Travel Insurance as per indian govt. rules

Travel Insurance offers insurance protection while

you travel. Travel Insurance may be called by

different names by insurance companies. It is

important for you to check and understand

whether the policy covers domestic travel or

overseas travel or both. Travel Insurance protects

you and/or family against travel related accidents,

unexpected medical expenditure during travel,

losses such as baggage loss, loss of passport etc and

interruption or delays in flights or delayed arrival of

baggage etc.

• You must read and understand what the policy you

are considering exactly covers. Do ask your insurer

and/or agent or broker questions to clear all your

doubts and go through the terms and conditions of

the cover thoroughly. Travel Insurance normally

offers cover only during a specific period of travel.

However, some insurance companies may offer

various combinations of protection to cater to the

specific needs of customers e.g., there could be a

special policy for Corporate Frequent Travellers etc.

• The Scope of Cover and Benefits offered by

different insurance companies would vary. You

must shop around to ensure that you purchase a

policy that you need. The following are covers that

are generally provided under Travel Insurancethough

the combination may vary. The list,

however, is not exhaustive.

o Medical Expenses with or without cashless

facility (most travel insurance products offer

cashless facility)

o Personal Accident

o Loss of Baggage

o Delay in Baggage arrival

o Loss of Passport

o Travel Delay

o Repatriation

o Transportation of dead body etc.

The Sum Insured offered may vary and so would

the premium rates, which would depend on the

country in question, apart from other factors such

as Age, Period Of Travel etc.

• You must go through the exclusion clauses very

thoroughly. Ask your insurer and/or agent or

broker for clarifications wherever you have a

doubt. In general, the following are not covered:

• Pre-existing diseases

• War Risks

• Suicide and Insanity

• Hazardous sports

There could be some exclusions relating to personal

effects.

• It is very important for you to understand what to

do in case a claim situation arises abroad.

Generally policies provide hotline numbers where

intimation of claim/s should be given. You must

also notify the concerned authorities involved eg,

local police, embassy, transportation company etc, as

applicable. The insurer also should be notified.

Normally, every travel insurance policy docket will

also contain a claim form as you will be away in a

distant place and may not be in a position to obtain

a claim form immediately.