Travel insurance protects your entire journey from major financial losses. It helps with expenses because of sudden medical & trip-related emergencies during foreign and domestic trips. Travel insurance benefits include cashless medical, baggage & flight delay, passport loss, trip cancellation and more. These benefits are valid for your entire trip until your return to India. You may be visiting one country or multiple, be a student or a senior citizen. No matter who you are, you will always find the best travel insurance plans for all kinds of journeys.
What is Travel Insurance?
A travel insurance policy offers financial compensation for many emergencies you may face during your trip. A travel insurance plan secures your journey from unexpected expenses because of various medical, legal, and booking-related emergencies. Primary benefits of travel insurance plans cover emergency medical expenses, personal accident passport theft, and medical evacuation & repatriation.
What’s more, you must buy travel insurance to meet mandatory visa requirements for many countries. These countries don’t issue a valid visa unless you provide proof of travel insurance from India.
You can easily buy online travel insurance, thanks to readily available travel insurance plans for different countries and travellers. For better coverage, you can also buy other coverages (called add-ons) for specific protection. Some popular add-on include such as pre-existing diseases or adventure sports.
You can also choose travel insurance plans depending on whether it’s a business, family or an educational trip.
Travel Insurance India: At a Glance
| Categories | Specification |
| Travel Insurance Cost | Rs. 50/day* starting price |
| Entry Age | 3 months to 70 years or as specified |
| Countries Covered | 200+ countries and islands by different travel insurance companies in India |
| Duration of Travel Insurance | 1 day – 1 Year |
| Medical Benefits | Medical Expenses, Accidental Death and Disability, Dental Cover, Evacuation and Repatriation |
| Optional | Pre-existing Diseases, Adventure Sports, Dental, Home Burglary, Nervous/Mental Disorder |
| Covers Family | If purchased a Family Travel Insurance |
| Claim Procedure | Can claim both online and offline |
| 24×7 Worldwide Assistance | Emergency Helpline, Mobile Applications, EAM, etc. provided by insurers |
| COVID-19 Insurance Coverage | Yes, Provided by most travel insurance companies in India |
| Time Required to Buy | Instant if you buy travel insurance online |
| Claim Settlement Period | Varies with insurer |
*Final Quote, Duration & Coverage will vary with insurer & plan purchased
Key Benefits of Buying Travel Insurance Plans Online
Any trip, especially an international one, requires a lot of bookings and non-refundable expenses. The best travel insurance ensures you make the most of this trip without spending extra on avoidable expenses. Here are some great reasons to buy travel insurance online:
- Cashless Treatment Facility: You can opt for cashless hospitalisation if you need medical attention abroad. You can visit the network hospital for your treatment after contacting your insurer. Your travel insurer will help you avail of cashless medical services across the globe.
- Fulfils Mandatory Requirement: Many countries need you to buy valid travel insurance before they issue a visa. To visit such countries, you must meet the stated coverage requirement. You can quickly look up travel insurance plans online and meet the necessary document requirements to get your visa.
- Easier to Compare: Buying travel insurance online allows you to easily compare different travel insurance plans for the trip. You can compare and finalise plans according to your needs and budget.
- No need for Insurance Agents: You no longer need to rely on an insurance agent to buy a travel insurance plan. You can find the best travel insurance online after comparing them online on Policybazaar.
- Minimal Paperwork: When you buy travel insurance online, you avoid a lot of forms, formalities and extra paperwork. All you need to do is fill out an online form and pay for the travel insurance plan you prefer.
- Instant Policy Purchase: The policy is issued almost instantly after comparison and payment. You can select the best travel insurance plan without leaving your home and buy it within a few minutes!
Top Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance
There are no guarantees in life, and your travel insurance plans are equally prone to unpredictability. From getting mugged to having a bad accident, a lot can go wrong while abroad. This is where your travel insurance can soften the blow and protect you financially. Often dubbed as an extra expense, there is no better way to financially and mentally safeguard yourself abroad.
