You are going on vacation alone, with your friends or family, and you have taken out travel insurance to cover you during your stay. But, in the event of a problem, what are the procedures to follow in order to fully benefit from the advantages of your insurance? Discover the first reflexes to adopt if you are the victim of a claim while travelling.
Medical fees
When you travel, you can fall ill or be the victim of a more or less serious accident. From a simple sunburn to appendicitis or a car accident, passing through turista or malaria, you are not completely immune to a health problem. You will then have to consult a doctor in order to receive adequate care as well as a prescription for medication that will relieve you.
To then benefit from a reimbursement from your insurance, you must keep all the doctors’ notes, the invoices for your pharmacy purchases or even the slips if you paid by credit card. Don’t forget to ask for the most detailed medical reports possible, to which you can possibly attach a handwritten letter to explain certain details in order to fully understand your situation. It is advisable to make photocopies of these documents and keep them with you for your records that you can consult if necessary.
Baggage insurance
According to the International Society of Aeronautical Telecommunications, the number of pieces of baggage lost every day in airports worldwide amounts to 82,000, including 10,000 for European airports. In the event of loss, to obtain reimbursement for the items you purchased during your trip or before your departure, you must prove your purchases. It is therefore essential to request an invoice from each seller and keep it either with you or in your hand luggage.
The day you notice that your luggage is lost, go immediately to the airport counter to obtain an official document certifying the loss of your belongings. Then send this document and the corresponding invoices to your insurance company to request reimbursement. It should be noted that the deadline for filing your declaration varies from one company to another. You must therefore inquire beforehand so that your refund request is valid. In any case, you can refer to the General Conditions of Sale (GTC) to find out all the formalities to follow.
Hospitalization & Repatriation
While traveling, you can also be the victim of an unforeseen medical event. If the illness or accident is serious enough, local hospitalization or even repatriation may be necessary.
If this happens to you, don’t panic, even if you don’t speak the local language fluently, because you only have one thing to do:contact the hotline or the assistance service of your insurer by telephone for assistance. You have to keep your insurance certificate with you in order to provide him with all the information he needs to accompany you. He will advise you on the choice of hospital or inform you about the details of a possible repatriation.
Public liability
You are peacefully spending your romantic vacation in Venice but, unfortunately, you slip and hit a pastry chef delivering a wedding cake to a nearby restaurant. Your responsibility is engaged and, as it is a material damage which can be covered by the guarantee Civil responsibility of your travel insurance, you can make intervene this one.
First, take pictures of the damage you caused. Also ask for documents or other official evidence that shows the damage. Then contact your insurance company and email them to ask for the steps to take, all the documents to provide to implement your guarantee and the time you have to do so. This email can serve as written evidence later.
As soon as you have completed your file, send it back by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt, taking care to respect the deadlines given to you. Beforehand, make photocopies of all the documents that you must keep preciously for your archives and that you can present if necessary.
Legal and Individual Accident Assistance
During your trip abroad, you can also commit an act that violates the legislation of the country you are visiting. For example, you forget to refuel and you run out of gas on the highway in Germany. You may not know it but it is liable to a fine across the Rhine.
In the event of legal problems, you must immediately contact the French embassy or consulate as well as your insurance company. You will then be able to benefit from the legal assistance guarantee of your travel insurance if you have to go to court.
As the formalities differ from one company to another, it is strongly advised to be very attentive to the General Conditions of Sale (CGV) to avoid any disappointment.
Whether you are going to the end of the world or to a neighbouring country, Health insurance for travel insurance is the best solution to deal with the risk of loss while travelling. However, you must know the steps to take to be able to take full advantage of the coverage offered by your insurance.