Travel insurers delaying payment of overdue medical bill

Rjb201

Hi all, hope you can help.

My wife and I incurred some medical expenses whilst on holiday in the US. Once we received the first bill we paid it and made a claim under our travel insurance policy with direct line.

Whilst the claim was being assessed another bill arrived in respect of the same hospital visit. Insurance told us to send them the bill and they would pay it directly once the claim had been approved.

3 months later they haven't paid the bill, aren't explaining why and we're receiving threatening letters from the hospital telling us to pay up (latest one came today).

I'll have to call insurance again on Monday and try to get a better answer but feeling a bit helpless and worried we won't let into America again if thia gets delayed much further - if that ends up being the case am I likely to be able to make a claim for compensation against direct line?

Many thanks in advance.

huckster

You need to find out from Direct Line who is actually dealing with the claim payments. Sometimes Insurers use outside companies to do the work for them. So when you phone or write to them, they just pass it on.

However, this is not the point. Direct Line should be making sure that matter is dealt with. When you phone on Monday, make a complaint and ask to speak to a manager or Customer Relations. I would expect them to resolve within a few days, if someone takes ownership of your complaint.