I travel a lot for work and leisure, and my friends and clients always ask me if travel insurance is really needed, how many times have I used it, and some of the best international travel insurance policies to choose from. My answer is pretty straightforward - getting travel insurance is important and won't break the bank. Its costs are less than the cost of a single meal per person in the US or Europe (around $15 to $20) from Rs 1200 to Rs 1600 and for this small price can cover you for up to $100,000 in medical emergencies. That's a small price to pay for peace of mind! Secondly forget about asking how many times has anyone used insurance, emergencies do not come with announcements, hope you never have to use it but if needed travel insurance will become your savior.
Now that you are convinced, let’s look at the best international travel insurance policies available in India that you could consider.
These are some of the key features that the 10 Best International Travel Insurance Policies in India to Keep You Protected on Your Next Trip
Coverage for medical emergencies: Make sure your policy covers medical emergencies, including hospitalization and medical evacuation. Look for policies with high coverage limits to ensure you have enough protection in case of a major emergency.
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: Covid has been the biggest example of travel disruptions, and this coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or a natural disaster and for this reason this should me must-have feature in the best international travel policies.
Personal liability coverage: This coverage can protect you in case you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property or injure someone while traveling.
Lost or stolen luggage coverage: This coverage can reimburse you for lost or stolen luggage or personal items.
24/7 assistance: Look for providers that offer 24/7 assistance, including emergency medical assistance, travel assistance, and concierge services.
Affordable premiums: While you want to make sure you have adequate coverage, it's also important to find a policy with affordable premiums that fit your budget.
Fraudulent charges on credit cards: There are always chances that credit card data given in some locations can be misused or cards could be cloned. Protection against fraudulent charges is a handy feature to have and should feature in the best international travel policies.
Coverage for adventure sports: Sky diving, and scuba are now on the to-do list for most people. By name, these are adventurous sports and come with some risks attached. Again having coverage for adventure sports will be a nice to have feature. Do note most of the companies either do not offer this feature or offer it in a very limited manner. Do read the terms and conditions very clearly
Clear Description Of Deductibles: We had seen a couple of policies offering aggressive pricing over their competitors however, it was a struggle to find information on deductibles as nothing was clearly mentioned during the online buying process or getting information downloaded through the brochure. This is a red flag and we eliminated those companies from our preferred list of best international travel insurance policies available in India that you could consider.
These are the 10 best international travel insurance policies available in India that you could consider.
(*For the case of some uniformity and ease of comparison, we have looked to cover one individual age 35, traveling to Europe for a duration of 10 days)
1.Bajaj Allianz:
The policy's duration depends on whether you are taking single-trip insurance or multi-trip insurance, as well as the room for extensions. The Travel Aceplan is designed to help you make your trip more fulfilling by including your family members. You can add members to the Travel Ace plan and get up to a 10% discount on the premium as far as the traveling tenure and the insurance variant chosen by them is identical to yours. The policy is open to unlimited extensions as far as the net duration for the policy is less than or equal to 360 days.
Benefits | Coverage Amount |
|---|---|
Policy Coverage | $1,00,000 |
International Personal Accident Cover | $12000 |
Accidental, Death, and Disability cover | Up to $6,000 |
Personal Accident Cover in India | Up to ₹ 200,000. |
Sickness Medical Exigencies | up to 100,000 (USD 100 Deductible) |
Accidental Medical Exigencies | 100,000 (USD 100 Deductible). |
Emergency Dental Care | (USD) 500 (USD 25 Deductible) |
Daily allowance during hospitalization: | (USD) 50/day for up to 7 days. |
Trip & Event Cancellation coverage | up to (USD) 1500. |
Trip Interruption coverage | up to (USD) 750. |
Loss of Checked-In Baggage: | ₹ 500 |
Delay of checked-in baggage | USD) 100/10 hrs in a foreign location and ₹ 1000/10 hrs in India. |
Personal Liability | up to 100,000. |
Coverage for loss of passport and driving license | up to 300. |
Hijack Cover | up to 3,000. |
Home Burglary & Robbery Insurance | Up to ₹ 150,000 each for portable equipment other than laptop and other equipment and up to ₹ 100,000 for laptop. |
Trip Delay Delight | up to (USD) 100/6 hrs. |
Emergency Cash Assistance Service | up to (USD) 1000. |
Missed Connection coverage | up to (USD) 300. |
Bounced hotel coverage | up to (USD) 400 |
Trip Extension coverage | up to (USD) 750 |
*Price | INR 1019 |
What We Like:
Bajaj Allianz has multiple options ranging from $50,000 to $5,00,000
One of the few policies to have coverage for pre-existing ailments
There are minimum deductibles. Dental deductible is one of the lowest
Emergency cash assistance of $1000
Crisp brochure covering all aspects
What Can Improve:
Inclusion of fraudulent charges on card and Adventure sports cover
Compassionate Visit Cover
Bajaj Allianz offers great value for money and is highly recommended in the list of 10 Best International Travel Insurance Policies in India to Keep You Protected on Your Next Trip.
