Making a successful claim on your travel insurance

The thing with travel insurance is that you'll probably be buying your cover when you have far more pressing things on your mind - like looking forward to your holiday. In fact, if you're booking a last-minute break, you may forget to buy travel insurance altogether, only realising the fact when you're on your way home, or worse, when something goes wrong. But, assuming you've been sensible and got yourself covered, there are still some typical mistakes people make that may void a travel insurance claim. In this BeatThatQuote guide, we look at the key steps that'll help any claim you need to make be more successful.

Pre-existing conditions
According to recent research, around 7% of all declined claims on travel insurance are due to failure to disclose pre-existing medical conditions. Previous illnesses and/or injuries need to be declared - it may sound simple, but conditions such as high blood pressure and angina are commonly overlooked, which could result in an unsuccessful claim should you become unwell. Also remember that illness or health problems among those close to you may also be relevant information you need to pass on, even if they are not travelling with you. For example, if you are forced to cut short a holiday because somebody back home falls sick or dies with an unmentioned but existing medical condition, you may find it more difficult to obtain a claim payout.

If you do have a pre-existing medical condition, you may still be able to get cover - you may just need to look around more carefully and perhaps go with a specialist insurance provider who will accommodate your specific needs. Some providers may also ask for a letter from your doctor that confirms that you are fit to travel. The key is to find out what options are available to you - don't put your head in the sand and just hope that a problem doesn't arise for the period you're away.

Cancellation cover
Another important point to remember when applying for your insurance is the cancellation cover. Always ensure your insurance starts from the day you book your holiday; if you specify it to start on the day you leave, and the holiday is cancelled beforehand, you will not be able to make a claim. Cancellation cover will commonly cover factors such as illness, death in the family or redundancy, but it's worth double checking each individual policy. And remember, your insurance provider is unlikely to cover anything that you knew might happen before your holiday.

Getting adequate cover
On applying, it'll be worth you thinking through the type of holiday you have in mind. Many of us now want more than two weeks lying on a beach - throw in some water-skiing, a bungee jump and maybe a horse ride or two, and your trip may begin to sound much more like fun. However, if you plan to indulge in any 'extreme' or dangerous sports, you need to ensure you're covered by your insurance. If you break a leg on that adrenaline-filled skydive but your insurance company thinks you were merely drinking Pina Coladas by the pool, your claim may come to a similarly sticky end.

While on holiday
Assuming you have spent some time finding the right policy for you, and you have finally got to your much anticipated departure date, there are still some things worth noting for your time abroad. You may think you don't need baggage cover because your belongings are covered under your home contents insurance. The truth is, however, that most standard home contents insurance will not cover your belongings outside the home - you may be able to buy an extension for specific items, for example, your jewellery or a laptop, but there will be limits for single items or an overall limit for all your valuables outside the home. It's worth checking the small print on your home insurance just to check exactly what you're covered for. Then you can properly weigh up the pros and cons of baggage cover.

While you are abroad, you should also take care of your belongings. If you leave your expensive camera on the beach while you go swimming and it disappears... your insurance claim might fail on the basis that you took insufficient care. Also, if you fall victim to a robbery or theft, you will probably need to obtain a written police report within 24 hours. If you cannot present the required documentation/reports, your claim may be unsuccessful.

The same kind of advice goes for any illness that befalls you while travelling. Your first priority may understandably be getting the treatment you need, but you may void your insurance by having treatment before you have spoken to your insurance company to get authorisation (your provider should have a 24-hour helpline number). Remember, if you're travelling in Europe, you should get a European Health Insurance Card, so you can get free or discounted treatment; if you do not have one, you may find yourself having to pay an unnecessary excess.

It may seem like a real drain on what should be the spontaneous fun of a holiday, but it's also well worth taking just a little time to photograph your valuables. Then, if you lose anything, you'll at least have proof of ownership. With cash, store your receipts (from the Bureaux de Change or ATM) so that you have something to show should you need to make a claim for losing your cash. Quite simply, the more information and evidence you can give to your travel insurance provider, the more likely it'll be that your claim is successful.

As a final tip, follow these simple rules to increase your likelihood of making a successful claim:

• For any claim you make, your travel insurance provider will want to see as much information as possible. You will be asked for documents such as a completed claim form, insurance certificate, used or unused tickets and booking invoice, plus any medical receipts or cash withdrawal slips, depending on the nature of the claim. Ensuring you can deliver all the documentation required will help speed you claim along.
• Make sure you read your policy so that you know what steps you should take in the event of something going wrong. For example, you may be expected to report a theft to the police within a 24-hour period and produce a written police report. In addition, if you need to get treatment for an illness while abroad, you may be required to call your insurance provider's assistance line first, to agree the treatment and ensure the cost is covered.
• If you make a claim for lost or stolen possessions you'll be asked for proof of ownership. Your insurance provider may accept a guarantee card or instruction manual, but if you have your receipt to hand, so much the better.

Travel insurance is so often a last-minute purchase; perhaps you even just think of it as an 'add-on' to your holiday that requires little further thought. But in the event of making a claim, you'll be glad of the time you took to read your policy carefully - getting the right travel insurance cover and knowing what to do in the event of a claim will also ensure that you can really enjoy your break, whether it's relaxing on a beach or storming the peaks of an Alpine ski resort.