Travel Insurance
Travel insurance, According to Wikipedia Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements. Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. Popular destinations among Indians may be international, or within the traveller’s country.
The World Tourism Organization defines tourism more generally, in terms which go “beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only”, as people “traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment. The UNWTO Report for 2018 also illustrates the modes of transport that all travellers use when they travel (see the chart below):
Importance of travel insurance
People have been traveling from time in memorial for Leisure, Business, Visiting Friends, Participate in Religious Activities, or even Medical Treatment. A snapshot according to World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO Report 2018, above, are the reasons why people travel around the world (see chart above).
What is obvious is that people always travel for a reason. Indians today travel to all corners of the globe, however the USA, UK, Australia, the Schengen countries of Europe, Dubai, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives and other Asian countries are the popular travel destinations of Indians. The profile of Indian travellers also cover the entire gamut from small children to older travellers, from healthy travellers to those with pre-existing medical ailments. One of the travellers’ wish is that nothing untoward happens during the trip. But they could face any unforeseen exigency either medical or non-medical which could cause them financial and emotional stress. And this is why it is recommended that every traveller buys the best travel insurance available. One of the most important financial securities a traveller can avail while they travel within India or abroad is good overseas mediclaim insurance coverage. International travel involves buying overseas health insurance, while domestic health insurance insures travel within India. It is important to add international health insurance policy to your checklist/itinerary while you plan your vacation, be it for leisure or business or for any other reasons. Nowadays it is convenient and easy to buy International travel medical insurance online, you can use the online travel insurance premium calculator, review and compare benefits offered by different Indian visitors health insurance insurance plans and buy the best India travel mediclaim insurance online all without the hassle of making a call to an agent or visiting the insurance company office.
Benefits of travel medical insurance
Emergency medical expenses
- Accidental expenses
- Sickness expenses
- Dental treatment
Travel exigencies
- Trip cancellation
- Flight delay
- Airline/Hotel bounced booking
- Missed connection
Baggage & documents
- Baggage delay
- Baggage loss
- Passport loss
Other medical coverages
- Accidental death
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
Financial emergencies
- Emergency cash advance
- Fraudulent charges
Other non medical benefits
- Home burglary
- Personal liability
- Hijack coverage
What are the various visitor travel insurance plans?
We provide the most comprehensive basket of plans to choose from depending on your travel requirements. They include:
International travel insurance
Insurance companies offering international travel insurance
Overseas travel insurance, also known as overseas mediclaim policy offers cover for travellers going abroad on Leisure or Business. It offers coverage for medical and non medical emergencies like Accident & Sickness Cover, Trip Cancellation, Passport Loss, Personal Liability, Baggage Loss/Delay etc
Coverages offered
- Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement
- Sickness Dental Coverage
- Medical Evacuation
- Repatriation of Remains
- Baggage Loss/Delay
- Trip Cancellation/Curtailment
- Passport Loss
- Personal Liability
- Trip/Flight Delay
- Missed Connection
- Bounced Hotel/Air Booking
- Emergency Cash Advance
Policy exclusions
- Any Pre-existing Condition
- Routine physicals or other examination
- Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery
- Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection
- Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism
- Congenital anomalies
- Participation in Adventure Sports
- Pregnancy related conditions
Student travel insurance
Insurance companies offering student medical insurance
Student travel insurance is an insurance policy specifically designed for Indian students travelling abroad on a student visa to pursue their higher studies. Student medical insurance covers students enrolling in colleges, universities or institutes in a foreign country for professional/other academic courses. There are benefits specific to students that include Sponsor Protection, Compassionate Visit , Bail Bond and Study Interruption.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Treatment of mental disorders
- Cancer screening and mammography
- Maternity coverage
- Study interruption
- Sponsor protection
- Missed connection
- Compassionate visit (2 way)
- Emergency cash advance
Policy exclusions
- Travelling against the advice of a Physician
- Pre-existing conditions
- Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces
- Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel
- External congenital anomalies
- Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing
- Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments
Senior Citizen travel insurance
Companies offering overseas travel insurance for senior citizens India
The Indian senior citizen travel insurance plan is specifically for older travellers normally about the age of 70 years. The best Indian Senior citizen travel insurance plan focuses primarily on Emergency Accident & Sickness cover, but also has Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, Passport loss, Baggage Loss/Delay etc.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/Delay
- Passport loss
- Personal liability
- Flight delay
- Emergency cash advance
Policy exclusions
- Any pre-existing condition
- Routine physicals or other examination
- Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery
- Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection
- Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism
- Congenital anomalies
- Participation in adventure sports
- Pregnancy related conditions
Asia travel insurance plan
Insurance companies offering Asia travel insurance
The Asia travel insurance plan is suited for travellers within Asia. Normally these trips are of shorter duration and are more for Leisure/Holidays and hence the sum insured’s are lower that the regular International plans.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Accidental death
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/delay
- Passport loss
- Personal liability
Policy exclusions
- Travelling against the advice of a physician
- Pre-existing conditions
- Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces
- Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel
- External congenital anomalies
- Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing
- Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments
Schengen Visa travel insurance plan
Insurance companies offering Schengen visa travel insurance (VFS Global approved)
The insurance Accident & Sickness Sum Insured should be atleast 30,000 Euros
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Accidental death
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/delay
- Trip delay
- Missed connection
Some insurers offer a plain Accident & Sickness coverage for 30,000 Euros, which is the minimum requirement for obtaining a visa.
