Travel Insurance: All You Need to Know

I remember thanking my good sense, when my laptop bag with passports, important documents, laptop et. all got stolen in Milan. Luckily for me, I had got a travel insurance protecting me against theft and loss of passport, and was able to get reimbursed for the value of some items.

Ask any frequent traveller, and they will tell you about the importance of travel insurance. There are innumerable instances where travellers have required medical help while on vacation and ended up with actual debt, as the hospital bills have amounted to lakhs of rupees. Or been left stranded with lost baggage and stolen passports. These situations are easily avoidable, with a bit of planning and a good travel insurance.

To clear all your doubts about travel insurance, read on:

1. What is travel insurance?

It’s a cool insurance to cover your neck, when you are stuck at a remote airport because of flight delays, or get food poisoning because your stuff everything you see down your throat. According to the IRDAI, “Travel Insurance protects you and/or family against travel related accidents, unexpected medical expenditure during travel, losses such as baggage loss, loss of passport etc. and interruption or delays in flights or delayed arrival of baggage etc.”.

2. Is it necessary?

Yes, if you like your money, yes! When you are on an adventure trip and go for treks around scenic locations, the last thing you want is to worry about medical expenditure. Accidents can happen any time, any place, so it’s best to insure yourself for them. By personal experience, I got bitten by a bug (ugh) in Singapore, and was walking around with a swollen eye! It got medically treated and fully covered by travel insurance!

3. How to get travel insurance?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would know that you can simply get travel insurance online. In fact, many ticket providers also give you an option for travel insurance. Check MakeMyTrip travel insurance services.

4. For what duration should I get the insurance?

Plan for your visa and insurance in advance. That way, you can get insurance to cover for the entire duration of your trip. Some countries may need you to get an insurance for a longer period of time as well so check the visa requirements carefully. You will have to provide your travel dates to the insurer, and in case of an extension of stay, inform the insurer before the policy expires, to avoid additional cost. Be smart about the planning, so you don’t end up clambering for insurance at the last minute!

5. What should I keep in mind when choosing a policy?

• Contrary to popular belief, cheapest is not the best. Choose a policy which meets all your needs, not just the basics. So if you’re going deep sea diving, I would suggest you wisely choose a policy! If you encounter Hrithik Roshan (reference: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara), in the process, well that’s just a bonus isn’t it!
• Read your policy documents carefully, so you don’t need to worry about what’s covered and what’s not when you’re being wheeled into the emergency room (hypothetically, of course).
• Choose a trustworthy insurance provider, because Sharmaji Insurance Company may not cut it!
• Fill your medical forms carefully. Fighting with your insurance company on roaming will not be fun. Trust me.
• It is a good idea to get insurance for your luggage and any valuables you may be carrying, as their loss might make a big dent to your finances.

So, be smart and get a travel insurance. Then let loose and try the wildest adventure, without the fear of going broke afterwards!