If you’re still feeling unsure, here are the top reasons to buy travel insurance from India:
- Worldwide medical support in case of emergencies
- Fulfills visa requirements for 30+ countries requiring mandatory travel medical insurance from India
- Reimbursement for stolen, lost and damaged luggage
- Covers individuals, families, students, overseas employees and senior citizens
- Helps reclaim extra flight-related expenses (flight cancellation and flight rescheduling) under mentioned reasons
- Offers stress-free travel with additional protection back home (home burglary/fire insurance)
Thankfully, many people now realise travel risks and prioritise their safety by buying travel insurance online. Do compare travel insurance online before purchasing and you will never regret buying this safety net for your trip.
Best Travel Insurance Plans in India by Top Insurers
Many insurers provide excellent travel insurance plans in India. You can choose from many plans offered by the top travel insurance companies in India. They offer plans with varying benefits, coverage, duration and cost. If planning a trip abroad, look at some of the best online travel insurance available in India:
| Travel Insurance Companies | Eligibility Criteria | Key Features |
| Aditya Birla Travel Insurance | NA | Medical expenses cover, Passport loss, Automatic policy extension |
| Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Cashless hospitalisation, Overseas COVID-19 coverage, Loss of baggage/passport |
| Bharti AXA Travel Insurance | 03 months to 85 years | Medical coverage, Emergency financial assistance, Baggage insurance |
| Care Travel Insurance | 01 days and above | Emergency hospitalisation, Upgradation to business class, Adventure sports cover |
| Chola MS Travel Insurance | 03 months to 80 years | Overseas medical expenses, Compassionate visit, Loss of international driving licence |
| Digit Travel Insurance | 03 months to 99 years | Emergency medical treatment, Flight delays, Adventure sports cover |
| Future Generali Travel Insurance | 06 months to 80 years | Medical expenses cover, Personal accident, Baggage delay/ loss |
| IFFCO Tokio Travel Insurance | NA | Overseas medical expenses, Trip cancellation, Hospital daily allowance |
| National Travel Insurance | NA | Medical expenses cover, Personal liability, Passport loss |
| New India Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Medical coverage, Delay of check-in baggage, Personal accident |
| Oriental Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Overseas medical expenses, Passport loss, Personal liability |
| Reliance Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Cashless hospitalisation, Trip delay, Home burglary insurance |
| Royal Sundaram Travel Insurance | 91 days and above | Medical expenses, Political risk & catastrophe evacuation, Missed connections |
| SBI Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Emergency medical treatment, Trip delays |
| Shriram Travel Insurance | 90 days to 65 years | Medical expenses cover, Loss of passport, Hijack distress allowance |
| Star Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Emergency medical expenses, Personal liability, Flight delays and cancellation |
| Tata AIG Travel Insurance | 06 months to 70 years | Medical coverage, Bounced flight/hotel bookings, Automatic trip extension |
| United India Travel Insurance | 5 years to 80 years | Medical expenses, Trip cancellation, Hospital daily allowance |
| Universal Sompo Travel Insurance | 01 day to 70 years | Emergency medical expenses, Personal accident, Baggage loss |
Types of Travel Insurance Plans in India
Many types of travel insurance plans have been designed to meet the needs of different travellers. Travelling being a universal activity, it is only fair for every kind of traveller to find the same safety and support when they leave India. People of all ages, including adults, students, families and senior citizens, can buy international travel insurance online or offline. Let us take you through the different types of overseas insurance policies available in India:
- International Travel InsuranceThis type of international insurance covers you during your overseas trips. Also called foreign travel insurance, it provides a wide range of coverage, including medical expenses, dental expenses, flight delays, trip cancellation, loss of passport, personal liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, and more.
- Schengen Travel InsuranceThis one is a mandatory overseas travel medical insurance plan covering people going to one or more Schengen countries. As 26 European countries are part of the Schengen Zone, people also refer to it as Europe travel insurance. All Indians must buy travel insurance for Europe from India before applying for a Schengen visa. It protects you from many emergencies that may lead to extreme financial distress. Some of the most common coverage provided under this plan includes medical expenses, loss of passport, delay in check-in baggage arrival, loss of check-in baggage, personal liability, and personal accident cover. This is among the best travel insurance options for people planning a Euro tour.
