Ever since the 90s, when the 20+ countries that are part of the Schengen area dissolved internal borders and allowed citizens from other countries to enter using a unified visa, visiting these countries has been a lot more convenient than having to buy a visa for each country. 

 

However, that doesn’t mean it is as easy as strolling or waltzing into this region; it requires careful planning and consideration, such as applying for the visa well in advance and having travel insurance for a Schengen visa with at least €30,000 of medical coverage, including hospitalisation, evacuation, and repatriation.

 

But it is essential to know that despite having millions of dollars in coverage, it is ultimately the claim request that grants compensation or reimbursement for your loss. Here is all you need to know.

What is Schengen travel insurance, and why is it necessary?

Travel insurance is a risk management tool designed to financially protect travellers from having to bear the expenses required to deal with certain risks confidently and with peace of mind. For example, lost checked-in baggage can be a pain to deal with, especially at the start of your journey when you still need the contents of this bag during the trip. 

 

Many travellers prefer travelling light and checking in their baggage, which often leads to greater risk. Thus, it is essential to have the right Schengen travel insurance coverage. 

How do you file a claim for Schengen travel insurance?

Depending on who your insurance policy is from, there are many different ways to file a claim request. Niva Bupa, one of India's leading insurers, offers cashless claims and reimbursement claims to policyholders, enabling them to travel freely with confidence and peace of mind, as travel insurance is the safety net to fall back on during most times. 

 

Travellers who need to file a claim settlement request for travel insurance can do so easily with Niva Bupa. There are several ways to request a claim settlement from Niva Bupa. Refer to the following methods for a quick and hassle-free claim process.

 

  1.  To file a claim, you first need to contact your insurer, Niva Bupa. 

  2.  You may also contact the global third-party administrator if you are travelling overseas.

  3.  You can raise a claim for travel insurance online, through mail, or even physically. You can do so both while overseas or when you return to India.

  4.  You must submit a duly filled claim form along with the required documents based on the type of claim—for example, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, medical emergency, or death.

 

Besides this, one can make two types of claims in the case of a medical emergency. 

Cashless claim

Niva Bupa is partnered with Europ Assistance, a global third-party administrator, to provide cashless claims to hospitals and healthcare centres worldwide.

 

  •  The customer intimates the claim to the TPA via a toll-free number or email. 

  •  The TPA will contact the customer and provide them with the required details.

  •  They will then initiate the payment guarantee process with the hospital, where the customer will receive treatment.

  •  After assessing the claim, the TPA will request the documents from the hospital or the customer and send them to Niva Bupa for approval/rejection/query/investigation.

  •  Niva Bupa will approve the claim by e-mail.

  •  The payment guarantee will be released to the hospital per the amount claimed.

Reimbursement Claim 

The reimbursement process will also be similar but instead of getting cashless claims, travellers will have to pay the required amount firat and then get reimbursed or compensated for this loss or expense. The following are some of the mandatory documents required for reimbursement claims:

  1.  Claim form

  2.  KYC

  3.  Cancelled cheque of the proposer

  4.  Discharge summary 

  5.  Final bill along with break up

  6.  Payment receipt

  7.  All investigation reports

What common issues can arise in the claims process?

One common mistake many travellers often make is not saving the evidence of loss and not having the relevant documents. It is important to note that some coverages also have special conditions that must be fulfilled for travellers to be eligible for compensation and payout in case of loss. 

 

So check out and understand these requirements and plan to secure yourself and your loved ones by ensuring payout from the claims process if your claim is genuine. 

Conclusion

Suppose you are planning a journey to one of the Schengen countries. In that case, it is imperative to note that travel insurance for Schengen visas is mandatory for travellers. Suppose you wish to buy travel insurance for Schengen visa. In that case, you can easily do so by visiting the website of a reliable insurer like Niva Bupa to get t he best travel insurance policies for affordable prices. 

 

So secure your trip today with the right international travel insurance, understand the claims process, and obtain the necessary documents to travel with confidence and peace of mind anywhere in the world.