Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is an insurance policy, which covers all risks while you are travelling within India or abroad. Everybody loves to travel. Travelling is an amazing experience & fun to cope up with stress & depression. While spending quality time with friends & family on a vacation, you live many key moments and collect unforgettable memories forever.

Whether you're planning to travel for a business trip, enjoying vacation either with family or close friends or studying abroad, it's highly recommended to buy a travel insurance plan to take care of risks or losses that might occur during the trip. Travel Insurance is meant to protect you & your loved ones from unforeseen circumstances, even if you are not with them.

Compare & select the best online travel insurance policy is one of the major key factors. PolicyBazaar is a one-stop platform, which gives you an opportunity to explore & deeply analyze the various travel plans offered by general insurance companies in India. Below mentioned are few things, which you need to keep in mind while buying a travel plan:

• Covers Flight Delay and Cancellations
• No Extra Cost for Pre-Existing Diseases
• Covers for Passport and Baggage Loss
• Personal Accident and Liability Covered
• Quick Claim Reimbursement with Cashless Options

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

Saint Augustine

As you know that travel insurance includes coverage for medical emergencies too, it is prudent as well as highly recommended for you to collect your E-Card from your insurer before travelling to a foreign country. Insurance companies have their agencies in different countries, which settle all such claims.

All you need to do register yourself with the number mentioned on the E-Card in order to be eligible for any such treatment in a foreign land if and when necessary. However, you can avail cashless hospitalization at a network hospital only, which means it should be inpatient hospitalization only.

You can choose which coverage to opt for on the basis of your specific requirement. Travel plans and policy offer coverage against all possible emergency situations during transit.

Domestic Travel Insurance

Domestic travel insurance is meant for customers who are travelling within the country. It provides coverage for medical emergencies, permanent disability and death, checked-in lost/stolen baggage, travel delay and personal liability.

International Travel Insurance

International travel insurance offers protection from a number of contingencies for overseas travellers during international travel. It provides comprehensive coverage for medical expenses overseas, hijacks, baggage and travel delays, and repatriations/evacuation to India, and loss of travel documents/passport besides the usual coverage.

Student Travel Insurance

Student Travel Insurance is a travel policy designed for students travelling abroad on a student visa to pursue higher studies. The policy covers students who are going colleges, universities or institutes in a foreign country for academic or professional courses. There is minimum paperwork involved in student plans. The coverage is comprehensive and provides for expenses incurred on medical treatment, passport loss, and study interruptions.

Medical Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance is a short-term travel insurance plan formulated to cover specifically the health care and medical expenses incurred such as medical emergency and evacuation etc. when an individual travels overseas. The exact inclusions and exclusions depend upon the insurance provider from whom the medical travel insurance plan is purchased.

Group Travel Insurance

Group travel insurance, as the name suggests, is a type of travel insurance policy that covers a bunch of people who are not related to each other by blood and are travelling to a distant place together. This group of people could be members of a club, who are going on an international trip to participate in an activity or something. A group travel insurance policy in such a case saves thousands on the premium.

Senior Citizen Travel Insurance

Senior citizen travel insurance is for people who belong to the age group of 61-70 years. It is a travel medical insurance policy aimed at senior citizens to make their travel a pleasant experience. It includes coverage for dental treatments and cashless hospitalization besides the usual benefits associated with travel insurance.

Family Travel Insurance

A family travel Insurance plan insures the entire family of the insured individual from travel-related emergencies. This plan covers hospitalization (travel medical insurance), baggage loss, and other incidental expenses. The claim disbursement is easy with minimal paperwork involved.

Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Multi-trip travel insurance is a type of travel insurance offering extended coverage usually for a year, specially designed for frequent fliers for multiple trips so that they don't have to apply for insurance every time they travel.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

This type of travel insurance provides coverage for the duration of a single trip. It takes care of medical (travel health insurance) and non-medical emergencies during travel including coverage for loss of checked-in baggage.

Corporate Travel Insurance

Under corporate travel insurance India, employees of an organization can get coverage for both international and domestic trips.

