Traveling can be exciting and fun, but at times it comes with unexpected incidents. Under the current circumstances, with Covid 19 continuously on the rise, you may need to use more precautions than usual while traveling, especially if you plan on traveling to the United States anytime soon. The best way to be prepared for any unfortunate series of events is to invest in travel insurance. Travel insurance can often help you out if you have any problems while on a trip. Filing a travel insurance claim may sound like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few different ways to make the process easier.
Find out what your travel insurance covers before your trip.
One of the main things you should do when looking into travel insurance is to find out what your travel insurance covers. Attention to detail can help prepare you for any incidents requiring you to file a travel insurance claim in the future. Find out whether your insurance plan covers international travel or if it only covers national trips. Make sure that your insurance covers overseas medical emergencies, cash theft, luggage theft, and cancellation fees if possible.
It’s also a good idea to be aware of the current travel health notice for your destination. Your travel insurance policy may not cover destinations with covid-19 restrictions or countries that the CDC has placed travel advisories for disease control on. You can find out about these travel advisories on the CDC’s federal website if you plan on traveling to or outside the United States. You may be required to quarantine according to covid-19 restrictions after or during your trip.
Take pictures of your belongings.
Before you pack your favorite lightweight bamboo shirts for travel, or even the electronics you plan to take with you, make a list and take pictures of everything you plan on taking with you. You can use these pictures as proof to document the items you plan to bring with you in case of theft. This can also help if the airport loses your luggage, as long as you photograph your luggage before you board your airplane. Email the pictures to yourself or a friend before the trip. You can also take pictures of serial numbers and other identification markers on these items to record their value if you have to file a claim.
Keep important information on hand.
Nothing is worse than spending the day exploring only to wake up the next morning and realize that you’ve misplaced your Identification card or your passport in a foreign country. It’s a good idea to keep photocopies of your personal information readily available if you’re unfortunate enough to lose your wallet.
Creating photocopies of essential details is excellent if you need to go to the local authorities to report theft. Photocopies may also be used if you need to go to the embassy to request and receive a replacement for your passport or other identification methods. Make sure to repeat this process when recording your flight information details and the details of where you’ll be staying. This photographic evidence can make filing a travel insurance claim less of a headache for everyone in the long run.
Make sure your application is clear and concise.
When you fill out your travel insurance claim, make sure to be very thorough with the details. You mustn’t leave any room for guesswork. When you first file for travel insurance, you should include any pre-existing conditions in your application. If you make your insurance provider aware of all of the details in your medical history, the company will be more prepared to offer you an insurance plan that benefits you.
Make sure to get any report that you file in writing.
Always get everything in writing. If you find yourself placed in a situation where you’re a victim of theft, go to the local police or authorities, and file a police report as soon as you can. Some companies’ insurance policies have a time limit on how long you can wait or hold off on filing a police report before filing an insurance claim. This time frame can be anywhere from two hours to a week. Try to keep a written record of everything you can while on your trip including medical treatment bills, flight cancelation information, and hotel information.
It’s always best to be prepared, and travel insurance is the best way for you to keep yourself secure and safe when you are a resident of another country. There’s no reason to be afraid of filing travel insurance claims; your insurance company will be there for you when you need them.
