Property & IRDAI Licensed Insurance Agent in Indore. Expert in Health Gap Analysis. Travel Insurance. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.

How to Claim Travel Insurance in 2025:
Step-by-Step Guide

How to file & Get Travel Insurance Claim Step-by-Step

Before you even leave, it’s vital to understand the specifics of your travel insurance policy. Not all policies cover the same incidents or have the same limits. Read your policy document thoroughly to know exactly what situations you're protected against.

Insurance companies will reject claims as soon as the find any irregularity or misinformation in filing for a claim. Claim filing is more important than getting insured. When getting insured you don't have to provide much details but during claim you will have to submit almost every document there is.

Most travel insurance claims fail not because the policy is wrong, but because the process is not followed correctly.

Immediate Actions to be taken when incident occurs.

When an incident occurs (medical emergency, baggage loss, trip cancellation), your immediate actions are crucial for a successful claim. Time is of the essence, and thorough documentation is your best friend.

Remember:

Timely action and meticulous documentation significantly increase your chances of a successful claim.

Step 1 - Claim Initiation & Intimation

Once you have taken immediate steps and collected initial evidence, it's time to formally intimate your claim. This is where your policy number and prompt communication are key.

Inform the insurance company immediately (MOST IMPORTANT)

Timeline:

Medical Emergency: Within 24 hrs
Loss of Baggage / Passport: Within 24 hrs
Trip / delay/Cancellation: As soon as it happens.

How to inform insurance company:

Call the insurer's international assistance helpline (number will be on your policy).
Must also whatsapp / email / so as to have confirmation of intimation.

⚠️ Never get admitted first and inform later unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.

Step 2 - Cashless or Reimbursement Claim

Option A: Cashless Claim

Used for hospitalisation abroad.

✔ Hospital contacts insurer/TPA
✔ Insurer approves estimate
✔ You pay only non-covered expenses

📌 Cashless works only at network hospitals.

Option B: Reimbursement Claim

Used when:

✔ Hospital is not in network.
✔ Emergency admission.
✔ Small OPD / Pharmacy Expenses.

📌 You pay first → claim later.

Step 3 - Required Documents for Travel Claim

Documents are one of the most crucial part of any insurance claim. Travel insurance fairly requires quite a bit of documents. Some are identity documents, so are bills but unlike other insurances travel insurance goes a step ahead and also requires documents that a traveller must acquire before departure from venue. Documents like Property Irregularity Report, Airline Delay Certificate etc. For better understanding below is the list of documents required for most frequent claims.

Take Screenshot of list of documents below incase you are unable to access internet.

Critical "On-Site" Documents You Cannot Afford to Miss:

Hospital Records Abroad: You must request doctor’s consultation notes and discharge summaries before leaving the medical facility; these must mention the symptoms and date of onset.
The PIR (Property Irregularity Report): If your baggage is lost or delayed, you must obtain this report from the Airline Baggage Counter before you exit the airport.
Police FIRs: For lost passports or theft, a local police report is usually required within 24 hours of the incident.
Carrier Certificates: For flight delays or cancellations, you must request an official letter from the airline ground staff confirming the duration and technical or weather-related reason while you are still at the terminal.

Step 4 - Submitting The Claim

Once you have it all worked out, The claim intimation; Acquiring Documents; Attaching Document Required; you'll then need to submit all aforementioned relevant documents to the insurer. Make sure to choose the right and appropriate channel for submitting documents for claim, so insurer can't deny on the grounds that they didn't get the documents in available time-frame.

Claims must be submitted via:

Insurer's Online Portal: make sure to get back acknowledgement number.
E-mail to Claims Department: E-mail will be on policy paper
Through insurance Agent: You must give all relevant document to agent in case of rejection due lack or discrepancies in information provided by you agent will not be responsible.

Step 5 - Claim Settlement

After the claim has been successfully filed, it would take 7-15 working days for claim to be resolved. In case the insurer company requires any further proof or explanation they would raise a query and ask for clarification or proof or both. Complex or big claims may take longer as they are undergo heavy scrutiny.

If Approved

In case of Cashless:
Amount is paid to the hospital / airline etc.

In case of Reimbursement:
Amount will be credited in you bank account.

Claims will be settled fully and you won't have to pay anything.

If Partially Approved

In case of Cashless:
Amount is paid to the hospital / airline etc.

In case of Reimbursement:
Amount will be credited in you bank account.

You'll have to pay the expense out of your pocket that hasn't been approved. Expenses incurred due to Sub-Limits, Non-Medical Expense, Policy exclusions, etc.

If Rejected

You will have to pay all the expenses out of your pocket.

Common reason for rejection:

Late Intimation.
Pre-Existing Disease not disclosed.
Treatment not medically necessary.
Policy exclusions.
Missing Documents.
Un-satisfactory explanation.
Mis-leading information.

Important Advice

Always save insurer helpline number in phone.
Carry soft copies of Id documents like PAN card, Birth Certificate, Passport & Policy.
Inform insurer before spending money.
Never sign hospital forms blindly.
Never assume “this will be covered”.