How to make a travel insurance claim

Unfortunately, things don’t always go to plan when you are travelling. Maybe you’ve had to cancel or reschedule your trip because of an unexpected sickness. Or your flight back home has been delayed. Travel insurance is one of those costs that we incur out of necessity, but hope that we won’t have to use. But holidays don’t always go to plan and sometimes we do have to make use of our travel insurance.

Whatever the reason, here’s what you need to know if you need to make a travel insurance claim. We explain how to do it and what documents you may need to give your insurance provider.

What can be claimed on travel insurance?

This will depend on your travel insurance policy. Travel insurance can cover things such as:

• overseas medical and hospital expenses
• cancellation and amendment fees (such as non-refundable flights, accommodation and tours)
• lost, stolen or damaged luggage or personal belongings
• additional expenses (such as additional accommodation and travel expenses)
• rental vehicle excess (if your hire vehicle is stolen or damaged and you have to pay an excess to the rental company).

If you’re not sure what you are covered for, check your Product Disclosure Statement or contact your insurance provider.

What is the most common travel insurance claim?

Some of the most common travel insurance claims include lost luggage, lost or stolen money, medical expenses, and flight cancellations and delays.

Is there a time limit for making a travel insurance claim?

The time limit for making a travel insurance claim will depend on the insurance provider. But generally, it is recommended that you make your claim as soon as possible and within 30 to 60 days of returning home from your trip.

How does making a travel insurance claim work?

You can usually make a travel insurance claim online, or by completing a claim form and sending it to your provider. There is often a number you can call for help.

You’ll need to provide relevant documents to support your claim, such as medical reports, police reports, accommodation and tour details, and receipts for the expenses you are claiming.

If you are claiming something has been stolen, some policies stipulate you must report this to the relevant authorities (i.e., police) within 24 hours of the incident occurring.

It’s always advisable to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to alert them to the fact you will be making a claim. They can then talk you through the claim process.

How do I make a travel insurance claim for medical expenses?

If you receive medical treatment while overseas, you can generally pay for your medical bills and make a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement later. Alternatively, you can contact your provider and they may be able to speak to the medical provider and pay them directly.

Make sure you get a medical report that confirms the injury or illness and the treatment received.

Many insurance providers also have 24/7 emergency hotline services that you can call if you are sick or injured and need assistance. They can help you through the process.

What supporting documents do I need?

You will need to provide documents and evidence to support your travel insurance claim. Your insurance provider will tell you what documents are required on its claim form.

Some common documents include:

• medical reports
• police reports for lost or stolen belongings, or incident reports from the relevant authority (such as the airline or hotel)
• flight, accommodation and tour details
• proof of ownership for items lost, stolen or damaged, such as receipts or bank statements
• receipts for any additional expenses claimed, such as additional accommodation

Your insurance provider will likely be able to assess your claim more quickly if you have given them all the documents they need. But you can usually make a claim even if you are waiting on some documents and attach them at a later stage.

How long does a travel insurance claim take to process?

After you have lodged your claim, your insurance provider will then process it and let you know if you need to provide any additional documents. Generally, you can expect to get a response within 10 business days, but this may vary between providers.

What is the excess for travel insurance claims?

The excess is the amount you may need to pay towards a claim that you make on your travel insurance policy.

The excess will vary depending on the policy and provider you choose. The excess should be listed in your policy documentation. If you need to pay an excess or excesses, your insurance provider should let you know during the claims process.

Cover image source: A_B_C/Shutterstock.com
This is an update of an article originally written by Tamika Seeto.