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What is the Travel Insurance Claims Process Like?

Travel insurance is one of those things that people hear about and briefly consider before deciding that they don’t need it. Tourists can lose thousands of dollars if they don’t have any type of insurance. Trip insurance covers a variety of things, including flights, rental cars, hotel rooms and more. It only takes one canceled trip before a traveler learns the importance of insurance. Those who purchase this type of insurance need to understand how to file a claim and how the claim process works.

The first thing that a person needs is proof of the cancellation. A large number of people who purchase travel insurance find that they need to cancel their travel arrangements because of a medical emergency. Those people need documents from a doctor. For example, the doctor can write a letter that says the person could not travel because of illness. For an illness relating to another family member, the claimant still needs a signed document from the doctor. Insurance providers also require documentation from a licensed doctor if a person cancels a trip because of an emergency. The insurance company will not accept a letter from an individual claiming that he or she broke a leg without proof from an attending physician.

The next step involves gathering all of the appropriate paperwork. When someone files an insurance claim, the person must show the loses incurred as a result of the cancellation. This might include a letter from a hotel, or the individual might show credit card statements that show charges incurred because of the trip. Many hotels now charge a deposit when someone reserves a room, and if that person cancels the room, the hotel might charge a fee for the cancellation or retain the original deposit. Those with trip insurance can often make a claim to remove any fees or charges associated with the trip.

Once an individual is ready to make a trip insurance claim, it’s time to contact the insurance provider. Many companies now have online systems that let customers file an initial claim over a computer. Those who prefer talking to a real person can contact the company and ask to speak with a claims department representative. The representative will go over the entire process, request information about any charges and help the person file the claim. The trip insurance provider will often request that the customer send copies of all paperwork and documents to the head office before paying on the claim.