International Travel Insurance

Travelling abroad can take you out of the monotony of following a daily routine. But foreign travel is often costly and fraught with risks. While it is unrealistic to assess all of the dangers individually, planning beforehand and securing your journey with international travel insurance is always possible.

One can avail of travel insurance to protect themselves and their companions from these risks. International travel insurance is a necessary component of any foreign trip. This is why it is essential to consider a few factors when choosing the right insurance for your needs.

So, wherever you travel to Thailand or The USA, you can stave off and mitigate unexpected risks if you buy international travel insurance online.

What is International Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a safety net that helps travellers protect their investments from financial loss and ensure the well-being of their loved ones. Besides the inherent cost of foreign travel, it is also often fraught with risks such as expensive or inaccessible healthcare, petty crimes, natural disasters, etc.

Besides ruining your travel experience, such incidents can result in unanticipated financial or medical risks. This is where International travel insurance comes into play. It is not only a good-to-have but international travel medical insurance is also mandatory to get a visa from over 30 countries, including the Schengen Region, Cuba, Turkey, Fiji, and the UAE.

What are the Features of International Travel Insurance?

When travelling abroad, you may encounter various risks, varying in severity and complexity, from missing your connecting flight and losing your baggage to getting into an accident.

However, with the right insurance plan, you can stay a few steps forward, anticipate these risks, and avail coverages to mitigate and manage them. To achieve this while ensuring that the premium cost is not too high, different plans are offered to the traveller with varying degrees of comprehensiveness.

The main features of these plans are the coverages offered for the following risks:

• Medical-related

• Baggage-related

• Trip-related

• Accident-related

• Student-related

• Senior-citizen related

• Loss of document-related

Niva Bupa is a leading insurance provider for travel insurance and offers one of India's best international travel insurance by providing complete protection through its comprehensive coverage options.

Why is it Necessary to opt for an International Travel Insurance Policy?

You must consider buying international travel insurance mainly to protect yourselves and your loved ones from the abovementioned risks. As several countries have mandated international travel medical insurance to get a visa, additional requirements such as the sum insured or minimum coverage to travel to those countries might exist.

Another scenario where international travel insurance can act as a shield and protect your investment is if your visa application gets rejected or you cannot go on the trip for certain reasons. The insurance can reimburse some of the costs you might have to otherwise bear on your own.

What are the Advantages of International Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance primarily offers financial protection like any other type of insurance. This alone makes it highly advantageous to have when travelling. Still, there are other benefits, like being able to avail medical treatment and a visa for a few countries, which make it essential. In certain countries like the US, you must showcase your travel insurance or ability to pay before getting medical treatment. This can be extremely difficult to deal with when facing a medical emergency.

Even if you can pay the amount, the cost of treatment might be high and result in you suffering a financial loss. Besides these, the advantage of having travel insurance is directly related to the coverage offered. The scope and the range of the coverage provided can make the difference between having to suffer a loss or being able to travel confidently.

With Niva Bupa, you can enjoy comprehensive coverage that can protect you from any unforeseen situation. Additionally, we offer three curated and carefully designed plans under the Travel Assure Policy that you can opt for based on your requirements and travel plans.

What is Covered under International Travel Insurance?

Niva Bupa offers comprehensive coverage options, enabling you to travel freely. These are some of the coverages provided under international travel insurance.

• Delay or Loss of Checked-in Baggage: This coverage offers reimbursement for significant delay or loss of checked-in baggage.

• Missed Connecting Flight: This coverage reimburses you for the extra accommodation and travel costs to reach the next destination if you miss a pre-booked connecting flight due to a late primary flight.

• Loss of Passport: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of applying for a new passport if the original is lost.

• Dental Treatment: This coverage reimburses a pain-relieving dental treatment availed under anaesthesia.

• Trip Delay, Cancellation, Interruption: These three separate coverages offer reimbursement for part of the travel and accommodation costs if your travel is delayed, cancelled, or interrupted due to certain conditions mentioned in the policy document.

