India Travel Insurance, Compare and buy Overseas Travel Insurance Online

Travel insurance in India - An overview

According to Wikipedia, Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements. Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. Tourism may be international, or within the traveller's country. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only", as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment. The UNWTO Report for 2018 also illustrates the modes of transport that all travellers use when they travel (see the chart below):

Source: UNWTO Report 2018

Is it worth it to get travel insurance?

For any Indian traveller who is going abroad, it is very important to purchase travel insurance. While it is not a mandatory product for travel to most countries abroad (except Schengen, UAE and Australia (for certain age groups)), having an insurance cover can give the traveller peace of mind in case of any unforeseen exigency (medical or non-medical) while they are enjoying their holiday/business trip. As most travellers will be aware, the cost of any medical treatment is astronomical when compared to India and hence the traveller could end up spending a large part of their savings for treatment abroad in case of an unfortunate accident or sickness. The cost of insurance is a fraction of the most of medical treatment and hence it is advisable to travel abroad with insurance. Secondly there are many non medical emergencies like Loss of Passport, Baggage Loss / Delay, Flight Delay, Trip Cancellation, Missed Connection etc that can be covered and this will not result in a financial loss to the traveller.

Can I buy travel insurance after departure from India?

No, as per the insurance rules within India, the traveller must be in India at the time of purchasing their insurance policy. Hence it is ideal that the traveller does not keep insurance purchase as the last document to add to their travel itinerary. It is as important as their visa or hotel reservation.
Some insurance companies have a slightly flexible approach and offer coverage (subject to underwriting approval) for a traveller who has already travelled out of India. In this case, the traveller will need to submit a request letter along with a good health and no claim declaration, based on which an underwriting approval can be obtained from the insurance company’s underwriting team. Post approval the applicable premium needs to be remitted by the traveller after which a policy can be issued. Please note that this is an exceptional process to be followed and not the norm. Also please note that this is subject to underwriting approval by the insurance company.

What types of travel insurance are there?

There are many types of travel insurance plans which cater to the requirements of all categories of travellers. At a broad level, there are insurance plans which cover travellers bound to The Americas (North & South American continents including USA & Canada) as well as other countries in the world other than North & South American, which is known as Excluding Americas plans. Most companies offer a specific plan for Asia, which covers their travel to any Asian destination or a Schengen Plan which covers travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe. A few insurers also offer a Domestic Insurance plan for travel within India. All these are Single Trip plans which cover the individual traveller for a specific trip.
Almost all insurance companies also offer a Multitrip Insurance policy, which is specifically suited for the frequent flier. This is an annual plan which covers the insured traveller for any number of trips during that year.

What is the best travel insurance for international travel?

Travel Insurance can be categorised as "best travel insurance" if they offer a comprehensive coverage to the insured traveller every time they travel abroad. Depending on the age of the traveller, their destination country and duration of travel, the traveller has a variety of plans to choose from across all insurance providers. But they must ensure they choose a plan with adequate coverage for their trip. For example, if they are travelling to USA, UK or Europe, it is recommended that they choose a plan with a A&S coverage of atleast $250,000. They should also opt for a plan with non-medical coverages like Trip Cancellation, Passport & Baggage Loss, Baggage Delay, Personal Liability etc.

Does travel insurance cover missed flight?

Most insurance companies have a benefit called Missed Departure/Flight wherein they offer coverage for incidental expenses incurred by the insured traveller on account of the Missed Departure/Flight, by the scheduled airline the insured is supposed to travel on, if the missed connection / departure is due to the following reasons:

Inclement Weather; or
Strike or other job action by employees of a Common Carrier (scheduled airline) to be used by by the insured during their return journey; or
Equipment Failure of a Common Carrier (scheduled airline)

This benefit is provided only for the return journey and will not cover missed departure/flight in India while departing from India on the trip.

What are the various Visitor Travel Insurance Plans available online at eIndiaInsurance?

