Wednesday, February 28, 2024

International Travel Insurance

An international trip is an exciting & refreshing escape from everyday life. International travel insurance ensures there is no other financial drainage in case anything goes wrong. Travel insurance for international travel comes with coverage for lost checked-in baggage, passport loss, medical emergencies and a lot more.

 Why International Travel Insurance?

Business, adventure or study, your purpose for travelling abroad should never be compromised due to emergencies. The last thing you want to deal with abroad is unexpected expenses. It can be due to losing your wallet or sudden medical assistance. This is when international travel insurance comes to your rescue.

You don’t have to worry about any health emergency expenses abroad if your overseas medical insurance covers it. Other than medical issues, these benefits span from not-so-major inconveniences like trip cancellation or delay to major ones like hospitalisation, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. Foreign trip insurance also covers specific issues like pre-existing diseases, adventure sports etc.

You can easily get international travel protection, that too without any health checkups. International holiday insurance can be bought at affordable premiums. Checkup until a certain age is usually not required, making overseas holiday insurance accessible to people of a broad age group. The benefits of online overseas travel insurance are offered through different plan variants. You can buy international trip insurance as per your budget and requirements.

               Features of International Travel Insurance

While planning, buying international travel insurance online may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is the only thing offering you the ultimate international travel protection. Plus, you can get several benefits when you buy international travel insurance online for your trip. Particularly if you are travelling long haul, foreign trip insurance is a must. Let’s have a close look at the benefits of overseas travel insurance plans:

·         Cover for Accidents and Sickness: Falling sick is horrible, but falling ill on a trip abroad is even worse. That's why trip insurance for international travel compensates for most medical costs, be it due to an illness, an unfortunate accident, or even emergency dental services. Your overseas trip insurance also provides costs for any medical evacuation or repatriation if needed.

·         COVID-19 Covered: Most foreign travel insurance online provides necessary coverage in case you or your loved ones test positive or need treatment in the middle of the trip.

·         Help with Baggage Loss or Delay: Loss or theft of baggage is sadly a common plight. If this happens to you, your international holiday insurance plan will help you.

·         Hijack Cover: Though unlikely, being a hijack victim is nothing short of traumatic. Many international travel insurance online offer a distress allowance to help you cope.

·         Travel Assistance: Insurance for traveling abroad offers a dedicated helpline for any help you may need while travelling. This can be finding the nearest network hospital or applying for your new passport.

·         Cashless Hospitalization: Most international travel insurance online ensures you receive a cashless hospitalisation facility abroad in case of hospitalisation due to sickness or accidental injury.

·         Coverage for Loss of Travel Documents: Some of the best overseas travel insurance assist and pay for obtaining a duplicate copy of your essential travel documents like passport, tickets, etc., in case of loss or theft.

·         Personal Liability: If an unfortunate accident involves another person or their property during your trip, your foreign travel insurance online will help you pay for it. These costs will include any repairs or relevant medical expenses.

·         Flight-related Adversities: In case of trip delay, cancellation, or curtailment, you no longer need to worry about extra accommodation or other expenses. Your international travel insurance plan will cover these losses. It also provides reimbursement if your trip is cancelled for any reason.

 

Advantages of International Travel Insurance

Other than international travel protection and avoiding burning a massive hole in your pocket, overseas trip insurance has several benefits. Here are some of the best advantages of buying insurance for travelling abroad:

·         Fulfills Mandatory Requirement - It helps fulfil the compulsory requirement to travel to a few countries where carrying an overseas travel insurance policy is a must, such as Schengen countries, Turkey, and many other tourist hotspots.

·         Emergency Assistance - All foreign trip insurance plans provide emergency helpline numbers, mobile applications, and a dedicated team to assist you in any emergency during your trip abroad. Monetary assistance is provided if you lose all or a substantial part of your travel funds due to theft, robbery, or pilferage. International travel health insurance will also assist in case of medical emergencies.

·         Coverage for People of All Ages - You can buy international travel insurance online for anyone in the mentioned age group, no matter which country you travel to.

