Travel insurance is often the last thing travellers think about, yet it can be the most valuable part of a trip when something goes wrong. A short hospital visit abroad can cost more than the entire holiday.
What travel insurance usually covers
- Medical emergencies and hospitalisation abroad
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Trip cancellation or interruption for covered reasons
- Loss or delay of checked baggage
- Loss of passport and emergency travel document costs
- Flight delays and missed connections
When is it compulsory?
A Schengen visa requires medical insurance of at least 30,000 euros. Some other countries and visa types also ask for insurance. For the USA, insurance is not mandatory for visitors but strongly advised because medical costs are very high.
How much medical cover do you need?
Choose higher cover for the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where healthcare is expensive. For South East Asia, moderate cover may be enough, but always consider your age and health.
Senior citizens and pre existing conditions
Policies for senior citizens may have different premiums and limits, and pre existing conditions may be excluded or covered only under certain plans. Declare your health details honestly when buying.
Adventure activities
Activities such as scuba diving, skiing, bungee jumping and trekking may need an add on. If your New Zealand or Maldives trip includes adventure, check the policy wording.
How to make a claim
Save the insurer's emergency number, inform them as soon as possible, keep all bills and reports, and file a police report for theft. Prompt documentation makes claims easier.
Insurance feels like an extra until the day you need it. Then it is the most important document in your bag.
Comparing policies
Do not choose only on price. Compare the sum insured, deductibles, cashless hospital networks, coverage for the destination, and exclusions. Read how the policy treats adventure sports, alcohol related incidents and pre existing conditions.
When to buy insurance
Buy the policy as soon as you book your trip, because trip cancellation cover usually applies only from the date of purchase. Make sure the policy dates cover your full journey, including travel days.
Domestic travel insurance
For domestic trips, especially mountain and adventure holidays such as Ladakh, Char Dham or Himachal, a domestic travel policy can cover medical emergencies, evacuation and trip interruption. It is inexpensive compared with the peace of mind it offers.
Keep the policy accessible
- Save the policy PDF on your phone and email
- Write down the emergency assistance number
- Share policy details with a family member at home
- Keep hospital bills, reports and receipts for claims
Add insurance to your package
We can include travel insurance with every international tour. Call +91 9099012983 to know more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is travel insurance mandatory for international travel?
It is compulsory for some visas such as the Schengen visa and strongly recommended for every trip abroad.
2. How much insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least 30,000 euros of medical cover valid across the Schengen area.
3. Does travel insurance cover pre existing diseases?
Many policies exclude them or cover them only under specific plans. Check the policy wording.
4. Can Aapka Holidays add insurance to my tour?
Yes. Travel insurance can be added to any package on request.