International Travel Insurance

What is International Travel Insurance?

International travel insurance is a type of insurance specially designed to keep travellers safe abroad. It covers many contingencies that you can face abroad, from unexpected injuries leading to hospitalisation or losing your wallet.

Be it work, adventure, or study, your purpose for travelling abroad should never be compromised due to emergencies. The last thing you want to deal with abroad is unexpected expenses. This is when international travel insurance comes to your rescue.

You don't have to worry about any health emergency expenses abroad if your overseas medical insurance covers it. Foreign trip insurance also covers specific issues like pre-existing diseases, adventure sports, etc.

You can buy international holiday insurance at affordable premiums easily within minutes. Checkup until a certain age is usually not required, making it accessible to people of a broad age group. The benefits of online overseas travel insurance are offered through different plan variants.

Facts About International Travel Insurance

Who Should Buy International Travel Insurance?

Anyone travelling overseas has a lot at stake- they may have a study program to pursue or have spent a lot of money on their upcoming trip. You can secure any kind of trip if you simply buy an international travel insurance online. Depending on your plans, duration and reason for travelling abroad, you can buy any of these plans for your upcoming foreign trip:

1. For Europe Tour

   If you want to visit one or more Schengen countries in Europe, travel insurance is mandatory. It protects you from several emergencies that can lead to financial losses. Travel insurance for Schengen countries includes medical cover, loss of passport, delay in check-in baggage arrival, loss of check-in baggage, personal liability, personal accident cover, and more.

2. For Family Trips

   Family travel insurance covers the policyholder, spouse, and dependent children travelling abroad. The sum insured is available mainly on both individual and family floater basis. All insured family members are covered for medical expenses, loss of passport, personal liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, etc.

3. For Senior Travellers

   Age should never stop you from living life to the fullest. To offer necessary safety to senior travellers, many Indian insurers provide tailor-made senior citizen travel insurance plans for people above the age of 60 years. It protects them from unpredictable financial emergencies, including medical expenses, loss or delay of check-in baggage, medical evacuation, etc.

4. For International Studies

   If you wish to travel out of India for higher education, student travel insurance is a must. Curated for international Indian students, it comes with an extended validity of up to 2 years. Apart from the basic coverage of an overseas travel insurance plan, it also provides the students with covers including sponsor protection, study interruption, medical evacuation, bail bond, two-way compassionate visits & more.

International Travel Insurance Inclusions

Indian insurers offer a variety of plans to different kinds of travellers. These plans have varying coverage that can be understood by going through the inclusions. While buying international travel insurance online, make sure to understand what's covered. Your insurer will cover the following unless specified otherwise:

1. Medical Expenses Cover

   In case of an unexpected illness, accidental injuries, or death, your overseas medical insurance policy will cover medical expenses faced abroad.

2. Loss of Baggage Cover

   Coverage will be provided if your plan has the benefits of international flight insurance and your airline damages or misplaces your baggage after checking in.

3. Trip Cancellation & Disruption Cover

   One of the primary benefits of overseas trip insurance is that it will cover several non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or curtailed due to a covered emergency.

4. Flight Delays/Cancellation

   Your foreign travel insurance will cover your flight if it is delayed for more than a certain number of hours. It will also cover flight cancellations due to certain reasons.

5. Passport Loss Cover

   In case your passport is lost or stolen during your trip, your overseas holiday insurance will cover reimbursement of the cost incurred in obtaining a fresh one.

6. Personal Liability

   If you buy foreign travel insurance online, it will also offer personal liability coverage. This is useful if you accidentally cause damage to a third party or their property.

7. Medical Evacuation

   You may be in a dire medical emergency but the medical care may not be close. This is common when travelling through remote areas or islands where you can't access healthcare readily. In such cases, you must be evacuated to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. This is called medical evacuation and this expense is covered under insurance for travelling abroad.

8. Repatriation Cover

   In case of a sudden demise, the expenses for cremation and transporting the mortal remains to the family members back in India are covered by overseas trip insurance.

9. Dental Cover

   Any emergency dental treatment taken due to an injury or acute pain during the trip is covered.

10. Hijack Risk Cover

    A Hijack distress allowance is granted if the flight you were travelling on abroad or vice versa is hijacked for more than a certain number of hours.

11. Compassionate Visit

    In case of hospitalisation for an extended period, the cost of transportation and boarding of one of your family members will be covered. This facility is provided chiefly with student travel insurance.

12. Trip Delay

    If your trip commencement is delayed due to an unavoidable emergency, it is covered by international insurance for travel. For example, a family member's hospitalisation or a natural calamity, etc.

13. Missed Connection Flight Cover

    If your connecting flight is missed due to the delayed arrival of your inward flight, your insurer will cover it.

14. Delay in Baggage Arrival

    Reimbursement of expenses incurred on essentials due to the airline's delayed delivery of your check-in baggage.