2. TATA AIG:
The minimum entry age under this policy for Single Trip Policy is 6 months and up to life. Annual Multi Trip Policy - 19 years to 70 years b) This policy has 2 Options – With Sublimits & Without Sub Limits with various plans. Options are available for selection under Single Trip Policy and Annual Multi Trip Policy. Details of the options are as mentioned below- • Single Trip Policy- Silver, Silver Plus , Gold, Platinum and Senior Plan • Annual Multi Trip- Gold and Platinum with any Single Trip not exceeding 30/45 Days. Coverages are pre-defined as per the Plans. c) The family includes self, spouse, dependent children and his / her dependent parents. d) Dependent child(ren) are covered between the age group of 6 months and 23 years if they are unmarried and permanently reside with the insured. e) The policy offers coverage on an Individual basis
What We Like:
Fraudulent charges cover
Has coverage from $50,000 to $5,00,000
What Can Improve:
Adventure sports cover
Deductibles need to be reduced
Compassionate Visit Cover
Tata Aig has comprehensive benefits and features and is highly recommended in the list of 10 best International Travel Insurance Policies.
3. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance:
• Comprehensive plans with extensive coverages • Coverage available up to 360 days( Original policy for 180 days and extension for additional 180 days) • No medical test required upto 85 years of age • Value-added services for dependents in India • Pay per day: Slab rate for first 7 days only, then pay per day basis
What We Like:
Compassionate visit Coverage
Tie up with UHI which has an extensive network
What Can Improve:
Adventure sports cover
Deductibles need to be reduced. Dental treatment has nearly 33% of the coverage amount in deductible
Cover for Pre Existing Ailments
4. HDFC Ergo Travel Insurance: The company has plans ranging from $50,000 to $5,00,000. Coverage is available for up to 365 days along with a frequent flyer option of 45 days. It offers 24/7 customer care support and it does not require any pre-medicals for policy issuance
What We Like:
One of the lowest Price Points
24/7 Customer support
Financial emergency assistance with zero deductible
What Can Improve:
Not as feature-rich
No dental cover
No cover for pre-existing ailments
5. Future Generali: Age eligibility of the plans is from 6 months to 70 years. The company offers a Universal International free Phone number for assistance. Plans range from 50,000 Euros to 2,00,000 Euros and come with or without deductibles. Schengen plan is specially designed for people traveling to Europe on a Schengen visa for business or leisure.
What We Like:
There is medical advice offered on the Phone along with a Universal International free Phone number for assistance.
Option To Dispatch medicine not available locally
Financial emergency assistance with zero deductible
What Can Improve:
Deductibles are expensive
The compassionate visit amount is very low
No cover for pre-existing ailments
6. Reliance:
Reliance travel insurance offers cashless hospitalization worldwide.
