Travel Insurance
Travel insurance, in plain words
Travel insurance covers medical emergencies and trip problems when you're abroad — where a hospital visit can cost lakhs. Many countries also require it for a visa.
Who it's for
Anyone travelling abroad, students going overseas, and frequent flyers. For Schengen (Europe) visas it's mandatory.
The words, in plain English
- Medical cover
- How much the plan pays for hospital treatment abroad — usually shown in US dollars ($). Pick a high amount; foreign care is expensive.
- Sum insured
- The overall limit the plan will pay for your trip.
- Trip cancellation
- Pays back money you lose if you must cancel the trip for a covered reason, like illness.
- Baggage cover
- Pays a fixed amount if your checked bags are lost or delayed by the airline.
- Medical evacuation
- Pays to move you to a proper hospital — or back home — in a serious emergency. This can cost a fortune without cover.
- Pre-existing illness
- An illness you already have. Many travel plans cover only emergencies from it, so check the wording.
- Single vs annual
- Single-trip covers one journey; an annual (multi-trip) plan covers every trip in a year — cheaper if you fly often.
- Deductible
- A small first amount you pay on a claim before the insurer pays the rest.
Before you buy — check these
- Pick a high medical cover ($250,000+) — a hospital stay abroad can run into tens of lakhs.
- Check the plan covers your destination (worldwide vs Schengen vs Asia) and your trip length.
- Make sure medical evacuation is included — it's the most expensive thing to pay for yourself.
- Declare existing illnesses; emergency cover for them is often limited.
- If you travel more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip plan usually works out cheaper.
Questions people ask
Do I really need it for a short trip?
+
Yes — one accident or illness abroad can cost more than the whole trip. The premium is small next to a foreign hospital bill.
Is it required for a visa?
+
For Schengen (Europe) it's mandatory with a minimum medical cover. Many other countries strongly recommend it.
Single trip or annual plan?
+
One holiday → single trip. Several trips a year → an annual multi-trip plan is cheaper and covers them all.
Still have questions?
Pia is our AI advisor, trained by IRDAI-licensed experts. Ask anything — she'll explain it simply, then help you find the right cover if you want it.