How to Ensure You Have a Valid Travel Insurance Claim
Many Canadians will be heading overseas to spend their holidays and get some much needed rest and relaxation. Who isn't thrilled to have a break in and explore a foreign country? Beyond the prospect of a grand vacation, however, is the dark cloud of medical emergencies that often catch us off-guard. Every travel insurance company operates through a set of rules. Failing to follow said rules could cause inconvenience in the future. Worst case scenario: having your claim denied.
Reading your travel insurance policy from cover to cover is the most practical course of action. It helps you know the scope of your coverage (i.e. activities that are and are not covered) and the steps involved in filing a claim.
Lack of information and deliberate non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions are some of the common reasons why travel insurance claims are denied. Providers regularly receive a plethora of incomplete claims and documents not related to the incident instead of receipts of costs, police blotters and medical records – important pieces of evidence that serve to validate your claim.
In the event of a medical emergency, travellers should have the initiative to contact their travel insurance provider, explain the situation in detail and ask for proper advise. Many insurers have 24/7 hotlines which you can utilize during an emergency. You don't need to worry about telecommunication costs. Use the toll-free number.
Tips for avoiding travel insurance nightmares:
1. Store documents connected to your claim in a safe place. Make sure you can readily access them when the occasion calls for it. Travel medical insurance claims are usually legitimated by hospital bills and police records but you can also put in your laboratory results for added proof if you had to undergo certain tests.
2. Call your travel insurance provider immediately. Some providers ask travellers to submit an incident report within 24 hours from the time you informed them.
3. Be thorough and clear with the details (i.e. how, why, what, where and when it happened) to avoid repetitive and time-consuming discussions with your travel insurance provider and for a smoother claiming process.
4. The party responsible for getting you into a medical emergency should also be held accountable. Let the said party compensate your losses first and your travel insurance will cover the rest of the costs.
5. Don't get a basic travel insurance plan for it is not all-inclusive. Although it covers the usual losses incurred while travelling, basic plans rarely cover the most complicated issues.
Related Posts: