What to Do During a Medical Emergency, Theft, or Lost Documents Abroad
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Not every travel emergency is medical: theft or lost documents can also ruin a trip if you don't know how to react. In all three cases, the first step is usually the same: stay calm and contact your insurer's assistance center, which can guide the next steps based on the situation.
Here's a concrete checklist for each type of emergency, built to be checked quickly in the moment it happens, not read calmly afterward.
Medical emergency
- Contact the assistance center (WhatsApp, app, or phone line) before paying for any care.
- Share your exact location and a brief description of the health issue.
- Have your policy or certificate number ready.
- If it's life-threatening, go to emergency care first and report the case as soon as possible.
- Keep every receipt and medical document for a potential reimbursement.
Theft or robbery
- Report the theft to local police and request a copy of the report; many coverages require it as backup.
- Contact your insurer to report the incident and check whether your plan includes baggage coverage or Tech Protection.
- If cards were stolen, notify your bank immediately to block them.
- Keep the police report and any proof of purchase for the stolen items.
Lost documents (passport, visa, ID)
- Report the loss to local police and get an official report.
- Contact your country's consulate or embassy at your destination to start a replacement or provisional document process.
- Notify your insurer, in case your plan includes assistance or guidance for this kind of process.
- Keep digital copies of your documents before you travel; it dramatically speeds up any replacement process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call first if I have a medical emergency abroad?
Your travel insurer's assistance center, before paying for any medical care on your own.
Do I need a police report to file a theft claim?
In most cases, yes; the report is one of the documents insurers usually require to process the claim.
What do I do if I lose my passport in another country?
Report it to local police and contact your country's consulate or embassy to start the replacement process.
Should I carry copies of my documents while traveling?
Yes, having digital copies of your passport, visa, and insurance policy dramatically speeds up any emergency process.
How do I report an emergency with Assist-365?
Contact them immediately, ideally before receiving medical care: emergency phone from any country +1 859 721 0840 or +34 925 673 671, and emergency WhatsApp +51 993 325 117 (local Argentina line 0810 345 0684). These numbers are publicly reported by travel-insurance comparison sites; always confirm them against the number on your policy certificate, since insurers can update their contact lines.