·         Flight-Related Adversities - While most international travel medical insurance plans only cover medical expenses, many plans also cover you for any adversities resulting from your flight, including flight delays, missed connection flights, flight cancellations, flight hijacks, etc.

·         Stress-Free Travel - Online overseas travel insurance lets you travel stress-free and enjoy every moment of your trip, as your insurer will take care of any adversities.

International Travel Insurance Inclusions

With so many benefits readily offered by most international travel insurance online, it is hard to remember all their advantages. Your insurer will cover the following unless specified otherwise:

·         Medical Expenses Cover - In case of an unexpected illness, accidental injuries, or death, your overseas medical insurance policy will cover medical expenses faced abroad.

·         Loss of Baggage Cover - Coverage will be provided if your plan has the benefits of international flight insurance and your airline damages or misplaces your baggage after checking in.

·         Trip Cancellation and Disruption Cover - The primary benefit of your overseas trip insurance is that all your financial losses will be covered if your trip gets cancelled or curtailed due to a covered emergency.

·         Flight Delays/Cancellation - If your flight is delayed for more than a certain number of hours or gets cancelled, your foreign travel insurance will cover it.

·         Passport Loss Cover - In case of loss of passport or essential travel documents during your vacation, your overseas holiday insurance also covers a reimbursement of the cost incurred on obtaining a fresh or duplicate passport.

·         Personal Liability - If you buy foreign travel insurance online, you will get help if you involuntarily result in damage or injure a third party or their property.

·         Medical Evacuation - Medical expenses incurred due to emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment are covered under insurance for traveling abroad.

·         Repatriation Cover - In case of a sudden demise, the expenses for cremation and transporting the mortal remains to the family members back in India are covered by overseas trip insurance.

·         Dental Cover - Any emergency dental treatment taken due to an injury or acute pain during the trip is covered.

·         Hijack Risk Cover - A Hijack distress allowance is granted if the flight you were travelling abroad or vice-versa is hijacked for more than a certain number of hours.

·         Compassionate Visit - In case of hospitalisation for an extended period, the cost of transportation and boarding of one of your family members will be covered.

·         Trip Delay - Any delay in the commencement of the trip due to an unavoidable emergency, such as a family member's hospitalisation or a natural calamity, etc., is covered by international insurance for travel.

·         Missed Connection Flight Cover - If your connecting flight is missed due to the delayed arrival of your inward flight, your insurer will cover it.

·         Delay in Baggage Arrival - Reimbursement of expenses incurred on essentials due to the airline's delayed delivery of your check-in baggage.

·         Home Burglary Insurance - Compensation for losing valuables is provided if your house is burgled during your international trip.

Buying affordable international travel insurance means you can maintain coverage. An overseas trip insurance policy is only helpful if it secures you in your time of need. Therefore, make sure to buy the best overseas travel insurance by comparing them on Policybazaar.com.

 International Travel Insurance Exclusions

Even the best international travel insurance comes with some limitations. Before zeroing in on the best international travel insurance online, read carefully about the expenses that will not be reimbursed. Have a quick rundown of the things which will not be included in your overseas travel insurance:

·         If your passport loss complaint goes unregistered with the police authorities, the damages or loss incurred won’t be covered.

·         You wouldn’t be given medical cover if the pre-existing diseases were not disclosed/ declared before the international travel insurance policy commences, especially for those over 70.

·         Expenses or any loss incurred from mental incapability, depression or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any suicidal attempt. Also, venereal diseases and patients with HIV/AIDS are not covered under international trip insurance online.

·         If your purpose for travelling abroad is for medical treatment abroad.

·         Also, if you are travelling against the recommendation of your healthcare provider.

·         If you are diagnosed with any life-threatening diseases before your travel

·         Casualties or damages due to war or nuclear threats in the concerned country

Note: This is not the complete list of exclusions. For an exhaustive list, refer to policy wordings.

Why Should You Buy International Travel Insurance Policy?

