Schengen Travel Insurance

Care Schengen Travel Insurance

Europe makes for an exciting and memorable travel destination with the world's most beautiful countries nested in the continent. With breath-taking landscapes and natural sites, Europe attracts over 500 million tourists every year from around the globe, including India. The Schengen area refers to Europe's passport-free zone that includes 26 European countries. These countries allow travelers to move freely within their boundaries with a standard visa policy.

Care Health Insurance offers wide-coverage travel insurance for a Schengen visa that safeguards students, corporate travelers, and holidaymakers from any untoward event on foreign soil and covers medical and non-medical expenses during their visit. So pack your bags, select the best-rated travel insurance for Europe, and explore the charm of Schengen countries.

However, other European countries are not under the ambit of Schengen regulations. You are required to get a separate visa to visit these countries.

Is it Mandatory to Have Travel Insurance for Europe?

Yes, it is mandatory for anyone visiting Schengen member countries to get travel insurance that enables a person to apply for a Schengen visa. Whether traveling from India or anywhere else, you must have travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 to apply for a Schengen visa .

The Schengen visa insurance covers you for unexpected healthcare or travel-related emergencies, such as hospitalization, accidents, passport loss, and more. Before your permit, the immigration officers check your travel insurance cover for the Schengen area and other required documents that help you travel safely.

List of Countries Included in Schengen Area

Quick Facts about Schengen Zone

In 1985, the Schengen agreement took birth, marking an area consisting of 26 European countries. All these 26 European nations have officially abolished all passports and other border controls on the borderline. A single jurisdiction and a standard visa policy are effective in this area for the ease of international travel purposes.

Over the years, some countries have imposed additional restrictions given the recurring terror attacks. If you are applying for a visa, you will need to identify the one which covers the countries you plan to travel to and procure travel insurance from India to Europe.

Europe has a state-of-the-art healthcare system that is among the best globally, but availing of it can be very expensive. Investing in travel insurance and health insurance is a wise investment that safeguards your trip to a foreign land. Indian students, especially those traveling to Europe for further studies, can get timely medical aid and financial assistance during an emergency and unavoidable contingencies by opting for the best travel insurance from India.

Benefits of Travel Insurance for a Schengen Visa

Regardless of your travel purpose, the Care travel insurance for a Schengen visa will always have your back during your entire trip, promising the following benefits:

• Care-free Travel: Having a travel insurance cover for your Schengen trip will save you, especially senior citizens and students, from several risks of traveling like mishaps, asset loss, trip interruptions, and more.
• Safeguard for Medical Emergency: The Care Travel Medical Insurance for a Schengen Visa provides you coverage against any medical and healthcare emergency that may arise during your excursion.
• Compensation in case of Mishaps: Although we always wish you a safe and happy journey, the policy covers payment for the insured person's unfortunate demise during the visit.
• Cushion for Other Contingencies: Struggling with delayed trips? Or lost your belongings and documents during travel? Don't worry; our travel insurance plan provides coverage for all these and more kinds of unprecedented incidents.
• Multi-Trip Policy: If you are a frequent flyer to European countries, you should opt for a multi-trip travel insurance policy that assures hassle-free travel every time.
• Cashless Claim Settlement: You need not pull extra bucks from your pocket while facing an emergency on foreign land. You can always apply for the cashless claim facility when covered with Care travel insurance for a Schengen visa from India.
• Region-specific Plans: Our region-specific international travel insurance plans are customizable to meet your specific travel needs.

What is Covered under Care Schengen Travel Insurance?