- Family Travel InsuranceAs the name shows, family insurance covers the policyholder, their spouse, and dependent children. All insured members of a family get coverage for medical expenses, loss of passport, personal liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, and more. For families going on vacation, it is the best travel insurance online. However, not all travel insurance companies in India offer similar benefits so travel insurance comparison is very important.
- Senior Citizen Travel InsuranceTailor-made for older travellers, this is the best travel insurance for elderly travellers who wish to go abroad without fearing health or other financial emergencies. Since most travel insurance companies in India only cover travellers up to the age of 60 – 65 years, providing this kind of travel insurance for seniors becomes crucial. Benefits of a senior citizen travel insurance plan include coverage of medical expenses, dental expenses, repatriation of mortal remains, loss or delay of check-in baggage, passport loss, medical evacuation, etc., just like other plans available under travel insurance in India. However, travel insurance quotes for seniors can be considerably higher than regular plans, especially if they have a PED.
- Student Travel InsuranceThis is a student-friendly travel medical insurance plan that has been customised for Indians travelling abroad for education. It comes with an extended validity of up to 2 years. Apart from the basic coverage of an overseas travel insurance plan, it also provides the students with unique benefits like sponsor protection, study interruption, medical evacuation, bail bonds, etc. It also covers .compassionate visits for the insured and the family member, a benefit not offered by basic travel insurance India.
- Corporate Travel InsuranceThis type of insurance plan has been designed especially for businesspersons travelling for work. It usually has a validity of up to 1 year, allowing the insured to go on several journeys without needing to buy international travel insurance every time before their trip. Travel insurance coverage for this plan includes flight delay, medical expenses, loss of baggage, missed connecting flights, etc.
- Group Travel InsuranceIt is usually opted by people organising tour groups, industrial training, official tours, or pilgrimage tours. Many Indian travel insurance companies offer such policies to people travelling within India as well as abroad. It usually provides personal accident and baggage cover. However, the exact extent of coverage depends on the insurer.
- Travel Medical InsuranceThis plan offers financial help in case of a medical emergency while you’re abroad. Trip insurance coverage under medical travel insurance includes hospitalisation expenses, day-care expenses, dental expenses, medical evacuation expenses, and the cost of repatriation of mortal remains, amongst others.
- Multi-Trip Travel InsuranceThis type of insurance plan covers multiple trips in a year, which is meant for people who go overseas often in a year. The plan also saves significant time and money. It offers the same benefits on every trip without needing to buy travel insurance online before each journey.
- Single Trip Travel InsuranceThis type of insurance plan protects the insured traveller only for a single journey. Its validity begins with the start of the journey and ends on returning home. Single-trip travel insurance covers medical and non-medical covers such as delay or loss of check-in baggage, personal liability, etc.
- Domestic Travel InsuranceDomestic online travel insurance policy offers coverage against several medical and non-medical emergencies for people travelling within India. Domestic travel insurance in India financially protects people and families across Indian states. It provides coverage including medical expenses, loss of baggage, and personal accidents.
Understanding your options is important before you know how to get travel insurance for your upcoming trip. Being clear about what travel insurance covers for different types of trips and travellers will save you a lot of confusion later!Other Types of Travel Insurance Plans in India
With rising awareness, the demand for extensive trip insurance coverage is also rising in India. A few insurers also provide additional insurance which has some coverage of foreign travel insurance:
- Baggage InsuranceThis comes into the picture when you lose your baggage during your journey due to theft or any other mishap. The losses incurred will surely cause big trouble or even ruin your trip. To save such heartache, you can always rely on baggage insurance.
- Flight InsuranceTravel insurance coverage under this plan protects you from any flight-related emergencies while travelling. This includes adversity caused during the flight or due to the airline’s or its staff’s fault. Often, it is covered under trip cancellation insurance when the flight has to be cancelled due to an emergency.It also provides comprehensive coverage of both travel health insurance and baggage insurance, such as medical cover, accidental death & dismemberment cover, delay or loss of check-in baggage, flight cancellation, flight hijack, and missed connection flight. However, the coverage for this insurance is usually limited to the flight or journey duration of the carrier.