Age eligibility of the plans is from 6 months to 70 years and plans range from $50000 to $500000. Insurance is issued instantly with no medical check-up. Their tagline is "Beach Or Hill Rock Or Pebble, You Choose The Travel, We Cover The Trouble"
What We Like:
Wide Range of coverage
Low Deductibles
Financial emergency assistance with zero deductible
What Can Improve:
No Cover For Pre Existing Ailments
No compassionate visit
No cover for Adventure Sports
7. Digit:
Go Digit offers cashless hospitalization in 150+ countries across the world. They have a 24/7 missed call facility for claim settlement. The have options of basic and comfort plans with coverage up to $100000
What We Like:
Price Point
Low Deductibles
What Can Improve:
Clear Description of Deductible or Limits
No compassionate visit
No cover for pre-existing ailments
8.Niva Bupa:
Niva Bupa offers cashless hospitalization across the world. They have policies covering Adults up to age 70. They have a unique feature where Up to 100% coverage of pre-existing diseases under the emergency in-patient medical cover for students traveling abroad for education on a student visa. The policy coverage ranges from $50000 to $500000
Policy Cover | $100000 |
Medical Expenses | $100000 |
Personal Accident | $15000 |
Dental Treatment | $300 with $100 Deductible |
Personal Accident | $15000 |
Medical Evacuation | $50000 |
Repatriation of Mortal Remains | $50000 |
$50000 | $25000 Deductible $100 |
*Price | INR 697 |
What We Like:
Price Point
No Frills (Suits People who are looking for basic cover)
What Can Improve:
Dental cover is very low with a high deductible
No Lost Passport Cover
No Emergency Financial Assistance
9. Royal Sundaram:
Royal Sundaram has various travel insurance policies with coverage starting from 91 days for children with no age limit for Senior citizens. The policy coverage ranges from $50000 to $1000000 which is one of this coverage available
Policy Cover | $100000 |
Medical Expenses | $100000 |
Dental Treatment | $400 Deductible: $150 |
Repatriation of Mortal Remains | $7,500 |
Common Carrier Accidental Death & Disability | $5,000 |
Accidental Death | $15,000 |
Trip Delay | ($10 per 12 hours) Max of $100 |
Hijacking Benefits | ($100 per day, 5 days max) |
Baggage Loss | $1,000 |
Loss of Passport/Visa | $250Deductible: $30 |
Delay in Checked-in Baggage | $100Deductible: 12 hours |
Personal Liability | $100,000 Deductible: $200 |
*Price | INR 570 |
What We Like:
Great Price Point
Trip Delay, Dental, and Hijacking Benefits are covered under the price point
What Can Improve:
Personal Accident
Medical Evacuation
No Coverage for legal expenses
The Royal Sundaram Plan offers a great price point and for someone looking at a no-frill policy this one is one to consider in the list of 10 Best International Travel Insurance Policies in India to Keep You Protected on Your Next Trip
10. Care:
Care formerly known as Religare has various travel insurance policies for Europe ranging from 300000 Euros to 1000000 Euros. Their coverage for children starts from one day old and they cover both single and multi trips.
Note: All Care coverage mentioned below is in is in Euros
What We Like:
Decent price Point
Trip Delay, Dental, and Trip Cancellations are covered
What Can Improve:
No Clear wording on deductible during the purchase phase
Compassionate visit, Loss of Passport not covered
Other Providers have more benefits at this price point
If we had to pick a top three from the "10 Best International Travel Insurance Policies in India to Keep You Protected on Your Next Trip" we would go with Tata and Bajaj from the plans which offer all the frills and we feel the Sundaram is a great one to consider from the list of policies which offer basic but essential features.
You never know what might happen when you're on the go, and travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected situations like medical emergencies (even dental issues!), trip cancellations or interruptions, accidents, lost or stolen luggage, and more. It's like a safety net that can help you avoid major financial losses while you're away from home. So, if you're planning a trip, consider investing in travel insurance. It's worth it!
Now that you have read our list of the "10 Best International Travel Insurance Policies" Let us know if you have come across any other plans which you feel deserve to be on this list and don't forget to leave your comment and Like and Share this article if you found this useful and important to You or your family and friends!
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Disclosure
It is important to note that the information gathered for this blog is on a best-effort basis and is accurate as of April 29th, 2023. Travelers are advised to check the latest information on the insurance company's website before purchasing a policy. Additionally, it is important to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the policy to ensure that it meets your specific needs and requirements and the country that you would be visiting
Images have been used from websites or brochures of Bajaj Allianz, Tata Aig, Icici Lombard, Hdfc Ergo, Future Generali, Reliance, Go Digit, Royal Sundaram, Niva Bupa and Care are for the representation purpose of the products or plans