At Care Health Insurance, we offer comprehensive and wide-coverage travel insurance policies that envelope the following covers:

• Emergency hospitalization: Get up to 100% sum insured in case of a medical emergency. Our travel medical insurance for Schengen will provide you with complete cover, including IPD and OPD expenses.
• Accidental hospitalization: Get up to Euro 10,000 in case of unexpected personal accidents. We also provide coverage for the accidental death and permanent or total disability of the insured person.
• COVID-19 Coverage: With a persistent risk of coronavirus infection, we offer travelers complimentary coronavirus treatment coverage across Schengen countries. Also, our medical travel insurance for Schengen from India covers hospitalization arising due to coronavirus subject to policy terms and conditions.
• Pre-existing diseases: For senior citizens traveling to the Schengen zone with a pre-existing medical condition, Care travel insurance plans provide a sum insured to treat any life-threatening condition of pre-existing illnesses.
• Treatment in Home Country: If you require further treatment in your home country, there is coverage for expenses for up to 30 days or up to the policy end date, whichever is earlier.
• Medical Evacuation: We offer coverage for any complex surgeries or emergencies when you need medical evacuation to the home country.
• Common Carrier Accidental Death: We will pay a lump sum amount to compensate for the unfortunate demise of the insured person while traveling in a common carrier/ public transport.
• Trip delay, cancellation, or interruption: Trip interruptions, delays, and cancellations are common due to extreme weather and prevailing pandemic. We offer up to Euro 750 for trip cancellation and coverage up to Euro 300 for trip interruptions. If your departure is delayed beyond 12 consecutive hours due to specified issues, we keep you covered for up to Euro 120.
• Loss of passport and checked-in baggage: Loss of passport and luggage is a serious concern among travelers globally. Our Europe travel insurance plan offers a coverage amount of up to Euro 200 for the loss of your passport. In case of lost checked-in baggage, we provide coverage up to Euro 300, and delayed checked-in baggage comes with a cover of Euro 100.
• Up-gradation to Business Class: If you require hospitalization in any Schengen country for 5 consecutive days or more and should return to your home country, we will reimburse the expenses incurred for upgrading your return ticket to business class as per policy terms.

More so, with the Care international travel insurance, you are eligible for personal liability cover and coverage for the return of the minor child.

What is Not Covered in Schengen Travel Health Insurance Plan?

Before finalizing your travel insurance, you must carefully read all the exclusions under our travel insurance for a Schengen Visa from India:

• Any medical treatment undertaken outside your country of residence, given that treatment is the sole reason or one of the reasons for your travel.
• Any treatment that can be delayed until the insured person's return to the country of residence.
• Any dental treatment or surgery unless necessitated due to an injury.
• Circumcision unless necessary for the treatment of an illness or as may be necessitated due to an accident.
• Treatment of any congenital anomaly, illness, defects, anomalies, or treatment related to birth defects.
• Hormone replacement therapy.
• Weight management services and treatment, vitamins, and tonics related to weight control programs, services, and supplies, including treatment of obesity (including morbid obesity)

Note: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and underwriting of claims are subject to policy terms and conditions. Please refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.

What is the Cost of Travel Insurance for Schengen VISA?

The travel insurance plans for Schengen visa offered by Care Health Insurance are pretty affordable and budget-friendly. CHI's travel healthcare insurance premium for the Schengen zone starts from as low as around Rs. 450* for a single traveler on a week-long visit.

For instance, if you are traveling from India to France, Spain, and Italy on a week-long, one-time visit, the approximate premium cost of your travel insurance with a sum insured $50k is calculated as below:

*The above-mentioned travel insurance premium is calculated subject to no pre-existing medical conditions of the insured members. It considers that the insured members have not been diagnosed, hospitalized, or underwent any treatment in the last 48 months. Also, the premium amount is subject to change if the insured person has already claimed any travel policy before.

You can calculate your Schengen travel insurance premium cost in these five easy steps:

Step 1: Enter your contact information, including your mobile number, name, and email address, followed by the age of all the members to be insured.

Step 2: Click "Next" and select your travel destinations and travel date. Your policy period will be the same as the number of your travel days.

Step 3: Check in the toggle if the insured members are dealing with any pre-existing medical conditions.

Step 4: Choose the Sum Insured. Care Travel Health Insurance provides two sum insured options: $50k and $100k.

Step 5: Check your calculated premium and click "Buy Now" to proceed.

Please note: The exact premium cost for Schengen travel insurance is subject to several factors, including the number of travelers, their age, destination country/countries, trip duration, and the type of coverage selected.

Which Nationals Must Buy Travel Insurance for a Schengen Visa?

