lv travel insurance documents

• EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• European Capital of Culture - Riga 2014
• Search result
• Email this link
• Embassy newsletter
• Cultural events
• Publications
• Current events in Latvia by Latvian institute
• Latvians in the US
• Current Events
• Consular information
• Business and investment
• Visit/ Study/ Research

Documents required for applying for a Schengen visa for travel to Latvia

Visa applications shall be submitted no earlier than 6 months before the start of the intended visit (except seafarers in the performance of their duties – they can submit an application no earlier than 9 months before a trip) and no later than 15 calendar days before an intended trip.

All visa applicants must submit the following documents:

• a valid travel document  which has been issued within the previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
• a completed and signed  ONLINE APPLICATION FORM . The computer completed application form has to be printed out,  signed (at the end of the application form)  and submitted to the Embassy. In case several persons (minors or a spouse) are covered by the same travel document, individual application forms must be filled in and signed by the persons concerned; in case of minors must be signed by the parental authority or the legal guardian. A minor at least 15 years old may file and sign the visa application themselves;
• 1 passport-size recent (not older than 6 months) color  photo  (35mm x 45mm) with a light background, including the entire face, without head-dress. Requirements for the quality of the passport photo can be found  here ;
• an insurance policy  valid in Schengen countries with a coverage of at least 50.000 USD for the entire duration of stay in Schengen area. Please note that the insurance policy should cover medical, hospital and repatriation costs. Further information regarding insurance policy can be found  here ;
• if applying at the VFS Center - the fee is payable at the VFS Center; 
• if applying by post - after receiving the documents at the Embassy, the payment link will be sent to your indicated e-mail.
• if applying at the Embassy - the fee is payable at the Embassy by a bank card.

Supporting documents: 

proof of legal residence in the USA.  Original of valid US alien registration card (permanent residence permit, green card) or valid US resident visa. The US residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States; 

proof of purpose of entry :  Family/fr iends/private visit - Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, see  link ;  Business/Conference - Invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, see  link . Original signed invitation letter from business partner in Latvia (including all the necessary information, see  link ;  Tourism - Confirmed hotel reservation for all planned stays in the Schengen area or confirmation of organized tour. Round trip tickets. If you are planning several visits or visit other Schengen countries hotel bookings must be produced for all visits. Please note that Latvia must be the main destination of your trip (the country where you will be spending the most number of days).  NB!  When applying for a short-stay visa at the Consulates General of Poland in Los Angeles and Houston or Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago, please inform in advance your inviting party in Latvia to form the official invitation in the English language;

• documents in relation to  accommodation  (hotel reservation or an invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs if staying with the inviting party); 
• means of transportation  (round trip ticket or ticket reservation); 
• sufficient  means of subsistence  for the duration of the intended stay (records of bank account transactions in the past 3 months; credit card together with turnover printouts; letter from employer regarding salary);  information which confirms your intention to leave the Schengen area (letter from the employer or an educational institution); 
• if you wish to receive your documents by FedEx, the fee is 25 EUR if paid by bank card at the Embassy or after receiving the documents at the Embassy, the payment link will be sent to your indicated e-mail. The consular service will be provided after the payment is received. You may also send us your pre-paid, self-addressed secure mail envelope.

For the citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus completed questionnaire must be attached.

Provision of biometric data (fingerprints) when applying for a visa

When applying for a Schengen visa, the applicants are required to provide their biometric data (fingerprints). If the applicant’s biometric data have already been collected by a diplomatic/consular mission of a Schengen state during the past five years, there is no need to provide them again.

Privacy policy for the processing of personal data during the acceptance and examination of visa applications, and ensuring the appeal of the decisions taken

Subscribe to news letter

Car insurance existing customers

What would you like to do, can't find your documents.

If you chose to have your documents emailed, they would've come from the email address  [email protected]

Still can't find them? We've got you covered...

Log in or register for our online account

Great news! You can now view your documents all in one place 24/7. Simply log in or register for your account by visiting our page . 

Didn't find what you were looking for? These documents might help...

You can get these and other documents from us in Braille, large print or audio by  sending us an email .

• Our terms and conditions (PDF, 389KB)
• Cover and limits (PDF, 269KB)
• Car insurance product information document (PDF, 93KB)
• Motor legal expenses (PDF, 112KB)
• LV= Breakdown policy document (PDF, 265KB)
• How we use your personal information

Change your car

Good news! If you want to change your car, you can now do this online .

