Travel insurance is not mandatory to travel to India but it is for many countries including most European countries. For many countries travel insurance is the basic requirement to obtain the visa.

Even though it might not be mandatory for many countries, it is better to buy travel insurance for any expensive trip.

You do not need a separate travel insurance policy for every single country that you may go to. Travel insurance is available for set of countries. You can decide on the set of countries most suitable to you.

A basic travel insurance policy covers emergency medical aid, accidental death or dismemberment, baggage loss or delay and trip delays and interruptions. There are add- on covers that one can take on these like financial emergency, home burglary, personal liability, dental treatment etc. The list of available add-on covers need to be verified with the company you are buying travel insurance from.

If you are an occasional traveller, you can insure a single trip valid for the number of days that you’ll be travelling.

If you travel frequently, you may opt for multi trip travel insurance. This allows you to be insured for the more than one trip you make during one year for a fixed number of days. The number of days that you will be covered for during the year may be from 30 to 45 days as per the company policy.

Travel insurance cover begins on the dates as specified in the policy, usually the date of commencement of the trip or the time you board your flight whichever is later.

Travel insurance is valid till the date mentioned in your policy or the time you land in India, whichever is earlier.

If the travel has been extended due to things covered in the policy like flight delay or cancellation or a calamity, your cover will be extended if no other travel arrangements are possible; but if you need to extend the trip for personal reason, you need to extend the travel insurance to be covered for the rest of the duration before the existing policy expires. If you anticipate that you may need to extend the trip it is better to get insurance for the maximum duration you think you may have to spend on the trip.

It is better to carry the policy along as you may need the details in case of emergency or some authority may want to see it. You must carry the policy number and the international helpline number all the time even if you are not carrying the policy.

Deductible or excess is the amount you need to pay on your own after which the policy claim comes into force. It can also be the time duration after which you will be eligible for the claim in case of delays. For example if you have a plan that has the deductable of $100 then you pay that much amount out of your pocket and the rest is paid by the insurance company. Higher the deductible, lower the cost of the insurance; if your flight or baggage is delayed the deductible will be the first few hours of the delay for which the insurance company will not pay the claim.

No in most cases you do not need a medical examination up to the age of 60 years to buy travel insurance. You must though, mention any pre-existing medical condition that you may have.

Cashless facility can be availed in case of a medical emergency while travelling. You only need to pay the deductible or the excess and the rest is settled by the travel insurance company directly with the hospital.

Yes, you get cashless hospitalisation facility in case of an emergency situation as a part of travel insurance plan. You need to contact your assigned international TPA or the helpline within the stipulated time.

Pre-existing diseases are the illnesses that you may already have at the time of buying the travel insurance.

The pre-existing diseases are not covered in the travel insurance other than in an emergency situation.

No, travel insurance does not cover any injury or accident in adventure sports.

Yes, loss of passport is covered by most insurance. You are reimbursed for all the expenses incurred to get a duplicate passport.

Some companies cover home burglary as a rider on travel insurance.

You can cancel the policy if you do not need it anymore only if you do not undertake the journey. You need to communicate the same to the insurance company within 14days of the policy coming into effect along with the proof that the journey has not been undertaken.

Yes, you can purchase travel insurance for someone else.

Yes. Anyone can purchase the plans online as proxy on behalf of their family members or friends.

TPA is the Third Party Administrator and is the one that facilitates cashless hospitalisation, emergency evacuations, and other similar services. It gives information to deal with emergency situations, medical assistance on phone and arranging quick medical aid and appointments in the local area.

TPA also provides information on claims and need to be contacted get the claim.

Yes, you can get travel insurance even if you are travelling on immigrant visa though the cover lasts only a couple of months.

If your trip is postponed, you need to inform your travel insurance company regarding the same and intimate to them the changed dates. The insurance company issues a new insurance policy as per your revised schedule.

If the trip is cancelled due to flight cancellation or a natural calamity and no other transport is available, you can get reimbursement. If you cancel the trip for some personal reason, then it is not covered by the travel insurance.

All claims need to be intimated to the assigned TPA as soon as possible or within a given time limit. You need to apply for reimbursement after reaching India by providing all the details along with all relevant documents like bills, vouchers, copies of communication with relevant authorities etc. Hospitalisation charges are settled directly with the hospital and for the rest.