Overseas Travel Insurance: Medical Bills Reimbursement Process Explained

A travel insurance plan can be useful in many regards when you are on an overseas trip. It can provide protection against unfortunate events that can crop up during our travels. However, one of the most important uses of an overseas travel insurance plan is hospitalisation coverage. * As some of you may be aware, being admitted to a hospital in a foreign country can be very financially demanding. If it is a developed country, like the USA or Canada, the medical bills can be even more overwhelming. Having a solid travel insurance policy can be of great help here. It can reimburse you for the costs of the medical treatment incurred during your trip. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy. The process to claim reimbursement for medical bills in overseas travel insurance is explained below. 

 How to Claim Medical Bills Reimbursement in Overseas Travel Insurance?

The following is a general outline of how your claim process shall go in the event of such a situation:

 1. You inform the insurance company 

The first thing to do is let the insurance company know of the medical emergency if it falls within the scope of your travel insurance policy.

 2. You collect all hospitalisation-related documents 

You must collect all the medical bills and documents pertaining to your hospitalisation. This can include the invoices, relevant medical information, attending physician’s statements, and so on, depending on the kind and severity of the medical emergency.   Please note that most documents would be required in the original for a travel claim.

 3. You submit the claim form

Along with the hospitalisation related documents, you need to submit the most important document as well, the claim form. It can be availed on the insurance company’s website. 

 4. The insurer verifies the claim 

Now, the insurance company will verify the claim based on all the information provided by you. 

 5. The insurer requests for any additional documents 

If the insurer finds any information lacking or requires additional documents, they will let you know. You must share the same with the insurer as soon as you can. 

 6. The insurer settles the claim

After all information has been shared (including any additional details required), the insurer will verify all documents. If the claim is found permissible within the policy’s purview, it will be approved, and the payment shall be released to the policyholder’s bank account within 10 days. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy.  Thus, one can say that the process to claim reimbursement for medical bills with an international travel health insurance plan is quite straightforward.  You can also raise a cashless claim if the situation allows for it. * We shall explain the process for the same in the next section. 

 How to Raise a Cashless Claim in Overseas Travel Insurance?

If you opt for the cashless facility in your travel plan, here’s what you need to know about the process:   1. You are expected to inform the insurer within 48 hours through any of the accepted modes of communication validated by the insurer.   2. You are to reach out to Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company to raise a claim on your travel cover via the following ways:

ﾷ Email: travel@bajajallianz.co.in

ﾷ Country-specific toll-free number (accessible here as well as via your travel kit)

ﾷ Call: +91-20-30305858 (chargeable)

ﾷ Fax at +91 20 30512207. 

 3. Once the insurer has been intimated about the claim, they will let you know of the next steps to take.   4. You can also contact the Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company via the email address mentioned above or the country-specific toll-free numbers to get a list of relevant network hospitals. *  Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy.  Along with reimbursement of medical bills, there are other things you can get coverage for in a travel insurance plan. 

 Overseas Travel Insurance Coverage (other than medical emergencies)

Based on the plan you choose, these are some of the travel insurance benefits you can enjoy:

 ﾷ Trip and event cancellation 

In case of unavoidable and necessary cancellation of the insured trip (before it begins) from India, certain costs may be reimbursed based on the policy wordings. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy.

 ﾷ Loss of checked-in baggage

If the airline loses your checked in baggage, the costs as specified in the policy schedule shall be reimbursed. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy. 

 ﾷ Loss of passport

In case of the loss of your passport, the insurance company shall reimburse the costs incurred by you to procure a duplicate one. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy. 

 ﾷ Personal liability

If you become legally liable to pay to a third party, the insurer shall cover the costs incurred by you in the process, based on policy wordings. * Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy.  All coverages mentioned are subject to policy wordings. Travel insurance can be mandatory in some countries, such as those in the Schengen region. If you are travelling there, you can opt for Schengen visa travel insurance India  for legal compliance and safer travels. Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy.   * Standard T&C apply. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.