Purchase a comprehensive insurance plan for your travel journey
Title: Crucial Reasons to Invest in Comprehensive Travel Insurance After the Tragic Air India Incident
Traveling can be an exhilarating experience, but it also brings uncertainties and potential risks. The recent Air India crash has been a grim reminder of the importance of having comprehensive travel insurance. Such policies offer a shield against numerous high-impact mishaps that may occur during your journey, whether it's domestic or international.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy for international travel covers medical emergencies like hospitalization, surgeries, outpatient care, and provides a lump sum payout in the case of accidental death and permanent disability. In addition, it reimburses the cost of non-refundable expenses due to sudden trip disruptions, and covers losses of passports, baggage, or essential documents, including in situations like air crashes. To further fortify your protection, consider adding an add-on personal accident cover and a critical illness policy.
Travellers with existing health conditions can benefit from pre-existing conditions coverage, as it covers related medical care during the trip. For those planning to enjoy adventure sports like skiing or scuba diving, the adventure sports cover offers an essential layer of security.
Knowing the right sum insured is crucial. Kapadia, head of travel insurance at Policybazaar, suggests selecting the sum insured based on the destination's medical inflation and the traveller's risk exposure. For instance, a minimum of $50,000 or €30,000 in medical expenses is mandatory for a Schengen visa, while USA and Canada require a minimum sum insured of $250,000 to 500,000. For senior citizens, this may go up to $1 million, while Asia (including Thailand, Singapore, UAE) requires a $2,50,000 cover.
Alongside the core policy, several add-ons should be considered. Essential add-ons include accidental death and flight accident cover, adventure sports cover, and a cover for visa rejection. The latter reimburses eligible non-refundable expenses if a visa is denied. Some policies also include it by default or offer it as an add-on, catering to flexibility based on budget and destination.
Domestic travel demands similar safeguards against medical emergencies, accidents, delays, and thefts. Domestic travel insurance enhances preparation for these scenarios at a negligible cost. For example, when booking flights online, travelers can opt for insurance with the click of a button at costs ranging between Rs 50-150, depending on duration and coverage.
In conclusion, comprehensive travel insurance offers invaluable protection during your journey. By selecting appropriate add-on covers, you can customize your insurance to meet your specific travel plans, ensuring peace of mind no matter what twist your travel may take. Remember, it's better to be prepared than to be caught off guard by unexpected contingencies.