At eIndiaInsurance we provide the most comprehensive basket of plans to choose from depending on your travel requirements. They include:

International Travel Insurance
Insurance Companies offering International travel insurance
Overseas travel insurance, also known as overseas mediclaim policy offers cover for travellers going abroad on Leisure or Business. It offers coverage for medical and non medical emergencies like Accident & Sickness Cover, Trip Cancellation, Passport Loss, Personal Liability, Baggage Loss/Delay etc Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Sickness Dental Coverage Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Passport Loss Personal Liability Trip/Flight Delay Missed Connection Bounced Hotel/Air Booking Emergency Cash Advance	Policy Exclusions Any Pre-existing Condition Routine physicals or other examination Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism Congenital anomalies Participation in Adventure Sports Pregnancy related conditions

Student Travel Insurance
Insurance Companies offering student medical insurance
Student Travel Insurance is an insurance policy specifically designed for Indian students travelling abroad on a student visa to pursue their higher studies. Student medical insurance covers students enrolling in colleges, universities or institutes in a foreign country for professional/other academic courses. There are benefits specific to students that include Sponsor Protection, Compassionate Visit , Bail Bond and Study Interruption. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Treatment of Mental Disorders Cancer Screening and Mammography Maternity Coverage Study Interruption Sponsor Protection Missed Connection Compassionate Visit (2 way) Emergency Cash Advance	Policy Exclusions Travelling against the advice of a Physician Pre-existing Conditions Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel External congenital anomalies Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments

Senior Citizen Travel Insurance
Companies offering overseas travel insurance for senior citizens India
The Indian Senior Citizen travel insurance plan is specifically for older travellers normally about the age of 70 years. The best Indian Senior citizen travel insurance plan focuses primarily on Emergency Accident & Sickness cover, but also has Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, Passport loss, Baggage Loss/Delay etc. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Passport Loss Personal Liability Flight Delay Emergency Cash Advance	Policy Exclusions Any Pre-existing Condition Routine physicals or other examination Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism Congenital anomalies Participation in Adventure Sports Pregnancy related conditions

Asia Travel Insurance Plan
Insurance Companies offering Asia travel insurance
The Asia Travel Insurance plan is suited for travellers within Asia. Normally these trips are of shorter duration and are more for Leisure/Holidays and hence the Sum Insured’s are lower that the regular International plans. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Accidental Death Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Passport Loss Personal Liability	Policy Exclusions Travelling against the advice of a Physician Pre-existing Conditions Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel External congenital anomalies Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments

Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Plan
Insurance Companies offering Schengen visa travel insurance (VFS Global approved)
The Schengen visa Travel Insurance plan is specifically designed for travelers visiting Schengen Countries in Europe. It is important to note that insurance is a mandatory requirement for a visa to be granted to these countries. Visas are normally issued for 90 days for the following 26 countries: Austria \| Belgium \| Czech Republic \| Denmark \| Estonia \| Finland \| France \| Germany \| Greece \| Hungary \| Iceland \| Italy \| Latvia \| Liechtenstein \| Lithuania \| Luxembourg \| Malta \| Netherlands \| Norway \| Poland \| Portugal \| Slovakia \| Slovenia \| Spain \| Sweden \| Switzerland The insurance Accident & Sickness Sum Insured should be atleast 30,000 Euros Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Accidental Death Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Trip Delay Missed Connection Some insurers offer a plain Accident & Sickness coverage for 30,000 Euros, which is the minimum requirement for obtaining a visa.	Policy Exclusions Travelling against the advice of a Physician Pre-existing Conditions Serving in any branch of the Naval, Military or Air Forces Being under the influence due to usage/abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel External congenital anomalies Adventure sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing Ayurvedic, Homeopath or naturopathy treatments

