Read the instructions Understanding what your travel insurance company needs in order to successfully process your claim is key, according to Todd Erkis, a professor of finance and risk management “Following the requirements for filing a claim, like getting the appropriate documentation from the doctors and hospital, notifying the correct people at the insurance company, and coordinating with the U.S. health insurer,” he says. If you fail to do this, you could miss important requirements and your claim could be denied.

Know your policy’s limits Every travel insurance policy has limits, also known as exclusions. Know what they are or you could end up with a denied claim. Almost all policies don’t cover mental illness, fear of traveling, adventure sports, Zika, your dog becoming ill, and more. But there’s a workaround: A “cancel for any reason” policy will cover you and reimburse you for part or all of your vacation if you decide to cancel.

Collect your receipts, documents and other paperwork Insurance companies are sticklers for documentation. If a loss occurs while travelling, it is very important to keep all documents that reflect the existence and value of the loss. If an insurance company demands original receipts, make sure you keep a copy for your own records. And don’t dispose of any paper records until the check clears.

Fire up your laptop Going online instead of picking up the phone is perhaps one of the biggest shortcuts to a successful claim. Although you can still file by mail, it can significantly lengthen the process. Conducting your transaction online, and electronically, not only saves time but also creates a paper trail that will help you if your claim is turned down.

Check the clock Finally, don’t wait too long. In the insurance industry, this is called “timely filing.” Here’s what you need to know: If you don’t provide the required documents within the stated timeframe, your claim could be denied, when normally it may have been covered. Most travel plans have a 90-day limit. For your own purposes, you should just file as soon as possible to avoid any trouble.

Follow these simple tips and your claim has a far greater chance of being honored by your travel insurance company.

(huffingtonpost.com)