• Medical Emergency (Hospitalisation): This coverage offers cashless claims and reimbursement for the cost of medical treatment.

• Emergency Outpatient Treatment: This coverage reimburses any emergency treatment under OPD.

• Medical Evacuation: This coverage offers cashless claims and reimburses the transfer cost from one hospital to another if the primary hospital does not offer appropriate care.

• Emergency Trip Extension: If the trip is extended due to certain exceptional circumstances, this coverage offers an extension of the policy up to 7 days.

• Personal Accident: This coverage offers a payout of up to the sum insured for accidental death or disability.

• Repatriation of Mortal Remains: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of transporting the mortal remains of the traveller or the cost of cremation in the city/country of death.

The coverages mentioned above are designed to protect you from the possibility of financial loss due to certain risks associated with travelling. Niva Bupa offers these coverages bundled in curated plans for each country, offering specific coverage options.

Note: When considering these plans, remember that some additional covers require specific special criteria to claim them, so it is advised to properly read the policy document to understand whether you fulfil these criteria.

What is Not Covered Under International Travel Insurance?

Although you are offered dozens of coverages when you buy international travel insurance, certain exclusions must be considered to avoid surprises when you are looking to claim a settlement.

If you are looking to purchase or have already purchased travel insurance for international travel from Niva Bupa, the following are the exclusions you must keep in mind.

1. These include treatment for any injury or illness resulting from nuclear, radiological emissions, war or rebellion, and certain acts of terrorism.

2. Active participation in military exercises, war games, or engagement with the enemy.

3. Any loss or injury due to committing or attempting to breach the law with criminal intent.

4. Expenses for cosmetic or plastic surgery or any treatment to change appearance, including obesity or weight control programs. Unless in certain circumstances as listed in the policy document.

5. Maternity expenses

6. Non-prescription or unproven drugs or treatments

7. The provision of certain medical treatments or equipment

8. If the insured person is travelling against the advice of a Doctor or is receiving or on a waiting list for specified medical treatment.

9. Death, injury, medical condition, or disability resulting from suicide or attempted suicide, self-inflicted wound or illness, consumption of alcohol or drugs, and depression.

10. Countries with travel restrictions for Indians

11. Medical Tourism

12. Injuries due to adventure sports unless part of the coverage

13. Expenses related to any admission specifically for diagnostics and evaluation purposes that are not related or incidental to the current diagnosis and treatment.

While these are the general and specific exclusions, you must remember that when you buy international travel insurance online, you must read the policy document for particular exclusions.

Note: As these exclusions differ between insurance providers, you must always check the policy documents to know more.

Who Should Buy an International Travel Insurance Policy?

Anyone who is travelling overseas, regardless of age, fitness, or physical capabilities are advised to purchase international travel insurance. This is important as travelling abroad offers a unique and highly sought after experience which makes them highly anticipated. Empowered by international travel insurance, travellers can mitigate dozens of risks and explore the world for all it has to offer with confidence and peace of mind.

Travel insurance is also highly recommended for senior citizens, family travellers, business travellers, adventure travellers, and those looking to travel to countries mandating travel insurance.

How do You Buy International Travel Insurance Online?

Now that it is clear as to why it is crucial to buy travel insurance and all of the things to keep in mind when purchasing one, you must also know that it is effortless to buy international travel insurance online from Niva Bupa.

All you need to do is follow the given steps and be prepared to go for your international journey worry-free.

• Visit the Niva Bupa website and click Travel Insurance in the header.

• On that page, input your destination countries, departure and return dates, and phone number.

• You will be shown destination-specific plans once you click to view plans.

• There, you can select your needs, such as whether you are going alone or with family, whether it is an independent trip or a corporate visit; there are also plans for students and senior citizens.

• Review and select the appropriate plans, change the sum insured to the amount you want to insure your trip, and choose any add-ons.

