What is Travel Insurance?

Posted on: Apr 2, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What is Travel Insurance?

Are you planning vacation to Europe? Like you our friend Rahul is filled with excitement. His dream holiday to Europe is finally happening! Flights booked, hotels reserved, an itinerary planned—everything seems perfect. But what if, in the thick of all the careful planning, unexpected events derail his trip? It could be due to a cancelled flight or even a call from the office demanding to deliver an urgent project. These events, however unlikely, could throw a wrench into even the best-laid travel plans.

Here’s where travel insurance comes to Rahul’s (and your or any other traveller’s) rescue. But what is travel insurance, and what is coverage provided by it? Let's find out.

What Is The Meaning Of Travel Insurance?

This is a specialised insurance policy to protect you from unexpected events causing financial losses during your trips. Depending on the plan and provider, a travel insurance policy can cover you from minor inconveniences like flight delays and lost luggage to more serious concerns like medical emergencies and trip cancellations. The intent remains the same — peace of mind and financial protection.

Types of Coverage Under Travel Insurance

Travel insurance provides coverage for various unforeseen events, including:

1. Trip cancellation

Unexpected circumstances, such as illness, emergencies, or natural disasters, can lead you to cancel or cut your holiday short. Travel insurance will help you recover non-refundable expenses like flights and hotel accommodation.

2. Medical expenses

Your standard health insurance may not pay for your medical care abroad. However, travel insurance steps up. It guarantees to reimburse you for medical expenses if you fall ill or get injured during your trip.

3. Baggage or personal effects

Lost or damaged luggage? You can get reimbursed for the cost of your possessions if you have travel insurance.

4. Travel delays

Flight cancellations, missed connecting flights, or other delays can put a damper on your trip, but travel insurance has got you covered. You will get reimbursed for additional accommodations and expenses due to such delays.

5. Additional coverage

And that’s not all. You can also get additional benefits like rental car insurance, emergency assistance, legal aid, and coverage for adventure activities.

Just like any contract, travel insurance can also have limitations in its coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions, adventure activities excluded by the policy, and intentional acts are often not included in the coverage. Carefully read the fine print to know about these exclusions.

Types of Travel Insurance

To meet different needs and preferences, various types of travel insurance are available, including:

1. Domestic travel insurance

2. International travel insurance

3. Individual travel insurance

4. Family/Group travel insurance

5. Student travel insurance

6. Travel insurance for senior citizens

7. Single-Trip Travel Insurance

8. Multi-trip travel insurance

9. Cruise travel insurance

Don’t Let Hiccups Ruin Your Trip

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but you can weigh its benefits against the cost while making the decision. It does mitigate financial risks so that you can focus on enjoying your trip. At HDFC Ergo, we offer international travel insurance plans to protect you from various unforeseen circumstances.

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

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