Take a look at some of the reasons why you must buy an overseas travel insurance policy for your foreign trip:

·         Coverage against Overseas Financial Losses - An overseas trip insurance policy covers unforeseen financial losses you may incur during your trip abroad. It helps you stick to your budget while handling the emergency as best as possible.

·         Takes Care of Expensive Medical Bills - Medical expenses abroad are more expensive than in India. With the best travel insurance for international travel, you don’t have to worry about it, as your overseas holiday insurance will cover them.

·         Flight Delay Coverage - Flight delays are widespread while travelling abroad and can lead to monetary losses. However, international flight insurance can compensate you for many flight-related losses.

·         Coverage against Loss of Passport/Money - Losing your passport or wallet while travelling abroad can put you in a difficult situation. But travel insurance for overseas travel can help you to obtain a passport.

·         Compensation for Baggage Delay - A delay in the arrival of your check-in baggage can be annoying and lead to unnecessary expenses. In such a situation, your online overseas travel insurance will cover the costs of buying essentials, such as medicines, toiletries, etc.


 Where Can Indians Get a Visa on Arrival?

Travelling to most countries from India requires a visa. You must obtain a visa for the country you want to travel to before commencing your overseas trip. The process may also involve paperwork like insurance for foreign travel. This can be a hassle for many, which can be easily simplified by online overseas travel insurance purchases.

Luckily, many countries offer visa-free and visas on arrival for Indians. They provide keys to Indian citizens on arrival at the destination airport or provide a visa exemption.

What Should Be Carried While Travelling Abroad?

While travelling abroad, you must remember to carry the following essential things for a smooth and hassle-free trip:

·         Passport - You must always carry your passport during your trip. It should be valid for the next 06 months and have at least 02 blank pages, or you can land yourself in trouble.

·         Travel Adapters - Do carry travel adapters with you during your trip to quickly charge your phone, camera, laptop and other electronic devices.

·         International Travel Insurance - Make sure to buy the best travel insurance for international travel. You can easily stay covered against any unforeseen adversities faced during the journey.

·         Medical Kit - Make an emergency medical kit consisting of painkillers, personal medication, bandages, anti-allergy medicines and generic medicines like paracetamol, etc. and carry it with you on the trip for emergency medical aid.

·         Forex Card - Remember to keep your Forex Card in your wallet so that you can use it to buy fabulous things during your trip. You should make sure to buy the best forex cards for international trip to avoid hidden charges.

·         Weather-appropriate Clothes - Check the weather of the destination where you will be travelling and pack clothes accordingly for your comfort.

·         Comfortable Shoes - Pack comfortable shoes to explore foreign countries easily. Europe is especially a very walkable place, so being comfortable is the key!

·         Sunscreens and Moisturizers - Don’t forget to pack sunscreens when travelling to a beach destination. Also, don’t forget moisturisers if travelling to the mountains!

 

·         Passport - You must always carry your passport during your trip. It should be valid for the next 06 months and have at least 02 blank pages, or you can land yourself in trouble.

·         Travel Adapters - Do carry travel adapters with you during your trip to quickly charge your phone, camera, laptop and other electronic devices.

·         International Travel Insurance - Make sure to buy the best travel insurance for international travel. You can easily stay covered against any unforeseen adversities faced during the journey.

·         Medical Kit - Make an emergency medical kit consisting of painkillers, personal medication, bandages, anti-allergy medicines and generic medicines like paracetamol, etc. and carry it with you on the trip for emergency medical aid.

·         Forex Card - Remember to keep your Forex Card in your wallet so that you can use it to buy fabulous things during your trip. You should make sure to buy the best forex cards for international trip to avoid hidden charges.

·         Weather-appropriate Clothes - Check the weather of the destination where you will be travelling and pack clothes accordingly for your comfort.

·         Comfortable Shoes - Pack comfortable shoes to explore foreign countries easily. Europe is especially a very walkable place, so being comfortable is the key!

·         Sunscreens and Moisturizers - Don’t forget to pack sunscreens when travelling to a beach destination. Also, don’t forget moisturisers if travelling to the mountains!





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