Travel Insurance Isn’t Just About Buying It — It’s About What You Keep

We’ve all read the advice:
“Never travel without insurance.”
“Medical bills abroad can bankrupt you.”
“Flight cancellations are more common than ever.”

All true. But here’s what almost nobody tells you:

Travel insurance only works if you can prove your claim.

And that comes down to one thing: documentation.

If you ever need to file a claim, the difference between a smooth reimbursement and a denied request often comes down to the paperwork you saved (or didn’t).

Here’s exactly what travelers should preserve — before, during, and after a trip.

1. Proof of Your Trip Purchase

Before you even leave home, keep:

• Flight confirmation emails
• Boarding passes (most important. yes, even after flying)
• Train or bus tickets
• Hotel confirmations
• Tour/activity receipts
• Car rental agreements

If you booked through platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, or Expedia, download PDF confirmations — don’t rely on app access alone.

Why this matters:
If your trip is interrupted or canceled, insurers need proof of what you paid and when you paid it.

2. Receipts for Every Travel Expense

If something goes wrong — delayed luggage, canceled flight, medical issue — you must show what you actually spent.

For Delayed / Damaged Baggage - collect the PIR (Property Irregularity Report) from the airline, take a picture of the Damaged Baggage

Keep receipts for:

• Emergency hotel stays
• Replacement clothing or toiletries
• Meals during delays
• Taxi/Uber receipts
• Rebooked flights
• Medical consultations and prescriptions

No receipt = no reimbursement.

Pro tip for readers:
Create a simple album in your phone labeled “Travel Insurance” and photograph every receipt immediately.

3. Official Airline or Carrier Confirmation of Delays/Cancellations

If your flight is delayed or canceled, ask the airline for written confirmation.

• A delay confirmation letter
• The reason for the delay
• Duration of delay

Many insurers require proof that the delay exceeded a minimum number of hours.

Screenshots of airport boards are helpful — but official documentation is better.

4. Police Reports (For Theft or Loss)If your phone, passport, or luggage is stolen:

1. File a police report immediately and take a copy of the filed report.
2. Ask for a copy (or at least a report number).
3. For loss of passport, collect a Emergency certificate from your overseas embassy

Without a police report, most insurers will reject theft claims outright.

5. Medical Documentation (The Most Important Category)

If you need medical care abroad, apart from your boarding pass, preserve:

• Doctor’s report with diagnosis
• Treatment summary
• Prescriptions
• Hospital discharge papers
• Itemized medical bills
• Proof of payment

If you’re hospitalized, ask for documentation before discharge — it’s much harder to retrieve later.

6. Trip Cancellation due to Visa Rejection

Most countries require submission of return air tickets and proof of accommodation when you apply for a visa. However, getting a visa is not guaranteed and it may get rejected for various reasons. Most insurance companies cover these costs but you need to submit the following documents:

• Visa appointment and rejection letter
• Initial/unused flight ticket with fare details
• Refund or no-show document from the airline

If you paid using travel credit cards, keep statements showing the charge.

7. Your Insurance Policy (Yes, Really)

Download and save:

• The full policy wording
• Emergency assistance number
• Your policy number

Airports and hospitals are not ideal places to start searching for policy details.

8. This one is overlooked.

If something happens, write down:

• Exact time of incident
• Who you spoke to
• What they said
• Case or reference numbers

Take pictures where necessary. Memory fades fast when travel stress kicks in.

A Simple Rule

If you think, “Do I need to keep this?” The answer is almost always: Yes.

Digital clutter is free. Denied claims are expensive.

Buying travel insurance is easy. Getting paid is procedural. The travelers who get reimbursed aren’t lucky. They’re organized.

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Safe Travels!

-Yogi 😄