Travel Insurance Plan Inclusions
Just like packing essentials and booking comfortable flights and hotels, understand the risks you must prepare for. You should know what your travel insurance plan will protect you from. These are listed as ‘inclusions’ in all insurance policy wordings. Here are the common inclusions under travel insurance plans to keep in mind before purchasing.
Eligibility Criteria for Travel Insurance Policy in India
Any Indian citizen can buy travel insurance online, irrespective of the policy type. Here are some additional eligibility requirements for different types of online travel insurance plans:
| Plan | Eligibility |
| Travel Insurance | Must be between 0.6 and 70 years |
| Schengen Travel Insurance | Only for Schengen Countries, Minimum 30,000 EUR coverage mandatory |
| Family Travel Insurance | Available for 4 people including the insured, spouse and 2 dependents; Adults must be between 18 and 60 years, Children must be below 21 years |
| Senior Citizen Travel Insurance | Available for seniors aged 61 to 90+ years |
| Student Travel Insurance | Must have enrollment in an educational institute abroad. Must be between 16 and 35 years or as per the plan |
| Corporate Travel Insurance | Must be between 18 and 70 years |
| Multi-Trip Travel Insurance | Adults between 18 and 70 years, Children aged 3 months and above, Renewable |
| Single-Trip Travel Insurance | Eligible only for one trip, Adults aged between 18 and 70 years, Children aged 3 months and above |
*Please note that the age bracket varies with insurers. You should check the eligibility with the travel insurer before reviewing or buying any travel insurance online.
Why Compare Travel Insurance Online?
With so many travel insurance plans in India, it is easy to get confused about the best travel insurance to opt for. Travel insurance comparison is the best way to check multiple plans. It helps you determine which travel insurer offers the best benefits.
As these plans vary with your requirements, you may need more than what may work for someone. Sometimes, opting for a specific travel insurance plan may be useless and even exceed your budget.
For example, if you’re planning a trip to Europe with your mother, her overseas insurance policy can cost much more than yours. After comparing different options, you can buy your mother a costlier senior citizen travel insurance.
Your travel insurance plan should cover your needs and not exceed your budget. For example, your travel insurance quotes will depend on many factors:
- If the traveller has any pre-existing medical conditions
- If there are any limits on trip duration
- Age of the traveller
- Number of travellers
- Location opted
- The sum insured/ kind of coverage opted for
- If opting for any add-ons
Many travel insurance companies in India offer varying coverage benefits. Some benefits are exclusive to the insurer, so it’s important to weigh all your options. This can make it difficult to understand a plan’s benefits and complicate the travel insurance plan purchase.
Buying travel insurance online after comparing is extremely useful for travellers. Here are some of its key advantages:
- Compare Multiple Plans: Easily compare insurance policy online depending on the travel insurance quotes to suit your budget.
- Offers Discounts: Many travel insurance companies in India offer discounts if you buy travel insurance online.
- Helps Understand Inclusions Better: Comparing travel insurance online helps decide the exact benefits that different insurers offer.
- Helps in Making an Informed Choice: It is cost-effective and wise when you buy travel insurance online after comparing them. After checking multiple plans, you can quickly tell which offers maximum insurance coverage within your budget.
- Time-Saving: Comparing online lets you buy a travel insurance policy quickly through fair comparison of the ongoing prices.
FAQ’s On Cheapest travel insurance in india
Travel insurance is a policy that provides financial protection against unforeseen emergencies during your trip, including medical, legal, and trip-related issues.
Travel insurance typically covers emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss or delay, passport theft, and medical evacuation & repatriation.
Travel insurance protects you from unexpected expenses and emergencies while traveling, providing peace of mind and financial security during your trip.
You can easily purchase travel insurance online by comparing plans from different insurers, selecting the coverage that suits your needs, and completing the payment process on insurance websites.
Various types of travel insurance plans include international travel insurance, Schengen travel insurance, family travel insurance, senior citizen travel insurance, student travel insurance, corporate travel insurance, and more.
