You get sick or injured abroad: what to do, step by step
Falling ill or getting hurt far from home is the moment travel insurance was built for, and it is also the moment people panic and forget the simple steps that make a claim work. Here is the order to do things, so you get care first and reimbursement after.
Step one: get the care you need
Your health comes before your paperwork. Get to a doctor or hospital and get treated. If it is serious and you are somewhere without adequate care, this is when evacuation coverage matters, so do not let the logistics stop you from being moved to a proper facility.
Step two: call the plan's assistance line
Every good plan has a 24-hour emergency assistance number, usually on your confirmation and your card. Call it early. They can help locate care, coordinate with the hospital, arrange an evacuation, and tell you what documentation to collect. Calling them before big decisions, especially an evacuation, keeps everything within the plan's rules.
Step three: save everything
Keep every bill, receipt, prescription, and medical report. Get an itemized statement from the hospital and a note describing the diagnosis and treatment. Photograph documents in case paper goes missing. The claim is paid against this evidence, so the more complete it is, the smoother the reimbursement.
Step four: file the claim
Once you are home or stable, submit the claim with your documentation. Secondary coverage means you file with your home health plan first, then the travel plan. Primary coverage means you file with the travel plan directly. Either way, organized paperwork is what turns a stressful event into a paid claim.
Common questions
What is the first thing to do if I get sick abroad?
Get medical care. Your health comes first. Then call the plan's 24-hour assistance line, which can coordinate care and tell you what to document.
Why call the assistance line?
It can locate care, coordinate with the hospital, arrange an evacuation, and make sure major steps follow the plan's rules so the claim is honored.
What documents do I need for a medical claim?
Itemized bills, receipts, prescriptions, and a medical report describing the diagnosis and treatment. The claim is paid against this evidence.
The bottom line
Get care, call the assistance line, save every document, then file. Done in that order, a medical emergency abroad becomes a paid claim instead of a financial blow. Our quiz compares three plans for your trip and recommends the one with the medical and evacuation coverage that fits.
Reviewed by Ati Jain, licensed travel insurance agent, NPN 20159563. Last reviewed June 2026.