Travel Insurance (Visa Travel Insurance)
Travel insurance is a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other risks while traveling abroad. It's mandatory for many visa applications.
What It Means
Travel insurance is a financial safety net for international trips. It typically covers medical emergencies (hospital bills, doctor visits, medications), emergency evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, lost luggage, flight delays, and sometimes adventure activities. For visa applications, particularly Schengen, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement with specific minimum coverage amounts. The policy must cover the entire duration of your stay and sometimes all countries in the visa zone. Premiums depend on your age, destination, trip duration, and coverage level.
What This Means for Indian Travelers
For Indian travelers, travel insurance is mandatory for Schengen visa applications (minimum €30,000 coverage, approx ₹27 lakh). It's also strongly recommended for US, UK, and other destinations even when not mandatory. Several Indian insurers (ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC Ergo, Tata AIG) offer comprehensive travel insurance starting from ₹500-2000 for short trips. When buying for Schengen, ensure the policy explicitly states it covers all Schengen member states and has the minimum coverage amount. Keep the policy document handy at immigration.
Examples
- 1Schengen visa — Mandatory, minimum €30,000 coverage
- 2US visa — Not mandatory but strongly recommended
- 3UK visa — Not mandatory but advisable
- 4Dubai — Mandatory for visa on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy travel insurance for Schengen visa?
Indian insurers like ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, HDFC Ergo, and Tata AIG offer Schengen-compliant policies. International options include World Nomads and Allianz. Compare prices on PolicyBazaar.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy it before your visa appointment since you'll need to submit the policy document. Choose a policy with free cancellation in case your visa is denied.
What should the policy cover?
At minimum: medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and repatriation. For Schengen, the minimum is €30,000 medical coverage across all member states.
Pro Tips
- Buy a policy that offers free cancellation if your visa is rejected
- For Schengen, ensure the policy covers ALL 27 member states, not just your primary destination
- Keep both digital and printed copies of your insurance policy
- For families, check if group/family policies offer better rates than individual ones
Related Terms
Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a single visa that grants access to 27 European countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Visa Required (Sticker/Stamp Visa)
Visa required means you must apply for and receive a visa from the country's embassy or consulate before you travel.
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
A visa on arrival is issued at the port of entry (airport/border) when you land in the destination country, without prior application.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Now that you understand the terminology, check out our detailed visa guides for specific destinations.