Any other changes?

If you need a hand making any other changes to your policy or personal details, just ask.

• If you bought your car insurance before 22/11/2022 then please call: 0330 678 5222
• If you bought your car insurance on or after 22/11/2022 then please call: 0330 678 5111

Mon to Fri 8am - 8pm Sat and bank holidays 9am - 5pm Sun 10am  - 4pm For Text Phone first dial 18001 Calls will be recorded

Want to cancel your renewal?

If you'd like to cancel your renewal, you can use our online services to do this up to 4 working days before your cover is due to end.

You’ll be taken to our renewals page where you can access your policy using the policy number and renewal date. Don't worry if you see reference to ‘payment’, this is just the first step of the process - you won’t pay anything to cancel your renewal. 

Update your marketing preferences 

Change marketing preferences

Renew online if you don't need to make any changes to your policy

• Our online process is quick, easy and secure
• All you need are your renewal documents and payment details to hand

Renew online

If you'd like to make changes or talk to us about your policy, just give us a call:

• If you bought your car insurance before 22/11/2022 then please call:  0330 678 5222
• If you bought your car insurance on or after 22/11/2022 then please call:  0330 678 5111

If you've chosen to automatically renew

The renewal process .

Roughly three weeks before the renewal date of your car insurance policy, we'll send you a handy pack with all the details on how to renew your policy.

The pack will include a schedule summarising:

• The cover and price of your policy
• Details of the car(s) insured
• Who can drive the car(s)
• Details of any optional extras you've chosen
• Schedule with details of your and any named drivers' driving history

Check this carefully as we'll base your renewal offer on this information.

More information about renewing

Loyalty matters

We’ll make sure your renewal price is the same or cheaper than if you were a new customer with like-for-like cover from us. Find out how our renewal pricing works.

Looking to cancel your automatic renewal?

My renewal date is in 30 days or less.

You can use our online tool to cancel up until four working days before your renewal date.  You’ll be taken to our renewals page where you can access your policy using the policy number and renewal date.  Don't worry if you see reference to ‘payment’, this is just the first step of the process - you won’t pay anything to cancel your renewal. 

My renewal date is more than 30 days away

• You can cancel your renewal by speaking to one of our live chat team . If we're available to chat, you'll see a green 'chat now' button in the bottom right of the screen. Give it a click and we'll get started.
• If we're not available then simply fill out our online automatic renewal cancellation form and we’ll do the rest!

If you’d like to register or log into your account, simply visit our page

Windscreen or glass claim:

There's no need to contact us - you can get in touch with our recommended windscreen provider directly. And you don't even need your policy number to book! Windscreen claims don't affect your no claim discount. For example, if you get a chip in your windscreen and it needs to be repaired or replaced, you'll have to pay an excess - but you won't lose any of your NCD. You can find your windscreen excess in your policy documents.

Book an appointment

Or call:   0330 678 5590

For any other car claim:

• If you've been involved in a car accident, make sure you're safe before getting in touch. Your claim doesn't have to be reported immediately if you don't feel safe or comfortable.
• Have your registration number or policy number and any documents to hand
• If your car is stolen report it to the police first and get a crime reference number (you'll need this when you call to claim)
• Give us as much information as you can, including if any other vehicles, people or property were involved

To make a claim, please call:

From abroad :  +44 1689 898603

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Calls will be recorded. For Text Phone, first dial 18001.

Any questions about car claims? We've got you covered...

Read our guide to what you can and can’t claim for

How the claims process works

What to expect if your car is a total loss

What to expect if your car is repairable

What to expect if you have a hire car

Get updates on an existing claim

Safety guide to vehicle repairs and breakdowns during COVID-19

Need a Green Card? Click here to apply for one

Green Card application

Have you broken down?

No worries, help is just a call away.

Call LV= Britannia Rescue straightaway and they'll be happy to help.

Lines open 24 hours , 7 days a week

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got a question about our car insurance?

• What is a car insurance excess?
• Can I renew my car insurance online?
• I've changed my car, how do I transfer my existing car insurance to my new car?
• Can I insure two cars at the same time?
• How do I make a claim on my LV= car insurance?
• What do I need to know about no claim discount (NCD)?
• Does LV= car insurance windscreen cover include all other glass and windows in my car?

Say hello to LV=

Have a smart speaker? You can now ask your Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device all about your car cover.

Head to our  support page  to learn more.

