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When you’re travelling and encounter an unexpected medical emergency, it may be confusing and overwhelming. Nothing is worse than having to worry about how you’re going to access your emergency medical coverage, however, Travelance makes it easy for any policyholder to access their coverage 24/7.

The first step after purchasing a policy is to read your policy and understand the coverages available to you. If you have any questions, your licensed insurance broker to Travelance is happy to assist you. Also, locate the emergency assistance phone numbers you need to call in the event of an emergency.

Your coverage may include any of the following:

• Trip cancellation and interruption benefits
• Trip delay
• Emergency medical
• Emergency medical evacuation/return home
• Baggage and personal effects compensation
• Travel accident
• Top-up coverage

Whom to Contact

Any reputable Emergency Assistance Provider will have worldwide, multilingual representatives available 24/7 – they’ll always be there for you in your time of need. To get in contact with an Emergency Assistance provider, you can find their number in the policy wording, on your confirmation coverage, or on your insurance company’s website.

Here are some services an Emergency Assistant Provider might provide:

Medical Assistance

• Locate and access medical or dental facilities
• Monitor your treatment
• Update your family, employer and home physician on your medical condition, if required

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation Services

• Coordinate flights and makes arrangements for:
• A visit to your bedside by a friend or family member, if recommended by your doctor
• The return of a travelling companion to their home country
• Return of children if you are unable to care for them due to your medical emergency
• Transportation to a medical facility or your home country to continue treatment
• Repatriation of mortal remains

Legal Assistance

• Transfer of funds, if your cash is lost or stolen
• Legal and bail referrals

Travel & Document Assistance

• Assistance in contacting the appropriate authorities to replace lost or stolen passport and travel documents
• Assistance with locating lost or delayed baggage

Other Assistance Services

• Emergency travel arrangements home
• Translation services
• Urgent message transmittal
• Vehicle return, if you are physically unable to return your vehicle home yourself due to illness or injury

Concierge Services

• Provides after departure personal and convenience services
• Location information (weather, news, shopping, etc.)
• Tour and guide information and reservations
• Flower and gift delivery
• Nightlife recommendations
• Entertainment information and reservation

What Happens Next?
Hopefully, your trip doesn’t need to get to the point where you need to make a claim, however, if it ever does, here is a guideline on how to make a claim.

1. When making your claim, you can start by downloading a claims form from your insurance provider’s website, complete the forms and submit them with any required supporting documentation (note: original receipts and documents may be required).

Common items on a claim form can include:

• Nature of injury
• Location of accident
• Time of accident
• Description of the circumstances of the sickness or injury
• Were you hospitalized?
• Name and address of hospital
• Date and time of admittance
• Date and time of discharge
• Name of physician
• Other health insurance coverages

Often times, claim forms also need to be accompanied by additional documents, some of which might include:

• Original medical bills
• Original airline tickets
• Trip invoice
• Doctors statement
• Death certificate
• Medical authorization form
• Receipts
• Copy of any other insurance company’s ‘Explanation of Benefits’
2. If you’re still unsure of what to do or have any questions, most travel insurance providers will have a support line that’s accessible through a toll-free number. Most insurance providers give their policyholders access to worldwide assistance 24/7.
3. Once the claim has been submitted and the insurance company has reviewed and assessed the claim, the policyholder will be notified by mail of the claim decision.

Experiencing a medical emergency when travelling can be overwhelming. Knowing you are travelling with a quality travel insurance policy backed by a reputable underwriter can help provide you with the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip.

For more information or a quote, contact a licensed insurance broker in your area, or contact us at 1-855-566-8555.

Note the above is an outline of the claims process and can vary by provider. Contact your insurance company or emergency assistance company in the event of a claim for full requirements and details.