Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance Answered

Travel insurance is one of the most important documents that you would have to get before your trip. To choose the best option, it is important to get fully acquainted with what these policies offer, their types, premiums, and other relevant details. Here are some common FAQs about travel insurance, and their answers.

1.    What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs of unexpected events that can happen while travelling, such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, medical expenses, and more. It can be purchased for domestic or international travel.* It works in a similar way as most other insurance policies. Once you select the policy you want to buy, you can pay a premium for it. The coverage offered is temporary or for a limited duration. It lasts only for the duration of your trip unless you have chosen a multi-trip policy.*

2.    Why do I need travel insurance? Is travel insurance necessary?

One often always expects one’s trip, be it domestic or international, to be a happy experience with memories that one can cherish for a lifetime. However, there is always a possibility that something may go wrong with a trip. For example, your flight may get delayed or cancelled, you may have to cut your trip short, you may face medical emergencies, baggage loss, and more. In such cases, it would be ideal to have some form of financial support to help you out of the situation. Travel insurance is what can help you with that. If you face any of the issues covered by your policy, you may get in touch with your insurance provider and make a claim. Depending on the situation, they may also be able to help you navigate the situation in the best possible manner.* Moreover, some countries have made it mandatory for tourists to get travel insurance before starting their stay in the country. Hence, if you are travelling internationally, it may not always be an option to not get international travel insurance before a trip.

3.    Which countries have a mandatory travel insurance requirement?

Including 26 countries of the Schengen region, there are 52 countries where you cannot travel from India without a travel insurance policy. These are:

1. Algeria
2. Argentina
3. Aruba
4. Cambodia
5. Croatia
6. Cuba
7. Ecuador (Galapagos Islands included)
8. Fiji
9. Georgia
10. Lebanon
11. Iran
12. Israel
13. Jamaica
14. Jordan
15. Moldova
16. Morocco
17. Nepal
18. Qatar
19. Romania
20. Rwanda
21. Seychelles
22. Singapore
23. UAE
24. Togo
25. Turkey
26. Antarctica
27. Schengen countries
28. Austria
29. Belgium
30. Czech Republic
31. Denmark
32. Estonia
33. Finland
34. France
35. Germany
36. Greece
37. Hungary
38. Iceland
39. Italy
40. Latvia
41. Liechtenstein
42. Lithuania
43. Luxembourg
44. Malta
45. The Netherlands
46. Norway
47. Poland
48. Portugal
49. Slovenia
50. Slovakia
51. Spain
52. Sweden
53. Switzerland

4.    What does travel insurance cover?

Some of the common travel insurance inclusions are:

1. Trip cancellation or interruption
2. Medical expenses
3. Baggage loss or damage
4. Trip delays or cancellations
5. Accidents or injuries
6. Legal expenses
7. Terrorism

The minutiae of what is covered and what isn’t may depend on the policy you have chosen. It is ideal to get a clear idea of the policy details before you buy it.*

5.    What is the cost of travel insurance?

The cost of travel insurance varies depending on a number of factors, including the length of your trip, the destination, and the level of coverage you choose. For example, the cost of a domestic travel insurance policy may be slightly lower than a policy for an international destination.* Usually, you can expect the cost of your travel insurance to be anywhere between 4% to 10% of the total estimated cost of your trip. You may also use a travel insurance premium calculator to quotes based on the trip details you can provide.*

6.    How to buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be purchased online or offline. To buy it online, you can visit the website of the insurance provider or download their official app. This process tends to be more seamless and hassle-free as compared to buying a policy offline. To buy travel plans offline, you may consult your insurance agent.

7.    How to make a travel insurance claim?^

When buying the policy, it is crucial to enquire about the process of making a claim, especially if your policy document does not provide any details about the same. The claims process may slightly differ from one insurer to another. However, claims can commonly be made by reaching the insurer through their website, email, app, or even on call. ^Claims are subject to terms and conditions set forth under travel insurance policy. Getting all your travel insurance questions answered before you leave for your trip is important. This ensures that you can make the best use of your policy if you find yourself stranded or facing an issue in a foreign location.*   *Standard T&C Apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.