Schengen Travel Insurance

Know more About Travel Insurance

In 1995, 27 European Countries got together to dissolve their borders and visas for each other. This made travelling between these countries very easy and convenient, allowing someone to live in Italy, study in France, and then return the next day. This has also brought forth an exciting opportunity for international travellers looking to visit European countries in a single trip.

With France and Spain being the most visited countries in the world, it has become necessary to understand and avail of international travel insurance when visiting these countries. That is because not only is it mandatory to have travel health insurance for Europe when travelling from India, but it is also a great way of protecting yourself from the risks of travelling.

What Makes Travel Insurance from India to Europe Essential?

Travelling abroad is expensive. From visa to travel and accommodation costs, it is necessary to consider these when planning and budgeting the trip. There, however, are certain circumstances where these expenses might spiral out of control due to unexpected risks.

These risks can range in terms of severity and frequency. For example, losing checked-in baggage is of mild severity but happens often. On the other hand, hostage scenarios are infrequent but exceptionally severe. Insurance offers financial protection from these risks and enables travellers to ensure their well-being by availing themselves of medical facilities. 

Key Benefits of Travel Insurance for Europe

There are several benefits linked with having insurance when travelling to Europe. These benefits are essentially the coverages offered by insurance providers to safeguard the policyholder from incurring financial loss and additional expenses due to these risks. Add to these the peace of mind and confidence it offers, and the importance of buying an insurance policy increases twofold.

Here are a few benefits of opting for insurance from Niva Bupa when travelling to Europe:

• Allowing the traveller to get a visa for entry into the country

• Offering cashless claims for medical emergencies

• Providing coverages for financial protection from risks

• Enabling access to proper healthcare facilities

• Protecting travellers from personal liability

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Acquiring Travel Insurance for Europe?

Buying travel insurance has no particular eligibility criteria. However, specific basic requirements must be considered when purchasing insurance, which are as follows:

• Adults should be between the ages of 18 and 70.

• Dependent children can be up to the age of 25.

• Travellers must possess and furnish mandatory documents like copies of passports, visas, income proof, and other relevant papers.

What are the Steps to Buy Travel Insurance for Europe Online?

Wherever you travel to, you can purchase travel insurance for Europe from India within just a few minutes. Niva Bupa has made this process simple and intuitive, and whether you are a first-time buyer or someone who has bought insurance before, just by following these steps, you too can get the protection you need to travel the world with confidence.

1. Visit the Niva Bupa website and click on “Travel Insurance”.

2. Fill out the details requested in the portal, and choose whether you will go on a single trip or travel as a student.

3. Choose the country you will be travelling to from the dropdown menu, choose the date of departure and return and confirm with your phone number.

4. After filling out all these details, click “view plans.”

5. This will take you to a page where you can input the traveller’s details.

6. Once that is done, click “Next” and choose the right plan for your needs. Change the sum insured to the amount you want to insure your trip for and select any add-ons.

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

8. Once the payment is complete, the policy will instantly appear on the portal and be emailed to you.

What are the Inclusions and Exclusions under Travel Insurance for Europe?

This table covers the specific inclusions and exclusions offered by Niva Bupa. It, however, is not exhaustive and might have some additions or removals depending on your particular circumstances. For example, a student traveller is offered several additional coverages such as pre-existing medical conditions coverage and sponsor protection to ease their study experience.

What are the Steps to Claim Settlement for Travel Insurance in Europe?

• To raise a travel insurance claim, you need first to contact your insurer, Niva Bupa.
• In case of overseas travel, you may also contact the global Third-Party Administrator.
• You can raise a claim 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 Europ Assistance, a global third-party administrator, to provide cashless claims to hospitals and healthcare centres worldwide.

• 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 for Singapore 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

• Claim form
• KYC
• Cancelled cheque of the proposer
• Discharge summary
• Final bill along with break up
  Payment receipt
• All investigation reports

What are the Travel Documents Required While Travelling from India to Europe?

As an Indian citizen travelling to Europe, you must carry certain documents when entering any country in the Schengen area.

• An Indian Passport valid for at least three months post the intended date of leaving the Schengen area.
• A valid Schengen Visa
• Evidence of the purpose of entry (Business purposes, vacation, study, etc.)
• Bank statements or other proof of finances showcasing your means of staying in the country
• Proof of accommodation
• Return ticket
• Invitation letter (If invited by a resident or organisation in the EU)

What are the Different Types of Visas to Avail When Visiting Europe?

There are various types of visas for Europe depending on the purpose and times of travel. Here is a list of the different types of visas one can avail of when visiting a European country.

• Transit Visa
• Tourism Visa
• Visa for visiting family or friends
• Business Visa
• Visa for Journalists
• Visa for culture and sports activities
• Visa for official visits
• Study Visa
• Visa for medical reasons

Other than this, there are single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas depending on how often a traveller can go in and out of Europe within a certain period.

Which is the Best Time to Visit Europe and Europe Tourist Places?

Europe is a vast continent, seeing millions of tourists and students each year, offering access to a long history of diverse monuments, beautiful mountain ranges, and tourist attractions. Due to its vastness and geographical differences, there might be differences in the best time to visit a particular country. However, the best time to visit the continent is during the summer months of June to September, when the sun is high, the beaches are warm, and the weather is sunny.