3 Common Mistakes Made When Filing A Travel Insurance Claim

Nobody enjoys the process of filing a claim with an insurance company, but if you’re paying for something like travel insurance, it is important to know how to file a claim correctly otherwise, your travel insurance claim might be denied, thereby wasting the money that you paid for the policy. Filing a claim is usually fairly easy, but by understanding a few of the mistakes that travelers make when filing, you will know what to avoid if you have to make a travel insurance claim of your own at some point during your trip.

The most common mistake made by travel insurance policy holders when filing a claim is simply waiting too long to start the filing process. There is a time limit on claims, and the longer you wait to start filing, the greater the chances that your insurance company will not be able to verify your claims or pay them. It is best to start filing your travel insurance claim immediately, even if you are overseas or traveling in some remote location. Most modern travel insurance companies have websites that allow claims to be digitally submitted and processed. This is a great way to get the process rolling, and you will not risk missing a payout simply because you did not follow the correct procedure by filing your claim online within a day or two.

Many travel insurance owners also forget to keep receipts and other proof of loss documents when submitting a travel insurance claim. This seems like an obvious mistake to make, but many travelers, especially vacationers, simply have other things on their mind and do not think to keep these types of documents filed away. Bring a folder with your luggage and keep every major receipt. If you book hotels or flights online, keep the invoices from the online transactions too. Before you leave on your trip, contact your travel insurance company and verify what you will need when filing a claim. This way you will know how to proceed with your claim in an efficient manner.

A final common mistake is not taking the time to fully understand a travel insurance policy and the coverage that it provides. Many travelers submit claims for coverage that they do not even have because they assume that travel insurance will cover just about anything. Take the time to read your policy, and if you haven’t purchased one yet, look at a few quotes online to get a general idea of how travel insurance works. If you need to submit a claim, a solid understanding of your policy will be the best tool at your disposal.