Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
“Alag se travel/medical insurance lene ki kya zaroorat hai? Kuch nahi hoga. Acha socha karo. (Why do you need to take travel insurance separately? Think positive),” Ranuka Singh’s father dismissed her suggestion as they booked a two-week-long family vacation to Vietnam.
“Our itinerary had everything—adventure sports, sightseeing, cruise—simply everything. Having a travel insurance makes me feel secure. And it’s not simply about an accident waiting to happen, it’s just about being safe rather than sorry,” the 26-year-old software engineer tells India Today.
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Her fear is not in isolation.
“My dad broke his leg while landing after a round of parasailing in Thailand. We were not sure if the treatment would be up to the mark there and to top it all, we did not have insurance. We had no choice but to cut our trip short as he wanted to get treated back in India,” Ananya Sharma (name changed), a media professional, reveals, speaking with India Today.
Every other day, there is a headline about an adventure gone wrong (Hello Thailand tattoo), an X-post rant about lost luggage, or a viral video about a damaged suitcase. For a long time, people didn’t actively consider travel insurance. It was often skipped in favour of saving on upfront costs, with the assumption that disruptions are rare.
But that’s changing.
Gen Z and millennials have lived through a pandemic, global conflicts, and constant uncertainty. They’ve seen, and still are, how quickly plans can fall apart. So, they’re choosing to be better prepared.
But choosing travel insurance can be a head-scratcher, too. So, let’s understand the basics first.
Travel insurance 101
“At its core, it protects you from the financial and logistical impact of disruptions. From medical emergencies and cancellations to lost luggage, insurance ensures your trip isn’t defined by what went wrong. This becomes even more critical when you’re travelling internationally, where costs and complexity can escalate quickly,” a spokesperson from Pickyourtrail, a holiday booking platform, tells India Today.
The bare minimum
Insurance usually comes down to a few key factors – how much medical cover you choose, how long your trip is, your age, and your destination.
For starters, travellers should choose insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, and loss of baggage. These are the areas where costs can escalate quickly if something goes wrong.
Beyond that, the details matter.
Coverage limits, claim processes, and how quickly assistance is available can make a significant difference when you actually need support. A policy may include medical coverage, but the cap might not be sufficient depending on your destination.
“If you’re travelling internationally, access to 24/7 assistance is important. Situations don’t always happen during convenient hours. The goal is to choose a policy that aligns with how you are travelling, rather than picking one based on price alone,” Pickyourtrail explains.
CFAR is the new focus
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR). This allows room for more flexibility beyond standard cancellation coverage.
CFAR allows cancellation even for personal reasons and helps recover a portion of the trip cost. According to Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison firm, interest in CFAR has risen by roughly 27 per cent since the start of March due to recent global events.
In most cases, one needs to pay extra to get CFAR.
One usually needs to buy it within a set window after booking the trip, and cancellations must be made a few days before departure. Refunds are partial, not full. But for travellers planning or spending big, this added flexibility can help protect both time and money.
But insurance is not one-size-fits-all.
Europe vs Southeast Asia
Travellers today are increasingly packing their bags for Southeast Asia and Europe.
According to the Thomas Cook and SOTC India Holiday Report, Europe remains a top choice for international travel among Indians, accounting for around 50 per cent. Close behind is Southeast Asia at 46 per cent – destinations that, for many Indian travellers, now feel almost like a backyard getaway.
But beyond popularity, these two regions highlight a clear contrast in how travel insurance works.
Customers are required to have a minimum insurance coverage amount to cover medical/accidental risks when travelling to Europe, and it is typically one of the requirements for a visa application. But there is no such requirement while travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
According to Chandrakant Said, vice president – consumer underwriting, TATA AIG General Insurance Company, “For Europe, coverage must meet Schengen visa requirements of a minimum sum insured (€30,000 minimum), while for Southeast Asia, customers can consider adventure activity coverage additionally based on the nature of the trip.”
Many Schengen countries require proof of minimum medical coverage as part of the visa process. If that’s not handled properly, your application could be at risk.
Southeast Asia may not have the same rules, but that doesn’t mean fewer risks. In fact, patchy connectivity and limited evacuation support in some areas make insurance just as essential. The difference? It usually comes at a much lower cost than in Europe.
And even with insurance, there are certain details that people often miss out on.
Missing the fine print
One of the biggest gaps in travel insurance isn’t the policy, it’s the assumptions we make around it. If your itinerary includes specific activities—trekking, diving, or rentals—it’s important to check those explicitly.
Said enlists where things often slip through the cracks:
- Pre-existing conditions: Anything you already have usually is excluded, unless it turns life-threatening.
- Adventure sports: Scuba, skiing, trekking, motorbiking, are typically not covered unless you’ve added.
- Substance abuse: If you’re under the influence, don’t expect a payout.
- Unattended baggage: If you leave your bag unattended at a cafe or airport, it’s not covered.
- War or civil unrest: Usually excluded, unless specifically mentioned (which is why CFAR covers are gaining traction).
- Non-disclosure: Skipping key details – health or travel – can lead to claim rejection.
Checkout
You may skip insurance for a quick weekend getaway, but when you’re miles away from home, especially in another country, it’s the one backup you’ll be glad you invested in.
Credit cards or insurers, just a little bit of due diligence is good to go.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