Policy exclusions
- Travelling against the advice of a physician
- Pre-existing conditions
- Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces
- Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel
- External congenital anomalies
- Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing
- Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments
Domestic travel insurance
Insurance companies offering domestic travel insurance India.
Domestic travel insurance is for travellers within India on all modes of transport. The policy will come into effect the moment the insured leaves his city of domicile until his return.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident hospitalisation expenses
- Home burglary
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/delay
- Trip cancellation/curtailment
- Passport loss
- Personal liability
- Trip/Flight delay
- Compassionate visit (Family Member)
- Missed departure
Policy exclusions
- Any pre-existing condition
- Routine physicals or other examination
- Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery
- Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection
- Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism
- Congenital anomalies
- Participation in adventure sports
- Pregnancy related conditions
Corporate travel insurance program
Insurance companies offering corporate travel insurance
The Corporate travel program is put together for the employees of all Corporate companies for their official/business travel both abroad and within India. Since this is considered as a group for insurance, the premiums will be more competitive and can actually be charged on a per day basis. This means that the company pays only for their actual days of travel.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/delay
- Trip cancellation / curtailment
- Personal liability
- Replacement of staff
- Emergency cash advance
Policy exclusions
- Any pre-existing condition
- Routine physicals or other examination
- Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery
- Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection
- Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism
- Congenital anomalies
- Participation in Adventure Sports
- Pregnancy related conditions
Family travel insurance plan
Insurance companies offering family travel insurance
The Family travel insurance plan is designed for families who are likely to travel together on a trip and are looking for a single cover for all of them. Some of the insurance plans for the Family can also be offered on a Floater basis to ensure maximum coverage at most economical cost.
Coverages offered
- Emergency accident & sickness reimbursement
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Baggage loss/delay
- Passport loss
- Personal liability
- Flight delay
- Emergency cash advance
Policy exclusions
- Any pre-existing condition
- Routine physicals or other examination
- Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery
- Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection
- Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants
- Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism
- Congenital anomalies
- Participation in Adventure Sports
- Pregnancy related conditions
Factors to consider while buying travel insurance
Now that one has chosen the type of policy you have to buy online, it becomes important to decide which insurance company’s policy to decide upon. Not all the general insurance companies who operate in India have expertise in selling and managing Travel Insurance. The important factors to taken into consideration with regards to the insurance company include:
Firstly take a look at what insurance coverage you may require based on the Destination you are traveling to. For example if you’re going to developed countries like USA, Europe, Australia, UK, it is advisable to a policy with a higher Medical Limit ($200,000 and above). This is because the cost of medical treatment in these countries is significantly higher than the rest of the world.
Duration of travel – The longer the duration of travel, the higher sum insured for Medical expenses is recommended because the possibilities of catching an illness increase when exposed to varying climatic conditions with changing seasons.
The Reputation and the Market standing are important to keep in mind while finalising an insurance partner. Importantly, the traveller should keep in mind the capabilities of the insurance company for Travel Insurance specifically. Their ability, transparency and promptness in claims settlement and their financial strength are important factors to consider.
Another important aspect of claims, is the insurance company’s Third Party Administrator (TPA) abroad. Accessibility to the TPA at the time of a medical emergency is very important. One should understand the TPA’s network of hospitals across the world and their competencies to handle a critical situation. It is advisable to get your insurance from a company (and TPA) which handles the transparent claim settlement process so you have a hassle free experience.
Your activity calendar for your trip is as important as the trip itself. As a traveller if you plan to have a relaxed beach side vacation just to catch a tan, then don’t look for buying an insurance policy with an adventure sports coverage. But if you are likely to go scuba diving or snorkelling (any other adventure sport), please ensure the opt for a plan that offers coverage for Adventure Sports.
The age of the traveller is another important factor while deciding on the ideal insurance plan. With advancement in age, there are higher possibilities for travellers to be carry pre existing medical conditions. Most insurance plans exclude medical expenses arising due to pre existing conditions, and hence the traveller must ensure to choose the correct plan if they want the same to be covered. Also, age is a critical factor in determining the premium for the trip.
The Exclusions under a Travel insurance policy are as important as the inclusions or coverages. Hence it is important for the traveller to review the exclusions prior to purchasing the policy so that they are clearly aware of what is covered and what is not covered. The exclusions are normally not stated on the face of the insurance policy certificate but in the terms and conditions (policy wordings) and hence the traveller will need to go through the same on the insurance company website or when sent along with the policy certificate.
Does this travel insurance have direct settlement or payment?
