What Is Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is defined as a type of insurance specifically designed to protect the insurer against travel-related risks and uncertainties financially.
Travel Insurance is an essential document you purchase to cover the risks that come along with travelling and can be used internationally or even for domestic travel and during unexpected circumstances.
A Travel Insurance plan varies from company to company, so the intelligent thing is to read each policy wording document carefully before selecting your plan. Some basic coverages that all travel insurance plans must include are
| Trip-related Benefits | Medical Benefits |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Emergency Evacuation |
| Missed Connections | Accidental Death, Disability, and Injury |
| Loss of Passport, Baggage | Personal Accidents |
| Bounced Bookings | Repatriation of Remains in case of death |
Each policy has its own set of inclusions and exclusions; hence you should be well-versed in the product your purchase. The benefits may also vary depending on the sum insured you invest.
What Are The 7 Different Types Of Travel Insurance?
Now that you know what travel insurance is, let’s understand the types of travel insurance plans available in the market.
Individual Travel Insurance
An Individual travel insurance plan is suitable for those on a solo trip. When travelling on your own, you must stay protected against all the risks of being a solo traveller.
Student Travel Insurance
If you want to go abroad on an educational basis, this plan is for you. Designed to keep a student’s needs in mind, a student travel insurance plan offers beneficial covers for your trip, education, and medical necessities at minimum expense.
Group Travel Insurance
If you’re planning a trip with your friends, colleagues, or family, then instead of purchasing individual travel insurance for every member, a group travel insurance plan can come in handy. It reduces costs while providing the same benefits for all travellers.
Senior citizen Travel Insurance
Travelling above the age of 60 trails its risks along. That’s why a travel plan designed specifically for senior citizens saves you from unexpected issues like medical expenses, age or health-related, along with other benefits.
Domestic Travel Insurance
Domestic travel insurance is a type that is applicable if the insured is travelling within national boundaries.
International Travel Insurance
International travel insurance is helpful for travelling abroad regardless of the purpose or duration of stay. In many countries, it is mandatory to have travel insurance with you while applying for your visa. This protects you from any unforeseen expenditure.
Schengen Travel Insurance
Schengen travel insurance applies to 26 Schengen countries. It is mandatory to have travel insurance when travelling to any country within the Schengen zone.
How Does Travel Insurance Work?
Let’s look at an example to understand better: Say you’ve had to cancel your trip a day or two before it starts because you suddenly fell sick or met with an accident and are hospitalized. You’ve informed flight and accommodation authorities about the same, but they say it is too late to receive a refund. You’re losing money! But don’t worry; your travel insurance will cover you if there is any non-refundable amount when you file a claim.
When any incident hampers your trip, your travel insurance acts as a security blanket by protecting your finances.
What Are The Benefits of Buying Travel Insurance
The role of your Travel Insurance is to protect and assist you in times of difficulty financially. Some of the advantages and benefits of buying a travel insurance plan are:
Lets you have a stress-free trip: With a Travel Insurance plan, you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest and not worry over losing additional money in case of emergencies. If there is any damage, theft, or last-minute cancellations, your travel insurance has your back!
The best document to own during Medical Emergencies: If you require hospitalization abroad due to any accident or sickness, your comprehensive travel insurance can assist in paying your medical bills. We know how costly availing of medical treatment abroad is.
It covers Personal Liability: Personal liability is the damage done to a third person by the insured. The definition of damage differs from insurer to insurer. These damages occur accidentally, especially on international travel and can burn a hole in your pocket to pay the expense.
Wide range of covers for your perfect trip: Best Travel Insurance plans have a wide range of covers from loss of passport/baggage to last-minute flight issues due to medical emergencies, natural disasters etc.
What is Covered in Travel Insurance?