• Click on “Next” after this and fill out the relevant information along with the medical declaration to purchase the plan of your choice.

• Once the payment is complete, the policy will be emailed to you.

How to Extend an International Travel Insurance Policy?

Although buying international travel insurance is one thing, what would you do if your trip gets extended and you need to spend longer abroad after your policy expires?

You can just extend your travel insurance for international travel coverage if it fulfills the conditions put up by your insurer. These conditions are usually if the extension is due to an emergency and if the insurer offers an extension of the policy period. If you submit the required documents, this can be done up to a day before the previous policy ends.

Note: Please refer to the policy document for specific details and exceptions.

Niva Bupa International Travel Insurance Claim Process

If you are wondering how the claims process works, with Niva Bupa, it is effortless to claim your travel insurance settlement online and offline. However, there are a few things to remember, such as retaining copies of all documents and tickets, including stamped boarding passes, receipts, and invoices of hotels and places of the visit until the claim settlement, and must be shared within at most 30 days.

By following the given steps, travellers can request a claim with Niva Bupa:

To file a travel insurance claim, you first need to contact your insurer, Niva Bupa.
If you are travelling overseas, you may also contact the global third-party administrator.
You can raise a claim for travel insurance online, through mail, or even physically. You can do so both while overseas or when you return to India.
You must submit a duly filled claim form along with the required documents based on the type of claim—for example, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, medical emergency, or death.

Besides this, one can make two types of claims in the case of a medical emergency.

Cashless claim:

Niva Bupa is partnered with a global Third-Party Administrator- Europ Assistance to provide cashless claims at hospitals and healthcare centres across the world.

• The customer intimates the claim to Europ Assistance via a toll-free number or email.

• The TPA - Europ Assistance will contact the customer and provide them with the required travel insurance details.

• Europ Assistance will then initiate the GOP (Guarantee of payment) process with the hospital where the customer will receive treatment.

• Europ Assistance will ask for the documents from the hospital or the customer and, after assessing the claim, will send them to Niva Bupa for approval/rejection/query/investigation.

• Our medical team will approve the claim by e-mail.

• The GOP will be released to the hospital as per the amount claimed.

• The hospital will contact the Europ Assistance team if any additional amount is required.

• At discharge, documents will be sent to Europ assistance and approved accordingly.

• After discharge, the hospital will send the documents to Europe Assistance for settlement to the hospital.

Reimbursement Claim :

Mandatory Documents Required for Reimbursement Claims

1. Claim form
2. KYC
3. Cancelled cheque of the proposer
4. Discharge summary
5. Final bill along with break up
6. Payment receipt
7. All investigation reports done

Facts About International Insurance for Travel

Things to Consider While Planning an International Trip

Travellers planning an international trip should consider several factors for a safe and enjoyable trip. From booking suitable accommodation to packing the right clothes, carrying essential medication, and securing your trip with a reliable travel insurance policy, there are numerous things you should keep in mind for a successful journey. 

• Do your research for things to do, places to visit and local food
• Use this research to develop a budget for your trip
• Based on this budget, book your flight tickets and make reservations at your preferred hotel
• Once the bookings are confirmed, secure your trip with travel insurance, which you can get within minutes in just  a few steps
• Consider the local language and learn a few words for easy communication with locals
• Study the map for some idea about where you will be arriving and where to head from there
• Pack your luggage according to the local weather conditions, climate and weather reports
• Assess any travel advisories and look for precautions which need to be taken

After considering these tips, it's essential to assess which items and documents you need to take on the trip to ensure efficient and safe travel.

What Should Be Carried For The Trip?

