Travel insurance is one of the most skipped purchases in India — and also one of the most regretted when something goes wrong. Whether you’re travelling within India or abroad, here’s a clear look at what travel insurance covers and when it matters.
What Travel Insurance Actually Covers
A comprehensive travel insurance policy covers: medical emergencies and hospitalisation during the trip, trip cancellation or interruption (if you have to cancel for a covered reason like illness), delayed or lost baggage, flight delays beyond a specified number of hours, emergency evacuation, and loss of passport or travel documents. The coverage varies by plan and destination — international plans offer broader medical coverage as healthcare abroad can cost lakhs for even basic treatment.
The Medical Expense Risk Abroad
A single hospitalisation in countries like the US, UK, or Singapore can cost several lakh rupees and sometimes crore, without insurance. Most standard Indian health insurance policies do not cover medical treatment abroad. If you travel internationally even occasionally, a travel policy with robust medical coverage is one of the most cost-effective protections you can buy.
Travel Insurance Within India
Domestic travel insurance is less commonly bought but covers useful eventualities: flight delays, lost baggage, trip cancellation due to illness, and accidental hospitalisation during the trip. For long trips or expensive bookings, it’s worth considering even for domestic travel where out-of-pocket risk is lower but still real.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Travel Cover
Most travel insurance policies exclude medical treatment related to pre-existing conditions unless specifically covered by add-on. If you have a condition like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension, check whether your travel policy covers related emergencies. Some policies offer a pre-existing condition cover waiver at additional premium — worth evaluating if you travel regularly.
Buying at the Right Time
Travel insurance should be bought as soon as you book your trip , not on the day of travel. Trip cancellation cover only applies to events that happen after you buy the policy, not before. Buying early ensures you’re covered if something goes wrong between booking and departure, which is often when the most financially significant cancellations happen.
Draco Insurance offers travel insurance for both domestic and international trips. Visit dracoinsurance.in or call +91 7064106417 to get a quote before your next trip.
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