Car Safety Articles

Here's how you can make sure your car is ultra-secure, does keyless car technology make your motor more vulnerable to theft, five ways to protect your car from theft .

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

W hen it comes to travel, there are generally two types of people: people who cannot travel as it is too expensive and those who budget $4,000 per year for vacations, according to Forbes. Travel is costly, so people often purchase travel insurance to safeguard their financial investment from unforeseen events like illnesses, luggage delays, personal emergencies, and more.

When policyholders pay honest money for an insurance policy to offer protection, they want to be able to reap the benefits of the travel insurance claim. If your travel insurance company has denied payment, our tips on how to properly file a travel insurance claim may be helpful.

Why Buy Travelers Insurance?

Travel is generally less stressful with vacation insurance — it is packaged as a wise investment that can protect you against financial losses due to unexpected events. For instance, the U.S. State Department highly recommends international travel trip insurance as Medicare and Medicaid often do not cover overseas medical costs.

The travel insurance premium is relatively small compared to the non-refundable trip costs you could lose in a bad situation. It is particularly worth it if your trip involves non-refundable costs, international travel, or travel to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities or regions prone to natural disasters.

Some of the primary reasons people buy trip insurance are to help offset:

• Emergency medical services and treatment
• Cancellations due to a sudden illness or serious health condition
• Emergency evacuation
• Loss of a friend or family member
• Compromised destinations
• Delayed or lost luggage
• Trip interruption or cancellation

What Is Not Covered By Travel Insurance?

The best insurance policies cover basic and common travel risks and bundle different coverage types related to trip cancellation, medical issues, luggage or trip delays, and more. Travel insurance is not meant to cover all foreseeable events, and every policy will address exclusions differently. Examples of potential limitations are:

• Tropical storms, hurricanes, and other dangerous weather conditions
• Certain medical issues
• Acts of war
• High-risk behavior involving drugs, unlawful acts, or riots
• Government-imposed restrictions

Travel insurance claims submitted without proper documentation or cancellation for reasons not covered by your travel policy are surefire ways to prevent coverage and reimbursement. This is why it is helpful to understand travel insurance coverage properly and take appropriate actions before assuming foul play.

Can You Cancel Travel Insurance and Get a Refund?

Most travel insurance carriers allow refunds, depending on when a policy is canceled and if there is a money-back guarantee. Most insurers ask that the policy be revoked during the review period outlined in the contract terms to qualify for a complete travel insurance refund. If the review period has passed, then policyholders might be eligible for a partial refund or not qualify for one at all.

What To Do if a Travel Insurance Claim Is Denied

If your travel insurance claim submitted for medical reasons, delays, cancellations, or any other reason was denied by your insurer, then remember that you have options. Both denials and rejections may happen for valid as well as unethical reasons. An insurance claim denial is not the end of the road; you can dig deeper to figure out whether you can still be reimbursed under your insurance.

Travel insurance claims are routinely denied when policyholders make common mistakes in their claim forms, or they mistakenly assume their policy covers their specific situation. Good faith denials happen when policyholders do not fill out their travel insurance claim form correctly, do not submit the right documents, or do not include info like contact details for follow-up questions.

In some cases, travel insurance companies may wrongly deny claims and stall the claims process. For instance, they might fail to investigate the claim or conduct proper due diligence. In such scenarios, it is advisable that policyholders adjust and resubmit their insurance claim, appeal the denial, or pursue legal action if insurers continue to illegally hold their payout.

How To Appeal a Travel Insurance Claim: 4 Steps

The travel insurance claim appeal process allows policyholders to ask the insurer to reconsider its decision. When appealing their travel insurance claim, policyholders must:

• Carefully Review the Denial Letter: Review the specific reasons for the denial to determine your next steps. Cross-check the reasons stated with your policy documents, additional emails, and other papers.
• Review Your Policy: Review the terms of your travel insurance policy and pay attention to disclaimers, damage limits, filing time limits, and submission requirements.
• Reach Out for Assistance: After carefully reviewing your policy, if you find the denial letter and policy terms do not line up, contact an insurance legal expert with experience in handling travel insurance claims for help.
• Gather Documentation and Keep Careful Records: Maintain communication records with your insurer, copies of denial letters, and other documentation regarding your claim.

How To Write a Travel Insurance Claim Letter

Sometimes, travelers have to file a trip insurance claim when their vacation does not go according to the plan. A travel insurance claim letter is a formal piece of communication between you and your insurance agency. Its purpose is to ask for reimbursement for covered damages or losses under the travel insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to craft a professional and detailed claim letter to increase your chances of a favorable resolution.