Purchasing a travel policy online is all about providing travellers with an ideal cover against emergencies and unforeseen situations right from the comfort of home. There are certain key features which one should look out for while zeroing in on a plan.

• Compensation for Flight Issues - A travel policy provides you with compensation in certain cases, including flight delay or cancellation. This usually is covered in the case of travelling abroad. You will be provided with accommodation during the waiting period.
• Medical Emergency & Hospitalization - What if you met with an accident during your trip or a medical emergency strikes all of a sudden? It's your travel policy that bears the expenses, including hospitalization or medical treatment for bodily injuries, ambulance fee, etc.
• Travel & Accommodation - Any emergency causing trip termination or delay is typically covered by travel plan. In the meanwhile, expenses arising out of hotel accommodation, in-between transportation, air ambulance (if required due to a medical emergency), etc. are settled under the coverage of your travel policy.
• Legal Liability & Expenses - Travel policies provide coverage for legal liabilities and corresponding legal expenses whatsoever, in addition to coverage in term of medical and accommodation expenses.

Over the last decade, travel has become a significant part of our lives. Be it for business, leisure, or pursuing higher education overseas, a large number of individuals travel regularly. With this increase in frequency, the risks associated with travelling have also increased. Hence, it is crucial to be aware of everything related to your trip. All that information will come in super handy if you find yourself in unforeseen situations while you are aboard.

To know why you should buy travel insurance, take a look below. It will help you avoid any confusion whenever any emergency knocks on your door.

• It Covers You against All the Health Emergencies - While unexpected events can occur anytime and anywhere, a possibility of it being a medical emergency is more likely. Most probably, your health insurance plan will cease to exist the moment you step out of the country. At the time of buying travel insurance, make sure you opt for wider coverage. In a foreign country like the US, the treatment of even a minor wound will cost you a bomb.
• It is Mandatory in Some Countries - In some countries, such as the US, it is important for a traveller to have a travel insurance cover; else they won’t be able to enter the geographical boundaries of the country. Also, in some countries, healthcare costs are so expensive that it is a win-win deal for individuals when they opt for a travel insurance plan.
• Coverage in Remote Areas - If the location you are visiting is remote; chances are that the medical facilities might be inadequate. If you meet with an accident or suddenly fall sick, you might need to be airlifted to a hospital. If you don’t have any insurance coverage, the incurred airlifting expenses would cost you an arm and a leg.
• Dental Emergencies - Even while travelling, the risk of losing a tooth in a nasty fall is as much as when you are at home. As this cannot wait for your return home, you will have to seek immediate medical intervention. As dental expenses (and the associated pain) can be a true killjoy, travel insurance plans tend to cover such expenses. At least, your pocket wouldn’t hurt.
• Claim Your Flight Cancellation or Rescheduled Flight Fees - When you are ready to embark on your trip to a location of your choice, cancelled/rescheduled flights can be really annoying. It drastically lowers your enthusiasm and excitement levels even before the trip begins. Technical issues, adverse weathers, strikes etc. could be a hurdle and you could miss your connecting flight because of that.
  
  Buying a travel insurance plan provides coverage against flight delays/cancellations as well as baggage delay/loss even before your trip actually begins.
• Travel-related Stress, what’s that? - A travel insurance plan keeps travel-related stress at bay by offering financial safety and security when you are abroad. In case you fall sick, get injured, or get stranded at your destination, a travel insurance policy will be able to provide for any emergency accommodation till the time it is safe for you to fly back home.
• Replacement for Lost or Stolen Baggage - During a trip, the worst thing that could happen is losing your baggage or any personal items. Tourists are a soft target for local thieves, hence, stolen luggage is a common problem faced by them.
  
  While travelling abroad, if your baggage gets lost or is stolen, the replacement cost would be too much.
  
