Travel Insurance - Making a Claim

Clever Zebra Tip: Keep receipts safe. If items are lost or damaged, receipts will help to substantiate your claim.

Loss or damage to your personal possessions in transit

For all losses during transit (including delayed luggage) take the following steps:

· Retain your tickets and luggage tags.
· Report any loss/damage to the appropriate organisation (e.g. airline, coach company etc).
· Obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) form or equivalent.
· Keep any damaged items for inspection.
· If emergency replacements are purchased for items lost on the outward journey, keep your receipts as these must be produced when making your claim.

Loss and damage to your personal possessions at other times

· Report all losses to the police as soon as possible and obtain a written report from them. If you can’t get in touch with the police immediately make sure that you report your loss to them within 24 hours of the incident occurring.

· Report any losses to your hotel/apartment manager or tour operator.

· To claim for damage to your possessions, get a written estimate for the cost of repairing them.

What happens if my passport gets stolen?

For a lost, stolen or destroyed passport you need to supply your insurer with a letter from the consulate stating where the loss was reported. Be sure to keep all receipts that relate to any costs that were incurred in replacing the passport.

What if my money gets stolen?

Having money stolen while you are away can be a real pain. Be prepared by making sure that you can follow these steps if your money does go missing:

· Report your loss to the police as soon as possible, but certainly within 24 hours of your money going missing. Make sure that you get a written report from them.
· Inform your hotel/apartment manager or tour operator if this is appropriate.
· Get confirmation from the bank of the issue of foreign money to yourself.
· In the case of Sterling being stolen, documentary evidence of possession must be produced.

What if my trip is cancelled or curtailed for medical reasons?

If medical conditions mean that your journey is cancelled, ask your doctor to complete the medical section of a claim form.

If your trip is curtailed for medical reasons, ask the treating doctor for a medical certificate stating the medical urgency for your return home. Make sure that you keep all receipts and accounts for any expenses incurred.

What if I have an accident while I’m away?

If you have an accident and you incur costs as a result of medical treatment, obtain a medical certificate from the treating doctor.

In the event of death please let your insurer see the death certificate along with any other necessary documentation.

Personal Liability

Never admit to responsibility or agree to pay any money to anyone as this will create problems for your insurer when they are handling your claim.

Note down full details of the situation that has given rise to the claim with any supporting evidence.

What if my departure is delayed?

If your departure is delayed and this causes you a problem, obtain a letter from the appropriate organisation (e.g. airline, rail company etc) detailing the scheduled and actual departure times.