Travel Insurance

Buy Travel Insurance Online in India

When travelling, one can face a number of uncertain instances that bear the risk of losses, unnecessary hindrances and delays. To minimise the inconvenience of such instances, one can choose a suitable travel insurance plan when going for a trip.

Although such an insurance policy does not cover all risks, it provides a wide umbrella of coverage benefits that cover major trip interruptions and financial losses arising thereto. When selecting a travel insurance plan, choose personalised coverage benefits that hedge the losses from contingencies that may arise.

You can also discover travel insurance through our partner site, www.makemytrip.com

Travel Insurance Plans and Their Types

Check out the types of policies available so you decide to buy travel insurance based on the risks involved and your coverage requirements.

International Travel Insurance

A comprehensive international travel insurance policy suits appropriately when travelling to any location outside the country. Starting from $50,000, you can choose from varied sum insured options available under this policy type based on your travel requirements.

You can choose from numerous insurance products based on the country you are travelling to for the required coverage against possible inconveniences. Benefits under these policies extend to the broad risk categories when travelling, like medical, trip delays, cancellation, loss/delay in receiving checked-in baggage, etc. Other aspects where a possibility of incurring inconveniences and financial losses include loss of passport, missing connecting flight, partial/permanent disability and accidental death.

Individual Travel Insurance

An individual travel insurance plan can be a suitable option when going for an international trip solo. Irrespective of whether you are travelling to an international location for business or leisure, it is the best travel insurance option to select and ensures peace of mind.

Student Travel Insurance

A student travel cover is suitable for students travelling overseas to avail of higher education. These curated policies provide the necessary coverage to meet various financial requirements when studying abroad.

Medical Travel Insurance

A medical travel insurance policy for international trips extends financial coverage related to medical emergencies when abroad. Irrespective of the purpose of your trip, you can avail of this coverage under most travel insurance policies.

Reasons to Invest in a Suitable Travel Insurance Policy

Protecting your international trip with a suitable travel insurance policy serves various purposes.

• It buys you peace of mind against various imminent risks of the journey.
• You remain covered against possible trip interruptions.
• Coverage benefits extend to both financial and non-financial losses and inconveniences.
• With GoIbibo, benefits under a travel insurance plan extend to VISA-compliant and cost-effective coverages.

Types of Coverage Under Travel Insurance Policy

Investing in a good travel insurance plan, you can look forward to the following coverage benefits.

Baggage Coverage

Loss of checked-in baggage

In case the checked-in baggage is lost during transit, the travel insurance policy covers the financial losses arising out of such an instance. Reimbursements under the policy are provided based on the applicable policy terms.

Delay in receiving checked-in baggage

In case the arrival of your checked-in baggage during an international trip is delayed, the financial losses arising thereof are reimbursed by the insurance provider. Such a delay can be due to various reasons, like the airline mistakenly sending the baggage to another location, delays due to operational issues, etc. The benefit amount reimbursed in such a case is based on the delays exceeding the consecutive hours from the time of the insured’s arrival at the destination as per the Certificate of Insurance or Insurance Schedule.

Medical Coverage

Illness and accident-related medical expenses

Travel insurance covers expenses arising out of medical emergencies in case of necessary hospitalisation resulting from accident-related injuries. Such reimbursements are also available in case of illnesses during a trip abroad. To qualify, these hospitalisations need to be under the treatment of a medical practitioner. The limits to these reimbursements are determined based on the policy terms and limits specified thereof.

Evacuation during medical emergencies

The insurance provider also reimburses medical assistance for those who need emergency evacuations. Such evacuation shall be under the advice of a medical practitioner. The medical evacuation coverage provided covers related medical expenses, and transportation costs involved up to the nearest hospital or back to the country.

Coverage for permanent total disability

An incident may lead to a permanent total disability of the insured due to a direct accident or indirectly while travelling abroad. The travel insurance policy shall partially cover such related expenses as per the Certificate of Insurance/Insurance Schedule. The disability arising out of such an incident shall be within 12 months of the accident.

Coverage for accidental death

In case of the insured’s unfortunate accidental death while on an overseas trip, the insurance provider pays the mentioned sum insured to the nominee as per the Certificate of Insurance or Insurance Schedule.

Repatriation of mortal remains

If there arises a need for repatriation of the mortal remains of the insured back to the homeland due to their unfortunate demise, the expenses arising therefrom are reimbursed under a travel insurance policy’s medical cover.

To sum up, you can say the importance of travel insurance largely hinges on the available medical coverage under the policy.

Journey Related Coverage

Some additional international travel insurance coverage benefits include -

• Common carrier delays/trip delays

  In case the insured trip is delayed resulting from the common carrier’s late departure, the insurer’s reimbursements make up for the losses sustained up to a specified amount. Such delays can be due to the following reasons:

  • Uncertain weather conditions
  • Common carrier equipment failure
  • Government authority or public authority-issued direction or order
  • Common carrier employee-led strike or job strike
  • Air traffic restrictions led to operational reasons at the departure terminal
  • Common carrier operational reasons during return or between one international destination and another
• Cancellation of trip

  For trip cancellations, reimbursement is provided to the insured in case such cancellation occurs prior to the trip commencement due to any of the following reasons.

