An international travel from India includes multiple variables. Some of which include flight connections, baggage transfers, communicating with the immigration department and health needs abroad. But a single disruption in any of these steps can cause trip delays or you might need to cancel it. In such situations, travel insurers serve as a crucial response tool to assist you in getting medical assistance at the nearest hospital or compensation for uncertain travel disruption.
In this blog, you’ll learn about how travel can save you from unexpected medical and travel-related costs while you are abroad for vacation, study or a business meeting.
Types of Travel Insurance
International travel is associated with many activities. Some of the frequent ones include vacation, business and study. Besides, travel plans can be different for adults as well as senior citizens. Because of such differences, travel insurance is often categorised into the following types:
- Individual Travel Insurance: In the past few years, there has been a growing trend of solo travelling among young individuals. To protect individuals from travel disruptions, these policies provide them with multiple coverage benefits.
- Multi-Travel Insurance: Some individuals may need to travel to different countries in a shorter span, related to both leisure and business. In such situations, the multi-travel plans become a valuable option.
- Student Travel Insurance: Students migrate to a foreign location to study in their related field for a certain period. The duration of study may extend to two years, which is why many student trip insurers provide policies with extended validity.
- Schengen Travel Insurance: Schengen countries mandate travellers to have a minimum of EUR 30,000 cover. To meet this requirement, some insurers provide the Schengen travel plan separately.
- Senior Citizen Travel Insurance: Senior citizens aged 60 and above may require certain medical assistance. Because of these, plans for these individuals may be listed separately.
- Family Travel Insurance: This is an inclusive plan for multiple families who are planning an international trip. Insurers like HDFC ERGO’s travel insurance plans allow up to 12 members coverage in a single policy.
Scenarios Where Travel Insurance Cover Converts Disruption to a Manageable Situation
The travel planning abroad begins with immigration clearance. Once it is done, travellers book flight and hotel tickets. However, there are a few instances in which having an on-time booking and reaching the designated place can disrupt your trip. Some of such unforeseen travel events are as follows:
| Travel Event | Without Insurance | With Insurance |
| Flight cancellation causing missed hotel check-in | Pay for new booking + unused night loss | Reimbursement for unused prepaid nights + rebooking support |
| Lost checked bag containing prescription medicine | Buy medicine at the local pharmacy at full cost | Emergency medicine purchase reimbursement up to policy limit |
| Sudden illness requiring a hospital stay | Arrange payment, translate medical records and contact family | 24/7 multilingual assistance + direct settlement with the hospital |
Things To Check While Purchasing Travel Insurance
Besides the coverage amount, there are multiple aspects to check when you buy trip insurance. Some of which include:
- Network of Hospitals: Each insurer has a network of hospitals in which you can get treated at the insured value. Prefer insurers with a broader network of hospitals since it increases the scope of your coverage.
- Trip Disruption Cover: Travel disruptions are not limited to healthcare, they can happen due to flight delays/cancellations or baggage delays/cancellations. Check that the insurer provides compensation to manage such situations as well.
- Documentation Cover: Some insurers provide policyholders with compensation to reissue their lost passport & international driving license.
- Eligibility: Availability of travel insurance is subject to the age of the traveller. Depending on age, travel protection plans can be categorised into individual and senior citizen policies.
- Regional Healthcare Cost: Before selecting the sum insured of your travel insurance, check the current healthcare cost of the regions so that the estimated amount can cover medical emergencies.
Final Thoughts
An international trip is filled with possibilities to gain new perspectives about your business or related field of study. However, it also comes with medical or trip-related uncertainties that may significantly affect your personal finances. When you buy trip insurance for you and your family members, it acts as a financial buffer that assists you in managing such situations in a seamless manner.
