There is travel. No matter where we plan to go, it's something we all look forward to. With sandy beaches and snow-covered mountains to hilly greens and bustling cities, the world is our platter, and traveling is our chance to discover even a small part of it. The cost, losses, and other predefined expenses of traveling are covered by travel insurance. Travel insurance protects policyholders against various types of losses. Services covered include baggage/passport loss, flight delays, flight cancellations, medical expenses, etc. It is a safety net that you use every time you travel with your travel insurance. With International Travel Insurance, you can travel smarter and safer on all your trips. You can be assured that we cover you for unexpected flight delays, missed connections, loss of belongings, medical emergencies, and adventure sports accidents. It tailors travel insurance online to ensure that you can rejuvenate and relax while traveling. The coverage you get with overseas travel insurance will ensure that no matter what happens, whether you get hurt while bungee jumping, get scammed and lose your wallet or passport, or get into a legal situation for damaging your rental car abroad; you'll be covered regardless.
Why Do You Need Travel Insurance?
When globetrotting, you might find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings and have to deal with immediate emergencies. A travel insurance plan can be used in situations like personal accidents, illnesses, hijackings, thefts, or any other travel-related issues while visiting a new destination. Having comprehensive travel insurance ensures that you won't waste time worrying about emergencies and that your trip will be safe.
The following are some of the key benefits of travel insurance plans:
- When people travel abroad for long periods of time, travel insurance policies offer compensation for flight delays, trip delays, etc.
- Travel insurance policies also cover expenses related to trip termination.
- A travel plan also covers medical treatment, hospitalization, and hotel accommodations for medical emergencies.
- It is possible for customers to customize their travel plans based on where they are going. Depending on the destination, the premium amount varies.
- Additionally, travel insurance policies include coverage for personal liabilities, accidental death, travel delays, legal expenses, dental treatment, repatriation, and emergency reunions.
- Policyholders across the country receive 24/7 customer service support from their insurers in cases of loss of documents, accidents, etc.
Features of Travel Insurance
1. Provide you with medical coverage in case of an emergency - An unfortunate event can occur at any time, and the possibility of it being health-related is greater. In such a situation, imagine being stranded with your family in a foreign land. It is important to take out a wide medical coverage that covers both inpatient and outpatient medical expenses.
2. Passport and checked baggage coverage - Imagine landing in a completely new place only to discover that your baggage has gone missing or that you have lost your passport while exploring. This is certainly not a situation you want to be in! Get a travel insurance policy that covers these things
3. Provides protection against personal injury - Travel insurance should cover you against bodily injury and death caused by accidents.
4. Covers trips that are canceled or curtailed - Take a moment to imagine a family member falling ill suddenly. It is certainly not possible to cover you in the event of last-minute cancellations or curtailments
5. Protects you from burglaries while you are away - It is most common for home burglaries to occur when no one is at home. You should consider purchasing a policy that covers you if your home is burglarized while you are away.
Types of Travel Insurance Plans
Various general insurance companies offer a variety of options to Indian travelers. A travel plan is offered based on the type of customer, the destination traveled to, and also the type of trip taken. In India, there are various types of travel insurance plans.
1. Travel insurance plans for international travel - General insurance companies across India offer customized international travel insurance plans based on the destination. Each type of destination has specific insurance requirements, and companies make sure that every detail is included in a comprehensive overseas travel plan. Many international travel plans include standard features like cashless hospitalization and no medical test requirement until the age of 80, as well as easy online applications and hassle-free paperwork. Furthermore, some travel plans might include free international SIM cards, 24/7 customer support, and baggage loss coverage.
The following plans are available:
It is possible to categorize overseas travel plans based on the geography of the trip, i.e., unique plans for Asian countries, Schengen countries, the Middle East, America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A Senior Citizen Policy offers benefits such as cashless hospitalization, cover for delayed or missed flights, cashless medical facilities, and medical concierge services for seniors. Individuals can also obtain single round-trip travel insurance for one trip to a single destination with a fixed duration of travel. Depending on the insurance company chosen by the customer, the insured single trip will have a different duration. Annual multi-trip plans cover several international trips over the course of one year. A multi-trip policy ensures a certain number of trips for a specified duration of time with benefits such as cashless hospitalization, quality health care, and quick claim settlement. Frequent international travelers will benefit from these plans. Insurance coverage for 30-day, 45-day, and 60-day trips is typically included in annual multi-trip policies.
1. Travel Insurance for Students - A comprehensive Student Travel Insurance plan provides financial and medical assistance to students studying abroad. In a new country, students might face emergencies or other financial difficulties, and a comprehensive travel insurance plan helps them to continue their education without worrying. Students who are currently studying abroad or plan to study abroad can take advantage of these plans. Throughout the course, students are covered by the insurance policy.
