What Do You Need to Know About International Travel Insurance?

Are you planning to travel abroad?

Are you a frequent flyer to foreign countries?

Are you apprehensive that you may fall sick after landing?

Do you or have you run a chance of unexpected hospitalisation?

Has someone stolen your wallet the last time you travelled abroad?

Has your baggage been lost or misplaced and you had to face some nerve-racking moments previously?

Then, International Travel Insurance is for you. It will let you travel abroad with fewer concerns and more comforts.

With a broad scope of coverage for various concerns ranging from an abrupt cancellation of your ticket to falling ill or meeting with an accident, losing your money or relevant documents to missed baggage, International Travel Insurance has become your most trusted and useful travel partner for your journeys abroad.

Why Do You Need Travel Insurance?

When you have packed your bags and are leaving the country, expenses for the whole trip are planned and ear marked. How much of your budget can you set aside for missed baggage, falling sick/ medical attention or losing your cash? 

It is more likely that these events may not happen all the time. However, the chance for unexpected liabilities is high when you are travelling in a group or as a family than alone.

How do you plan for the unplanned?

Simple! Buy an Overseas Travel Insurance and make sure to buy it when you are planning your getaway.

With a range of coverage options, these insurance plans will take care of all your worrisome expenses, ensuring an enjoyable trip.

How does an Overseas Travel Insurance Plan Protect You?

Just like other insurance plans, travel insurance providers also offer various plans and a diverse range of features.

The following list applies to most of the international travel insurance plans you may want to buy.

• Health insurance covering unexpected accidents, ill-health or death
• Accidental dental injuries
• Missed flights and cancelled trips
• Delayed, Missed or Lost baggage
• Loss of valuables or cash due to theft/robbery
• Loss of passport/ tickets– expenses incurred to obtain fresh/duplicate passport
• Hijack cover – daily benefits until you reach your destination (a fixed amount per every 12 or 24 hours. However, coverage may vary from one insurer to another.)

·        Cashless hospitalization facility for hospitalization abroad

What does International Travel Insurance Not Cover?

• Under any circumstance, the expenses incurred for the following are not covered by an overseas travel insurance plan:
• Any illness or hospitalisation arising out of an undisclosed pre-existing condition
• If you are travelling for medical treatment
• Death due to suicide
• Accidents due to alcohol consumption or drug abuse, nuclear threats or war
• If someone is travelling under fly miles category
• If a pregnant woman gives birth after landing, none of the expenses for the newborn will be covered.

 Is it Mandatory to Buy International Travel Insurance?

Not for all countries. Nevertheless, if you are planning to western countries such as the USA, Cuba, Schengen (European) and some of the destinations in the Middle East (UAE), international travel insurance is a must on your checklist.

Do I Have to Get Insured Every Time I Travel?

Not necessarily! Depending on your purpose of travel and flying frequency, there are different types of flexible plans, and you may choose the one that best suits you.

Some of the common types of Overseas Travel Insurance plans are -

• Single-Trip
• Multi-Trip (an annual premium can be paid, options for the duration of each trip)
• Students
• Senior Citizens

How is the Premium Decided?

Travel insurance premium depends on various factors such as:

• Single Trip or Multi-Trip
• Trip-wise Annual Insurance
• Length of your stay
• Your destinations
• Purpose of your trip
• Type of insurance opted for
• Additional & optional benefits

The premiums you need to pay are not hefty. A 7 day trip to most of the countries will cost you around INR 800 to 1200 roughly, depending on the plans you choose, where the insurance covers range from INR 30 Lakh to 3 Crore.

How to Buy an International Travel Insurance?

You need not worry much about hopping around to get international travel insurance this as the entire process can be completed online within a matter of a few minutes. Companies issue policies instantly based on your requirements and options. It is so convenient that one can even buy Travel insurance while booking flights.

What if I could not Buy International Travel Insurance before Departure?

Generally, international travel insurance needs to buy before departure. But, in case you forgot to buy Travel insurance before departure or you did not know about it as you are a first-time flyer, or due to any other reason – do not worry.

However, not all, some of the travel insurance companies like world nomads do offer plans, which you can buy after landing at your destination.

However, there are a few disadvantages as well:

• There is a minimum waiting period such as 72 hours before you start to be covered.
• Premiums may be higher.
• You may not be covered for all the facilities as in the case of pre-departure insurance.

Over to You!

International travel insurance is no more a luxury or something, which can be set aside. However, it has become a useful purchase, which will see you through most of the unexpected or unforeseen situations and helps you travel hassle-free and worry-free. It also enables you to reach your home unperturbed by most of the troubles.

With so many plans and flexible options to choose from, many of which are illustrated above including the choice of individual and group/ family plans and different plans for different regions and geographies, Overseas Travel Insurance is preferred by most of foreign bound travellers in India and across the world.