15. Add-Ons

    Many insurers also offer additional coverage which is otherwise not offered by the base plans. These are extended coverage available at an additional travel insurance premium. Common add-ons include coverage for PED, adventure sports, refund of visa fees cover and more.

    Buying affordable international travel insurance means you can maintain coverage. An overseas trip insurance policy is only helpful if it secures you in your time of need. Therefore, buy overseas travel insurance by comparing them on Policybazaar.com.

International Travel Insurance Exclusions

Every insurance policy comes with some limitations. Before zeroing in on foreign travel insurance online, read carefully about the expenses that will not be reimbursed. Have a quick rundown of the things which will not be included in your overseas travel insurance:

• If your passport loss complaint is not registered with the police authorities, the damages or loss incurred will not be covered.
• You wouldn't be given medical coverage if the pre-existing diseases were not disclosed/ declared before the international travel insurance policy commences, especially for senior citizens.
• Expenses or any loss due to mental issues, depression or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any suicidal attempt are not covered
• Venereal diseases and patients with HIV/AIDS are not covered under international trip insurance online.
• If your purpose for travelling abroad is for medical treatment abroad, it won't be covered
• Casualties or damages due to war or nuclear threats in the concerned country are not covered.

Note: This is not the complete list of exclusions. For an exhaustive list, refer to policy wordings.

Why Should You Buy International Travel Insurance Policy?

Take a look at some of the reasons why you must buy an overseas travel insurance policy for your foreign trip:

Documents Required for International Travel Insurance

You must provide the necessary paperwork to buy foreign travel insurance in India. These documents may vary depending on your travel purpose and visa category.

Documents for Purchase

All Indians who wish to travel abroad must buy travel insurance for overseas trips. The following documents are required:

• Passport number of travellers
• ID proof like PAN/other government-issued documents for proposal form

KYC for international travel insurance from India is mandatory before you buy, so keep these documents handy before you start filling out the proposal form. You must also know the exact travel dates and destination for the form.

Documents to Raise Claim

Here is an exhaustive list of documents that you may be asked for, depending on your emergency:

• FIR or police report for criminal cases
• Copy of your Original Policy
• Identity Proof
• Original bills and receipts
• Copy of your passport with immigration stamps
• Completed claim forms

Depending on your claim, you may be asked to provide all these or more documents.

Checklist for Travelling Abroad

• Passport - You must always carry your passport during your trip. It should be valid for six months and have at least two blank pages.
• Travel Adapters - Do carry travel adapters with you during your trip to quickly charge your phone, camera, laptop and other electronic devices.
• International Travel Insurance - Make sure to buy travel insurance for international travel. You can easily stay covered against any unforeseen adversities faced during the journey.
• Medical Kit - Make an emergency medical kit consisting of painkillers, personal medication, bandages, and anti-allergy medicines and carry it with you on the trip for emergency medical aid.
• Forex Card - Remember to keep your Forex Card so that you can use it to buy fabulous things during your trip. You should make sure to buy forex cards for international trip to avoid hidden charges.
• Weather-appropriate Clothes - Check the weather of the destination where you will be travelling and pack clothes accordingly for your comfort.
• Comfortable Shoes - Europe is especially a very walkable place, so being comfortable is the key!
• Sunscreens and Moisturizers - Don't forget to pack sunscreens when travelling to a beach destination. Also, don't forget moisturisers if travelling to the mountains!

International Travel Insurance (COVID-19 Covered*)

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every international travel insurance company has offered protection in case of COVID-19 contingencies. Here are some benefits for COVID-19 offered to travellers when they're abroad:

• Cover for Accident and Sickness-related Expenses: If the insured is diagnosed with COVID-19 outside India, the overseas travel medical insurance will compensate for relevant medical expenses up to a limit.
• Trip Curtailment Cover: If you, your travel companion, or an immediate family member is diagnosed with COVID-19, your trip interruption expenses will be reimbursed thanks to insurance for foreign travel.
• Trip Cancellation: If the insured, their immediate family member or a co-traveller is diagnosed with coronavirus before beginning their overseas trip; any unused and non-refundable amount will be reimbursed. This includes unused portions of your accommodation and travel expenses.

The benefits under COVID-19 coverage will vary depending on your overseas mediclaim policy. It is best to carefully read the terms and conditions before buying an international travel insurance online.

Where Can Indians Get a Visa on Arrival?

Travelling to most countries from India requires a visa. Most countries require a pre-approved visa before you travel there. The process usually involves paperwork like providing flight ticket bookings, booking details and proof of insurance for foreign travel. This can be a hassle for many, but it can be easily simplified by purchasing online overseas travel insurance.

Luckily, many countries also offer visa-free and visas on arrival for Indians. They provide keys to Indian citizens on arrival at the destination airport or provide a visa exemption.

