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Many of us strongly desire to travel and explore the world. As an Indian traveller, you may be planning your next international holiday – whether it’s a dream European vacation, an African safari adventure, an Australian backpacking trip or a Southeast Asian beach getaway.
Your exciting global adventures can quickly turn into a nightmare if you fall sick or meet with an accident in a foreign land. This is where travel insurance becomes essential. Before venturing on international trips, all Indian travellers must have a comprehensive overseas travel insurance policy.
This blog post will discuss why travel insurance is essential for international trips from an Indian traveller’s perspective.
Why Travel Insurance is Must for Overseas Trips
When globe-trotting across continents, falling ill or getting hospitalised in a foreign country can leave you with excessive medical bills. From charges for hospital rooms, medical tests, doctor fees, and ambulance costs, medical expenses abroad can run into several lakhs or more.
And that’s not all; personal accidents, luggage loss, and trip cancellations due to unforeseen events also remain top risks while travelling internationally.
Let’s take a typical example. You badly twist your ankle while sightseeing in Thailand. The hospital charges would be ₹60,000 for checking and treatment. With travel insurance, you claim and get the entire ₹60,000 reimbursed. Without insurance, you pay from your pocket. Big difference, right?
Critical Benefits of Overseas Travel Insurance
- It covers significant medical expenses if you get hospitalised abroad
- Protects against personal accidents during foreign trips
- Safeguards against loss of luggage while travelling
- Provides trip cancellation & interruption coverage
- Takes care of lost passports, hijack distress allowance, etc.
Many Indian travellers wrongly believe their existing health or life insurance policy will also include trips abroad. This is far from true. Domestic insurance plans only provide coverage within India.
Travel insurance is essential for international holidays. It covers you end-to-end on foreign soil and gives you true financial peace of mind.
Top Overseas Travel Insurance Plan in India
Many general and health insurance companies in India, such as ACKO General Insurance, offer specialised overseas travel cover plans.
General Overseas Travel Insurance
Overseas Travel Insurance provides worldwide coverage for trips to almost any global destination at highly affordable premiums, starting at just ₹49* per day for a five-day travel period. Policyholders enjoy hassle-free and instant claims settlement in many cases.
Key Covers Include:
- Medical expenses are due to illness, accidents, etc.
- Reimbursement for flight delays and cancellations
- Financial protection against loss or delay of checked-in baggage
- Trip rescheduling or cancellation costs
- Adventure sports-related injuries
- Compassionate visit by family members if hospitalised
- Costs related to death, cremation and repatriation
- Expenses incurred for duplicate passport
- Reimbursement of stolen travel funds
- Cancellations due to COVID-19 positive test
Visit www.acko.com for more information.
Buying the Right Overseas Travel Policy: Key Tips
While buying travel coverage for your overseas vacation, keep the following tips in mind:
- Analyse Your Trip Duration & Destinations
Your travel insurance coverage, pricing and inclusions will depend firstly on your trip duration and destinations covered. Longer multi-country trips need more comprehensive coverage with higher insurance amounts. Backpacking across Europe requires higher coverage than a short Dubai trip. Carefully assess your trip length, countries to be visited and insurance needs before zeroing in on a suitable policy.
- Check Inclusions & Coverage Amounts
Once the trip duration is decided, the inclusions and coverage amounts in the travel policy will be closely examined. Hospitalisation expenses up to ₹20 lakhs-30 lakhs are usually sufficient, but you can opt for higher coverage if needed. Also, check what is covered—COVID-19 hospitalisation, ambulance charges, outpatient treatment, loss of luggage or passport, trip cancellations, etc. Dental treatments and adventure sports may require additional riders.
- Compare Premiums & Assess Needs
Next, compare premium quotes from insurance providers like ACKO General Insurance while considering inclusions and your trip requirements. Strike a balance between premium affordability and adequate trip coverage for optimal value.
- Check Policy Exclusions
Every travel policy contains exclusions – instances not covered under insurance. For example, pre-existing diseases may not be covered, and adventure sports require additional riders. Carefully read through the policy document to understand what is excluded so that you are not surprised later if you need to make a claim.
- Buy Early & Carry Documents Overseas
You should purchase your overseas travel insurance at least 1-2 weeks before your departure date. Last-minute trips may result in unfavourable premium rates. Once purchased, carry soft/hard copies of your insurance paperwork during travel, along with 24×7 assistance helpline numbers provided by your insurer. This will prove invaluable if any emergency contingency arises abroad.
Conclusion
Adequate financial protection against medical emergencies, accidents, and other contingencies abroad is invaluable for your safety and well-being. Analyze your trip requirements and compare suitable policies on coverage and premiums before choosing the right travel insurance plan for your overseas holidays from trusted providers.
