For the unlucky few holiday's abroad can turn into a nightmare.
In the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim on your travel insurance make sure you're properly prepared.
Before you leave on your holiday make copies of your insurance documentation and keep them separate from the originals.
Carry a copy of your insurance documentation on you at all times, including the Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number, then follow these steps depending on what type of claim you need to make.
If you are in any doubt over what to do in an emergency situation abroad contact the Emergency Assistance number provided by your insurer - they are there to help you.
Remember on most travel insurance polices there is a time limit for submitting your claim.
This is usually around 28 days after your return from holiday.
If you need medical treatment as an out-patient

1. Seek medical attention.
   
2. If your treatment is likely to cost more than approx.
   £200 you must contact the Emergency Assistance number provided by your insurance provider.
   
3. Pay for the treatment and retain receipts.
   
4. On your return home contact your insurance provider for a claims form to claim back your medical costs.
   
5. If you are in any doubt contact the Emergency Assistance number provided by your insurer - they are there to help you.
   

If you require medical treatment as an In-patient at a hospital

1. Seek Medical Attention.
   
2. Give the hospital details of your insurance cover (some hospitals won't treat you if you cannot show that you are insured).
   
3. The hospital should contact your insurance provider for payment of bills.
   
4. On your return home contact your insurance provider for a claims form, you may be able to claim hospital benefit.
   

If a close relative* is ill and you need to return home.

1. Contact the Emergency Assistance Service provided by your insurer.
   
2. The Emergency Assistance Company will have many local contacts and will be able to arrange transport home on your behalf.
   
3. If you arrange the transport yourself with out contacting them you may not be able to claim your costs back.
   

*You will need to check the definition of close relative in your policy wording.
If you are the victim of a robbery e.
g.
Pickpocket

1. You must get a report from the local police within 24 hours.
   
2. Always keep the receipts from withdrawals of replacement cash or replacement items.
   Your insurance company may require these of evidence that you needed to get replacement cash or items.
   
3. If you have receipts for the original item purchased or cash withdrawn you will also need to supply these when you make a claim.
   
4. If you have had your wallet stolen, remember to contact your bank or credit card provider to cancel all your cards.
   
5. On your return home contact your insurance provider for a claims form.
   

If your luggage is lost on outbound journey from the UK.

1. Notify the airline.
   
2. Obtain a Property Irregularity Report from the airline.
   
3. Retain your flight tickets and baggage receipts.
   
4. Check the terms of your travel insurance - you may be covered for essential emergency purchases.
   
5. You will need to keep the receipts for these purchases.
   You should also check if there is a limit on cover e.
   g.
   £50 per day.
   
6. If the airline finds your bag and returns it to you - you should contact your insurance provider for a claims form on your return and submit a claim under the delayed baggage section.
   
7. If your bag is not found - you should notify your insurance provider straight away on your return from holiday.
   
8. You will also need to obtain a letter from the airline confirming that your bag is irretrievably lost - you may need to wait 21 days for the airline to declare your bag as lost.
   
9. Once they have done this you can submit a claim for the contents of your bag.
   

If your luggage is lost on your outbound journey to the UK

1. Notify the airline.
   
2. Obtain a Property Irregularity Report from the airline.
   
3. Retain your flight tickets and baggage receipts.
   
4. 4.
   Check the terms of your travel insurance - you may be covered for essential emergency purchases.
   You will need to keep the receipts for these purchases.
   You should also check if there is a limit on cover e.
   g.
   £50 per day.
   
5. 5.
   If the airline finds your bag and returns it to you - you should contact your insurance provider for a claims form on your return and submit a claim under the delayed baggage section.
   
6. 6.
   If your bag is not found - you should notify your insurance provider straight away on your return from holiday.
   .
   
7. 7.
   You will also need to obtain a letter from the airline confirming that your bag is irretrievably lost - you may need to wait 21 days for the airline to declare your bag as lost.
   
8. Once they have done this you can submit a claim for the contents of your bag.
   

If your luggage is lost on your inbound journey to the UK

1. Notify the airline.
   
2. Obtain a Property Irregularity Report.
   
3. Retain your flight tickets and baggage receipts.
   
4. Notify your insurance provider straight away on your return from holiday.
   
5. You will need to obtain a letter from the airline confirming that your bag is irretrievably lost - you may need to wait 21 days for the airline to declare your bag as lost.
   
6. Once they have done this you can submit a claim for the contents of your bag.
   

If you are delayed for more than 12 hours

1. If you are delayed for more than 12 hours you may be able to claim a fixed benefit - check your policy wording for details.
   
2. This is in addition to any compensation that the airline provides.
   
3. You will need to obtain a letter from the airline stating the scheduled departure date and time as well as the actual departure date and time, as well as the reason for the delay.
   
4. Contact your insurance provider for a claims form on your return from holiday.
   

If you are delayed for more than 24 hours

1. If you are delayed for more than 24 hours you can choose to abandon the holiday and claim back the full cost - check your policy wording for details.
   
2. You will need to obtain a letter from the airline stating the scheduled departure date and time as well as the actual departure date and time, as well as the reason for the delay and the time of the next available flight.
   
3. Contact your insurance provider immediately.