What to Do After You Buy a Policy

1. Review Your Policy Documents to Make Sure You Understand Your Coverage

When you purchase your travel medical policy, you should have the option to receive your fulfillment documents by email or by mail. If you choose “online fulfillment,” your documents will be sent to your email address immediately following your purchase.

It’s important that you review these documents thoroughly so you know the ins and outs of your coverage and understand how to go about seeking medical treatment and filing a claim.

 

Your fulfillment documents should include:

1. A Declaration Page – This page will provide the details of your coverage. It will include contact information for your plan administrator, as well as the plan name, policy number, ID number, trip details, coverage details, and purchase details.
   
   
2. A Link to Your Policy’s Description of Coverage – The description of coverage includes vital policy information, such as its schedule of benefits and limits, claims procedures, and exclusions. Read this information thoroughly to ensure you understand the fine details of your policy.
   
   
3. Instructional Information – You should be provided with information explaining how to seek medical treatment, file a claim, or contact the customer service department.
   
   
4. ID Cards – Your ID card includes your name, the name of your insurer, your ID number, your effective date of coverage, and your provider network. Should you need to seek medical treatment, you can present this card to your medical provider as proof of insurance.
   
   
5. Receipt – Print and hold onto your receipt - just in case!

 

2. Save and Print Your Coverage Fulfillment Documents

It’s always best to have multiple copies of your fulfillment documents. Keep them somewhere they’re easy to access, and print a hard copy to bring in your luggage. This way, you know you’ll always have them with you – even if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi connection at your destination.

If you forget to pack a hard copy, don’t fret. Your documents will be available for online viewing or printing when you log into your client account via your insurance company website. (WorldTrips' Atlas Travel policyholders will log into the company’s Client Zone, for example.)

 

PRO TIP: Place one copy of your ID card in each item of luggage, as well as in your purse or wallet.

 

 

3. Make Sure You Understand the Claims Process and the Documents You’ll Need Should You Have to File a Claim

Most travel medical insurance providers require claims to be submitted along with original itemized bills, any payment receipts acquired, and a claim form. Review the claims process for your plan ahead of time so you’ll know what documents to keep – that way you can file your claim within the specified amount of time following the termination of your policy.

 

See “How Does the Claims Process Work?” for more details.

 

4. Store Your Insurance Company’s Customer Service Phone Number and Email Address in Your Phone

You never know when you’ll need to contact your travel medical insurance provider or log onto your customer portal, so keep this information handy. You should be able to find it at the bottom of the company website, on its customer service page, and on your fulfillment documents.

Remember that a good travel medical insurance company will provide 24/7 customer service and emergency travel assistance services.

 

 

5. Bookmark the Policy’s Online Customer Portal in Your Phone and Computer Browser

Another matter of convenience, bookmarking your online customer portal adds it to a list in your web browser, making it easily accessible. To bookmark or favorite a webpage in Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox, simply hit the “Ctrl” key and the “D” key, name your bookmark, and hit “Done.”

 

Bonus Tip: Are you a U.S. citizen? Before you cross international borders, be sure to join the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

This free service allows you to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to receive the latest safety and security information as well as real-time travel alerts for your destination country. It also enables the U.S. Embassy, your friends, and family to contact you in an emergency!