Travel Insurance in India

Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight accident and other losses incurred while traveling.

Travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of the booking of a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip, or a "multi-trip" policy can cover an unlimited number of trips within a set time frame. Some policies offer lower and higher medical-expense options; the higher ones are chiefly for countries that have high medical costs, such as the United States.

Some credit card issuers offer automatic travel insurance if travel arrangements are paid for using their credit cards, but these policies are generic and particular care must be taken to take into account personal requirements. There are many travel insurance policies available in the market place, but care must be taken of what events are covered by each policy, and what exclusions, exceptions and limits apply, besides other issues.

Coverage types of Travel Insurance

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance plans are:

Medical treatment, including transportation to the medical facility.
Cancellation, curtailment and trip interruption

This section covers any unused travel and or accommodation costs, pre-paid charges (including any additional travel expenses incurred, provided they are deemed reasonable and necessary) if a trip is canceled or cut short under a variety of circumstances, which may include any of the following, depending on the policy:

death, bodily injury, illness, disease, or pregnancy complications
compulsory quarantine
jury service
being called as a witness
termination of employment (provided you did not know about it before you booked the holiday)
being called up if you are a member of the armed forces or other public defense or safety organization
prohibition of travel by the government to the intended destination
officially recommended evacuation from the intended destination
official advisory against going to or remaining at the intended destination
death or serious illness of a family member (subject to age restrictions).

Repatriation of remains
Return of a minor
Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
Visitor health insurance
Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
Overseas funeral expenses
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage, personal effects or travel documents
Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
Flight connection was missed due to airline rescheduling or delay.
Travel delays due to weather
Hijacking

Medical expense coverage can be per-occurrence or maximum-limit.

Optional coverage of Travel Insurance

Some travel policies will also provide cover for additional costs, although these vary widely between providers. Almost $2 billion in travel insurance is sold each year.

In addition, often separate insurance can be purchased for specific costs such as:

Pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
Sports with an element of risk (e.g. skiing, mountain climbing, scuba diving)
Travel to high risk countries (e.g. due to war, natural disasters or acts of terrorism)
Additional AD&D coverage
Rental Car Coverage
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage
3rd party supplier insolvency (e.g. the hotel or airline to which you made non-refundable pre-payments has gone into administration)
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Specific event coverage, (e.g., to cover travel cancellation costs if the reason the person is travelling, such as a concert, is cancelled. )

Common exclusions of Travel Insurance

The common exclusions in travel insurance policies include pre-existing medical conditions, unlicenced operation of a vehicle, travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, elective surgery or treatment, or injury or illness caused by alcohol, drug use, or reckless behavior, including engaging in some sporting activities. Events arising from war and terrorism are usually excluded, but most policies allow trip cancellation arising from war or an act of terrorism that meets the policy's criteria.

Insurance companies issuing new policies will often exclude circumstances based on an-ongoing event, such as typhoons or floods. Long-term exclusions may be announced for events such a Bali’s Mt Agung volcano being excluded from cover for the foreseeable future, (as of late 2017).

Some policies exclude travel to certain countries, or parts of countries, where a greater risk is expected. These determinations are often made based on official government travel advice from organisations such as the US State Department or the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.

Travel insurance can also provide helpful services, often 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that can include concierge services and emergency travel assistance. Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared prior to the trip start date. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles to treatment in state-run hospitals in EU countries and Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance.

Travel Insurance Companies in India

Travel Insurance Companies
Apollo Munich Travel Insurance
Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance
Bharti AXA Travel Insurance

Cholamandalam MS Travel Insurance
Future Generali Travel Insurance
HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance

IFFCO - Tokio Travel Insurance
National Travel Insurance
Reliance Travel Insurance

Religare Travel Insurance
Royal Sundaram Travel Insurance
SBI Travel Insurance

Star Health Travel Insurance
Tata AIG Travel Insurance
New India Travel Insurance

Oriental Travel Insurance
United India Travel Insurance
Universal Sompo Travel Insurance