Domestic Travel Insurance
Insurance Companies offering domestic travel insurance
Domestic Travel Insurance is for travellers within India on all modes of transport. The policy will come into effect the moment the insured leaves his city of domicile until his return. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident Hospitalisation Expenses Home Burglary Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Passport Loss Personal Liability Trip/Flight Delay Compassionate Visit (Family Member) Missed Departure	Policy Exclusions Any Pre-existing Condition Routine physicals or other examination Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism Congenital anomalies Participation in Adventure Sports Pregnancy related conditions

Corporate Travel Insurance Program
Insurance Companies offering corporate travel insurance
The Corporate Travel Program is put together for the employees of all Corporate companies for their official/business travel both abroad and within India. Since this is considered as a group for insurance, the premiums will be more competitive and can actually be charged on a per day basis. This means that the company pays only for their actual days of travel. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Trip Cancellation / Curtailment Personal Liability Replacement of Staff Emergency Cash Advance	Policy Exclusions Any Pre-existing Condition Routine physicals or other examination Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism Congenital anomalies Participation in Adventure Sports Pregnancy related conditions

Family Travel Insurance Plan
Insurance Companies offering family travel insurance
The Family Travel Insurance plan is designed for families who are likely to travel together on a trip and are looking for a single cover for all of them. Some of the insurance plans for the Family can also be offered on a Floater basis to ensure maximum coverage at most economical cost. Know more	Coverages Offered Emergency Accident & Sickness Reimbursement Medical Evacuation Repatriation of Remains Baggage Loss/Delay Passport Loss Personal Liability Flight Delay Emergency Cash Advance	Policy Exclusions Any Pre-existing Condition Routine physicals or other examination Elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery Suicide, (AIDS), / (HIV) infection Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants Loss arising out of War, civil unrest, Terrorism Congenital anomalies Participation in Adventure Sports Pregnancy related conditions

What is the cheapest travel insurance?

Cheapest insurance often represents the insurance plan which offers the least premium to the traveller. These plans normally come with lesser sum insureds and coverages for the traveller and hence it is prudent for the traveller to not only look at the premium but also compare the benefits of the plans available before making an informed choice. Given that the traveller is already spending reasonably large monies for their tickets and hotels, there is a tendency to cut corners on the insurance policy and buy the one with the least premium. By spending a little more effort and a slightly higher premium outlay, the traveller could end up buying a relatively more comprehensive insurance plan that just the cheapest insurance policy which if the best way to proceed. A cheaper premium plan could also mean that the deductible (insured’s contribution to a claim) is higher which may result in the insured shelling out a higher part of the claim incurred later during the trip. Hence it is advisable that the traveller compares like products (apples with apples) before arriving at the optimum plan.

When should I buy travel insurance?

Ideally the traveller must buy travel insurance once they have finalise their travel plans and booked their air tickets and hotels/tour packages. The specific reason for booking the insurance at this stage is that for any unforeseen yet covered reasons if the traveller’s trip is cancelled and they have a Trip Cancellation benefit in their insurance plan, then they can make a claim for the non refundable part of the Air Tickets/Hotel & Tour Bookings even before their trip would’ve started. Covered cancellation reasons include:

Death or diagnosis of Critical illness of the Insured or following immediate family members-Spouse, Children, Parents, Brother, Sister, Grand Parent, Grand Children, Parent In Law.
A booked common carrier outside India being delayed for at least 24 hours due to Strike, industrial action, riot, civil commotion, severe weather condition, natural disaster, hijack or mechanical breakdown of public common carrier.
Serious Damage to Your residence in India arising from fire, flood, earthquakes and riots.

