Summer vacations are almost here, and people in India are gearing up for family travel! The outbound market from India is big now! I know as a travel blogger because the tourism boards which in the past told bloggers they don’t work with Indian Bloggers are now coming back to promote their destination in India!
While a lot of things associated with travel are fun, packing and getting travel insurance generally don’t fall in that category. But love it or hate it, we all need travel insurance, international travel insurance more so. I never leave on a trip abroad without travel insurance even though I have never used it – and may it remain like that always!
The first reason we need travel insurance is because of the strength of Indian Rupees, rather a lack of it. I shudder to think what would happen to my bank account if I ever got hospitalized abroad on one of my trips, or needed medical attention, say by spending in Euros, Dollars or Pounds! Having travel insurance takes that hassle out of the equation. That is where travel insurance is useful.
However, a travel insurance covers many other types of situations as well – like delay in arrival of baggage, loss of checked-in baggage, flight delay of over 6 hours, etc. While it sounds very useful, I wonder how easy it would be to claim an insurance; as I have never made a claim, I have no idea.
Buying travel insurance by destination is easy now, anyone can buy it with a few clicks. Comparing insurance policies is easy too! So don’t leave on your trip without insurance. You need international travel insurance even before you can apply for a Schengen visa.
But if you are on an adventure trip, do remember to take out a policy that covers adventure sports, the normal travel insurance doesn’t cover adventure sports.
Travel insurance to me is equal to peace of mind; I never leave on an international trip without it.
I would say Travel Insurance is a must as the cost of treatment in foreign countries is very high. And now it is so easy to get insurance online.
I so agree Prasad!
I always bought travel insurance, whenever I traveled outside India though every time I thought “Is it really necessary”. Recently during my travel to SE Asia, I saw a fellow traveler go through the pain when she lost all her cash and had no insurance. I realized the need for it and I am planning to write about it.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
I agree, we never know when we might need insurance!
Frankly, the cost of insurance is quite small vs what it can deliver. But given the variety of choices in terms of companies and plans, one should do some home work rather than relying on what agent or seller suggests.
I agree and I also wonder how easy or difficult it will be to make a claim! Hopefully I will never know that!
Thanks, Mridula, for the informative post on Travel Insurance 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Ravish!
Travel Insurances are really very important while travelling abroad and your post gives the definite reasons for the same. The cost is little but the only thing that bothers is the procedure to claim it – as you said how easy or difficult it would be.
I agree, I have my doubts on that too!
Travel insurances are an absolute must specially while travelling abroad just like you have mentioned – INR doesn’t help you much otherwise.
I wish our currency becomes stronger in my lifetime itself!
To be honest, till date I have only taken travel insurance where the visa mandates it. But can’t agree with you more, I think one should take it every time.
Chaitali I somehow got into the habit of taking it out gradually!
We have bought travel insurance whenever it was mandatory for visa application. Although as responsible travellers we do intend to get it without fail on future travels.
I shudder at the thought of not having it and needing it!
But how easy is the claim process? If you lose all your cash n documents in a foreign country, will they give the emergency cash without complicated paperwork on the spot or you’ve to manage on your own, come back and then claim?
That is something I don’t know, I have never made a claim, but I remember reading a blogpost where it said it was not easy to make a claim in India. And I feel that might be true.
But if you are on an adventure trip, do remember to take out a policy that covers adventure sports, the normal travel insurance doesn’t cover adventure sports. useful information .
Thank you Yogi!