A claim letter should include the following information:

• Introduce Yourself. Include all relevant information of the person appealing (such as the policy number and contact information).
• Address the Denial. Summarize the date you received the letter and why the denial was made. Do not leave out any important details.
• Point Out the Error. Explain why you do not agree with the claims denial, based on your policy and pertinent information.
• Attach Extra Documents. Include all other documents supporting your trip insurance claim, such as photos, additional correspondence, transcripts of phone calls, etc.

How Long Does It Take To Get Reimbursed From Insurance?

Travel insurance companies generally process most claims within a few weeks. Sometimes, the insurance claims process office might have follow-up questions, thereby increasing the time you can expect to hear back. However, if you feel that your insurance claim is taking months to resolve without a proper reason, you should speak to an experienced insurance dispute lawyer. While every situation is different, policyholders should always keep careful and consistent notes as it will help them take informed legal action if necessary.

Travel Insurance Claims Advice on Documentation

You must be thorough with your documentation to enhance your chance of successful recovery. When you file a trip claim, your insurer will more likely refund travel insurance when you include the following information in your claim submission:

• Lost Luggage: Make a list of what was lost, along with the details and cost of each lost item.
• Job Loss: Request that your previous employer send you a notarized letter on company letterhead in the case of a trip cancellation due to job loss.
• Medical Emergency: Include detailed medical records in your claim if a health emergency kept you from traveling.
• Canceled/Delayed Flight: If you could not attend your trip because the flight was canceled or delayed, provide proof such as an email that relays the reasons (mechanical issues, weather, etc.).
• Receipts for Delayed Flights: You might want to keep receipts for necessary expenses incurred due to delays, like hotel stays, transportation costs, meals, and personal necessities.
• Police Reports: These reports can help substantiate claims made for stolen items or car troubles.
• Other Reports: You may include tickets for unused flights or excursions in your insurance claim.

Has a Formal Complaint Been Filed Against the Travel Supplier?

Formal complaints against travel suppliers are helpful in legal cases dealing with similar situations. The Van Rossem v. Penney Travel Service (April 15, 1985) case exemplifies travel insurance gone wrong.

In this case, a newlywed couple arranged a honeymoon trip with travel agent Penney Travel. The agent used a wholesaler, Lotus Tours, to book the reservation without the couple's knowledge. Lotus Tours abruptly went bankrupt before booking the client's reservation with SANDLES, which remained unpaid. When the case came before the court, the judge noted that "an agent who makes the contract in his own name for an undisclosed principal is liable as a principal." Here, the defendant had failed to disclose the identity of Lotus Tours, and so, it was responsible as the principal. The couple had paid $2,059 in advance. The judge awarded them reimbursement of $1,312, plus costs and disbursements.

In another lawsuit, Touhey v. Trans National Travel , a travel agent did not check to see if the hotel a client had booked was duly constructed. The plaintiff-client was awarded $25,000 in special damages because of the mistake.

What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Bad faith insurance refers to unethical insurance practices used by an insurer to delay, deny, or lowball policyholders. Examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting contract language to prevent a payout
• Failing to disclose policy limitations and exclusions to policyholders
• Making unreasonable demands, like excessive paperwork requests to prove a covered loss

Sometimes, only a seasoned insurance dispute lawyer who regularly deals with contract breaches and bad faith claims can identify honest errors from serious red flags and help a policyholder get paid their due.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim: A Summary

Travelers usually plan their vacations down to the last detail. Travel insurance is a buffer for unplanned curveballs that can derail even the most meticulous plans, such as medical emergencies or misplaced luggage.

Insurance companies are explicit about what travel mishaps or unexpected events they will or will not cover, which is why it is crucial to understand policy limitations and how to properly file a travel insurance claim.

As a final snapshot, the key steps to filing a travel insurance claim include:

• Reviewing policy terms and exclusions.
• Gathering necessary documentation based on submission requirements.
• Submitting your claim according to the insurer's timing and filing guidelines.
• Filing an appeal if an insurance claim is wrongly denied.
• Consulting an experienced insurance dispute lawyer to assist with an intentionally stalled, denied, or undervalued claim.

Travel insurance claims can become challenging, depending on the situation and response from your insurer. When small bumps in the road become permanent roadblocks, it is helpful to know that qualified travel insurance claims attorneys are available to help frustrated policyholders recover their losses.