  Firstly, you would have to shell out money from your pocket for a duplicate passport and a copy of the required travel documents. Then, you would need fresh clothes and toiletries. A travel insurance plan would offer much-needed support in the hour of need by providing reimbursement for such expenses.
• Coverage for the Entire Family - While you globetrot with your family, travel insurance will offer you adequate insurance coverage. Travel insurance becomes highly important when you travel with kids because they are more susceptible to injuries and illnesses. Dependent children of up to 21 years of age with no pre-existing condition can be covered in a family travel plan while travelling with their parents.
• Personal Liability Coverage - While travelling, if you are involved in an accident that causes personal injury or damage to somebody’s property, the travel insurance plan comes to your rescue.
• Emergency Assistance - Disasters can happen without a preamble. In the event of a natural disaster, an act of terror, or an airline strike, no one, not even the airline, will help you. Your travel insurance will come to your rescue in such troubling times. From finding an alternate mode of transport to reimbursing any non-refundable payments, your insurer will look out for you.

While planning a vacation with your family or a group of friends, you probably always think about adventure, entertainment, camping and fun and often overlook the likely eventualities like an accident, a sudden illness or a medical emergency. Below mentioned are a couple of points, which you need to consider before purchasing the best plan for you or your loved ones:

• Company’s Credibility - Company's goodwill says a lot about the company's reliability. Trust is an important factor to be considered while selecting an insurance provider. It ensures that the insurer will fulfil its promise(s) on time.
• Affordability - Costs has its own significance when it comes to selecting a travel plan. Minimum premiums are convenient to pay, easy on your pocket, and they make travel policies affordable.
• Hassle-free - There are so many policies available in the insurance market. What makes you finalize a plan is its convenience. Buying a travel policy should be easy and hassle-free.
• Destination - Your destination decides the premium that you have to pay. Countries where health care is expensive, the premium for the coverage would be higher for obvious reasons.
• Duration of The Travel - The premium is directly proportional to the duration of your journey. You have to a pay higher premium for a longer duration. Frequent flyers are recommended to go for annual multi-trip plans, as it is economical.
• Purpose of the Travel -  If your trip revolves around adventure activities, then it is preferable to opt for a special plan, as it would provide you with adequate coverage. If your trip is relaxing one and it includes sightseeing and trying out different cuisines, then basic travel insurance plan would be sufficient for you.
• Age - Premium for a travel plan for a 25 years old person would be different from the premium for a 45 years old person. Senior citizens can select a plan(s) that provide coverage for senior citizens, which include pre-existing illness. The premium will be increased as the cover expands.
• Sum Insured - The premium depends on the sum insured. If the sum insured is high, then the cost of the policy will also be high and vice-versa.
• Coverage - Having add-ons or not having add-ons determines your premium. The advantage of having add-ons is that it widens the umbrella of your coverage, which is good.
• Claim Settlement Percentage - It determines the number of claims that have been settled by the insurance company. The percentage has a lot to tell about the company's settlements. Claim settlement percentage gives an edge to the company over its competitors.
• Solvency Ratio - The solvency ratio determines the steadiness and the fiscal goodwill of the insurance provider. It depicts the insurers' ability to generate business without becoming bankrupt.

The coverage offered by a travel plan varies from one insurer to another. The sum assured and coverage depends on the various add-ons selected and opted plan. Here are the inclusions that come with various travel plans:

Inclusions of International Travel Plans:

The key inclusions of International Travel Insurance Policies are listed below:

• Trip delays
• Missed connected flight
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Emergency medical charges
• Repatriation of the mortal remains
• Emergency dental charges
• Hospital cash
• Accidental death benefit
• Permanent total disablement benefit
• Baggage loss
• Loss of personal documents
• Delay/ loss of checked-in baggage
• Personal liability benefit
• Contingency travel benefit
• Hijack distress allowance
• Assistance in a financial emergency 
• Catastrophe and political risk and evacuation
• Return of the minor child
• Compassionate family visit

Inclusions of Student Travel Plans:

Following are the inclusions of Student Travel Insurance:

• Accidental death benefit
• Permanent disability benefit
• Emergency medical charges
• Emergency dental treatment expenses
• Passport loss
• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage
• Personal liability benefit
• Study interruption
• Bail bond
• Protection of sponsor
• Compassionate family visit
• Medical screening or tests
• Psychological coverage

Inclusions of Family Travel Insurance Plans:

