Does Travel Insurance Provide Mental Health Support?

Does Travel Insurance Cover Mental Health Issues?

Travel insurance companies in India offer mental health coverage in different ways. Some standard policies include mental health coverage, while others provide it as an add-on cover at an additional cost. Several travel insurance plans cover medical expenses related to mental or psychiatric disorders. Insurers also offer mental health coverage by default or as an optional cover, along with student travel insurance policies, as international students spend extensive time away from home. If you are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health issues already, they may be covered under the pre-existing diseases add-on.

What Does Mental Health Coverage Include?

Typically, mental health coverage includes inpatient treatment for psychiatric conditions up to the sum insured of your travel insurance. A specified number of outpatient consultations is also included in the policy. The coverage may vary as per the insurer and your international travel insurance policy.

Why Should You Consider Getting Travel Insurance that Covers Mental Health Disorders?

International travel is exciting, but sometimes things may get overwhelming and stressful. Here's how travel insurance with mental health coverage can support you:

• Offers Global Customer Assistance: Most insurers have a 24/7 global customer support helpline to answer any claim-related or policy-related questions.
• Cashless Hospitalisation: Mental health treatments, such as therapy, psychiatric treatments, etc., are quite expensive. To help with the same, insurers offer cashless healthcare facilities at network hospitals abroad, which helps in saving money if your pre-authorisation is complete. 
• Covers Repatriation: Several travel insurance companies offer repatriation and evacuation coverage and pay the costs of returning the insured to their home country in case of a medical emergency, serious illness, or death while on a trip.

How to Find the Right Travel Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Support?

Many insurance providers offer travel insurance in India, but not all provide mental health coverage. Here are a few things you can do to find a policy that provides this cover:

• Compare Policies: Compare different plans and check the coverage offered by leading insurers along with their prices on broker websites like Policybazaar.com.
• Check Add-on Covers: If your selected insurance policy does not include mental health coverage in its standard features, see the optional covers offered and verify the cost.
• Review Policy Details Carefully: Reading the policy documents is essential to understand in detail what your policy covers and what it excludes. This can help you avoid claim rejections.

How to Stay Mentally Fit While Travelling?

While travel insurance with mental health coverage can help with the cost of psychiatric treatment, you must take these small steps to stay mentally healthy during your journey:

• Staying Active: Generally, vacations are for relaxation, but being active can help you maintain a positive mental state. Nature walks, short hikes, and breathing exercises can help you stay calm while travelling.
• Seek Professional Help: International travel is challenging, and it is important to acknowledge when you need an expert's help to get through the trip. If you are worried about your mental health, see a therapist or a counsellor abroad.
• Stay Connected: It is essential to stay in touch with your family and friends during your international trip.
• Flexible Itinerary: Sticking to a rigid itinerary might not always be good for your mental health. You must keep your plans flexible so that you can adjust them according to your mental well-being.

Summing Up

International trips can sometimes drain you emotionally, with challenges like long flights, unfamiliar environments, tedious immigration procedures, and the stress of making travel plans. In such situations, it's important to have mental health coverage with your international travel insurance. Knowing that your overseas travel insurance policy covers such costs is an added advantage to have a relaxed trip.