Traveling to different places from domestic to international can open you up to new experiences. A vacation travel break will leave you with memories of a lifetime but, only when you get through a safe and hassle free trip. Due to unforeseen circumstances, your travel plans can be squash with little notice. It means you can suffer with financial and other losses.

Fortunately, the right travel insurance policy can help you protect against these losses. It’s not just the cost of medical care that travel insurance covers. There are many types of travel insurance in India that cover the costs and losses associated with unexpected events incurred while traveling.

Types of travel insurance in India

There are three major categories of travel insurance coverage and, generally, you can purchase packages that offer these with a combination of other travel coverage options.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance is for travelers travelling outside their home country who are not concerned with cancellation. Regular health insurance plans provide partial or no coverage when you travel abroad. Countries with 'universal health care' might assist with minor needs, but they are under no obligation to do so. Travel Medical Insurance provides coverage above and beyond your regular health provider.

Medical expense coverage will cover you for medical emergencies, accidents and sometimes life insurance.

Luggage insurance or personal effects coverage

This travel insurance protects lost, stolen, or damaged belongings to the insured during the travel to and from a destination. It reimburses you (up to certain limits) for the value of lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and the personal effects inside the bag.

Trip Insurance

It is the most common type of travel insurance in India. The policy reimburses you (up to the covered amount) for pre-paid non refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason.

Following are the common reasons for trip cancellations:

Injury or illness, Weather or natural disaster, Hurricane, Schedule conflicts, Traffic Accidents, Property damage, Terrorism or mandatory evacuations, Bankruptcy or financial default, Assaults, Work conflicts, Illness or Death of host, Labor strikes, Theft or loss of passport/visa.

What travel insurance Cover?

Following are the most common coverage offered by insurers under travel insurance policy:

  • Loss of baggage and personal documents
  • Medical expenses
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Repatriation of human remains
  • Emergency dental expenses
  • Hospital cash allowance
  • Accidental death or permanent total disability
  • Personal liability
  • Loss of check-in baggage
  • Delay in check-in baggage arrival
  • Hijack distress allowance
  • Compassionate visit
  • Delayed trip and missed flight connection
  • Trip cancellation
  • Emergency cash advance
  • Loss of passport
  • Sponsor protection
  • Bail bond
Exclusions of Travel Insurance

Your insurer will not be liable to pay any claim arising out of the following reasons:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Radioactive injuries
  • Fatal sports injuries
  • Self-induced injuries
  • HIV AIDS
  • Travelling via transportation that is not licensed to carry passengers
  • Surgery expenses unless it occurred due to an accident
  • Loss of baggage, if not reported within 24 hours of the incident
  • Partial loss of checked baggage
  • Medical emergencies regarding pregnancies like abortion or miscarriage
  • War, Civil war, terrorism
  • Medical emergency caused due to alcohol consumption
  • Claiming treatment other than allopathy
  • Traveling against medical advice
Additional coverage of travel insurance

If you opt for additional coverage, it will add an extra precautionary layer of protection. You can purchase add-on benefits at the time of insuring the trip.

  • Pre-existing illness
  • Adventure / high risk sports activities
  • Travel to war prone destinations
  • Enhanced accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) cover
  • Third party supplier insolvency

Travel insurance will vary by the provider on cost, exclusions, and coverage. The buyer must be aware of reading all disclosure statements before purchasing the insurance. Premiums are based on the duration of travelers insurance, type of coverage provided, a traveler's age, the destination, and the cost of your trip. A standard per-trip policy cost is between 5% - 7% of the trip’s cost.