What do I do if I’m in a vehicle accident while on holiday?
From catching public transport in Portugal to driving a rental car through the USA, there are lots of ways to explore your destination. But, with the excitement of travel can also come vehicle accidents — which can happen when you least expect them. So, let’s explore what to do in a vehicle accident if you’re traveling with one of our Cover-More plans.
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Planning to get to Buckingham Palace via the London Tube or ride a bicycle around Tokyo? When you picture visiting all the sights on your itinerary, you expect to enjoy yourself to the fullest. But what happens if the unexpected happens during your trip — like getting in a car accident – or maybe an accident involving any other type of vehicle? Would you know what to do or who to call?
If you’re wondering what to do in a vehicle accident — whether it’s a bus, boat, bicycle, or car — you’ll be happy to know our emergency assistance team is here to help 24/7. Yes, if your trip is protected with our Cover-More insurance, we can support you in more ways than one.
Importantly, if you are planning on riding on a motorcycle or moped (as a driver or passenger) you must purchase our Motorcycle/Moped Riding cover (for engines under 250cc) or Motorcycle/Moped Riding+ cover (for engines over 250cc) to be insured.
“Getting in a vehicle accident while travelling can feel stressful, especially if you get injured. But don't worry, we've got your back. Our amazing team of travel assistance specialists is here 24/7 to help you get the care and support you need.
“From finding the closest suitable hospital hospital to be medically assessedor where to find a police station to get a police report, our team of medical and security specialists are there to help make a likely stressful situation a little smoother so you can get back to your trip.”
Neil Slabbert, Cover-More’s Regional Chief Medical Officer for APAC.
In this guide, we’ll fill you in on what to do if you’re in a collision, from reaching our emergency assistance team to filing a claim for unforeseen expenses.
Need travel assistance right now?
Our 24/7 emergency assistance team can help support you. Here’s how you can contact us:
- Tap the assistance button in our Cover-More App.
- Call +61 2 8907 5619 from anywhere in the world.
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5 steps to take if you’re in a vehicle accident while travelling:
- Get in touch with local authorities and our 24/7 emergency assistance team.
- Document the incident and save all records.
- Contact our emergency assistance team to make a telehealth appointment or find a nearby medical facility.
- Hold onto all medical documentation, including reports, records, and receipts.
- Submit a travel insurance claim for any unexpected costs.
Here’s what to do if you’re involved in a vehicle accident during your trip
Step 1: Get in touch with local authorities and our 24/7 emergency assistance team.
The first step is to play it safe and reach out to professionals who can help:
- Call local police and emergency medical services after your vehicle accident. (If you have our app, you’ll find the numbers for the local authorities in there.)
- Call our emergency assistance team as soon as you’re able. As a Cover-More traveller, you’re not alone if you’re dealing with a stressful situation away from home — our emergency assistance team is here to help at any time.
If you get injured in a car accident, or accident involving any other vehicle, you can speak with experienced paramedics and nurses when you call our emergency assistance team who can help you get the right medical care based on what happened and how you’re feeling after the accident.
Step 2: Get an official document of the incident and save all records.
If you feel well enough to do so, take detailed photos of the accident scene, including damage to the vehicle and surrounding area or other vehicles. Note the time, date, and location of your vehicle accident, along with the names and contact information of any witnesses or anyone else involved.
As local authorities assess and assist with your vehicle accident at your holiday destination, retrieve as much paperwork from them as possible. It’ll help document your travel insurance claim when you’re ready to file.
Step 3: Contact our emergency assistance team to make a telehealth appointment or find a nearby medical facility.
Even if you feel fine after the accident, you could still have injuries you’re not aware of. So, it’s important to talk with medical specialists on our 24/7 emergency assistance line. When you do, we can arrange telehealth care or help you find reliable medical facilities nearby to visit in person.
Our emergency assistance team has a thoroughly vetted directory of trusted medical facilities worldwide who are ready to help our travellers. Wherever your vehicle accident occurs, we're equipped to swiftly guide you to the nearest and most dependable healthcare providers — because you deserve the right care whenever you need it.
Did you know?
Our care doesn’t stop when we help you find the nearest medical facility. We can also help while you’re getting treated after you’re injured in an accident. From hospital transfers to prescription assistance and transferring your medical records, our emergency assistance team can offer support.
Step 4: Hold onto all medical documentation, including reports, records, and receipts.
Just like saving records of your vehicle accident, remember to keep any paperwork you receive from any medical facility you visit to receive care.
Why? We’ll want as much documentation as possible to support your travel insurance claim when you file it — including your treatment details and medical costs.
Have more questions about documentation you should hold onto? Ask our emergency assistance team when they’re helping coordinate your care. For example, if you schedule a telehealth appointment via our assistance team, your confirmation and receipts should arrive in your email inbox for safe keeping.
Step 5: Submit a travel insurance claim for any unexpected costs.
If you want to try to get reimbursement for unexpected expenses that came up from your vehicle accident, you can file a claim. Remember to complete your claim as soon as possible, and within 60 days of returning home from your trip.
Before filing a claim, check your travel insurance benefits and exclusions to understand if you’re covered for the payments you had to make after your vehicle accident.
If you have questions about your coverage, you can call our claims team on 1300 36 26 44.
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Useful claim information for vehicle accidents:
Has your rental car been damaged in the accident?
If you have purchased a Comprehensive or Comprehensive+ plan, you may be eligible for the reimbursement of your rental vehicle insurance excess, should you need to pay it.
Were you injured in the accident and want to file a claim for your medical bills?
If you have a Cover-More policy and need medical care because of your accident, we might be able to reimburse your costs. Also, if the doctor prescribes medication or tells you to buy some, make sure you save your receipts and file a claim with us because we might be able to reimburse those costs, too.
Have all your paperwork together and ready to submit a claim? You can file your claim online or reach our claims team on 1300 36 26 44.
Important: Chances are that Medicare and your health insurance from back home won’t help with bills that come up if you need medical care while you're abroad. That’s where our travel insurance comes into play: it can help take some of the pressure off when it comes to emergency medical and dental expenses. At Cover-More, we have a team ready to review your claims for unplanned doctor visits, hospital stays, x-rays, and other unexpected medical expenses, so you can focus on enjoying your trip (not worrying about financial strain).
Register your trip in our Cover-More App now!
Easily access your policy in your pocket — along with 24/7 tap-to-call travel assistance, instant safety notifications, and destination information — when you download our Cover-More App.
Know your benefits and make the most of your travel insurance
We’re here to help protect more than your unexpected medical costs.
Check out what else we can support you with:
Don’t forget to check out our trip protection
Why not get a quick quote for cover for your holiday.