  • Insured’s illness or injury needing hospitalisation; unfortunate demise of insured/their spouse/child(ren)/parents or their travel companion/ their spouse/child(ren)/parents
  • Unavoidable mass strikes/bandhs announced or acknowledged last minute via a public authority
  • Catastrophe leading to trip cancellation
• Missed connection

  If the journey route has a connected flight, cancellation or delay of the first flight can result in losses to the insured. Such losses are reimbursed by the travel insurance provider.

• Interruption in the trip

  Losses arising out of any interruption in the international trip, like trip alteration, shortening of the trip, etc. are also reimbursed by the insurance provider. Instances can include:

  • Catastrophe occurrence
  • Unavoidable bandhs or strikes on a massive scale acknowledged or announced last minute by a public authority
  • Injury/illness of the insured leading to hospitalisation, demise of the insured/their wife/child(ren)/parents, demise of insured’s companions/their wife/child(ren)/parents
• Passport loss

  Another instance where a travel insurance policy extends coverage includes the loss of a passport while on an overseas trip. In case of such loss, the insurer reimburses the expenses arising out of the issue of a duplicate passport.

COVID-19

Several travel insurance plans are also designed to cover expenses related to COVID-19. Check out the covered expenses reimbursed under a travel insurance policy:

• Expenses related to medical treatment

  Coverage under travel insurance plans is also available for medical expenses arising due to COVID-19 diagnosis, its treatment, hospitalisation, etc. when travelling abroad. The reimbursements in such cases are made as per the policy schedule.

• Evacuation during medical emergencies

  In case of medical emergencies related to COVID-19, like disease diagnosis overseas and required hospitalisation or journey back to the homeland, the expenses arising remain covered under specific travel covers.

• Interruption in trip

  For COVID-19 diagnosis when travelling abroad leads to trip interruptions like itinerary alteration or a shortened trip, the losses arising shall remain covered under the applicable policy.

• Cancellation of trip

  In case a trip is cancelled due to the COVID-19 diagnosis of the insured person, their travelling companion, spouse, parent/s, child(ren), or travelling companion’s spouse/partner/child(ren), the policy schedule specifies coverage for related expenses and losses.

Based on the type of coverage you select, the cost of travel insurance online shall vary for the selected policy. It is ideal to go for a policy comparison before purchase as the cost of such a policy can vary with the selected insurance provider as well.

Several insurance providers also offer travel insurance for senior citizens.

Top Countries and Mandatory Travel Insurance Requirements

When visiting certain countries, you need to mandatorily carry travel insurance coverage even before applying for a visa for those countries. Depending on the selected country, the regulations related to travel insurance coverage can vary. These regulations also change from time to time, and as such, you must undertake the necessary research to know its mandatory applicability and buy insurance coverage accordingly.

Following is a list of top countries where travel insurance coverage is mandatory for a trip.

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Switzerland
4. Czech Republic
5. Germany
6. Denmark
7. Estonia
8. Greece
9. Spain
10. Finland
11. France
12. Hungary
13. Iceland
14. Italy
15. Liechtenstein
16. Lithuania
17. Luxembourg
18. Latvia
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Sweden
25. Slovenia
26. Slovakia
27. USA
28. Qatar
29. Turkey
30. Cuba
31. Equador
32. Russia
33. Antarctica
34. Morocco

Most Visited Countries and Travel Insurance Coverage

When travelling overseas from India, the following are some top international travel destinations that you should purchase travel insurance for.

1. Singapore: For your next trip to Singapore, get yourself a suitable travel insurance cover that protects you against possible financial losses arising out of journey-related contingencies.
2. Thailand: When travelling to Thailand, a popular international destination that Indians choose, staying covered with a customised travel insurance policy serves the best.
3. The UAE: Your journey to the Middle Eastern country, the UAE, shall also ideally be covered with a customised travel insurance policy. Picking a policy with specified covers ensures the financial losses arising out of the associated travel risks for this destination are taken care of.

For travel related to other countries not specified above, you must consider covering yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy when planning a trip. Carrying suitable travel coverage keeps your mind free as multiple risks related to the journey are financially covered. Also, the need for emergency assistance like medical care, evacuation, repatriation, etc., is taken care of. Losses arising out of unforeseen events during the journey like flight delays, cancellations, baggage loss/delay, etc. are also covered to keep the insured financially protected. Thus, international travel combined with suitable travel coverage ensures your peace of mind and financial protection.

Travel Insurance Claims - Types and Processes

Claims under travel insurance policies are available under the following types.

Reimbursements of covered expenses

Claims under travel insurance policies can be made in the form of reimbursements for covered expenses already met by the insured. To claim the reimbursements, the insured or their nominee can reach out to the insurance provider directly via the available contact details. The simple claim process involves raising the claim request, which can be convenient online, supported by the necessary documents to get the reimbursements.

Cashless claims

The availability of cashless claims has simplified claim processes for insured individuals, typically while on an overseas trip. Insurance providers enable cashless claims processing through their network healthcare or travel providers. For example, in case of a covered illness, the required hospitalisation expenses shall undergo cashless claim processing if the insured is hospitalised at a network healthcare facility. Such a facility releases the insured traveller from carrying cash unnecessarily and also fast-tracks immediate assistance when needed.