The citizens and passport-holders of 110 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, among others, must purchase the travel insurance before applying for a Schengen Visa. Here's the complete list of countries whose citizens must apply for travel insurance with a minimum of Euro 30,000 coverage to be eligible for a Schengen Visa.

Eligibility for Schengen Travel Insurance from India

Applying for travel insurance at CHI is a seamless process without much paperwork. Below are the eligibility criteria for Care Schengen travel health Insurance from India:

Please refer to the prospectus for more details on eligibility. 

Tips to Select the Right Schengen Travel Insurance from India

Choosing the ideal travel insurance can become puzzling, especially if this is your first journey. At CHI, we assist you in finding the perfect travel health insurance that meets your needs and conditions, so you enjoy a smooth tour. Here are a few essential things to consider before finalizing travel medical insurance for Europe:

• Schengen Approved Travel Insurance: While traveling to the Schengen territory, it is necessary to cross-check if the travel insurance is valid for a Schengen visa.
• Frequency of Trip: While a once-in-a-lifetime trip needs a single-trip insurance plan, frequent flyers would benefit from picking multi-trip travel insurance plans.
• Trip Duration: The insurance premium is calculated based on the number of days you plan to spend in Schengen. The shorter the trip, the lower is the premium.
• Medical history: If you have a pre-existing ailment, you need to ensure that the policy you pick accommodates it.
• High-Risk Zones: Destinations that are high-risk zones have insurance plans with a higher premium requirement. If you are heading to a country famous for adventure activities, you need to check if your policy covers adventure or sports injuries.

What is a Schengen VISA?

A Schengen visa is an authorized short-stay visa enabling a person to enter and travel in any of the 26 Schengen member countries. With a common Schengen visa, you can move freely across the Schengen zone and stay up to 90 days based on your type of Schengen visa. People can plan vacations, business meets, and even wedding destinations in any of the picturesque European countries with a Schengen visa coupled with Schengen travel medical insurance in place.

If we move back to history, Germany and France were the two pioneering nations that supported the idea of a free Europe in 1984. Later, other countries followed the initiative and collectively made the Schengen Agreement effective on June 14, 1985. To date, 26 European countries have signed the Schengen treaty, called the Schengen Agreement, to become the standing members of the Schengen Zone. It is a free European area that has no borders. People who want to travel to Schengen countries need to obtain a Schengen VISA. It is a special visa that allows the visa holder to move within the boundaries of the member countries without getting into numerous visa formalities.

Prerequisites for a Schengen VISA

The application rules for a Schengen visa are comparatively stricter than other nations, so you must qualify for the below-mentioned Schengen visa requirement:

• Schengen Travel Health Insurance: You need to buy travel insurance for Schengen to get the visa. It's mandatory to get medical insurance for a Schengen visa.
• Cover Letter: You need to attach a cover letter along with your Schengen visa application. In this cover letter, you must explain the purpose of your visit, followed by your travel itinerary.
• Essential Documents: You need essential documents such as the visa application form, two identical photos, and bank statements showing a minimum balance of €30,000 for the last six months. Also, you need proof of civil status (birth certificates), employment contract, and income tax proof.
• Appointment with the Embassy: Next, you have to book an appointment at least a month back for an interview to ensure the timely process of your visa.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa?

The application procedure for a Schengen Visa is seamless and straightforward. One needs to gather all the required documents and purchase travel insurance for a Schengen visa before applying. Here are the steps to apply for a Schengen visa:

Step 1: Choose Your Visa Type

Decide on the type of visa from uniform, airport, single, double, or multiple-entry visas as per your travel requirements. To find out which kind of visa is suitable for you, scroll down to the 'Types of Visa' section.

Step 2: Select Where to Apply

Find out where you need to apply - A visa center where your destination country's embassy has outsourced visa submission or the embassy itself.

Step 3: Check for the Ideal Time

Find out the perfect time to apply for a Schengen visa. Ideally, you should submit your Schengen visa application three to four weeks before your journey to Europe.

Step 4: Book an Appointment

To start your application process, you need to book an appointment with the embassy or consulate where you have applied. Appointments can be booked online or in person.

