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How to choose the right travel insurance for India?
When planning a trip to India, selecting the cheapest travel insurance option may not always give you the right level of coverage for your needs. It’s important therefore to buy the policy that suits your particular situation and covers you for what you plan to do on your trip.
For example, when comparing travel insurance with Canstar, you can search for policies that cover you for travel to India, and see the limits that each policy provides for overseas medical and hospital cover, as well as cancellations and lost luggage – policies with higher limits for cancellation and lost luggage may be more expensive, but may also provide more peace of mind, depending on how much you have paid for your trip.
You can also filter your results to show policies that cover for a range of options that may be applicable to your trip, for example, if you plan on rock climbing or bouldering in Hampi or mountaineering in India’s Himalayan region, cover for these activities may not be standard and may need to be added on.
What does India travel insurance cover?
The list of things generally covered by travel insurance policies for India includes:
Medical or dental emergency
Hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation.
Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items
Replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance.
Cancelling your trip unexpectedly
Cancellation due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination.
Legal liability
If you break a local law and need a lawyer/interpreter e.g if you injure someone or are held accountable for damaged property.
Optional extras
Some policies offer a variety of useful extras depending on which one you get, such as rental vehicle excesses, cover for kennels and catteries for your pets at home, and even cover if you suffer a loss of income or a permanent disability while overseas.
Repatriation
If tragedy strikes while you are away, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to Australia. Some policies also include a separate sum for funeral expenses.
What does India travel insurance not cover?
Your travel insurance policy won’t cover everything that happens to you while travelling in India, as there are a number of common exclusions, as well as things that could void your cover, such as:
Riding without a helmet
If you plan to ride a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle while in India, your travel insurance will not cover you if you’re found to be riding without a helmet. This may also apply when rock climbing or bouldering, so it’s important to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your policy before doing so.
Being under the influence
Likewise, claims relating directly to drugs or alcohol or incidents befalling travellers under the influence of these substances will likely not be covered.
Pre-existing conditions
While you can sometimes pay a bit extra to get them covered, an exclusion may apply if, at the time of purchasing the policy, you were aware of something that would give rise to you making a claim under the policy and didn’t inform the insurer. It’s worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy to find out if you’re covered for your condition.
Unreported and unattended items
You can be covered if your possessions are stolen or lost accidentally, but leaving them unattended will often void your cover. In the event that your possessions are lost or stolen, you need to report the loss to local authorities within 24 hours, and then inform your insurance provider as soon as possible. Your policy will typically state the timeframe in which you must report to your insurance provider.
Travelling to regions that are unsafe, such as the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the India-Pakistan border, may also void your insurance. It’s important to check the terms and conditions of your policy before entering these areas. Advice on which regions to avoid and general warnings can be found on the Smartraveller website.
How much does travel insurance cost for India?
At the time of writing, basic travel insurance for India can start from as low as $65-$88 for basic cover for an individual traveller for three weeks in India, and $105 and up for more comprehensive cover. The price can vary from there, depending on the level of cover and optional inclusions that you need. You can compare travel insurance with Canstar to find cover that suits your particular needs and budget.
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