- Understand your policy (PDS/Terms): Read the Policy Disclosure Statement to know what is covered, what isn’t, and specifics like destination, transport, adventure activities, and multi-country itineraries.
- Report incidents fast (and use 24/7 assistance): Notify your insurer as soon as possible, use the 24/7 emergency line, obtain a police report within 24 hours, and keep all receipts and documents as you go to avoid delays.
- Documentation and claim deadlines: Keep copies of everything (receipts, statements, police reports), photograph receipts promptly, and submit claims within the insurer’s timeframe (often 30 days after return; check your PDS for specifics) and be aware of policy exclusions.
Nobody buys travel insurance expecting to use it – but when something does go wrong overseas, how you handle the next 24 hours often matters more than which policy you bought. According to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), more than 90% of travel insurance claims are approved, and most rejections come down to avoidable process errors rather than genuinely uncovered events.
Just in case you find yourself in a sticky situation, below are some tips from Tick Travel Insurance on what you should consider for coverage as a minimum and what your insurer will likely require from you when making a travel insurance claim.
Travel Insurance
Budget-friendly tiers. Solid cover. Simple quoting.
Tick keeps things straightforward – choose the tier that fits your trip and budget, apply a promo code at checkout, and you’re done.
Get to know your policy
First and foremost, you need to read and understand the Policy Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Terms and Conditions of your travel insurance product. You would not get a mortgage from a lender without understanding the terms, so it is a good idea to treat travel insurance the same.
The PDS details what you are covered for during your travels, and more importantly, what you are not covered for. Are the destinations you visit insured? Are all types of transportation you will use covered? Adventure activities, cruises, and multi-country itineraries are the three areas most commonly misunderstood – always check the specific inclusions rather than assuming “travel insurance” means blanket coverage.
Are you or your partner expecting a baby?
If the answer is yes, you need to understand if there are restrictions on pregnancy and how late into the pregnancy you can travel with coverage. In addition, does your travel insurer cover IVF pregnancies the same as pregnancy without intervention? Most insurers set a cut-off around 24–26 weeks for uncomplicated pregnancies, and many exclude pregnancy-related claims entirely if you weren’t already pregnant when you bought the policy – so timing your purchase matters as much as the coverage itself.
Are you a lover of sports and activities when travelling?
If you’re a fan of canoeing and scuba diving, keep in mind that certain activities or sports may not be covered by your policy, or may require additional coverage such as winter sports cover. Scuba diving is a common example — many standard policies cap coverage at a certain depth (often 10–30 metres) or require you to hold a recognised diving certification for cover to apply at all.
Do you have pre-existing medical conditions?
We understand this can be a sensitive topic, but when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions, it is wise to be honest and fully disclose any condition. You generally must disclose any diagnosed medical condition for which you have suffered or received treatment in the last five years.
Most pre-existing medical conditions will be considered; however, acceptance of a pre-existing medical condition will depend on your individual situation and may require an additional fee.
In the unfortunate circumstance your condition does not qualify, you can still purchase travel insurance. In this instance, the refusal of coverage for your condition will only void travel insurance claims which arise from your refused pre-existing condition – the rest of your policy, including lost luggage, cancellations, and unrelated medical events, still applies as normal. For a closer look at how different insurers handle this, see our dedicated guide to travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.
How to report incidents
Whether your travel insurance claim involves overseas medical treatment, lost baggage, or travel delays, you must notify your insurer as soon as possible if you plan on making a travel insurance claim. Your travel insurance company’s 24/7 emergency assistance number is very useful in this situation, so always keep the number handy. The assistance team will be able to inform you of what you need to do in order to file a claim.
A side tip: if possible, you should contact your insurance company before agreeing to any medical treatment or tests to make sure it will be covered. You must also report any incidents of loss or theft to the local police or appropriate authorities within 24 hours. Be sure to keep any written policy statements that can be used as evidence.
This is the step people get wrong most often – waiting until they’re back home to start the paperwork. Police reports in particular are far harder to obtain retrospectively once you’ve left the country, so treat reporting as something you do immediately, not on your return.
Do not bin documentation
If you are brave enough to be travelling with high-value items, make sure those items are covered by your policy and be sure to have documentation such as receipts that show proof of ownership.
It is also wise to keep copies of all documents and receipts related to your travels, which may be required when making a travel insurance claim. This includes airline statements in the events of misplaced baggage, police reports regarding accidents or theft, medical or doctor’s statements explaining treatment received, and receipts for additional expenses incurred due to travel disruption or delays.
Travel with the mantra: too much evidence is better than not enough.
A photo of a receipt on your phone the moment you’re handed it is worth more than a promise to yourself that you’ll keep it safe. Cloud-back-up your documents as you go – a lost wallet shouldn’t mean a lost claim.
Be aware of travel insurance claim deadlines
We know after a holiday, you sometimes need a holiday – but do not forget to submit your travel insurance claim. With some insurers, it is recommended you register your claim within 30 days after the completion of your travels, along with providing all the requested documents needed to accept your claim.
Note that reporting incidents to local authorities during your travel must also be completed in a timely manner, usually within 24 hours.
Insurers cannot cover everything – be mindful of policy exclusions
Make sure you are aware of exclusions, and remember: without exclusions, travel insurance would not be affordable.
Travel Insurance
Budget-friendly tiers. Solid cover. Simple quoting.
Tick keeps things straightforward – choose the tier that fits your trip and budget, apply a promo code at checkout, and you’re done.
Checklist before your trip
- Have you read and understood the PDS? Be on the lookout for destination and mode of transportation coverage.
- If you are expecting a baby, is your pregnancy covered?
- Are your activities overseas covered?
- Are your pre-existing medical conditions covered?
- Do you have a record of your assistance number?
- Are your high-value items covered? Do you have receipts for them?
Checklist for travel insurance claim incidents
- Did an item of yours get lost or stolen? Get a police report within 24 hours of the event.
- Was your luggage misplaced by the airport, or did you require medical treatment? Get a written statement and keep a record of it.
- Was your trip disrupted or delayed? Keep a record of all additional expenses incurred.
- Submit your travel insurance claim within 30 days of return (check your specific PDS, as this window varies by insurer).
Frequent Asked Questions
How long do I have to lodge a travel insurance claim?
Most insurers, including Tick, ask you to lodge your claim within 30 days of returning home, though this varies by provider and claim type — always confirm the exact window in your PDS.
What documents do I need to make a travel insurance claim?
At minimum: your policy number, receipts or proof of purchase for claimed items, a police report for loss or theft, medical statements for treatment received, and any airline or provider documentation confirming delays, cancellations, or misplaced luggage.
Will my claim be rejected if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Not automatically. Most pre-existing conditions can still be covered, sometimes with an additional premium. If a condition isn’t accepted, only claims arising from that specific condition are excluded — the rest of your policy remains valid.
What should I do immediately after an incident overseas?
Call your insurer’s 24/7 emergency assistance line before agreeing to medical treatment where possible, report theft or loss to local police within 24 hours, and photograph or save every receipt and document as you go.
This article has been prepared in partnership with Tick Travel Insurance.
Original article appeared on www.thechampagnemile.com.au in 2020 and migrated to TCM Deals, enhanced by TCM Editorial staff in 2026.