Why International Travel Insurance is Important?

• Written by Bhawika Khushlani

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Travelling abroad is a soul-soothing experience. But we can’t deny the fact that it also comes with a complete package of unpredictability. Whether flying off for a leisurely vacation or on a business trip, you should be prepared for any misadventures that may catch you off guard.

One of the best ways to protect your budget from unexpected emergencies amid your journey is to opt for the right travel insurance.

This blog will educate you about international travel insurance and how it works during your international trip. It will help you make an informed decision about buying it before your next trip.

What is International Travel Insurance?

International Trip insurance provides financial protection against unforeseen travel-related events, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, trip interruptions, passport loss, or theft during an overseas journey. Travel cover protects your trip budget and saves you from draining due to the unbearable cost of emergency medical care in a foreign land.

How Does International Travel Insurance Work?

International Travel insurance works the same way as health insurance or other generalised insurance. The policy is an agreement in which the insurance company agrees to cover the insured member during their overseas trip against any travel-related emergencies.  For this, they charge a premium payment based on the coverage.

Let’s take an example: Suppose you lose one of your checked-in baggage during your overseas trip. As soon as you start reporting for the baggage, you may incur several expenses, such as taxi bills to reach the nearest police personnel. And even the most trivial incidents can cost you a fortune in a foreign land.

Now, suppose you have bought an international trip insurancee:

In such a case, you can file a claim and submit proof of your costs in retrieving the baggage. Your insurance for travelling abroad will verify the proofs and check if you are eligible to file the claim. Once approved, your insurer will settle your claim by reimbursing the specified amount.

However, you must understand the plan's basic coverage to ensure that your insurance for international travellers comes to the rescue during your international trip.

What Coverage Benefits to Expect in an International Travel Insurance Policy?

The policy coverage may vary depending on the type of policy you choose. Most travel covers should include the following benefits:

• Medical Expenses: Any sickness or injury during your trip abroad resulting in hospitalisation can be reimbursed through your international health insurance. You should keep the necessary travel medical insurance bills and documents handy for a seamless claim.
• Trip Cancellation: Any medical or non-medical emergency leading to cancellation of your trip shall be covered under the international trip insurance, provided that the cancellation is raised due to covered reasons.
• Trip Interruption Protection: Any covered reason that leads to an immediate end to the trip and return to the home country shall be compensated under international health insurance by Care Health Insurance. Once approved, your insurance may reimburse you for the non-refundable bookings made for the remaining days of your trip, as stated in the policy documents.
• Lost or Stolen Luggage: A global travel insurance coverage plan bought from Care Health Insurance can financially cover any trip hiccups caused by lost or stolen checked-in luggage.
• Trip Delay: Suppose your trip got delayed due to any airline security issues, unpredictable weather changes, technical issues, or terror attacks. In that case, you will be entitled to get compensation under the international flight insurance according to the policy’s terms.
• Emergency Assistance: Your international travel health insurance plan can be helpful in an emergency, such as the sudden demise of the insured or an immediate blood relative. The plan may provide emergency financial aid, such as repatriation of mortal remains or reimbursement for companion visits.
• Covid-19 Emergencies: Pandemic-related emergencies that may lead to trip cancellation, emergency hospitalisation, or other eventualities can be covered through a standardised COVID-19 reimbursement in your Travel insurance for international trips.

Reasons to Buy Travel Medical Insurance

Overseas travel insurance acts as a safety net for travellers and provides financial protection against unexpected circumstances. However, more reasons increase the importance of buying an international insurance plan. Take a look!

• Buying a worldwide medical insurance plan allows you to get an extensive coverage for various emergencies. This includes all the cases mentioned above.
• Treatment in a foreign country can sometimes cost a fortune. But with an ideal insurance for overseas travel, a plan can offer comprehensive financial protection.
• Along with medical emergencies, many other losses, like checked-in baggage, passport loss, flight delays, and baggage delays, are also covered under the coverage plan.
• There are various travel insurance plans which you can compare and choose according to your preference.
• Another important reason is the peace of mind. When you know that you are covered for various risks, you can enjoy your trip without any worry.
• If, unexpectedly, you get hospitalised due to any pre-existing diseases and a life-threatening situation occurs, then you will also be entitled to get a claim under the international travel policy.
• Some countries, like the Schengen visa, mandate having a travel insurance policy to obtain the visa.

Claim Process of Foreign Travel Health Insurance

Here is the detailed process to file a claim for international travel coverage:

1. As the incident occurs, inform the insurer as soon as possible. You can contact them via their website, customer support or WhatsApp.
2. Gather all the important documents that support your claim.
3. If you are filing a claim for lost baggage or trip cancellation, you need to submit airline tickets and boarding passes.
4. Afterwards, you can submit the claim for review.
5. Once the claim is verified, you will receive the update/claim settlement/ or reasons for rejection accordingly.

>> Also Read: How to File a Successful Travel Insurance Claim? 

Key Things to Check Before Buying International Travel Insurance

While buying a foreign travel medical insurance plan, it is essential to read the policy brochure carefully to avoid any surprises in an emergency. Here are a few things to keep in mind while buying travel insurance:

• Compare the plan’s coverage: Whether buying travel insurance online or through an insurance agent, it is essential to read the plan’s prospectus thoroughly and know its basic coverage. To also ensure that your foreign travel health insurance provides the right coverage at an affordable premium, compare several travel insurance plans before choosing the right one for your needs.
• Know what is not covered: It is equally important to know what is not covered in travel insurance as it is to understand what is covered. To avoid surprises at the last moment, we recommend buying travel insurance only after checking the plan's exclusions.
• Clarify your doubts: Only purchase a plan after clearing all the doubts arising from the prospective plan. The language used in the plan’s prospectus is more formal and can confuse many. If any confusion arises while reading the plan, ensure that you clear it up by connecting with a customer representative.
• Disclose your pre-existing health conditions: If you or any insured members have a pre-existing health condition, we recommend you mention the condition in the “pre-existing” disease column. A plan that provides appropriate coverage for the pre-existing condition will ensure that you do not have to derail your budget if a life-threatening condition arises during the trip.

Final Thoughts

International Travel insurance can save your trip from turning into a nightmare. Thus, the next time you plan an overseas trip, don’t forget to secure it with an appropriate travel insurance plan from Care Health Insurance.

The travel insurance plans from Care Health Insurance are well-designed, covering most of your travel-related needs. To purchase the plan, you can either visit our website and buy it online in a few easy steps or call one of our representatives, who will assist you in selecting the best plan.

A worry-free trip is just a few taps away!

Disclaimer: Please verify the policy details and coverage with official documents. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.