A record number of travellers plus extreme weather up and down the east coast will likely mean and increase in travel insurance claims. The experts at InsureMyTrip anticipate the most common claims expected to be trip cancellations or delays due to flight issues.

A travel insurance policy can save you money and stress if something unexpected ruins your trip. However, filing a travel insurance claim can be confusing and overwhelming.

While InsureMyTrip does not handle claims directly (those are handled by providers), we have some tips to help expedite the process

 Before You Go

While you may hope to never need to use your travel insurance policy, there are a couple of things to do to set yourself up for success if you must file a claim.

1. Know your plan:  Carefully read the wording in your policy to know when you have coverage and steps to take for filing a claim.
2. Take photos: If your bags are stolen or lost, having photos of the items in those bags will come in handy.

During Your Trip

Often, you’ll have to wait until you return home to file a travel insurance claim.  However, there are some important steps to take while on vacation.

• Contact your provider: If an issue arises during your trip, such as needing to seek medical attention, it may help to contact your insurance provider’s 24-hour emergency assistance line.  A representative can advise you regarding nearby hospitals and doctors.
• Keep all documents: Save your receipts and proof of expenses to be accurately reimbursed.  Here is a list of documentation you should keep:
• Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses
• Unused travel tickets and proof of payment for those tickets
• Explanation of diagnosis from doctor and the medical bill
• Police report for stolen items or car accident report
• Proof from airline that baggage was lost or delayed

It is important to get this documentation during your trip and, if possible, at the time of the incident. That information can be difficult to get after the fact or once you’re back home.

After Your Trip

Right now, claims are taking three to four months to process because of volume and staff shortages, so don’t wait to file a claim.  Some plans may even have cut-off dates.

InsureMyTrip recommends submitting a claim on the provider’s online portal, when possible.  This can help speed things up and allow you to check the status of your claim.  If it has been more than three months, InsureMyTrip representatives can help contact the provider to see what’s holding things up.

What if Your Claim is Denied?

 Sometimes, a claim is denied.  If this happens, InsureMyTrip customers can have their claim reviewed by one of our Anytime Advocates®.

All InsureMyTrip customers have access to our Anytime Advocates® program. This unique service is designed to save you time and money by contacting the travel insurance provider directly to find out why a claim was denied and dispute the denial – if necessary.