Travel Insurance Guide — Domestic, International & Schengen Cover

Travel insurance is one of the most commoditised, lowest-attention insurance purchases — usually bought in the last few minutes of visa paperwork or flight booking. That's exactly why it's worth five extra minutes: policies vary widely in medical cover limits, pre-existing condition handling, and claim process.

Whether you need it for a Schengen visa, a student visa abroad, or simply peace of mind on a family holiday, the right policy depends on your destination, trip length and existing health cover.

Who typically needs this

Anyone travelling to the Schengen area, where minimum €30,000 medical cover is a visa requirement.
Students studying abroad, who often need cover meeting the specific university or visa authority's requirements.
Frequent business travellers, who may benefit from an annual multi-trip policy instead of buying per trip.
Families travelling with senior citizens, who need policies that don't exclude or heavily load pre-existing conditions.
Anyone travelling to the US, where medical costs without insurance can be extremely high.

What it usually covers

Emergency medical & hospitalization

Covers treatment costs abroad, often including emergency medical evacuation — usually the most important part of the policy.

Trip cancellation & delay

Reimburses non-refundable costs if your trip is cancelled or delayed for a covered reason, and covers costs of missed connections.

Baggage loss & delay

Compensation for lost, stolen or delayed checked baggage — check the per-item and total limits, which are often lower than people expect.

Personal liability & passport loss

Covers legal liability if you accidentally injure someone or damage property, and assistance/reimbursement if your passport is lost abroad.

Mistakes people commonly make

Do this

Check the minimum medical cover required for your visa (e.g. €30,000 for Schengen) before buying the cheapest option.
Declare pre-existing conditions if the policy asks — undeclared conditions are a common reason for claim rejection abroad.
Check whether adventure activities (skiing, scuba, trekking above a certain altitude) are covered or need an add-on.
Save the insurer's 24x7 emergency assistance number in your phone before you travel.
Keep all medical bills, police reports (for theft) and receipts — claims are almost always denied without documentation.

Avoid this

Buying based on price alone without checking the medical cover sum insured — some cheap policies cover as little as $10,000-15,000.
Assuming your credit card's “complimentary” travel insurance is comprehensive — check its actual limits and exclusions.
Forgetting to check COVID-19 or pandemic-related exclusions if relevant to your destination.
Skipping cover for a short domestic trip just because “nothing usually happens” — medical evacuation within India can still be costly.
Leaving the purchase to the airport — some benefits like trip cancellation only apply if bought soon after your booking.

Questions worth asking any agent or insurer

What is the maximum medical and evacuation cover, and does it meet my visa's minimum requirement?
Are pre-existing conditions covered, excluded, or covered only with a loading?
What is excluded for adventure sports or activities I'm planning?
Is there a cashless hospital network at my destination, or is it reimbursement-only?
What is the claim process and required documentation if I need emergency treatment abroad?

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Schengen visa rules require medical travel insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across all Schengen countries and for your full stay.

It varies by insurer and plan — some exclude pre-existing conditions entirely, others cover them with a waiting period or additional premium. Always check this specifically if you or a travelling family member has an ongoing condition.

It's not mandatory, but it can still be useful for trip cancellation, baggage loss, and medical evacuation from remote areas, especially for trekking or hill-station trips.

Common exclusions include travel against government advisories, injuries under the influence of alcohol/drugs, self-inflicted injury, and losses from activities excluded in your specific plan (like extreme sports without an add-on).

Travel Insurance That Actually Covers What You Need