2. Travel insurance plans for corporations - It is possible for corporate employers to provide their employees with travel insurance while they are abroad by purchasing a corporate travel insurance plan. Organizations can customize their corporate plans according to their needs. The plans offer adequate medical and travel-related coverage for policyholders and are available as multi-trip or single-round-trip policies.
3. Plans for domestic travel - The domestic travel insurance plan covers medical expenses, baggage loss or theft, emergency medical evacuation, cancellation and delay of trips, 24/7 customer service, personal accident coverage, and cash assistance for individuals traveling within India.
4. Travel insurance for groups - It is possible to book group travel plans if there are at least 20 or more individuals traveling together to the same destination. Most group insurance plans cover trip cancellations, curtailments, delays, interruptions, luggage loss, and loss of documents. Traveling as a group requires every member to be completely aware of the benefits offered under the policy purchased.
5. Travel insurance for families - Travel plans for a single family can include the policyholder and his/her spouse as well as two children. Individual family members are usually covered under one policy by floater benefits. Medical expenses for hospitalization, personal accidents, hospital allowance, trip delays, lost baggage, documents, and home burglary insurance.
6. Travel insurance for seniors - Senior citizens can globetrot without any hassles with a comprehensive travel insurance plan offering benefits like cashless medical services, medical concierge services, quality health care facilities, international SIM cards, cover for pre-existing conditions, accidental bodily injury, loss of documents, trip delays and cancellations, third party damage, distress allowance, etc.
7. Travel insurance plans tailored to your needs - Globally, some general insurance companies offer customized plans for specific regions.
8. Travel insurance for Schengen countries - Schengen Travel Insurance or a health insurance plan is mandatory for individuals traveling to the Schengen area for a maximum period of 90 days. Most Schengen travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses, repatriation, 24/7 assistance, accidental bodily injury, death or permanent disability, third-party liability, extended family protection, etc. Travel under Schengen is allowed in Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Germany, France, Iceland, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Sweden.
9. Travel insurance for Asia - Most Asian and Southeast Asian countries, except for a few, offer comprehensive travel insurance policies. Insurers will specify the exclusions in their policies. Under such policies, emergency medical coverage, accidental bodily injury, third-party liability, emergency financial assistance, loss of passport, and distress allowance are included.
10. Plan extension for travel insurance - Those with travel insurance policies can extend their policies for a certain period of time if they stay in a foreign destination for a longer period of time. It depends on the type of traveler and the travel destination that insurers offer specific extension periods.
Things To Consider Before Buying Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for overseas trips can come in handy when you need it most. When choosing overseas travel insurance, keep the following factors in mind.
1. Travel time - It is important to plan ahead when buying travel insurance. For overseas travel insurance, you need to consider the duration of your stay when choosing a policy. Your overseas travel insurance cost will depend on how long your vacation is, so if you are going on a trip that lasts only 7 days, the costs will be minimal. The cost of your overseas travel insurance will be higher if you are considering a vacation abroad that will last at least a month.
2. Travel distance - Distance also affects the cost and coverage of overseas travel insurance, as it is very important to tailor the travel insurance to the duration of your flights and the distance you will travel. Finding affordable travel insurance starts with this step.
3. Plans for activities - It is also important to consider how you plan to spend your vacation when choosing the best affordable travel insurance. The overseas travel insurance policy may also have restrictions regarding its coverage if you are participating in adventure sports that can have high risks.
4. Extra destinations and side trips - Overseas travel insurance policies that are location-specific are usually absolute policies. Many people have taken this fact for granted in the past and have purchased location-specific overseas travel insurance and traveled to nearby countries as well. On those side trips, you might get very disappointed if you encounter some problems which you hope will be covered by your overseas travel insurance. Many people have assumed that their overseas travel insurance policy or the best affordable travel insurance they could find would cover almost everything that they did on their trip. However, that is not the case.
5. Illnesses - It is very important to keep this in mind when choosing the best affordable travel insurance. When traveling overseas, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your health, aside from the places you will visit. Perhaps you are going to a destination that can leave you susceptible to some diseases, or maybe you have a pre-existing condition that you will be traveling with, hoping your overseas travel insurance will cover it. Therefore, before you blindly trust the best travel insurance policy, it is highly recommended that you check the inclusions for health coverage.
Factors That Affect Travel Insurance Premium
The premiums for different travel insurance policies differ if you have explored them online. A travel insurance policy's premium depends on its coverage and several other factors.
Pointers
|
Explanation
|
Medical
conditions that preexist
|
The
premium for a travel insurance policy is heavily influenced by this factor.
