Is Travel Insurance Awareness Increasing after Covid-19?

Everyone is now eager to go out and rejuvenate. But because of the increasing cases of Omicron, it is mandatory for the travel and hospitality industry to follow the COVID-19 guidelines, including the travel insurance policy.

Travel Insurance is an investment which compensates you for unseen medical expenses abroad or while travelling, for delayed or missed flights, for the loss of personal goods, or in case you cancel your trip. Having health insurance is monetary security for illness, accidents, and medical bills if you are travelling to a foreign country. One of the best health insurance benefits is that it covers pre & post hospitalisation charges. It is essential to buy the best health insurance as per personal needs. 

Reasons For Travel Insurance Awareness During COVID-19

There has been an increase in travel insurance awareness during Covid-19. The following reasons have contributed to it

• Travellers became more aware of the importance of travel insurance as they learnt about the risks of travelling uninsured. 
• The global pandemic is continuously evolving due to the emergence of new variants every other day. Therefore, some countries have made travel insurance a mandatory for entry.
• Covid-19 has led insurance companies to develop new plans for travel insurance and add many enhancements like seeking reimbursement for emergency medical transport to the schemes. Many families have started taking travel insurance as a means of damage control.
• To some people, travel insurance provides them with peace of mind. It gives them a sense of security during the trip without worrying about uncertainties.

Benefits of Travel Insurance Post-COVID-19

If you are confused whether you should have travel insurance, here are the reasons you should consider

1. Avoid Inconvenience in Case of Unfortunate Events During Travel

Nothing is certain in life, and the same implies to the journey during travel. You might encounter an accident or fall sick and need to be admitted to the hospital. It will take a heavy toll on your expenditure, and you might lose a lot of money. But if you have a good travel insurance plan, the trip accident coverage will cover your costs, and you will not suffer heavy losses.

2. No Unplanned Expenditure Upon Missing Luggage

You can lose your baggage if it gets exchanged with another traveller or ends on the wrong plan. In this scenario, all your necessary items like clothes will be lost, and you'll have to spend money to buy them until the airlines find your lost luggage. Specific travel insurances provide coverage in case of lost goods and offer compensation for extra expenses to the traveller. It prevents unplanned expenditure upon missing luggage. But make sure that this feature is covered under your travel insurance.

3. Coverage of Medical Costs

Medical emergencies during travel often become too hefty in your pocket, and sometimes you might not even have enough money to pay for them. But the medical expenses can easily be prevented if your travel insurance policy offers coverage of medical costs. Medical cost coverage is one of the most beneficial features of travel insurance, so make sure you buy a travel insurance plan that covers medical expenses during the trip.

4. Availability of Someone at All Time

During the trip, you encounter specific issues that leave you utterly helpless, and the situation worsens in case of a medical emergency. Travel insurance allows you to have someone to advise and help you during accidental damage, travel delays, trip cancellation, etc. All you need to do is dial your insurer's number and seek advice, and they'll help you.

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Travel Insurance Policy

Before buying travel insurance, you should keep certain things in mind to get the best travel insurance policy when you spend your money. But finding an insurance company with the best travel insurance policy is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Make sure to never hide your previous medical history.

So, here are some points that you should consider before choosing a travel insurance plan

• Before buying a travel insurance plan, compare plans from different sites and companies to get familiar with the travel insurance cost. Comparing will help you to get a suitable price that fits your budget.
• Make sure that the travel insurance plan that you choose has good coverage.
• While buying international travel insurance online, check user reviews thoroughly.
• Review the rate of customer satisfaction, the claim settlement ratio, and whether the claim settlement process is hassle-free or not.
• Consider your medical history. 
• Check out the add-on features.
• Thoroughly read the exclusions of the policy.

Once you are clear about every criterion, you may choose from a variety of travel insurance plans according to your needs, including the ones listed below.

Types of Travel Insurance

1. International Travel Insurance

2. Student Travel Insurance

3. Domestic Travel Insurance

4. Schengen Travel Insurance

5. Group Travel Insurance

6. Travel Health Insurance

7. Corporate Travel Insurance

8. Baggage Insurance

9. Flight Insurance

10. Senior Citizen Travel Insurance

11. Family Travel Insurance

12. Medical Travel Insurance

What Kind of Travel Insurance Policy Should You Buy?

While buying travel insurance, many things need to be considered, like coverage, the policy period, and other features offered by the insurer. Niva Bupa's TravelAssure - Travel Insurance Plan is a good place to start. This plan is available for both individuals and families. It offers Covid-19 coverage, In-patient hospitalisation, coverage for pre-existing diseases, loss or delay of checked-in baggage, etc. The premium starts from Rs. 459 /Yr.

Hence, buy an insurance plan now and save yourself from unexpected monetary losses during travel.

FAQ's

1. Why did COVID-19 change perceptions of travel insurance?

Before the pandemic, many travellers saw travel insurance as a nice-to-have, mostly covering trip cancellations or lost luggage. However, COVID-19 exposed the risks of travelling without adequate coverage—medical emergencies abroad, trip delays due to lockdowns, and sudden border closures were all very real and expensive problems. As a result, the pandemic shifted the perception of travel insurance from optional to essential. People realised that comprehensive protection isn’t just about convenience—it’s about financial and personal security in unpredictable times.

2. What should travellers look for in post-COVID travel insurance?

Post-COVID, travellers need to ensure their travel insurance includes coverage for pandemic-related disruptions. This means checking whether the policy covers:

• COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad
• Quarantine expenses
• Trip cancellations due to illness or government restrictions
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation

It’s also important to look for flexibility in policy terms, such as ease of extending coverage or making claims digitally. Given the ever-changing travel guidelines, transparency and 24/7 customer support are equally vital features to look for.

3. Has the demand for travel insurance increased globally or regionally?

Yes, the demand for travel insurance has surged both globally and regionally. Airlines, tour operators, and even governments in some countries now mandate proof of travel insurance for entry or visa issuance. Regions like Asia and Europe have seen a significant rise, especially among millennials and families, who are more risk-aware than before.

In India, for instance, there's been a noticeable uptick in domestic and international travellers opting for travel insurance as a standard part of trip planning, reflecting a broader trend where safety and preparedness are now central to travel.

4. What trends are shaping the future of travel insurance post-COVID?

Several trends are defining the future of travel insurance:

• Personalised plans: Policies are becoming more tailored, allowing travellers to choose add-ons based on trip type—adventure, leisure, or workcation.
• Digital-first experience: From buying policies to filing claims, everything is moving online with real-time support.
• Wellness and preventive care: Some insurers now offer virtual health consultations and mental wellness coverage while abroad.
• Embedded insurance: Travel insurance is increasingly bundled with bookings—flights, hotels, or credit cards.

Insurers are also using AI and data analytics to improve underwriting and claims processing, making travel protection more user-friendly and responsive.

5. Is travel insurance now seen as essential rather than optional?

Absolutely. Travel insurance is now viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury. COVID-19 made travelers more cautious and informed, and most now understand that an unexpected event can derail plans—and finances—without warning. With medical care abroad often being expensive and travel disruptions still possible due to emerging variants or global events, comprehensive coverage is no longer an afterthought—it's a core part of planning any trip.