TRAVEL INSURANCE CLAIMS
As we plan a holiday and get travel insurance, we often do so for peace of mind and hope that we don’t need to use it. We want to help you make a claim as quickly as possible, so keep these tips in mind to help the claims process go as smoothly as possible.
Know your policy
It is important to know what you are covered for and what you are not covered for under your specific policy. Read the benefits of your travel insurance plan along with the guidelines under your policy, and make sure you take a copy of all the travel insurance documents with you, for easier reference when needing to make a claim Each insurer has a product disclosure statement (PDS) which includes detailed information about their claims process.
Keep your receipts
If you have something stolen, lost, or damaged whilst travelling, the insurer requires proof that you owned the item. If you buy anything new for your trip – leave a copy of the receipts in a safe place – in your luggage, back at home, and even with a cloud storage service. Insurers also understand you may not have a receipt for everything, so it is a good idea to take photos of your belongings before you travel, and also upload copies of these to cloud storage. Bank statements or valuations may also be useful as proof.
Don’t Admit Fault
If you are involved in an incident with a third-party that may lead to an travel insurance claim, refrain from admitting fault or guilt, except to the police or a Court. Don’t admit any liability, and don’t negotiate or offer to pay for any damages. If your travel insurance includes personal liability cover, your insurer will determine the extent of your liability and make all the necessary arrangements.
Get a police report
With claims for lost or stolen goods, get a police report or a police reference number. Ensure all paperwork is noted with dates and times. This can be a little difficult in countries where English isn’t commonly spoken, but for lost or stolen belongings, a police report or reference number is critical.
Contact the claims department ASAP
If medical assistance overseas is required, you should contact the emergency assistance team as soon as practicable. For stolen or lost items, get a police report as soon as possible, but if you have any doubts or questions, contact your insurer straight away. Your insurer should have a reverse charge number that you can call from anywhere in the world for assistance, though you will still need to download and fill in the claims forms or complete them online yourself. Refer to the PDS for the exact steps to follow.
Keep all your documents and paperwork
When making a claim, it’s always best to provide too much information rather than too little. Be as detailed as possible with your claim. If the Claims Department requires further information, this could delay the process unnecessarily. If you are awaiting further information (such as police reports, etc.), you can still submit your claim and provide those documents later. If you have booked your trip through a travel agent – they may be able to assist you.
Make copies
If you are mailing your claim form with supporting documents – ensure you have made a copy of everything for your records, and again upload digital copies to a cloud storage service, such as Dropbox, iCloud, or even Google Drive.
Contact the relevant Claims Department
Travelinsurance.com.au is an agent for different travel insurers. You will need to contact the travel insurers directly about your intent to claim or to obtain any additional information on the claims process. We can, however, provide you with the relevant claim forms, information regarding your application, and contact information for the appropriate claims department.
Fill in all necessary fields on your claims form
For speedy processing of your claim, always ensure you have filled out the necessary fields on the claims form. Ensure you have signed and dated the forms and provided accompanying evidence to back up your claim. Your insurer may also have an online option to submit your claim.
Visit Our Insurers for claims contact numbers.