India is a mesmerizing melting pot of different cultures, traditions, and landscapes. Many foreigners have this exotic country on their travel bucket list. Having travel insurance ensures that you enjoy your trip without any stress. While planning a trip to India, a question that needs to be answered is, “Do foreigners need travel insurance for India?” Read on to find out everything about travel insurance for India.
What is travel insurance?
Traveling to new places is always fun, but there can often arise some unforeseen circumstances, such as medical emergencies, lost luggage, and trip cancellations. Travel insurance is a type of insurance that offers financial protection against such unexpected risks while traveling.
Travel insurance is especially important while traveling internationally, since you might incur higher costs for some things.
Do foreigners need travel insurance for India?
Travel insurance is not mandated by the Government of India for foreigners coming to the country. However, it is strongly recommended. India caters to all types of travelers and budgets, but if you add in the high cost of flights, hotel accommodations, and guided trips, the cost can rise by a lot. A travel insurance will protect you against many non-refundable costs and take off some stress of planning your trip.
Why is travel insurance necessary?
Medical insurance
There may be an accident or medical issue such as a disease or injury during your trip. In many countries, medical expenses can be quite high. Travel insurance helps with the cost of such crises.
Loss of passport
If you lose your passport during a trip, a travel insurance plan can help you cover the expenses to replace it.
Flight delays and cancellations
Bad weather or technical problems often result in delays and cancellations in flights. This can be especially inconvenient if you have a connecting flight, since there is a good chance you may miss that flight as well. A travel insurance reimburses you for the costs incurred due to the delay or cancellation.
Lost luggage
It is more common than you think to lose your check-in luggage after arriving at the destination airport. An international travel insurance covers the costs incurred.
Trip cancellation
You may be very excited for a trip only to have it cancelled because of unforeseen medical emergencies. If your travel insurance covers this condition, then you will be reimbursed for your trip expenses.
Impact on Visa process
International travel insurance can affect your visa process. Some Visa eligibility criteria do require you to have travel insurance. This is because if there is any accidental damage of property or injury to locals, they can be fairly compensated without you having to pay for it immediately. If you have travel insurance, it shows that you are prepared for unforeseen events and creates a good impression during your visa application review.
Travel insurance can help with flight delays and cancellations
What does travel insurance cover in India?
The coverage of travel insurance in India will depend on the type of plan you choose, but travel insurance majorly covers medical issues, trip problems, baggage issues, flight inconveniences, loss of passport, and personal liability.
Medical issues: this includes medical emergencies, hospitalization, and return of body in case of death during the trip.
Trip problems: if you face any trip delays, trip cancellations, or if your trip is cut short due to any emergency, you will be reimbursed through travel insurance.
Baggage issues: in case of loss or delay of baggage or theft of personal belongings like passport, wallet, or phone, your travel insurance can help with the expenses.
Flight inconveniences: if you miss your flight or your flight is delayed leading to you missing a connecting flight, you get coverage for the same.
Personal liability: this is a fairly recent addition to travel insurance, which covers liability for accidental injury or damage to another person.
What does travel insurance not cover in India?
Travel insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, self-inflicted injuries or diseases, injuries or losses from illegal or reckless activities, and travel while medically advised not to. All these instances are an individual’s choice and most travel insurance plans do not cover them.
How much does travel insurance for India cost?
The cost of travel insurance for India will depend on many factors, such as your age, duration of trip, and coverage amount. Generally, travel insurance costs around 5% to 12% of the total cost of your trip.
How to choose the right travel insurance plan?
- Decide the level of coverage you need based on the duration of your trip, your age, health, and planned activities and tours.
- There are many travel insurance providers online. You can compare different plans to choose the one that best suits your needs.
- Before purchasing, check all the inclusions and exclusions thoroughly. Once you are satisfied, purchase the plan.
So, when are you planning a trip to India? We can help with travel insurance and travel planning! At India Someday, we curate itineraries to India for you based on your likes and preferences. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel insurance is not legally required to visit India, although it is highly recommended. Travel insurance protects you against many types of unexpected expenses like flight delays, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and more.
No, travel insurance is not mandatory in all countries in the world. However, there are a few countries that require travel insurance for visitors to enter the country. Travel insurance can also affect your visa application.
Travel insurance is not required by law in every country, but some countries can ask for proof of insurance before entering.
About Aishwarya Shete
Aishwarya Shete is a content writer at India Someday. Her passions are writing, photography, and more importantly, food. She hopes to travel the world someday and document it through her pictures and words.
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