What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage created to protect travelers from potential risks and unexpected events that can occur while they are traveling.
Why do I need Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is important for plenty of reasons, including the security and peace of mind it offers while you're away. The following are the key aspects that Travel Insurance Policies mainly cover for you:
- Trip Cancellations: Compensates your non-refundable travel expenses in case of cancellation or change in trip itineraries due to sickness, accidents, or any specific travel-related problems.
- Medical Emergencies: Covers for any sort of medical emergencies incurred as a result of illness, or accidents that can happen during traveling. Hospitalization, Medical Evacuations (rescues), and Medical Interventions could be a part of it.
- Travel Delay/ Postponements: Offers reimbursements for additional costs (for lodges, meals ), in case of journey postponements for any circumstances beyond your control, such as flight cancellations or bad weather conditions.
- Lost Baggage: Includes compensation for misplaced, lost, or any damage to Luggage while traveling.
- Personal Liabilities: Compensated for any legal costs if you are found liable for someone else’s property damage or injuries while traveling.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: Specially for emergency medical transportation rescues to the closest hospital if you require specialist treatment that is not available at your current location, such as Helicopter Rescue at higher altitudes in case of altitude sickness.
- Accidental Death or Dismemberment: Offers compensation in case of a person's sudden death or loss of limbs while on vacation.
It is very important to thoroughly read the policy terms and conditions of the Travel Insurance Company as the coverages might vary between different providers and policies including the Exclusions and Limitations of the Insurance Company.
What are the Best Travel Insurance Companies?
Following are the Recommended Travel Insurance Companies:
- Allianz International Travel Insurance
- Travelex (Best International Travel Insurance)
- Axa Travel Insurance
- World Nomad
- Global Underwriters
- AXA Assistance USA
- Diplomat American Insurance
- Access America
- HCC Medical Insurance Services
- Insuremytrip.com
- Multinational Underwriters
- TIC Travel Insurance Coordinators Ltd
- Specialty Group (UK) Limited
- FirstAssist Services Limited
- Cover-More Travel Insurance
- CGU Insurance Limited
- Travel Insurance Consultants Pvt. Ltd
- Mondial Assistance
- Online Global Health Insurance
What are the types of Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance comes in various types, each designed to provide coverage for specific aspects of your trip or to address particular risks you may encounter while traveling. Here are the Main Types of Travel Insurance:
Trip Travel Insurance
This type of insurance helps you recover your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, such as illness, injury, or a death in the family.
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance
CFAR insurance allows you to cancel your trip for any reason, not just those explicitly covered in standard trip cancellation policies. However, it typically comes with higher premiums and certain restrictions.
International Travel Insurance
International travel insurance is a type of insurance designed to provide coverage and financial protection to travelers when they are outside their home country. It is essential for individuals who travel internationally for business, leisure, or other purposes.
Medical Travel Insurance
This provides coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling, including doctor's visits, hospital stays, and emergency medical evacuation. It's especially important for international travel, as it may cover expenses not included in your regular health insurance.
Adventure Travel Insurance
If you plan on engaging in high-risk adventure activities such as high-altitude trekking, skiing, mountain climbing, or scuba diving, this insurance can provide coverage for accidents or injuries related to these activities.
Family Travel Insurance
This type of travel insurance is specialized for groups of travelers, such as families or tour groups, and can offer cost-effective coverage for multiple individuals.
Countries where Travel Insurance is Compulsory
- Nepal: Required if Mountaineering or Trekking
- Turkey: Required for Visa Application
- UAE: For multiple entry visa holders (5 years)
- Cuba: Required Travel Medical Insurance that must cover sudden illness and repatriation
- Singapore: Minimum SGD 30,000, COVID-19 travel insurance for non-vaccinated travelers
- Jordan: Compulsory Travel Medical Insurance
- Schengen Countries: Travel Insurance that must cover a minimum € 30,000 coverage
- Singapore: Minimum SGD 30,000 covid-19 travel insurance for non- vaccinated travelers
- Romania: Travel Health Insurance of a minimum EUR 30,000
- Ecuador: Required for Entry