How long does it take for a travel insurance claim to go through?
"It typically takes about a month or up to two months. And some companies may take even longer." Her advice: Be patient. If the claim takes longer than two months, send a polite email asking about the claim.
Unfortunately, there's no exact timeline—the amount of time it takes to process a claim tends to vary from case to case and from company to company. In general, however, most claims should be processed within a few weeks (once the insurance company has all the documentation they need).
Generally, most travel insurance claims are processed within a couple of weeks. But if additional documentation is required due to the complexity of the claim, it could take several weeks to a few months.
California Law: How Long an Insurance Company Has to Respond
In addition, an insurance company has 40 days to investigate and decide whether to accept or reject a claim. If an insurance company needs more time to process a claim, it can request an extension with a valid reason.
Legitimate claims
According to the United States Travel Insurance Association, one out of every six insureds ends up filing a claim, and less than 10 percent of those claims are denied. If your travel insurance claim is denied, you may be upset,. However, getting upset is not going to help you.
"In order to process your claim quickly and accurately, travel insurance providers need all the information they require – including receipts for expenses, documentation of the cause of the cancellation or interruption and documentation of any refunds already received," he said.
Contact Your Insurer Immediately
The sooner you contact your insurer to file a claim, the easier it will be for your adjuster to make the necessary inquiries to get your claim moving along. Call your insurance company as soon as possible – ideally from the scene of the accident, if you can do so safely.
If you file a claim and we make a payment, it is very likely that your rate will increase at renewal. Because of the incident, you're likely to pay a higher rate for three to five years. We want to help you understand the types of things we look at in determining premiums after an incident.
Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn't go as planned. This is very important if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no rep to help sort out your holiday problem.
By far, the most common and often most significant travel insurance claim is for medical emergencies. A sudden illness or injury during your trip can not only ruin your plans but also cause a severe financial strain.
What happens if a claim is taking too long?
If your insurance company continues to delay your claim (or denies it) without a valid reason, they may be acting in bad faith, and you may need to hire an attorney who sues insurance companies.
Investigating an accident can take considerable time. Insurance companies often have to do their own investigating when it comes to determining liability. This includes collecting information about a submitted claim, reviewing evidence, and other tasks.
Factors such as the complexity of the case, negotiation processes, and administrative procedures can impact the timing of the settlement check. It's essential to note that while the general range is 3 to 6 weeks, the specific duration can be shorter or longer based on the unique details of your situation.
Travel insurance compensates you for money you lose due to unforeseen events before and during your trip. Just as importantly, it can pay for emergency medical care and evacuation during your trip.
Conditions which may not be covered
Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.
Accident / Incident / Police / Irregularity Report providing details of the incident. Receipts for all claimed lost/stolen/damaged personal possessions or baggage. Documentation showing any received or expected settlements, refunds, or credits for this loss from any other party.
The most common reasons for a denied claim include: There's insufficient documentation or evidence to support a claim. These include a lack of receipts, proof of payments or proof of the incident that you're making the claim for, such as a cancellation, necessary medical care or anything else that cost you money.
Sometimes, a travel insurance company will list the reason for the denial. For example, you may need to provide more documentation for your claim. Those types of claim rejections are relatively easy to deal with as long as you have the right documentation.
Dragging Out a Case
The insurance company knows that you need money. It might want to wear you down by delaying settlement so that you give up and accept a lower offer so that you can get money in your pocket. The other reason for delaying a case might be to create a statute of limitations defense.
Major reasons that payers reject or delay payment on a claim include: The health plan didn't receive the claim. A CPT code is missing or incorrect. Provider and/or patient identifiers are not included.
How do insurance companies deny claims?
Insurance claims are often denied if there is a dispute as to fault or liability. Companies will only agree to pay you if there's clear evidence to show that their policyholder is to blame for your injuries. If there is any indication that their policyholder isn't responsible the insurer will deny your claim.
Leif Olson, Car Insurance Writer
Travelers is decent at paying claims compared to the average insurance company, according to J.D. Power's latest claims satisfaction survey. Travelers scored 864 out of 1,000 for their claims process, compared to the industry average of 873 out of 1,000.
A few states, including Oklahoma and California, don't allow insurers to increase your rates if a crash was not your fault.
Under California law, an insurer cannot increase your premiums when you aren't at fault.
Trip interruption insurance
Common covered reasons for trip interruption are injury or sudden illness to you or a traveling companion, severe weather en route to or at your destination, a family death or a life-threatening emergency at your home.