Travellers should check which specific documents and other items they should carry for each trip, based on the travel requirements of each country. Here are some key documents and items which need to be carried for every trip:

1. Ensure you have a valid passport with at least six months of validity

2. Check the visa details if applicable, and keep a note of the end date

3. Travel itinerary

4. Aeroplane tickets and accommodation reservations

5. International travel insurance

6. Recent physical photographs

7. Forex card or foreign currency to convert into cash

8. Medical kit with primary and emergency medicines

9. Travel adapter

10. List of significant phone numbers

Countries Where Indians Need to Avail Themselves of International Travel Insurance

Safety information for international travel 

Travellers should also remember and keep in mind several other safety tips for a safe and secure trip. Here are some of the key tips to keep in mind wherever you go:

• Keep your passport in a safe place where you may not lose it.
• Always carry a copy of the passport to serve as proof of identity.
• Do not carry too much cash on you, and store money in different places to avoid losing it all if you are targeted for pickpocketing or theft. 
• Read travel advisories about your destination and pack and plan accordingly to avoid common scams and risks. 
• Do not veer off tourist paths or go alone to any suspicious places.
• Do not share all of your information with a stranger.
• Keep a note of your consulate and local police in case of an emergency.

Reasons Why Niva Bupa's International Travel Insurance Policy is Better Than Others

Documents Required for International Travel Insurance

As a traveller planning to secure their trip with travel insurance, it is imperative to assess and provide the documents needed for international travel. Here is a list of some of the essential documents needed to buy travel insurance online from Niva Bupa:

1. Passport details of all of the travellers
2. Travel and accommodation details
3. Aadhar card
4. PAN Card
5. Medical declaration
6. Proof of finances (for student policies)
7. Programme details (for student policies)

Eligibility Criteria for International Travel Insurance

If you are looking for international travel insurance online from Niva Bupa, it is essential to consider the following eligibility criteria before purchasing the policy and securing your trip. Here are the requirements you should consider to get a policy from Niva Bupa:

• Adults should be between the ages of 18 and 70.
• Dependent children should be at least one day old and are covered until the age of 25.
• Travellers must possess and provide mandatory documents, such as copies of passports, visas, proof of income, and other relevant documents.

Myths about International Travel Insurance

Sometimes, travellers encounter unfounded rumours and misconceptions about travel insurance, leading to improper care or the perpetuation of myths, causing confusion among themselves. This is why addressing these myths and sorting them out for the future is essential. 

1. I don’t need travel insurance for a short trip

   Regardless of the duration of a journey, travellers must secure their trip with the right travel insurance to mitigate the financial impact of certain common risks. 

2. I am fit and healthy and do not require travel insurance

   Regardless of the traveller’s age, fitness level, or medical history, all travellers are advised to opt for travel insurance due to the numerous indirect risks that can affect anyone, including loss of checked baggage, missed connections, trip cancellations, etc. 

3. All travel insurance policies are the same

   This is untrue. Each plan and policy differs in many respects, from the scope and extent of coverage to the requirements for claim settlement. Not only that, but the policies also depend on the specific travel destination and the particular plan chosen by the traveller.

4. Travel insurance is expensive

   India has some of the cheapest travel insurance plans while offering similar coverage. Not only does Niva Bupa offer coverage of up to $500,000, but its premiums are competitive and affordable for most travellers.

5. My claims will be denied

   This depends on the specific plan, insurer, and particular incident. Travellers should know that leading insurers like Niva Bupa do everything to ensure quick, efficient, and hassle-free claim settlement, but it is essential to understand and follow the procedure to have your genuine claims settled.

6. I will need to buy different plans for each member of my family

   That is not true; insurers like Niva Bupa make it very convenient for travellers to secure their family members with the same policy, making the process much more convenient and cost-effective. If you travel with more than two people, you can also get a 10% discount on the premium.

7. Travel insurance covers everything 

   Travel insurance does not cover all risks and expenses, and each policy has specific exclusions and conditions for certain covered risks, which need to be checked in the policy document.

8. Travel insurance does not cover senior citizens

   This is false. Depending on the insurer, travellers can avail of insurance coverage for senior citizens up to the age of 70. Certain insurers also provide travel insurance specifically for senior travellers.