Travel Insurance - Claim Procedure

A Insurance Article Contributed by Deepak Cutting

Procedure for Claiming Benefits from Travel Insurance

· Notice of claim: Any travel insurance claim must be reported as soon as reasonably possible but not later than 20 days. Notice by anyone on your behalf will suffice but that notice must contain sufficient information to identify you.

· Claim forms: When notice of claim is received, the travel insurance company will provide claim forms. In case these forms are not received within 14 days of intimation, a written statement of what happened will meet the requirement of proof of loss. This statement must be lodged within the time period prescribed for filing proof of loss.

· Proof of loss: Proof of loss must be submitted as soon as reasonably possible and not later than 90 days, except in the absence of legal capacity. A claim will be considered for settlement on receipt of proof of loss.

Payment of Claims in Respect of Travel Insurance

· Benefits arising from loss of life: Travel insurance benefits are payable to the nominee or designated beneficiary. If no person is nominated, the claim is payable to your relative being the first in the following order of preference: your spouse, your children jointly, your parents jointly if both living otherwise to the surviving parent, your brothers and sisters jointly, or your estate.

All, or a portion of the benefits from a travel insurance plan may be paid directly to the provider of service. Such remaining dues that are not paid to the provider of service will be paid to the nominee/ relative, as the case may be.

· Other than loss of life: If any benefit is payable to a minor or a person otherwise not able to get a valid release or the estate of the policyholder, the travel insurance plan may pay up to a maximum of $10, 000 to the nominee or relative of the beneficiary and such payment will fully discharge the travel insurance plan from its obligation to the extent of payment made.

Legal Actions under the Travel Insurance Plan

No legal action for a claim in respect of travel insurance can be brought until sixty (60) days after receipt of proof of loss. No legal action for a claim can be brought more than three (3) years after the time required for giving proof of loss. This three (3) year time period is extended from the date proof of loss is filed and the date the claim is denied in whole or in part.

*Concealment and Misrepresentation: The entire Plan will be void, if before, during or after a loss, any material fact or circumstance relating to this protection plan has been concealed or misrepresented.

*Additional Travel Protection: You may be eligible for benefits under only one travel protection plan. If you are eligible for benefits under more than one such plan, You may select the Plan that is to remain in effect. In the event of Your death, the selection will be made by your designated beneficiary or Your estate. Plan rates paid (less claims paid) will be refunded for the duplicate plan that does not remain in effect.