Step 5: Fill out Visa Application Form

There's a common Schengen visa application form for all, no matter which country you are applying from. Fill in all your details, including personal information, background, the purpose of traveling, among other trip-related information. Don't forget to print out two copies of the form attest both of them.

Step 6: Get Your Documents Together

Similar to any other visa application, you need to gather your valid passport, two identical photos, a travel insurance policy, flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, etc.

Step 7: Attend Visa Interview

Once your documents are all set, present them to the visa counselor, who will conduct your brief interview concerning your background, travel purpose, security-related checks, etc. The interview ensures that your trip, along with others, is safe and sound.

Step 8: Pay Visa Fees

Generally, visa-fee is non-refundable as per the authorities. We will pay for re-imbursement of the visa fee if only the visa rejection happens due to reasons other than negligence or faults by the insured members . However, you must always check for the refund provision before paying the visa fee. You can pay the Schengen visa fee quickly through online modes of payment.

Step 9: Follow-up

Do a regular follow-up with the embassy about your visa status. Once confirmed, await for your authorized passport to embark on your journey.

Documents Required for Schengen Visa

The Schengen visa is the primary authorization required to visit the Schengen zone. A Schengen visa application process is much similar to any other visa, with a few necessary formalities. All you need is to consult a visa-granting authority like an embassy or a consultant and submit the below-mentioned documents:

• Travel Insurance Policy
• Application form
• Proof of Date of Birth
• Address proof
• Employment Contract
• A valid passport
• Travel itinerary
• Proof of accommodation
• Bank account statement
• Income tax proof

Types of Schengen Visa

A Schengen visa gives visa holders free movement across the entire Schengen Zone up to the visa's validity and period of stay. The Schengen visa can have different restrictions depending on the Embassy directives.

The different types of Schengen visas are as follows:

Uniform Schengen Visa

A Uniform Schengen Visa or USV is a permit given to Indian nationals traveling to any Schengen area member countries to transit or reside in the desired territory for a certain period up to the maximum of 90 days every day six-month period starting from the date of entry. It has two types: Type A and B are Airport Transit Visas, and Type C is a short-term visa.

Airport Transit Visa

Airport Transit Visa allows the holder of a visa to travel through the international zone of the Schengen Country Airport without entering the Schengen Area. An airport transit visa is mandatory for the citizens traveling from one non-Schengen state to another non-Schengen state through a change of flights in a Schengen country airport.

Single Entry Visa

A single-entry visa allows the visa holder to enter the Schengen region only once within the given period, as mentioned on the visa sticker on the passport. Re-entry to the area is not permitted once the holder exits the Schengen region.

Double Entry Visa

A double-entry visa allows the visa holder to enter the Schengen region only twice within the given period, as mentioned on the visa label on the passport. Re-entry to the area is permitted only once into the region as per the limitations on the visa.

Multiple Entry Visa

Depending on the frequency of travel to the Schengen region, Indian nationals can get a Multiple Entry visa rule for the Schengen zone provided they do not violate the 90/180 Schengen Rule. This rule states that one cannot stay in the Schengen for more than 90 days within the 180 days limit. One must count 180 days backward and see if they were in the Schengen region for more than 90 days before traveling to any Schengen-member country again on a multiple-entry visa.

Limited Territorial Validity Visa

This type of visa obtained allows the visa holder to travel to the specific Schengen States when applying for the visa. The holder cannot travel to any other Schengen country. The first entry and final exit must be from the same country as mentioned in the visa.

National Visa Type D

The National visa Type D is granted to those who wish to study or work for a limited time in the Schengen area. This visa can be given as a single entry or multiple entries, depending on the requirement. Here are the criteria you must meet to qualify for a multiple entry national visa:

• Emergency cases: Any medical condition that prevents the individual from leaving the Schengen Area at the designated time frame.
• A Professional Travel: A professional traveling to any Schengen country due to its expertise, be it a sportsman, an artist, or any other professional of its kind.
• International Student Travel: An international student about to start a complete course in Schengen countries. The visa is issued for a year with the possibility of an extension.
• International Student Program: An international student program will grant a visa for not more than one year.

Other Travel Plans: