How to buy the best Overseas travel mediclaim insurance

Best travel insurance India reviews

Travel Insurance plans offered by Indian insurance companies have two broad sections of benefits which are Medical and Non-Medical in Nature. Medical Coverages include Accident & Sickness Expense cover, Dental Expense Cover, Medical Evacuation, Personal Accident coverage while Non-Medical coverage include Passport Loss, Baggage Delay/Loss, Personal Liability, Missed Departure, Bounced Hotel, Trip Cancellation/Interruption etc. It is very important for the traveller to choose an insurance plan which has an optimum coverage for both sections of benefits to ensure they are adequately insured for their trip.

Depending on their age and country of destination, the traveller should have sufficient Accident & Sickness (A&S) cover given then very high cost of treatment (healthcare) in all countries abroad. The traveller should look to consider the following factors whil opting for the best travel insurance plan. The key factors include:

• Destination of travel. For example if one is travelling to developed countries like USA, Europe, Australia, UK, it is advisable to purchase a policy with a higher Accident & Sickness Medical Limit ($250,000 and above). This is because the cost of medical treatment in these countries is significantly higher than the rest of the world.
• Age of the traveler is another key factor while deciding on the ideal insurance plan and premium for the same. With advancement in age, there is a high possibility for travelers to be have pre existing medical conditions. Most insurance plans exclude medical expenses arising due to pre existing conditions, and hence the traveler must ensure to choose the correct plan if they want the same to be covered.
• 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.
• Reputation and the Market standing of the insurance company are important to keep in mind while finalizing an insurance partner. Importantly, the traveler should keep in mind the capabilities of the insurance company for Travel Insurance specifically. Their ability, transparency and promptness in claims settlement abroad and their financial strength are important factors to consider.
• 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.
• Activity calendar of the insured is as important as the trip itself. As a traveler if one plans 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 one is likely to go scuba diving or snorkeling (any other adventure sport), please ensure to opt for a plan that offers coverage for Adventure Sports.
• Exclusions under a Travel insurance policy are as important as the inclusions or coverages. Hence it is important for the traveler to review the exclusions prior to purchasing the policy so that they are clearly aware of what is covered and what is not covered.