Planning a trip overseas with your family or friends? Apart from flight tickets and visas, getting an international travel insurance plan also becomes important. Travel insurance policies ensure that you stay financially protected in case of unforeseen circumstances in an unknown country.
Whether you encounter a medical emergency, lose your passport, or miss a flight, travel insurance safeguards you from the financial burden of such adverse situations. Keep reading as we explore what coverage international travel insurance provides for and what it does not.
Inclusions Under International Travel Insurance
The most common issues that are covered by international travel insurance are as follows.
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Medical Emergencies
You may meet with an accident or fall sick due to food poisoning on your trip, which would require treatment or hospitalisation. Travel insurance covers treatment charges like doctor fees, hospital bills, and medication. Some insurance companies also offer a daily hospital allowance as per policy terms.
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Trip Cancellation or Curtailment
You may have to cancel your trip due to unavoidable causes like sudden sickness or natural calamities. Travel insurance takes care of the expenses of rescheduling your trip and related accommodation requirements. It also reimburses non-refundable expenses in case your trip is cut short as per policy conditions.
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Flight Cancellation or Delay
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, the international travel insurance plan will reimburse flight tickets and help reschedule your flight. It will also provide financial support in case you miss a connecting flight, subject to policy terms.
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Loss of Passport
Losing your passport in a foreign country is equal to a nightmare! Thus, travel insurance provides coverage for a new passport. It not only bears the cost but also provides customer service to assist you through the whole process.
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Baggage Loss or Damage
Travel insurance will bear the expenses if you lose your baggage or personal belongings at the airport. Damage caused to your luggage will also be covered.
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Evacuation and Repatriation
Certain medical emergencies or sudden geological or socio-political problems might force you to abandon your trip abruptly. International travel insurance will make sure that you are safely brought back to your home country.
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Home Burglary
Some travel insurance policies also provide coverage in case of theft or robbery in your house when you are away on a trip. In that case, you might have to provide evidence that you were indeed travelling when the incident happened.
Exclusions of International Travel Insurance
Now comes the question, ‘What does not fall under travel insurance coverage?’ International travel insurance plans generally exclude the following situations.
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Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Treatment for an illness you already have before your trip, or travelling with the aim to receive treatment, will not be covered. Also, if you travel against your doctor’s advice, travel insurance will not bear possible medical expenses.
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High-Risk Activities
Adventure sports like paragliding and bungee-jumping are risky and prone to accidents. Travel insurance usually does not provide treatment coverage for injuries incurred during such activities. However, some insurance companies like Bajaj General Insurance offer add-ons for adventure sports that you have to buy with an additional premium.
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Intentional Self-Injury
International travel insurance only provides coverage for accidents and unexpected medical treatments. Treatments for self-inflicted injuries do not fall under the scope of coverage.
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Accidents Under Influence
If you meet with an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, travel insurance will not pay for your treatment.
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Involvement in War or Crime
Getting involved in criminal activities or war-like situations can cause injuries. But travel insurance will not bear the cost of your treatment in such cases. For instance, if you get injured while participating in a riot, you have to pay for your treatment out of your own pocket.
Final Thoughts
It is essential to be well-informed about the coverage scope of international travel insurance to choose the policy that best suits you. Inclusions and exclusions of travel insurance may vary from insurer to insurer. Therefore, research and compare different policies before making a purchase.
International travel insurance is an important step in planning your dream overseas trip. Make sure to thoroughly discuss the details of your chosen insurance plan with your provider to make the right choice.
