What Happens If I Experience a Problem While Traveling?

Last Updated On 11/4/2020

Not all travel goes according to plan –even though we’d like it to. It’s vital to know how your travel insurance can help you when this happens! Get more information and be prepared before you even depart with the guide below.

Step 1: Assess the Situation

This first step will determine what action needs to be taken. If someone is hurt, is it urgent they receive medical care immediately? If so, we recommend contacting the 24/7 emergency assistance line phone number to help you find the right medical facility as well as other helpful action steps. However, if it’s a dire crisis, don’t let that stop you from calling an ambulance or getting to a hospital right away. Once you are stable or your traveling companion is able, contact the 24/7 emergency assistance line to update them of the situation and see what your coverage options are.

Step 2: Call the Emergency Assistance Provider

Each policy comes with around-the-clock access to a professional assistance provider. This team is separate from the insurance provider and their job is to help you during a travel or medical situation. That’s why we always encourage you to program the assistance contact information into your device before you leave on your trip. There are some instances in which it is required you contact this number in order for coverage to apply if you filed a claim. We encourage you to check your full policy documents for the specific coverage, but more common ones include:

Even if you aren’t in an emergency at the time you reach out, other services are available with your travel insurance plan. Some other services that might be available to you are:

Advanced Payment: Sometimes a payment is required before you can receive care at a medical facility.

Language Translation Services: This could be a lifesaver if you are having trouble understanding the foreign language of your medical physician.

Communication to Loved Ones: Be able to update your family and business partner on how you’re doing.

Step 3: Document Everything

For a smooth and painless claims process, keeping any and all receipts with you until your return home is essential. Whether it be a medical bill, receipt for toiletries or whatever else you didn’t expect to pay out of pocket, you’ll want to have this handy. This paperwork will allow the analyst to validate the amount of your claim and give them a better idea of how to process it. Without proper supporting documents and receipts, your claim processing could be delayed or even worse —denied.

Step 4: File a Claim

Once you return home, it’s time to file your claim. If you purchased a policy with Yonder, our team of friendly humans are here to help! Reach out to us by email or phone at 855-358-6433 to open your claim. Most claim forms can be submitted online nowadays, but if you don’t have access to a computer, delivering via mail might still be an option. Once all supporting documents and required receipts have been submitted, it can take the insurance company up to 30 days to process the claim. Sometimes this can take longer if the insurance company faces an influx of inquiries and claims or proper paperwork is not sent in a timely manner by the claimant.

We don’t like thinking about the worst that could happen on a trip. We hope you know how valuable the steps to receiving proper care are now as well as how travel insurance claims work a bit better. If you need more questions answered, contact one of our helpful humans!

As a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in the travel insurance industry, Meagan has honed her expertise in marketing and operations working for Yonder Travel Insurance. Throughout her career, she's shown dedication assisting customers at every stage of their travel insurance journey, from the initial quote process to navigating the claims process. Her expert understanding of travel insurance equips her to provide unbiased and valuable insights, which help travelers find the best coverage and maximize its benefits.

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