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This vacation get a travel insurance

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Published on June 10, 2021. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

With Covid-19 descending on countries across the world as well as India, vacation plans collectively have been put on hold. However, with the gradual reopening of economies, travel itineraries are being chalked out once again and people desperate to escape the confines of their homes can finally start stepping out.

However, several dangers loom large for travellers, and what better way to preserve one’s wealth and well-being than travel insurance.

Here are 5 reasons why buying travel insurance before you set out for another jaunt is a must.

Health complications:

There’s no telling when a person suddenly and unpredictably takes ill. Hospitalisation and medical costs in India are high but relatively on the lower side when compared to the cost burden overseas. Undergoing emergency hospitalisation and other medical expenses can burn a serious hole in your wallet and in your savings.

It is far more prudent to prepare for a worst-case scenario by buying travel insurance that is comprehensive and protects you on the health front. Travel insurance provides you medical coverage for several sub-heads including diagnostic tests, OPD treatments, charges for an ambulance and other ancillary costs.

What’s more, you will be spared a severe cash crisis as cashless hospitalisation also falls under the purview of your travel insurance. Some plans also provide coverage for emergency dental treatment.

However, pre-existing illnesses do not fall under the coverage of many travel insurance policies. Alternatively, there are a few travel insurance policies that do provide coverage for events when a pre-existing illness needs to be taken care of.

Last but not the least, try not to go overboard with adventure sports. Injuries arising from adventure sports have no coverage under travel insurance.

Loss of luggage or passport:

What could possibly be more harrowing than losing one’s passport or luggage in a foreign country or destination? Thankfully, travel insurance has you covered. A call to the authorities will set you up with a duplicate passport while the insurance company will reimburse you for the expenses incurred in securing the duplicate passport.

In case, travellers end up losing their baggage, the insurance company concerned will disburse the sum fixed for such an emergency as mentioned in your policy. In case your baggage is delayed, you will be paid back for the expenses you had to foot for buying new personal effects till your baggage turns up.

3. Flight delay and other expenses

The thing with travel plans is that they tend to get cancelled often. It so happens many times that at the very cusp of our flight boarding, an office or a family emergency crops up to foil our travel plans. Sometimes it is a death in the family or an old illness or an unpredictable emergency that puts the spanner in the works. In case, reimbursement is being sought on grounds of an illness, a disease or an injury and the same is supported by medical documents, then the insurance company will pay you back for your expenses.

Those who buy travel insurance are reimbursed for the unused hotel expenses as well as flight booking costs. In case, your travel itinerary is disrupted due to a flight cancellation or a flight delay- which is increasingly common these days- insurance companies will reimburse you with a sum pre-decided in your policy. Some travel insurance policies will also cover overnight hotel and other food and recreational expenses.

4. Emergency evacuation:

Nobody wants to face the facts but the truth of the matter is that a disaster is always around the corner. A natural or a man-made calamity can strike anytime, anywhere. Earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, floods, riots or terrorist attacks are instances where an individual is desperately in need of an emergency evacuation. In such cases, the expenses for the emergency evacuation of the individual are borne by the insurance company. Additionally, some people may require emergency medical evacuation. In such cases as well, the insurance company has to pay back the insured.

5. Victim of theft or fraud:

What greater horror to spoil your vacation abroad than to have your credit or debit card stolen in a foreign land and for some unknown miscreant to use it to his will and fancy? Thankfully, insurance companies will indemnify you for the payments incurred on your stolen card up to 12 hours prior to the reporting of the incident of theft.

The final word

Unfortunately, many in India chose to travel abroad without availing of the innumerable benefits that are offered via travel insurance. Before you decide to go on another trip without buying travel insurance, do remember that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Disclaimer:  The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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