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5 Major Reasons Your Travel Insurance Claim Can Get Rejected

Team AckoSept 8, 2025

Travel insurance is like a safety net for your trip, covering things like medical emergencies, flight cancellations, or even lost luggage. But here’s the tricky part: sometimes, even with a policy in hand, your travel insurance claim might get rejected, and that can be really frustrating.

The good news? Many of these rejections happen for avoidable reasons. If you know the reasons for claim rejection, you can sidestep them and increase your chances of getting your claim approved. Let’s look at the five biggest reasons claims are denied and what you can do about them.

Contents

1. Missing or Wrong Documents
2. Not Knowing The Exclusions
3. Reporting Too Late
4. Giving Incomplete or Wrong Information
5. Claiming Something That Isn't Covered
What to do if Your Claim gets Denied
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Missing or Wrong Documents

The number one reason for a denied claim is incomplete paperwork. Insurers need proof, such as medical reports, receipts, or police reports. If any of this is missing or incorrect, your claim might not go through.

How to avoid this:

Keep all receipts, bills, and travel documents safe.
Double-check your claim form before you send it.
If it’s a theft or loss, get an official report (like from the police or airline).

2. Not Knowing The Exclusions

Every policy comes with exclusions or things that it won’t cover. For example, if you go bungee jumping and get injured, your policy might not cover that unless you bought extra coverage. The same goes for pre-existing medical conditions or losses caused by negligence. Many travellers only realise this after their travel insurance claim is denied.

How to avoid this:

Read your policy carefully before you travel.
If you’re unsure, ask your insurer to clarify.
Consider add-ons if you plan on adventure sports or risky activities.

3. Reporting Too Late

Timing really matters. Most insurers expect information from you about an incident, whether it’s a hospital visit, theft, or flight issue, within a certain timeframe. Delay that, and even valid claims can be turned down.

How to avoid this:

Save your insurer’s emergency contact information before leaving.
Let them know as soon as something happens, even if you’re still gathering documents.
Keep a record of your communication, like emails or call logs.

4. Giving Incomplete or Wrong Information

If there’s a mismatch in the details you provide, or worse, if the insurer finds out something was left out or misrepresented, then your claim can be rejected. For example, hiding a health issue when buying the policy or not describing the incident truthfully can work against you.

How to avoid this:

Be upfront about your health history when purchasing.
Describe the incident as it happened, without any guesswork.
Submit only genuine, unaltered documents.

5. Claiming Something That Isn't Covered

Sometimes, people file claims for things the policy simply doesn’t cover, like visa rejections, missed flights because they overslept, or damages caused by personal negligence. These are almost always rejected.

How to avoid this:

Check your policy inclusions and exclusions before filing.
Stick to claims that fall within your coverage.
If you’re unsure, check with your insurer first.

What to do if Your Claim gets Denied

So, what if your travel insurance claim is rejected despite your best efforts? Here’s what you can do:

-Read the rejection letter: It usually mentions the exact reason.
-Collect missing information: If it’s a document issue, fix it and ask for reconsideration.
-Call your insurer: A quick conversation can clear up confusion.
-File an appeal: Most insurers allow you to challenge a rejection with more details.
-Escalate if needed: If you feel it’s unfair, you can take it to the insurance grievance authority.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval

If you’re wondering how to get your travel insurance claim approved, here are a few quick tips:

Read and understand your policy before you travel.
Keep copies of bills, receipts, and official reports.
Report incidents as quickly as possible.
Always be accurate and honest with details.
Double-check your forms before you submit them.

Conclusion

A denied claim can be stressful, but most rejections happen because of avoidable mistakes. By knowing the reasons why your claim got rejected, like missing documents, late reporting, or policy exclusions, you’ll be better prepared.
And if your travel insurance claim is denied, remember: you still have options. With the right documents, timely reporting, and a clear understanding of your policy, you’ll have a much better shot at getting your travel insurance claim approved when you need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I challenge a rejection if I think it’s unfair?

Yes. You can appeal with more details or contact an independent complaints authority (also called the insurance ombudsman).

Will my travel insurance cover trip cancellation for any reason?

No. Coverage usually applies only if the cancellation is due to reasons listed in the policy, such as medical emergencies or airline issues.

What if I don’t have receipts for my lost items?

You may still file a claim, but having receipts makes the process faster and stronger. Without them, the insurer might depend on standard estimates.

What are the common reasons for these claims to get rejected?

Claims often get rejected due to missing documents, late reporting, policy exclusions, giving incorrect details, or filing for something that isn’t covered in your policy.

Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

It depends. Most standard policies don’t, unless you’ve disclosed it upfront and bought additional coverage or add-ons.

Is there a way to improve my chances of getting claims approved?

Yes. Keep all receipts and reports, notify your insurer quickly, be honest with the details, and make sure you fully understand your policy before you travel.

What do I do if my claim is denied?

Start by reading the rejection letter carefully. If it concerns missing documents, gather them and resubmit. You can also contact the insurer for clarification or file an appeal.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please check the policy document for cancellation reasons, and terms and conditions of the policy.