Yes, all travel insurance companies do offer direct/cashless settlement to hospitals for inpatient treatment for Accident of Sickness expenses incurred by the insured traveler. Direct settlement is more often referred to as cashless settlement or payment and is the process where the insurance company issues a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) letter to the medical institution (Hospital) confirming coverage for the insured against the treatment being availed by the insured. This GOP is issued to the hospital after the insurance company/its TPA confirms that the insured does have a valid policy and the treatment/ailment is actually covered under the scope of the policy terms and conditions.
It is important for the insured / family member of the insured to inform the Assistance company as soon as the insured is admitted to the hospital for treatment to ensure they don’t end up spending any money from their pocket except the deductible payable for every claim.
The process for Direct / Cashless Settlement is as follows:
Article - Travel insurance online
The enterprising business and leisure travellers are always looking for options to simplify their buying process/experience and Travel Insurance Online fits perfectly into their scheme of things. Travel Insurance online through websites like we offer the traveller an option to view all travel insurance plans of Travel Insurance companies in India apart from Travel Insurance Reviews and Travel Insurance Compare tables to present the traveller all options available for them to choose from. By providing so much information, the traveller can ensure:
There are many types of travel insurance plans which cater to the requirements of all categories of travellers Travel Insurance International plans cover travellers bound to The Americas (North & South American continents including USA & Canada) as well as other countries in the world other than North & South American, which is known as Excluding Americas plans. Most companies offer a specific plan for Asia, which covers their travel to any Asian destination or a Schengen Plan which covers travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe. A few insurers also offer a Travel Insurance Domestic plan which covers the traveller for travel within India. All these are Single Trip plans which cover the individual traveller for a specific trip only.
Almost all insurance companies also offer a Multitrip Insurance policy, which is specifically suited for the frequent traveller. This is an annual plan which covers the insured traveller for any number of trips during that year.
- They have adequate Accident & Sickness (A&S) Expense coverage. For example if the traveller is bound to The Americas (including USA), Europe, UK etc, it is important that they opt for an insurance plan which has a minimum of $250,000 as A&S coverage. If they are bound to South East Asia (SEA) or any of India’s neighbouring countries, they can opt for a lower Sum insured between $50,000 and $100,000
- They must opt for a plan which has a Trip Cancellation cover in case of any unforeseen emergency due to which they have to cancel their trip. This coverage helps them against a financial loss if they do not get a full reimbursement from the Airline, Hotel or Tour/Cruise company.
- They should ideally have coverage for Passport and Baggage Loss, Baggage Delay and Personal Liability which are relevant coverages for today’s travellers.
There are many types of travel insurance plans which cater to the requirements of all categories of travellers Travel Insurance International plans cover travellers bound to The Americas (North & South American continents including USA & Canada) as well as other countries in the world other than North & South American, which is known as Excluding Americas plans. Most companies offer a specific plan for Asia, which covers their travel to any Asian destination or a Schengen Plan which covers travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe. A few insurers also offer a Travel Insurance Domestic plan which covers the traveller for travel within India. All these are Single Trip plans which cover the individual traveller for a specific trip only.
Almost all insurance companies also offer a Multitrip Insurance policy, which is specifically suited for the frequent traveller. This is an annual plan which covers the insured traveller for any number of trips during that year.
What are the exclusions under a travel isurance policy?
Some of the typical exclusions under the travel policy will include:
- any pre-existing condition or any complication arising from it (unless specifically covered under certain plans that are purchased by the insured)
- services, supplies, or treatment, including any period of Hospital confinement, which were not recommended or approved, and certified as Medically Necessary by a Physician
- routine physicals or other examinations where there are no objective indications or impairment in normal health, and laboratory diagnostic or X-ray examinations except in the course of a disability established by the prior call or attendance of a Physician (an example could be a person visiting the hospital to check their blood pressure or their cholesterol levels, just for their information)
- elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery, except as a result of an Injury caused by a covered Accident
- suicide, attempted suicide (whether sane or insane) or intentionally self inflicted Injury or Illness, or sexually transmitted conditions, mental or nervous disorder, anxiety, stress or depression, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) infection
- being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants or hallucinogens unless properly prescribed by a Physician and taken as prescribed
- any loss arising out of War, civil war, invasion, insurrection, revolution, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether War be declared or not), rebellion, mutiny, use of military power or usurpation of government or military power, Terrorism
- congenital anomalies or any complications or conditions arising therefrom
- participation in winter sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing (where ropes or guides are customarily used), riding or driving in races or rallies using a motorized vehicle or bicycle, caving or pot-holing, hunting or equestrian activities, skin diving or other underwater activity, rafting or canoeing involving white water rapids, yachting or boating outside coastal waters (2 miles), participation in any Professional Sports, any bodily contact sport or potentially dangerous sport for which You are untrained (please note that on our eIndiaInsurance website, we offer some insurance plans that cover Adventure sports…so if the insured is likely to participate in any of these activities, it’s best to buy a plan that covers Adventure Sports)
- pregnancy and all related conditions, including services and supplies related to the diagnosis or treatment of infertility or other problems related to inability to conceive a child; birth control, including surgical procedures and devices