Pre-existing medical conditions refer to any illness or condition diagnosed
before purchasing an insurance policy. The majority of travel insurance
providers do not cover preexisting medical conditions. They will charge a
much higher premium if they do. Be sure to disclose pre-existing medical conditions
to your travel insurer before purchasing the policy. If you fail to
declare a pre-existing disease, your claim will be classified as fraudulent, and your policy void. You will
be asked to fill out a survey form when you declare a pre-existing illness on
your policy. An illness like cancer or breathing problems could be the cause.
As long as you inform your insurer in advance of a pre-existing condition,
your insurer will cover your medical expenses upfront if you need a costly
medical procedure during your trip. If you have any questions about a
pre-existing condition, consult your physician or insurance provider.
|
Travelers'
age at the time of coverage
|
In the
case of travel insurance, the age of the insured is very important in
determining the premium. As older travelers are considered more susceptible
to illness and injury, they are charged more premiums than younger travelers.
Generally, travel insurance companies categorize ages into various bands,
with those under 60 paying the lowest rates. There will be a slight increase
in premiums for those aged 60-65, but those over 70 can expect a significant
increase. Insurers charge different rates, so it's best to explore and
compare several policies to find the right one for you.
|
Travel
duration
|
A travel insurance
provider assumes that the longer you are away, the greater the chance that
you will fall ill or get injured. Therefore, the longer your travel duration,
the higher the premium. In any case, it is crucial to get your trip covered
regardless of how long or short it is.
|
Sensitivity
to time
|
Travel
insurance providers often offer additional benefits and discounts to
customers who pay within 10-30 days of booking their policy, which is a great
reason to buy sooner rather than later. When travelers book in advance, they
can also take advantage of two major time-sensitive benefits, such as
'cancellation for any reason' or a 'pre-existing condition waiver'.
|
Destination
for travel
|
In
addition to the trip destinations, the travel insurance premium is also heavily
influenced by them. Insurance premiums increase as the distance from home
increases. Therefore, international travel insurance is much more expensive
than domestic travel insurance. The insurance premium will also be higher if
you are traveling to a remote location or an area associated with certain
risks.
|
Sum
assured maximum
|
There is a
maximum sum assured that will be paid out in benefits for each travel
insurance policy. Insurance companies offer customers varying levels of
coverage based on their budgets. Travel insurance premiums will rise in
proportion to the sum assured. Initially, a high premium may seem like an
extra expense, but a high sum assured will ensure adequate protection against
possible losses.
|
Coverage
Types
|
There are
two types of coverage offered by most insurers. First, there is comprehensive
coverage, and second, there is medical coverage only. Due to the wide
coverage, comprehensive travel insurance policies are quite expensive
compared to medical-only policies. Alternatively, you can tailor your
insurance plan to meet the specifics of your trip through some insurers. If
you are considering an adventure holiday, these can be based on the
reputation of the place you will be visiting.
|
Coverage
of adventure sports
|
High-risk
adventure sports such as sky diving, bungee jumping, and scuba diving are
typically not covered by travel insurance policies. There are, however, some
insurers who offer coverage for high-risk activities as an add-on. Travel
insurance premiums will naturally increase if you choose such additional
coverage. Make sure your travel insurance covers such high-risk sports
activities if you plan to participate in them.
|
Top Travel Insurance In India
1. HDFC general insurance
2. ICICI prudential general insurance
3. Bajaj Allianz general insurance
4. TATA AIA general insurance
Best Travel Insurance Policy
Companies
|
Eligibility
|
Features
|
HDFC
general insurance
|
6 months
to 70 years
|
Medical
costs covered, hospital allowance, personal accident compensation.
|
Bajaj Allianz
general insurance
|
6 months
to 70 years
|
Cashless hospitalization,
loss of baggage/passport.
|
TATA AIA
general insurance
|
6 months
to 70 years
|
Medical
coverage, automatic trip extension.
|
ICICI
prudential general insurance
|
3 months
to 70 years
|
Medical coverage,
coverage against COVID-19.
|
Compare Travel Insurance Plan Online
Travelers benefit greatly from buying travel insurance online after comparing prices. The following are some of its key advantages:
1. Multiple plans can be compared - With travel insurance quotes tailored to your budget, you can compare a variety of travel plans and decide which one suits you best.
2. Discounts are offered - There are many travel insurance companies in India that offer discounts if you buy your travel insurance online.
3. Improves understanding of inclusions - You can compare travel insurance online to find out the exact amount insured and other benefits offered by different insurers.
4. Assists in making informed decisions - It is not only cost-effective but also wise to purchase travel insurance online after comparing them. The best insurance plan within your budget can be determined after checking multiple plans.
5. Saves time - With a fair comparison of the ongoing prices, online comparison of travel insurance can help you buy a policy quickly and securely.