Travel insurance

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Never having claimed on travel insurance, I naively thought they would pay a hospital or GP directly for any treatment needed. However, it appears that isn’t the case and I would need to pay upfront for any treatment and then claim it back.

Does anyone know if this is the case for all travel insurance as this has made me really concerned and my family fly on holiday next week. We have a credit card but with a very small limit on it and a few hundred to take with us but if it ran to more than that, we couldn’t pay upfront.

How would others cope with this and does anyone know of any insurance companies that would pay upfront, even if they’re more expensive?

I’ve only claimed once but if I remember correctly, the travel insurance paid the hospital I stayed at directly. We did have to pay for things like taxis to the hospitals and then use our receipts to get reimbursed but it was very minimal.
The hospital were very strict on proving that I had travel insurance before they would admit me so I assume this is why.

@Startuplife That makes me a feel a little better. Do you mind me asking which country you visited and which insurer you used, if you remember.

It depends on which country you are visiting and which hospital or GP you are taken to (Private or Public).

Assuming that you are from the UK and have a EHIC or GHIC card:

In most of Europe you will be treated at a public GP/hospital on your GHIC/EHIC card under the same terms as a local resident. Usually you won't have to pay upfront, but be aware that some things that are "free" in the UK often require payment in Europe - e.g. the ambulance, medicines, food in hospital.

If you are taken to a private GP/hospital you will usually have to pay for treatment and then claim the cost back from your travel insurance.

Outside of Europe the starting point would be that everything has to be paid for upfront, but your travel insurance documents will have a contact number which you should always contact - e.g. so that you know what to do if facing a huge medical bill in the USA for a broken leg. The insurance company should take over and negotiate with the hospital and the airlines in order to get you the treatment and repatriation transport that you require. Always contact the insurers ASAP - they might refuse to honour a claim if you have attempted to organise things yourself.