Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

What is Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

Also known as annual travel insurance, AMT policies are designed for business travellers or people who take frequent trips abroad. Unlike single-trip plans that offer protection only for a fixed duration, there is no restriction on the number of trips taken. A few travel insurance plans also offer per-day basis coverage if you're going abroad for a short trip.

These policies are best for people working in multinational companies or with a business of their own that requires travelling abroad. Other than your flight tickets, accommodation and food, travel insurance is a necessary expense which you should never ignore. They will offer all-around coverage and offer help in case of any medical or travel-related emergencies.

Know More About Benefits of Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Features of Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

There has been a steady increase in people travelling frequently for work and leisure. Many countries require mandatory travel insurance before issuing visa to foreign visitors. This ensures their safety and well-being in case something goes wrong during their trip. For people going on trips frequently and often urgently, buying a plan each time may only add to their burdens.

This is where an annual multi-trip insurance plan will come in handy. Take a look at some of their features:

• Unlimited Trips: Most AMT plans cover you for as many international trips as you want. The coverage duration for your trip is usually up to 30-45 days, depending on the policy.
• Free Look Period: If you have any objections to the policy and wish to cancel it, you can do so within the first 15 days of purchase. This feature is only available with annual plans.
• All-round Coverage: From emergency medical expenses abroad to flight cancellations, the policy will cover everything to ensure your financial safety.
• Grace Period: If you are unable to pay the due premium on time for your travel insurance policy renewal, then many insurers offer a grace period of 30 days after the due date.

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Eligibility Criteria

Annual multi-trip travel insurance is designed for people who travel three times or more in a year. The following is the eligibility criteria for annual multi-trip travel insurance:

• The insured must have a permanent place of residence in India
• The insured must fall within the age bracket (For example, minimum age: 3 months & maximum age is 70 years)
• The plan is designed for those taking two or more trips to a destination outside India during the policy period.
• 1 year travel insurance can also cover the insured's family, which includes their spouse and two dependent children. Age criteria vary from insurer to insurer

In specific circumstances, an insured with an immigrant visa who is going abroad permanently can be covered, provided they declare this to the insurer. Please note that the eligibility may vary with insurers.

Why Buy Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

Both single-trip insurance plans and annual multi-trip insurance plans have their specific benefits. If you have any doubts about making a decision, consider things before buying an annual travel insurance policy:

• Do you plan to travel more than twice or more to different countries?
• Do you need to spend several days while travelling?
• Do you need worldwide coverage because of your unpredictable travel plans abroad?
• Do you want to save time and minimise documentation while buying travel insurance for multiple countries?
• Do you wish for a simple and easy claim procedure in case of emergencies?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you should definitely buy annual worldwide travel insurance.

Coverage under Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

The level of coverage varies from plan to plan and insurer to insurer. However, on a general basis, the policies include medical cover, loss of baggage cover and cancellation cover. Here are some common inclusions under yearly travel insurance plans:

Medical Cover

International travel insurance for one year covers the medical expenses incurred by the insured or their family members in case of medical emergencies abroad. This can be due to sudden illness, injury while travelling abroad. It also covers medical evacuation and repatriation expenses.

Expenses incurred for transporting the mortal remains of the insured to India or burial expenses abroad are also covered. It also offers compensation for permanent disablement or death while travelling.

Personal Liability

Personal liability coverage provides financial support in case you are held liable for any unintentional loss caused to a third party. This cover is especially beneficial for people travelling with kids.

Trip Cancellation

This cover helps in saving flight expenses and hotel bookings in case your trip gets cancelled under covered reasons. However, the cover amount should be so decided that it easily covers all the expenses, including the cost of prepaid excursions.

Passport Loss

This covers the cost incurred for obtaining a new passport in case your passport is lost or stolen.

Special Add-Ons

For an additional premium, your annual worldwide travel insurance can be customised with extra protection:

• Sports Cover: Ideal for those who plan to participate (not professionally)in adventurous and risky activities like skiing, skydiving, paragliding, ski run-walking, and snowboarding. This also includes extra cover against injury and damaged or stolen equipment used for participating in the activity.
• Deductible Waiver: Having an excess waiver cover means you don't need to pay deductibles for certain claims. In case of an injury happening as a result of voluntary manual work, the excess waiver option will not be applicable.
• PED Cover: Pre-existing diseases cover allows coverage for one or more health conditions that you are getting treated for. It covers related emergency medical expenses caused by the declared disease, which are not covered otherwise. If you have a health condition, then make sure to buy this add-on with your travel insurance for 60 days or more.

