Hajj 2025: Saudi Arabia Opens Doors to 10,000 More Indians

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Every year, millions of Muslims from India go to perform the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This year, the Hajj Committee of India set India's Hajj quota of sending 175,025 pilgrims to Mecca. 

However, due to some individual fallouts with the local travel operators, India lost over 52,500 slots for the annual Hajj Mecca pilgrimage. Subsequently, the Indian Government engaged with the Hajj authorities of Saudi Arabia to address the slashing of the Hajj pilgrim quota. As a result, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now agreed to allow 10,000 more Indian pilgrims for the Hajj pilgrimage. While more Indian muslims are now eager to grab the opportunity and set out for Hajj, it's essential to add a safety net for covering travel-related risks while travelling abroad in the form of travel insurance.

This article will explain how travel insurance provides financial safety while you make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for the Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca? 

Travel insurance is mandatory for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to cover potential medical expenses, trip cancellations, flight delays, and lost baggage. It ensures pilgrims receive necessary assistance and helps Saudi authorities effectively manage and respond to emergencies and health crises.

How is the Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca Covered by Insurance?

The Council of Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia provides travel insurance to the Hajj pilgrims planning to go to Mecca, since it's a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Hajj visa. The cost of travel insurance for the Hajj pilgrimage is included in the visa cost.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover in Hajj Pilgrimage?

The Hajj and Umrah insurance provided by the Council of Health Insurance, SA, offers the following coverage benefits to the Hajj pilgrims:

• Medical Expenses: Covers emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation due to illness or injury during the pilgrimage.
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: This includes transporting pilgrims to the nearest medical facility, returning flight for medical reasons, and repatriating mortal remains to the family member in case of the pilgrim’s death.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Reimburses for non-refundable costs if the trip is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances like illness or family emergencies.
• Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage: Provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings, including luggage, documents, and money.
• Flight Delays: The policy also covers expenses incurred due to flight delays or missed flights.

The health insurance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia endorsed provides basic coverage benefits. Certain specialised benefits may not be available in the state-sponsored health insurance plan.  

How Can We Get Comprehensive Coverage for the Hajj Pilgrimage?

Saudi Arabia's insurance for Hajj and Umrah generally covers medical and non-medical emergency costs. However, travelling to a distant location like Mecca involves various risks that the state-run Saudi Hajj insurance policy may not cover. Hence, you must choose a comprehensive travel insurance policy if you seek coverage for various unanticipated events, such as personal liability. 

What Kind of Risks Does a Travel Insurance Plan Cover?

A comprehensive travel insurance policy provides financial protection while travelling abroad by covering unexpected medical and non-medical emergencies during a trip. It offers coverage for various kinds of non-medical risks, such as:

• Lost or Delayed Baggage: A travel insurance policy reimburses you for the cost of your personal belongings if your checked-in luggage gets lost, stolen, or damaged while on a trip. It also covers the expenses for essential items if baggage is delayed, provided that you provide the original bills for your necessary items purchased.
• Coverage for Flight Delays: If your return flight is delayed due to an unforeseen event such as bad weather or an airline strike, the travel insurance policy will reimburse you for the additional costs you incurred due to the delay. For instance, you will be covered for reasonable meal costs and hotel expenses in case of an overnight delay.
• Personal Liability: The travel insurance policy offers this coverage if you're held liable for accidental injury to a third person or damage to their personal property.
• Coverage for Missed Flight Connections: Suppose you miss your connecting flight to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In such a case, the travel insurance policy covers the costs incurred due to missing connecting flights.
• Emergency Evacuation: In case of a life-threatening condition, our third-party assistance can help you evacuate and reach the nearest healthcare facility. Besides, the 24/7 Assistance offers round-the-clock support for emergencies and assistance with travel-related issues.

These are some of the emergencies in which a comprehensive travel insurance policy can overcome the limitations of a state-run Saudi Hajj Insurance coverage and cover you for the costs incurred due to an emergency.

With a comprehensive travel insurance plan, you can plan your pilgrimage to Mecca, i.e. Hajj, without any financial stress.

Perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with the Ideal Travel Companion

While you embark on your Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, your ideal travel companion can be none other than a comprehensive travel insurance plan that can cover you for all medical and non-medical emergency costs. 

However, while choosing such a travel insurance plan, it is essential to compare the benefits of the travel insurance plans online and understand all the terms and conditions and policy exclusions to avoid any slip-ups during your trip. You must always choose a reliable travel insurance provider, such as Care Health Insurance, to cover your trip. Besides, it's essential to cross-check the requirements of Saudi immigration authorities for travel insurance and ensure that your policy meets their criteria. 

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus and policy documents carefully.