Let's look at an example:

Passenger A had booked an International Holiday on 10th February 2019 for travel from 25th May 2019 onwards for 1 month. It is recommended that he book his insurance policy with Trip Cancellation benefit immediately on 10th February 2019. Here's why...
The cost of the Airfare was INR50,000, Hotel INR15,000 and Tour Package INR20,000 totalling INR85,000. As is normally the case in all these bookings, there will be a cancellation clause attached to them.
Unfortunately Passenger’s A immediate family member was diagnosed with a critical illness and unfortunately passed away in March 2019 due to which Passenger A was forced to cancel his trip.
Without insurance in place and assuming that the airline, hotel and tour package company had a 50% cancellation clause, then Passenger A would receive a refund of INR42,500 and forfeit the other 50%. With an insurance policy covering Trip Cancellation in place, he can file a claim with the insurance company for the remaining INR42, 500 giving the reason for cancelling the travel and the insurer would’ve reimbursed the non refundable expenses.
Without Insurance in place, Passenger A's loss would've been INR42,500. With Insurance in place, Passenger A's loss would've been INR0.

The above example illustrates why the traveller should buy their insurance policy (with a coverage for Trip Cancellation) when they book their tickets/hotels/tour packages.
If for whatever reason the traveller does not purchase their insurance policy immediately, they should definitely buy the same prior to their departure from India. No insurance policy can be purchased once they have left India and their trip has commenced.
Also, in the case of Schengen countries where insurance is required for obtaining a visa, the insurance policy will need to be purchased upfront.

Does travel insurance cover pre-existing ailments?

A pre existing condition means any condition, ailment or injury or related condition(s) for which the insured had signs or symptoms, which was diagnosed and for which the insured received medical advice/ treatment, within 48 months prior to commencement of the first Policy issued by the Insurer. This means that if the insured is traveling abroad with a pre existing condition and avails of any treatment abroad, the insurance company will not be liable for paying the claim.
The insurance company normally goes by the guidance of the attending physician in the medical facility abroad while deciding whether a condition is pre existing or not. If the attending physician declares that the cause of the treatment is a pre existing condition carried by the insured, then the treatment costs will not be reimbursed under the policy.
Some insurance companies offer a limited coverage for medical expenses arising due to pre existing conditions, when the situation is Life threatening in nature.
Know more

Factors to consider while buying travel insurance

Now that one has chosen the type of policy you have to buy online, it becomes important to decide which insurance company’s policy to decide upon. Not all the general insurance companies who operate in India have expertise in selling and managing Travel Insurance. The important factors to taken into consideration with regards to the insurance company include:

Firstly take a look at what insurance coverage you may require based on the Destination you are traveling to. For example if you’re going to developed countries like USA, Europe, Australia, UK, it is advisable to a policy with a higher Medical Limit ($200,000 and above). This is because the cost of medical treatment in these countries is significantly higher than the rest of the world.

Duration of travel - The longer the duration of travel, the higher sum insured for Medical expenses is recommended because the possibilities of catching an illness increase when exposed to varying climatic conditions with changing seasons.

The Reputation and the Market standing are important to keep in mind while finalising an insurance partner. Importantly, the traveller should keep in mind the capabilities of the insurance company for Travel Insurance specifically. Their ability, transparency and promptness in claims settlement and their financial strength are important factors to consider.

Another important aspect of claims, is the insurance company’s Third Party Administrator (TPA) abroad. Accessibility to the TPA at the time of a medical emergency is very important. One should understand the TPA’s network of hospitals across the world and their competencies to handle a critical situation. It is advisable to get your insurance from a company (and TPA) which handles the transparent claim settlement process so you have a hassle free experience.

Your activity calendar for your trip is as important as the trip itself. As a traveller if you plan to have a relaxed beach side vacation just to catch a tan, then don’t look for buying an insurance policy with an adventure sports coverage. But if you are likely to go scuba diving or snorkelling (any other adventure sport), please ensure the opt for a plan that offers coverage for Adventure Sports.

The age of the traveller is another important factor while deciding on the ideal insurance plan. With advancement in age, there are higher possibilities for travellers to be carry pre existing medical conditions. Most insurance plans exclude medical expenses arising due to pre existing conditions, and hence the traveller must ensure to choose the correct plan if they want the same to be covered. Also, age is a critical factor in determining the premium for the trip.

