What to do if you fall suddenly ill
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Seek medical attention
Get medical help from a medical practitioner, such as a doctor, or by going to a hospital as soon as possible.
If it's an emergency situation, contact the local emergency services first, then contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as you can.
Once you’re able to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Please be aware that depending on where you’re travelling to, there may be Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place (the Emergency Assistance team will let you know). The terms of your policy require that you use the public health system where possible, particularly when travelling in a country with reciprocal health agreements.
2. Get it in writing
Most claims need supporting documentation and medical claims are no different. So while it may be the last thing on your mind, do try and get copies of documents that will support your claim before you leave the medical facility such as:
- Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report confirming your illness.
- Hospital Admission report, if you’re admitted to hospital.
- Ambulance and Medical evacuation reports if relevant.
In some cases, we may need to obtain your past medical history from your usual doctor at home but we’ll let you know if this is the case.
3. Keep your receipts
You’ll need to keep all your receipts, along with your itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected travel arrangements for when you claim. If you don’t do this, we may reduce or reject your claim.
Cover for Irish nomads if COVID-19 derails your overseas trip
If you, a relative or someone in your travelling party falls ill due to Coronavirus, you may be covered for a number of insured events under our Medical and Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit sections.
Cover varies between our Standard and Explorer plans. If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus while overseas your benefits include:
- 24/7 access to our Emergency Assistance team, who can help you access local medical care.
- Medical costs including hospitalisation.
- Evacuation or repatriation back to Ireland if deemed necessary by us and in consultation with your attending physician.
Benefit limits apply and vary between the plans.
Our COVID-19 cover benefits have been created to give Irish travellers the opportunity to travel more securely knowing that they have the option to access a set of travel and medical benefits on our Standard and Explorer plans.
If you have purchased the Explorer Plan, cover is available for some Insured events, including but not limited to:
- Quarantine costs: If you or a member of your travelling party go into compulsory quarantine as a result of your or their diagnosis of, or confirmed close contact with a case of Coronavirus, we’ll pay for your reasonable additional travel, meals and accommodation, including in-room entertainment. (On trip)
- Childcare while in quarantine: If you are unable to take care of your children due to your Coronavirus diagnosis, we’ll pay your reasonable additional childcare costs for a registered or qualified childcare worker to take care of your dependent children who would otherwise have been in your full-time care. (On trip)
- Pet care: If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus, we will pay your reasonable additional pet care services, including kennel and cattery boarding fees or professional pet sitting services, in Ireland. (On trip)
Please note: COVID-19 cover depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.
To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
4. Check your local government and international health guidelines on vaccinations
It's a requirement to stay up to date with all required vaccinations for the destination(s) you're heading to and that may include the Coronavirus vaccine among others.
Observe the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and government health guidelines and World Health Organization (WHO) precautionary measures, including any relevant vaccinations, hygiene or social distancing guidelines. For more about COVID-19 and vaccination tips please click here.
5. Need to know more?
This information may help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the full details.
If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.
How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest suitable medical facility is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Disruption
- 24-Hour Medical Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024:
Phone: +353 4 69 017 022
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
+353 (0) 90 640 6460
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.