Here’s a list of inclusions of Family Travel Insurance Plans:

• Emergency medical charges
• Medical evacuation expenses
• Personal accident benefit
• Hospital cash allowance
• Delay/loss of checked-in baggage
• Baggage loss 
• Personal documents loss 
• Passport loss 
• Personal liability coverage
• Emergency cash benefit
• Home burglary coverage
• Trip delays/curtailment 
• Golfer hole-in-one coverage
• Emergency dental treatment charges
• Flight accident insurance
• Emergency healthcare charges

Inclusions of Corporate Travel Insurance Plans:

Below are the key inclusions of Corporate Travel Insurance Policies:

• Emergency medical evacuation
• Personal accident coverage
• Hospital cash allowance
• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage 
• Baggage loss 
• Personal documents loss 
• Passport loss
• Personal liability coverage
• Emergency cash benefit
• Home burglary coverage
• Trip delays or curtailment 
• Golfer hole-in-one coverage
• Emergency dental treatment charges
• Flight accident insurance

Inclusions of Senior Citizen Travel Insurance Plans:

Listed below are the Senior Citizen Travel Insurance Inclusions:

• Medical evacuation coverage
• Personal accident coverage
• Hospital cash allowance
• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage
• Baggage loss 
• Personal documents loss 
• Passport loss
• Personal liability coverage
• Emergency cash benefit
• Home burglary coverage
• Trip delays/ curtailment
• Golfer hole-in-one
• Emergency dental treatment charges
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

Inclusions for Schengen Travel Insurance:

Here are the inclusions for Schengen Travel Insurance that come with various travel plans:

• Repatriation of the mortal remains
• If the policyholder has to be evacuated right away
• A medical contingency caused due to illness or accident while travelling in Schengen country.
• If the whole trip is interrupted or cancelled without your fault.
• Expenses incurred due to international funeral
• Hijack distress
• Being robbed of the important possessions
• In case you damage or lose your baggage, essential travel papers, and personal belongings.
• Benefits of injury, disability (permanent or temporary) or accidental demise caused due to it.
• In case a minor needs to be returned to her/his home country.
• In case your trip gets delayed due to bad weather
• In case of missed connections due to slip up in schedule
• In case of delayed baggage for over 12 hours after you check-in, then the necessary items including clothes, toiletries, etc. will be replaced.

What are apparently omitted/optional in most of the Schengen Travel Insurance Policies?

The following things are optional/omitted in most of the Schengen Travel Insurance Policies:

• Pre-existing ailments including asthma, cardiac problems, diabetes, and hypertension.
• Almost all the travel insurance providers offer aforementioned covers; however, you can get tailor-made riders by paying extra premium.
• Adventurous sports with some risk including mountaineering, sea sports, and fast biking etc.
• Travelling to countries that are listed as high-risk nations due to natural calamities, war, and terrorist activities etc.
• Stern onset of pre-existing ailments even though the doctor assures that they can be under control.

Exclusions for Schengen Travel Insurance Plans:

Below are some of the exclusions for Schengen Travel Insurance Policies:

• There are some insurance carriers, which simply so not cover for previous health ailments in various domains abroad.
• If you’re suffering from any condition already before your departure such as Asthma and diagnosed with it your insurance provider, they will refuse to process the related medical bills generated abroad.
• Some insurers do not offer coverage for high-risk and sports activities like aqua sports, skydiving, stunts, and more unless you readily pay extra premium for such activities.
• Many insurance providers do not cover some kind of injury or harm as you choose to travel to any imperilled war zone.
• Self-inflicted injuries, attempt to suicide, and suicide are some of the cases that are not covered by travel insurance companies.

There are some common exclusions to a travel policy such as:

• Flights/trains missed due to local protests/civil war
• Expenses incurred due to local protests/civil unrest
• Pre-existing conditions leading to hospitalization
• Baggage delay that is less than 24 hours
• Damage/loss of keys

Note: The exclusions differ from one policy to another. It is best to compare quotes of travel plans online using travel plans comparison feature and choose the best travel policy with minimum exclusions.

