Why Travel Insurance is Necessary to Travel Abroad?

For so many of us, there aren't many accessible activities as thrilling as travelling. However, being practical we also need to look at the downsides of it. Travel risks, financial emergencies and unexpected medical emergencies can easily turn any trip disastrous. Allow us to walk you through some real travel risks and how important travel insurance actually is!

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Plans for an individual of 30 years age travelling to USA for 15 days

Is Travel Insurance Compulsory for Travelling Abroad?

Some people have a misconception that buying travel insurance is mandatory before visiting any country. While there’s a long list of countries where travel insurance is mandatory, no, trip insurance is not mandatory for every trip abroad. However, this by no means encourages skipping trip insurance!

Travel Insurance is Necessary to travel Abroad

With so many risks involved in international trips, you will thank yourself for having a decent travel health insurance plan if you ever land in trouble. If you’re going to dismiss these troubles, we sincerely request you to do a quick google search about missed flights, baggage loss horrors and unfortunate accidents abroad during vacations.

What is the Need for Travel Insurance?

Some countries won’t even grant you a visa if your international travel documents don’t include travel insurance, while some countries have very relaxed entry requirements for Indians. However, this shouldn’t be the only reason for buying it. We have listed below some of the most common emergencies travellers face abroad and how all of them can be made easier with travel insurance:

Covers Medical Emergencies

If you become injured or sick while travelling abroad, medical expenses can be costly, especially if you are in a foreign country where you may not have access to affordable healthcare. Healthcare in the US, the UK, Australia etc. is pretty expensive and it can cost lakhs of rupees in case of hospitalisation.

Your trip insurance will help cover expenses for medical treatment, including hospitalization, medication, surgery expenses, and emergency evacuation to a medical facility.
Helps with Trip Cancellation or Interruption

If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as an illness, injury, or family emergency, travel health insurance can provide reimbursement for your prepaid expenses, like airfare, hotel, and tour reservations. This can help you recoup some or all of the money you would have lost if you had to cancel your trip unexpectedly.
Lost or Stolen Baggage

If your luggage is lost or stolen during your trip, travel insurance can help you recover the cost of your lost items. This can include your personal belongings, such as clothes, electronics, and other valuables. What’s more, most overseas insurance plans also cover passport loss in case you have been mugged or faced a genuine emergency.

Some travel insurance policies also offer coverage for delayed baggage, which can provide you with funds to purchase essential items while you wait for your luggage to arrive. What’s more, many travel insurance companies in India offer add-ons for expensive belongings so that you can travel peacefully knowing that your belongings are safe.
Flight Delay or Cancellation

If your flight is cancelled or delayed, international travel insurance can provide reimbursement for the expenses you may incur during the delay. These may include food, lodging, and transportation. Having an insurance plan with flight delays and flight cancellation benefits will help alleviate the financial burden of unexpected flight delays or cancellations, which can be common when travelling abroad.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation

If you need to be evacuated due to a natural disaster, political unrest, or other emergency situation, travel insurance can help cover the cost of evacuation. This can include emergency transportation to a safe location for medical treatment back to your home country if necessary.

In grimmer cases of death abroad, most travel insurance plans with repatriation coverage also help with repatriation expenses. The remains of the insured person are brought back to their home country, an experience which is very saddening and financially burdensome for the deceased person’s family.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Whether travel insurance is worth it depends on your travel plans, the country you are visiting, and your personal preferences. However, without a doubt, travel insurance is a worthwhile investment when travelling abroad. Here are some reasons why:

Peace of Mind: Travel insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that you are financially protected in case something bad happens during your trip. This can help you relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about what might happen.
Cost Savings: While trip insurance comes with a cost, it can actually save you money in the long run. If you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen circumstance, your insurance can help you recover some or all of your prepaid expenses like hotel or flight costs. It can also cover the cost of medical treatment or emergency evacuation, which can be very expensive in some countries.
Convenience: Many travel insurance policies come with additional benefits, such as 24/7 assistance services, which can be very helpful when travelling abroad. For example, if you lose your passport or need help finding a local doctor, the assistance services can provide you with support and guidance.
Destination-Specific Risks: Depending on where you are travelling, there may be specific risks that you need to be aware of. For example, if you are travelling to a country with a high risk of natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, travel insurance can help cover the cost of an emergency evacuation. If you are travelling to a country with a high risk of crime, travel insurance can provide you with coverage for lost or stolen belongings. However, you must read the policy terms and conditions (called policy wordings) to know the detailed benefits.

Ultimately, whether travel insurance is worth it depends on your individual circumstances. Before buying travel insurance, it's important to read the policy carefully and understand what is covered and what is not. You may also want to consider shopping around and comparing different policies to find one that meets your needs and budget. You can easily compare travel insurance on Policybazaar.com to find the best travel insurance as per your needs and budget.

Wrapping it Up,

Overall, travel insurance can provide peace of mind while you are travelling and protect you from unexpected expenses. It is always a good idea to have travel insurance when travelling abroad, especially if you are visiting a foreign country where you may not be familiar with the local healthcare system or legal procedures.