Be it a vacation, a business trip or pursuing a degree abroad, travelling to another country is always a beautiful experience. But who can guarantee a journey without risks? From falling sick to losing your bags, there are so many situations beyond anyone’s control. Thankfully, with sufficient precautions and travel insurance options in the market, you can have a certain security. You can easily do so by finding and comparing different travel insurance plans online. From baggage delays to missing a connecting flight, learn how trip insurance can help you explore foreign lands better.
Travel Insurance Benefits You Should Know
A lot of people dismiss travel insurance as an extra expense that may be mandatory for their entry requirements. However, the reality is that any trip abroad costs considerable amount and facing a crisis out of India requires a lot more money than you can imagine. Let us understand some of these emergencies and how travel insurance can help:
|
Coverage |
Benefits |
|
Trip Cancellation |
Allows reimbursement of several non-refundable trip expenses in case you cancel your trip for reasons mentioned in the policy document. |
|
Pre-existing Diseases (PEDs) |
Covers you for medical emergencies related to any declared pre-existing conditions. PEDs are not covered unless purchased as an optional cover. |
|
Trip Interruption |
Allows reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip in case you’re forced to cut it short. |
|
Personal Accident |
Provides financial support in case of a mishap leading to accidental disability or death. |
|
Medical Emergencies |
Offers cashless hospitalisation or reimbursement for sudden injuries/sickness leading to hospitalisation abroad. |
|
Dental Treatment |
Coverage for dental emergencies abroad. |
|
Adventure Sports |
Special add-on created to cover medical emergencies caused during adventure sports. |
|
Lost or Stolen Baggage (Baggage Cover) |
Covers loss of checked-in baggage by the airline and/or theft of baggage while you’re abroad. |
|
Aircraft Hijacking |
Provides some reimbursement in the rare event of flight hijacking. |
|
Personal Liability |
Covers you in case you end up legally liable to a third party by accidentally causing them harm or damaging their property. |
|
Loss of Passport |
Reimburses for the cost of getting a fresh passport in case it is stolen or lost abroad. |
|
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation |
Covers the expenses of evacuating you in case of a severe emergency abroad. In case of an eventuality, the policy also bears the cost of bringing the insured’s mortal remains to India. |
What are the Benefits of Buying Travel Insurance Online?
For Indian travelers going abroad, there is no better safeguard than trip insurance. You can find the best plan for any kind of journey if you look for it online. You don’t even need to step out of your home for this one, and that’s only one of the many advantages if you buy travel insurance online.
In fact, it is so important that several countries like France, Switzerland, Turkey, Cuba, UAE etc., have made it mandatory to have valid travel health insurance before they can issue a visa. Here’s how purchasing trip insurance online is a great idea:
Convenience and Time-Saving
Buying travel insurance online lets you review your options quickly, all from the comfort of your home. There is no need for you to visit an agent or office, saving you valuable time that would be otherwise spent on a commute.
In just a few clicks, you can buy any policy without any pressure to buy it instantly. You can take your time and finalise a plan that suits your budget, purpose and coverage. Especially if you’re planning a last-moment trip, securing your journey can’t get easier than this!
Instant Access to Information
When you buy insurance online, you can immediately get detailed information about different policies. You can browse through your list of options, understand their terms and conditions, and know how they protect your journey.
Even more important is to understand the exclusions; the situations which won’t be covered by your policy.
All online insurance marketplace websites provide policy wording documents that allow you to go through the fine print at your own pace. You can do this without having to rely on an agent, or making time specially for the purchase. This empowers you to make an informed decision, letting you choose a plan that aligns with your travel needs.
Better Price Comparison
Online platforms make it very easy to compare multiple travel insurance plans from different insurers side by side. This allows you to find the best coverage at the most competitive price. You can even check for discounts, special offers, or bundled deals that might not be available through agents or offline. Some websites even provide tools like premium calculators, allowing you to get a close estimate of your travel insurance premium.
Quick and Secure Purchase Process
The process of buying travel insurance online is quick, and most websites use secure payment gateways, ensuring that your transaction is safe. All online insurance websites use common payment options like UPI, credit cards, debit cards and net banking that any person can use seamlessly.
You will also get instant confirmation of your purchase and can access your policy details once it has been mailed to you. A travel insurance policy is usually issued within minutes, which is very helpful if you`re planning a last-minute trip.
Access to Customer Reviews and Ratings
There is hardly an online insurance platform that does not have customer reviews and ratings. You can find detailed reviews on how different travel insurance providers and their policies have been rated. The website may even provide useful information like claim settlement ratio, insurer’s overall rating and how many people have purchased their policies.
This allows you to see the experiences of other travellers and gauge the reliability of the provider before you buy their travel insurance plan. You can learn from their feedback, especially about the claims process or customer service.
24/7 Support and Flexibility
Many travel insurance companies offer 24/7 customer support through online chat, email, or phone. This is especially helpful if you face an emergency while travelling abroad. Additionally, you can even extend your travel insurance in case of emergencies and get necessary help from the TPA.
You can also file claims online, opt for cashless hospitalisation abroad, and a lot more, depending on the benefits offered by your insurer. This gives you greater flexibility and peace of mind while travelling.
Conclusion
These are just some of the most common benefits offered by travel insurance. There are a variety of plans available to suit your travel plans, geography, coverage and more. For example, you must have a Schengen-approved travel insurance policy before your visa for Europe is issued.
You can easily find the best coverage options if you compare and buy different trip insurance policies online. It will help you save time, money, and the security you need to enjoy your trip!