The Exclusions under a Travel insurance policy are as important as the inclusions or coverages. Hence it is important for the traveller to review the exclusions prior to purchasing the policy so that they are clearly aware of what is covered and what is not covered. The exclusions are normally not stated on the face of the insurance policy certificate but in the terms and conditions (policy wordings) and hence the traveller will need to go through the same on the insurance company website or when sent along with the policy certificate.

Make sure you all review the entire list of coverages available with each insurance plan. Some insurance companies offer a more comprehensive coverage at an affordable cost, but they may not have the Assistance Network strength abroad if and when required in a medical emergency. Another insurance company may have a strong Assistance partner and enjoy a good reputation in India for claims settlement, but their premiums could be marginally higher than the average market premium for a similar coverage. Hence the insured must evaluate all relevant parameters before arriving at their final insurance partner and the ideal plan for their trip. At eIndiaInsurance, we have tried to make it simpler for the traveller to compare plans and choose the best one. More than that, eIndiaInsurance has gained the reputation of being:

Trustworthy

There will not be additional fees or extra cost for any of the services offered at eIndiaInsurance.

Helpful

It is very simple to get quote and choose your preferred option at eIndiaInsurance.

Fast and Easy

Pay only the premium cost and get enrolled to the policy of your choice in under 3 minutes at eIndiaInsurance.

Great Prices

Complete a simple online application to compare plans and buy your chosen plan at the guaranteed best price on eIndiaInsurance.

Customer Friendly

The customer support team at eIndiaInsurance will provide you all support required to buy your preferred insurance plan, or endorse or cancel it if required. We are there to assist you at the time of a claim as well. Just give us a cal...

What are the Exclusions under a Travel Insurance policy?

Some of the typical exclusions under the Travel policy will include:

any Pre-existing Condition or any complication arising from it (unless specifically covered under certain plans that are purchased by the insured)
services, supplies, or treatment, including any period of Hospital confinement, which were not recommended or approved, and certified as Medically Necessary by a Physician
routine physicals or other examinations where there are no objective indications or impairment in normal health, and laboratory diagnostic or X-ray examinations except in the course of a disability established by the prior call or attendance of a Physician (an example could be a person visiting the hospital to check their blood pressure or their cholesterol levels, just for their information)
elective, cosmetic, or plastic surgery, except as a result of an Injury caused by a covered Accident
suicide, attempted suicide (whether sane or insane) or intentionally self inflicted Injury or Illness, or sexually transmitted conditions, mental or nervous disorder, anxiety, stress or depression, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) infection
being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants or hallucinogens unless properly prescribed by a Physician and taken as prescribed
any loss arising out of War, civil war, invasion, insurrection, revolution, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether War be declared or not), rebellion, mutiny, use of military power or usurpation of government or military power, Terrorism
congenital anomalies or any complications or conditions arising therefrom
participation in winter sports, skydiving/parachuting, hang gliding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing (where ropes or guides are customarily used), riding or driving in races or rallies using a motorized vehicle or bicycle, caving or pot-holing, hunting or equestrian activities, skin diving or other underwater activity, rafting or canoeing involving white water rapids, yachting or boating outside coastal waters (2 miles), participation in any Professional Sports, any bodily contact sport or potentially dangerous sport for which You are untrained (please note that on our eIndiaInsurance website, we offer some insurance plans that cover Adventure sports…so if the insured is likely to participate in any of these activities, it’s best to buy a plan that covers Adventure Sports)
pregnancy and all related conditions, including services and supplies related to the diagnosis or treatment of infertility or other problems related to inability to conceive a child; birth control, including surgical procedures and devices

Please note that this is not the complete list of exclusions. Please refer to the terms and conditions (policy wordings) that have been shared with the insured along with the policy certificate for the exhaustive list.