Making sure your claim is successful

Here at AA Travel Insurance we’re often asked about the most common reasons why claims are rejected, so we thought we’d offer you some words of wisdom so that you don’ waste your time or money and get the most from your policy.

Failure to read the small print and disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions are among the two top reasons for travel insurance claims to be rejected, so when it comes to buying or renewing policies before the big holiday getaway begins we’d advise you take time to go through each point on the form carefully.

We know that travel insurance is usually a last-minute purchase for most people, however making sure that you have the correct policy for you and your family as well as an understanding of what it does and doesn’t cover is very important. This means if it came to the situation where you need to make a claim the process should be easier.

Other major reasons for claims being rejected included not taking reasonable care of your property while on holiday, for example leaving expensive camera equipment on the beach while swimming, failure to obtain a police report following a robbery and not contacting the relevant 24-hour assistance company after obtaining medical treatment abroad.

However it’s the disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions which causes the greatest headaches for both you and us so do take extra care over this section.

All travel insurance companies will ask for details of any pre-existing medical conditions at the time of buying a policy. It is essential that you declare any conditions that you may have, as around 7% of all declined claims are declined due to a failure to disclose pre-existing medical conditions.

If the worst happens, and you need to make a claim, check your policy wording for exactly what to do next. You will need to follow the claims procedure, and may need to provide certain reports and documentation for your claim to be successful. For example if you have been the victim of a robbery you will need to obtain a written police report within 24 hours.

Always read the full policy wording carefully when you buy travel insurance and ensure that the cover provided meets your requirements, after all this policy represents a legal contract so it’s crucial you understand what it covers and what it doesn’t.

Most travel insurance providers offer a full refund within 14 days of purchasing a policy if it doesn’t meet your requirements. You have plenty of time, so read the details carefully and make sure that you fill in all the information requested fully and accurately.