What's Not Covered by Annual Multi-Trip Insurance?

Along with knowing the coverage options under an annual multi-trip insurance plan, it is very important to know and understand the exclusions as well. Here are a few examples of what is not covered under the annual multi-trip policy:

• No coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, unless it is a very serious or life-threatening disease
• Any expense due to suicide/attempt to suicide/ venereal diseases/self-inflicted injuries/ stress/depression/anxiety/alcohol or drug abuse will not be covered
• Any eventualities if travelling against the advice of the doctor
• Any expenses if travelling to get treated abroad
• Expenses incurred due to theft or loss of a passport due to carelessness or negligence
• Expenses for items if the loss or theft is not reported to the local police within the stipulated time.
• Circumstances arising out of war or nuclear threat in the destination country
• Any expenses related to any kind of emergency after the insured has returned to India will not be covered under this insurance

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Claim Process

Unfortunately, if you are in a situation where you need to raise a claim, then the process is pretty simple. Most insurers have one of the following ways to initiate a claim process under travel insurance:

• Customer helpline (Generally toll-free)
• Insurer's email
• Mobile application
• Insurer's website through policy number or mobile number

If you wish to register your claim through Policybazaar, here's what you need to do:

Register Claim

You can get in touch with our claims support team in case of any emergency by clicking on the link which will be shared on your WhatsApp. You can also mail us at travelclaims@policybazaar.com or call us on 1800-258-5881.

Prepare Documents

Depending on your claim type, you will have to provide some documents. Here are some documents that you must provide:

• For Medical Claims: Claim forms, Original admission/discharge card, if applicable, Original Bills, Receipts, Prescriptions and Reports, Copy of passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof.
• For Baggage Loss: Claim forms, Property Irregularity Report (obtained from the Airline), Copies of correspondence with the airlines confirming the loss, Approximate cost of lost items, Copy of the passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof
• For Trip Cancellation: Claim forms, Medical reports of the insured, a companion or an immediate family member, Details of the amount refunded by the common carrier and Hotel, Copy of flight ticket, Copy of passport, Personal ID proof
• For Trip Delay: Claim forms, Original bills of expenses incurred during the period of delay, Copy of ticket & boarding Pass, Copies of Correspondence with the airline authorities certifying the delay, Copy of passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID proof
• For Other Claims: Claim Forms, Copy of the passport/visa with entry & exit stamp, Personal ID Proof, Policy Copy, Original bills and receipts and complaint copies, etc.

In case of loss, theft or other situations requiring compensation, it's necessary to lodge an FIR and inform the insurance provider at the earliest. Before making a claim, make sure to have reported the lost or stolen item to the police within 24 hours of the loss or theft.

If raising a claim after returning to India, don't forget to do so within the stipulated time frame. This is usually 30 days from the date of return of the insured, after which the claim may be rejected.

How to Choose Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

Here are some important tips to use before taking out a policy:

• Always disclose any pre-existing medical conditions (if any) while buying the policy, and also any new medical complications faced during the policy term. This will avoid any rejection of claims later and give a proper estimate of the travel insurance premium.
• Don't forget to compare different travel insurance plans online on Policybazaar.com to get the right plans within your budget.
• Ensure fact-checking, such as the reputation of the insurance provider, claim-settlement ratio and customer reviews, before the purchase
• Use a travel insurance premium calculator online to know the approximate premium cost

Why Buy from Policybazaar?

Buying a policy online is not only easier but also saves a lot of time as well as money. Browsing annual multi-trip insurance plans online can be easily done on Policybazaar.com, where several insurance plans can be compared along with their coverage:

• Buying online is cost-effective as costs spent on intermediaries and commute is completely avoided
• The policies can be bought almost instantly, within a few minutes.
• Easy comparison of plans sold by different travel insurance companies in India, all in one place
• Buying from Policybazaar.com comes with several automated benefits like reminders, sale notifications and toll-free assistance