Take a look at the countries that provide a visa on arrival to Indians or visa-free entries below:

How to Extend International Travel Insurance?

Several reasons, from unfortunate hospitalisations to natural disasters, may force you to extend your trip. However, what if your trip insurance expires before your revised departure?

Thankfully, almost every travel insurance company in India offers the option to extend the international travel insurance policy if necessary.

If you find yourself in a situation that forces you to delay your departure, make sure to extend your international travel insurance plan using the following steps:

• Step 1: Contact your insurer online or on the available customer service. Inform them about your requirement to extend the trip.
• Step 2: The representative will ask you to provide the details depending on the insurer. Regarding the trip extension and additional documents as per the requirements
• Step 3: Once your request for extension is reviewed and examined by the authorities, you will be informed about any additional requirements, if necessary
• Step 4: The insurance provider will inform you about the status of your extension request.

While some insurers offer automatic extensions, some may require additional premiums. You must pay an additional bonus if the extension exceeds the maximum period. Your policy will be extended once the payment has been made, and you will be notified accordingly. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before requesting an extension:

• Ensure the extension process is initiated as soon as possible, especially before the policy expires.
• Some insurers also offer the facility of extension post-expiration. However, it is best to confirm this beforehand.
• The extension period varies between insurers. In most cases, the policy can be extended for 7 to 15 days, but some insurers offer extensions up to 180 days.
• Many travel insurance companies in India also provide emergency accommodation for the insured and their dependents in case of emergency trip extensions.

The exact procedures may vary from insurer to insurer, so confirm the same before extending your overseas travel insurance plan.

How to File a Claim for International Travel Insurance?

If unfortunately you face an issue abroad, you must raise a claim request as soon as possible. You should inform your insurer during an emergency or take medical assistance while travelling. Claims not intimated to the insurer within a specified time frame can be rejected. You will have to submit claim forms with your personal and journey details.

For Cashless Claim

• Intimate the EAP (emergency assistance provider) about the emergency
• Request a pre-authorization letter from the insurer
• The insurer will send the pre-authorization after verifying the claim
• Receive treatment for your injury/ illness
• Get discharged from the hospital
• The hospital bills will be settled directly by the insurance company

For Reimbursement Claim

• Inform the EAP regarding the contingency at the earliest
• Arrange all the supporting documents required
• Submit the supporting documents

The reimbursement will be credited to your bank account or issued a cheque if your claim is approved. Depending on your insurer, you can also file for claims online via mobile apps, helpline numbers, and other means.

When, Where, and How to Choose International Travel Insurance?

Before you buy international travel insurance online, have a look at some of the most important factors to consider so that you're aware of all the technicalities:

• Travel Frequency
  If you don't travel often, buying a single-trip plan is better. You can easily buy overseas travel insurance online without any prior medical checkup unless specified.
• Trip Duration
  Before buying overseas trip insurance, your journey dates should be fixed. You can use a travel insurance premium calculator to know the exact premium according to the length of your stay
• Travel Destination
  Whether it is a European trip or a trip to Japan, these things will narrow down your requirements depending on the country of your travel. They will also cost you differently, with some being the cheapest international travel insurance to pretty expensive ones.
• Consider Add-ons
  Assess your risks and enhance your coverage if you need it. For example, if you plan to ski in the French Alps, opt for a policy which offers this add-on. Someone with a heart condition or another PED should opt for a PED add-on to secure their trip abroad.
• Claim Procedure
  Remember to read about your insurer, their claim settlement ratio, and other essential points. Also, check for any claim limits they have set with various benefits. Each overseas mediclaim policy has a fixed limit up to which it will cover. If you exceed a specific limit, you must pay the difference.

Therefore, depending on your country of travel and the trip duration, consider different risks before you purchase an overseas travel insurance plan. This way, there will be no disappointments later. Don't forget to compare other international travel insurance online to decide which offers the most benefits at the best price.

What Does Policybazaar Do For You?

By helping travellers solve travel-related glitches, Policybazaar's global reach and proven operational abilities provide complete peace of mind. We will help you compare and select international travel insurance with affordable premiums for proper protection while travelling abroad.

• Check Premium Rate Hasslefree- Through Policybazaar, you can instantly get premium rates from several international travel insurance companies in India. You don't have to visit different travel insurers' websites individually to check the premium rates offered by each one of them. This helps you to save a lot of time and effort.
• Compare International Travel Insurance Online - Policybazaar allows you to compare various overseas travel insurance plans offered by different insurers, all in one place. This helps you to find a suitable plan that offers maximum range at a minimum international travel insurance cost in India.
• Get Unbiased Comparison - We strive to provide a fair international travel insurance comparison. We give you a clear picture of coverage and premiums so you can make an informed choice.
• Buy Travel Insurance Policy Instantly - Policybazaar allows you to check and compare international travel insurance plans and buy the policy that suits your travel requirements.