There are travel insurance policies that offer add-on benefits when you opt for additional coverage. It can be opted for by the insured in case, he/she needs an extra layer of protection. These additional covers can be purchased by paying an extra premium amount to the insurance company.

Here are a couple of conditions for which optional coverage for travel plan can be purchased.

• High-risk/adventure sports activities
• Coverage for travel to war-prone destinations
• Pre-existing illnesses
• Enhanced Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) cover
• Third-party supplier insolvency

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for purchasing travel insurance plans.

• Family Travel Insurance Plans - These travel policies cater to 2 adults up to 60 years of age and their 2 children up to 21 years of age. One can enjoy floater benefits with family travel policies.
• Student Travel Insurance Plans - Generally, most of the travel plans caters to students between 16 to 40 years of age who've enrolled themselves in an institution abroad for their higher education. Existing Indian students who are at a foreign university qualify to buy a student travel plan.
• Senior Citizen Travel Insurance Plans - Elderly individuals up to 85 years of age don't need to undergo any medical screening to purchase a senior citizen travel plan.
• Schengen Travel Insurance Plans - Adults up to the age of 70 years and infants older than 90 days are eligible to get Schengen travel insurance coverage. The objective of travel should be either tourism or business.

It goes without saying that a travel holiday insurance policy is a must when travelling. Travel policy offers protection from unforeseen contingencies during travel such as a medical emergency (travel health insurance), loss of passport, loss of checked-in baggage, trip cancellation etc. allowing a pleasant, worry-free travel experience. But how much does it cost? What is the premium for a travel policy for your specific trip?

Internet-based online tools known as a travel insurance premium calculator gives you a tentative idea of the cost of the travel policy. It provides an approximate figure when required particulars are keyed in helping one budget for a trip.

One has to provide destination details. It has several options under this section - whether one is travelling to Europe/Schengen country or US/Canada etc. One is also required to mention whether insurance is required for a single trip or multiple trips. Details of the number of travellers for whom insurance is required and tentative travel dates are to be given. It next asks for personal details of travellers like their gender, date of birth, annual family income, city of origin etc.

Finally, after filling in all these details, the travel insurance premium calculator displays the approximate premium amount that one will have to pay for a travel policy for the desired destination and travel dates. It also facilitates in travel plan comparison and procuring the best travel policy from a host of insurance providers.

It is important to get a comprehensive travel insurance cover before commencing travel. One should opt for features that will cover likely travel related contingencies specific to one's travel. This will prevent disappointment later when filing for a travel insurance claim.

Always carry the main policy document when travelling. It is advisable to have photocopies of the document handy in case one loses the original copy. Keeping a PDF soft copy of the document is also a good idea. One can store it online, in email, on a pen drive or computer or on the mobile phone.

• In case of an emergency during travel, one should call or email the travel insurer to understand the claims process including supporting documents required specific to one's case. The insurer's contact number - customer care number (generally a toll-free number) and email address are always clearly mentioned on the policy document. One may have to call the contact number of their international partner if travelling abroad.

• One is then required to send supporting documents to the insurer by post, fax or email.

• Relevant documents like a passport with immigration stamp, claim form, copy of the policy, original bills and receipts, police report (if applicable), personal identity proof should be kept handy.

• Upon submission of the claim including all required documentation and proof, it is assessed by a surveyor appointed by the insurance company and processed accordingly.

PolicyBazaar provides you with a quick and reliable online platform to compare travel insurance quotes offered by leading general insurance companies in India. You can instantly view and compare travel insurance premium with assured assistance in unforeseen situations, such as trip delay or cancellation, loss of complete or part of checked-in baggage, etc. Compare travel insurance online at PolicyBazaar and enjoy the following benefits:

• Easy travel plan comparison.
• Make an informed choice by getting quotes for travel policies online.
• Avoid confusion and find the plan that suits your specific requirement.
• Travel plan comparison and assess to features and benefits of various plans side by side.
• Save money and time.
• Buy hassle-free and instantly.
• Guaranteed safety and peace of mind.

Travel to create good memories. Stay safe, stay insured!