References
- https://www.travelers.com/claims/guides/will-my-auto-rate-increase-after-filing-claim
- https://www.geico.com/about/corporate/corporate-ownership/
- https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/insurance-management/toolkit/common-reasons-for-claim-denials
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/geico-vs-progressive/
- https://www.directauto.com/learning-center/car-insurance/how-to-speed-up-car-insurance-claim-process
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/travel-insurance-appeal-denial/
- https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/does-travel-insurance-cover-flight-cancellations/
- https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/insurance-companies-requesting-medical-records/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/pre-existing-condition/
- https://www.cheapair.com/help/flights/can-i-get-a-refund-on-my-airline-ticket-if-i-get-sick-and-have-a-doctors-note/
- https://www.rosenbaumnylaw.com/resources/the-inside-scoop-on-how-insurance-companies-will-fight-your-personal-injury-claim/
- https://www.cheapair.com/blog/what-happens-if-youre-too-sick-to-fly/
- https://www.travelers.com/resources/travel/travel-medical-insurance-guide
- https://milesopedia.com/en/personal-finance/insurance/cancellation-interruption-travel-credit-cards/
- https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/travel-resources/not-covered.html
- https://www.travelinsurancereview.net/2010/09/16/how-many-people-file-travel-insurance-claims-every-year/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/how-much-insurance-goes-up-after-accident
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/is-travelers-good-at-paying-claims-1000258-2140778945/
- https://www.progressive.com/answers/does-travel-insurance-cover-canceled-flights/
- https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/financial-strength
- https://www.usnews.com/insurance/travel/is-travel-insurance-worth-it
- https://www.theaa.com/travel-insurance/advice/cancelled-holidays
- https://salespop.net/marketing/four-reasons-why-you-should-book-flight-with-a-credit-card/
- https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/personal/security-benefits/card-benefits.html
- https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11037-Medicare-Coverage-Outside-United-States.pdf
- https://fortune.com/recommends/credit-cards/do-credit-cards-offer-travel-insurance/
- https://www.travelguard.com/help-center/claims/required-claim-documents
- https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/legal/personal-insurance/quoting-disclosures
- https://crashcallash.com/how-long-does-an-insurance-company-have-to-settle-a-claim-in-california/
- https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/planning/do-I-need-travel-insurance-if-I-have-health-insurance.htm
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/allianz-travel-insurance-review/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/why-is-geico-so-cheap-1000109-2140684827/
- https://www.icicilombard.com/blogs/travel-insurance/mb/does-travel-insurance-cover-visa-delays
- https://www.squaremouth.com/travel-insurance-benefits/cancel-for-medical-reasons
- https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/pre-existing-conditions/index.html
- https://www.worldtrips.com/travel-medical-insurance/how-does-the-claims-process-work
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/how-does-credit-card-travel-insurance-work
- https://smartfinancial.com/compare-companies/travelers-vs-liberty-mutual-insurance
- https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers
- https://www.investopedia.com/do-i-need-travel-insurance-7553834
- https://thepointsguy.com/guide/airline-change-and-cancellation-policies/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/who-owns-travelers-insurance-1000045-2140748614/
- https://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Documents/Local%20Health%20Department%20Billing%20Manual/PDF%20Manual/Section%20III/Common%20Claim%20Denials.pdf
- https://disb.dc.gov/page/taking-trip-information-about-travel-insurance-you-should-know-you-hit-road
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/trip-cancellation-insurance-explained
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Travelers_Companies
- https://www.visa.com.ge/en_GE/pay-with-visa/promotions/travel-insurance.html
- https://www.citywidelaw.com/resources/why-do-insurance-companies-deny-claims/
- https://www.squaremouth.com/travel-insurance-benefits/trip-cancellation
- https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-typically-take-travel-insurance-companies-to-pay-a-claim
- https://theryanlawgroup.com/how-long-does-it-take-insurance-companies-to-pay-out-a-claim/
- https://www.ccdcare.com/resource-center/claim-denial-rate
- https://www.thezebra.com/insurance-companies/geico-vs-travelers/
- https://www.ratehub.ca/credit-cards/trip-cancellation-and-interruption-insurance
- https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/industry-news/metlife-buys-travelers-unit-from-citigroup/
- https://www.visa.gp/pay-with-visa/find-a-card/benefits/trip-cancellation.html
- https://www.forbes.com/2005/07/01/citigroup-metlife-insurance-cx_ab_0701video1.html
- https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/travelers-history
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/is-travel-insurance-worth-getting