Every travel insurance plan differs from insurer to insurer. To better understand the plan you chose, you must always read your policy document carefully and thoroughly. With Digit, we offer a comprehensive International Travel Insurance plan with many coverages at a reasonable price. Take a look at our coverages and exclusions below:
International Travel Insurance plans that fit your needs
| Basic Option | Comfort Option |
Medical Cover |
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Emergency Accidental Treatment & EvacuationAccidents occur at the most unexpected times. Unfortunately, we can’t save you there, but we can surely help you get the best treatment. We cover you for immediate medical treatment that results in hospitalization. |
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Emergency Medical Treatment & EvacuationGod forbid if you fall ill during your trip in an unknown country, don’t panic! We will take care of your treatment costs. We will cover you for expenses like hospital room rent, operation theatre charges, etc. |
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Personal AccidentWe hope this cover is never required. But for any accident during the trip, resulting in death or a disability, this benefit is there for support. |
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Daily Cash Allowance (Per day/Max 5 days)When on a trip, you manage your cash efficiently. And we do not want you to shell out anything extra for emergencies. So, when you are hospitalized, you get a fixed daily cash allowance per day, to manage your daily expenses. |
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Accidental Death & DisabilityWhile this cover has everything like the emergency accidental treatment cover, it has one extra layer of protection. It also covers death & disability while boarding, de-boarding or are inside the flight (Touchwood!). |
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Emergency Dental TreatmentIf you encounter acute pain or meet with an accidental injury to your teeth on the trip, resulting in emergency dental treatment provided by a medical practitioner, we will cover you for the expenses incurred due to the treatment. |
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Smooth transit covers |
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Trip CancellationIf unfortunately, your trip gets cancelled, we cover the pre-booked, non-refundable expenses of your trip. |
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Common Carrier DelayIf your flight gets delayed by more than a certain time limit, you get the benefit amount, no questions asked! |
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Delay of Checked-in BaggageWaiting at the conveyor belt is annoying, we know! So, if your checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 6 hours, you get the benefit amount, no questions asked! |
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Total loss of Checked-in BaggageThe last thing that can happen on a trip is your baggage getting lost. But if something like this happens, you get the benefit amount for the entire baggage getting permanently lost. If two out three bags are lost, you get a proportional benefit, i.e. 2/3rd of the benefit amount. |
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Missed ConnectionMissed the flight? Don’t worry! We will pay for extra accommodation and travel needed to reach the next destination shown on your ticket/itinerary if, you miss a pre-booked onward flight because of a delay in the flight. |
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Flexible Trip |
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Loss of PassportThe worst thing to happen in an unknown land is to lose your passport or visa. If something like this happens, we reimburse the expenses, if it is lost, stolen or damaged while you are outside of your country. |
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Emergency CashIf on a bad day, all your money is stolen, and you need emergency cash, this cover will come to your rescue. |
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Emergency Trip ExtensionWe don’t want our vacations to end. But we don’t want to stay in a hospital too! If due to an emergency during your trip, you need to lengthen your stay, we will reimburse the cost of hotel extensions and return flight rescheduling. The emergency could be a natural calamity in your travel area or an emergency hospitalization. |
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Trip AbandonmentIn case of emergency, If you had to return home early from your trip, that would be really sad. We can’t fix that but we will cover charges for alternate travel arrangements and non-refundable travel costs like accommodation, planned events and excursion expenses. |
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Personal Liability & Bail BondDue to an unfortunate incident, if there are any legal charges against you while you are travelling, we will pay for it. |
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| Get Quote | Get Quote |
Coverage option suggested above is only indicative and is based on market study and experience. You may opt for any additional coverages as per your requirement. Please call us at 1800-258-5956 in case you want to opt for any other coverages or wish to know further details.
To read about the policy in detail please click here.
What's not Covered?
While ours is a travel insurance that covers most things that could go wrong on vacation, we are completely open in all that we do. Understanding what your travel insurance does not cover is just as critical as knowing what is covered. The following are some exclusions that our travel insurance will not cover:
- We can't cover diseases or illnesses that have already been diagnosed, or if your doctor has already recommended no travelling.
- Daily cash allowance of up to 5 days is only valid for those who are hospitalised during their holiday, in a foreign country.
- Death or disability won’t be covered after 365 days of the accident that has caused it.
- Adventure sports are covered if you’re doing it for the duration of one day. This doesn’t include week long treks, hikes or professional level adventure sports that go on for more than one day.
- Flight delays aren’t covered if your airline already informed you about the same at least 6 hours in advance.
- Delay of checked in luggage is not covered if the delay is due to customs.
- Any missed connection where the time gap between scheduled arrival of incoming flight and scheduled departure of connecting flight was less than the time required.
- Thefts aren’t covered for if you only make the required police complaint after getting back from your trip.
- Thefts won’t be covered if the police of the respective aren't notified within 24 hours.
- Trip extensions due to childbirth or related matters can’t be covered
- Trip abandonments due to pre-existing illnesses or health conditions can’t be covered.
- Trip cancellations due to rejection of visa is not covered.
Things To Keep in Mind Before Buying a Travel Insurance
Once you know how to have checked all these parameters, you can buy the best plan that suits your needs. At Digit, you get a great plan that covers all your needs at an affordable price. With the entire process being completely digital, you can purchase your policy or file a claim with us online within minutes!
Buy your International Travel Insurance policy from Digit starting from just ₹225 for over 150+ countries.
FAQs Related To Travel Insurance
What is covered in International Travel Insurance?
Some key coverages in your International Travel Insurance plan include passport and baggage loss, common carrier (flight) and accommodation-related benefits, trip cancellation, extension and abandonment-related benefits and most importantly, good medical benefits.
How much Travel Insurance do you need?
Your Travel Insurance covers you from when you start your trip till the scheduled date of return to your home country. Getting a plan that covers you for the entire duration of your trip is essential.
Is Travel Insurance mandatory for International Travel?
Purchasing Travel Insurance is not mandatory for all countries, but we highly recommend purchasing one to enjoy your trip safely. Check this list of countries where Travel insurance is mandatory if you are travelling here.
What does my insurance premium amount depend on?
Your premium amount depends on several factors like the covers you choose, the duration of your travel, the age of the travellers and members insured, the place you are travelling to, etc.
Can you buy Travel Insurance after departure from India?
You can buy travel insurance after departure, but it is advisable to get one before. This allows you to thoroughly review your document and be aware of what is and isn’t covered to have a smooth claim process. You also get more covers like trip cancellation and common carrier delay if you purchase your policy early.