured. For large claims, it is best to inform the insurer early to prevent any problems afterwards.
Learn about the coverage
Many companies do not offer insurance if you decide to travel to conflict prone zones or where the home government has issued a travel advisory. These places keep changing so research well and make any queries beforehand. Check the terms and conditions carefully before you decide to purchase insurance and its best to check out other companies too before you make up your mind. It is also a good idea to follow news to learn about any valuable changes that might result in your insurance claim being invalidated.