- https://wakefordlaw.com/articles/car-accidents/will-my-car-insurance-go-up-if-im-not-at-fault-for-an-accident/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/chase-sapphire-travel-insurance-guide
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/what-insurance-is-better-than-travelers-1000208-2140762644/
- https://www.comparetravelinsurance.com.au/travel-insurance-tips/credit-card-travel-insurance
- https://fortune.com/recommends/credit-cards/credit-cards-with-travel-insurance/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/liberty-mutual-vs-geico/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/travel-insurance-guide/
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/geico-must-face-california-class-action-claiming-it-overcharged-car-insurance-2022-10-31/
- https://www.grimesfertitta.com/blog/2023/10/sue-insurance-company-taking-too-long/
- https://usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/cards/visa-credit-cards/visa-signature-credit-cards.html
- https://www.morellilaw.com/faqs/why-do-insurance-companies-take-so-long-to-pay-out/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-travel-insurance-do-you-need/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/average-travel-insurance-cost/
- https://www.mastercard.us/content/dam/mccom/en-us/documents/Cardholder%20Benefits/GTB-Trip_Cancellation_MC_Base_form_012315.pdf
- https://injurywisconsin.com/how-long-to-get-settlement-check/
- https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/coronavirus-and-travel-insurance
- https://www.money.co.uk/travel-insurance/i-need-to-cancel-my-holiday-what-are-my-rights
- https://www.insubuy.com/travel-insurance-claim-denied-filing-an-appeal/
- https://www.tourradar.com/days-to-come/getting-sick-before-vacation/
- https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/what-does-travel-insurance-cover/
- https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/air-travel
- https://www.sevencorners.com/faq/what-is-travel-insurance
- https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/finances/payment-pitfalls
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/travelers-insurance-reviews/
- https://www.sevencorners.com/blog/infographics/what-is-the-typical-travel-insurance-claims-process
- https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/what-are-travel-insurance-pre-existing-conditions-450380.aspx
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/travel-insurance-vs-credit-card
- https://www.bhtp.com/when-to-buy-travel-insurance/
- https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-mt/articles/12896441081617-I-couldn-t-travel-due-to-a-serious-or-life-threatening-illness-Can-I-get-a-refund
- https://pirg.org/edfund/articles/was-your-health-insurance-claim-denied-by-an-algorithm-thousands-are/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/travel-insurance-claim-denied-heres-how-turn-yes-christopher-elliott-odoxe
- https://gerrards.co.nz/does-travel-insurance-cover-flu/
- https://ustoa.com/blog/common-insurance-claims/
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/the-basics/insurance
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/types-of-insurance/travel-insurance1/making-a-claim-on-your-travel-insurance/
- https://www.comparetravelinsurance.com.au/travel-insurance-tips/pre-existing-medical-conditions
- https://www.allianzcare.com/en/about-us/blog/the-difference-between-international-health-and-travel-insurance.html
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/2022/11/12/get-travel-insurance-claim-fast/10661474002/
- https://www.mastercard.com.au/en-au/business/issuers/grow-manage-your-business/loyalty-solutions/value-add-benefits.html
- https://ehlinelaw.com/blog/geico-shuts-down-every-office-in-california
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/should-you-buy-travel-insurance/
- https://helloskip.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-travel-insurance
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/travel-insurance/what-does-travel-insurance-cover/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/who-owns-geico-insurance-1000045-2140683736/
- https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/pre-existing-condition-exclusion-period-job-based-coverage/
- https://www.insuremytrip.com/insuring-your-trip/tips-for-filing-a-travel-insurance-claim/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-much-is-travel-insurance
- https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance/when-to-buy-travel-insurance
- https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/best-home-insurance-companies/
- https://www.flightright.com/blog/flying-with-cold-rules-tips
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/geico-wont-face-class-action-claims-it-overcharged-drivers-during-pandemic-2024-03-12/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/travelers-insurance-review/
- https://www.insubuy.com/trip-insurance-vs-travel-medical-insurance/
- https://www.cafii.com/credit-card-insurance/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/allstate-vs-geico/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/bank-of-america-travel-insurance-1000375-2140669914/
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/types-of-insurance/travel-insurance1/travel-insurance/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/travel-medical-insurance/
- https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/cardholders/additional-documents/rbc-avion-visa-infinite-privilege-quebecforms.pdf