A visit to India is on the bucket list of many American travelers. This colorful and vibrant country offers culture, history and a variety of enriching experiences. It’s very common for travelers to book 10 to 14 days abroad for a visit to India because of the distance.
Here’s what to know about getting the right travel insurance for your vacation in India.
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Purchase a Robust Travel Insurance Plan for India Travel
While travel insurance is not required for a trip to India, it is highly recommended.
“India is one of the most popular destinations among InsureMyTrip customers,” reports Gail Mangiante, lead customer advocate with InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison provider.
To be best prepared for unexpected events during a trip to India, it’s smart to purchase a travel insurance policy that includes:
- Trip cancellation, delay and interruption benefits
- Medical expense and medical evacuation benefits
- Baggage coverage
Your amount of insurance coverage can vary depending on age and number of travelers, types of coverage needed and whether the cost of the trip will be insured, says Mangiante.
“Getting a quote with your details is the best way to determine the range of options” she says.
Because of the distance, expense and requirements for multiple stops, purchasing travel insurance for a trip to India is almost necessary. Here’s how you can utilize the types of coverage within a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for India Trips
The historical significance of tourist sites in India warrants walking and long days of touring, so you want to make sure you are in the best possible health before a long-haul flight (or two) and extended days of walking.
Trip cancellation benefits will cover 100% of the non-refundable deposits you lose if you have to cancel your India trip for a reason covered by the policy, such as an accident or injury. (Read the acceptable reasons listed in your policy.) You will need to provide medical documentation that clearly states you are unfit to travel.
It’s important to know that standard trip cancellation benefits won’t apply if you change your mind and don’t want to travel. This type of “change of heart” situation is only covered by buying a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade, which is an optional add-on to a standard policy. (Not all travel insurance companies offer it.)
This flexibility to cancel adds about 40% to your travel insurance cost. Reimbursement under CFAR is generally for 50% or 75% of your non-refundable trip costs (reimbursement varies by provider).
If you’re interested in adding “cancel for any reason” coverage it’s important to know that this upgrade has time-sensitive rules:
- You generally have to add CFAR within two weeks of making your initial trip deposit
- You must cancel at least two days before you are scheduled to depart in order to make a CFAR claim. You can’t change your mind the morning of your trip. Read your policy to understand the parameters.
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Using Travel Delay Benefits
Because flying to India often requires a stop-over, it is a good idea to make sure your travel insurance plan has trip delay benefits. If your flight is delayed and you miss a connection in London, for example, your trip delay insurance can reimburse you for the additional costs to catch up to your trip.
Reasons that can trigger trip delay coverage include inclement weather or a mechanical failure of the common carrier, says Megan Moncrief, a spokesperson for Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site
If India is one destination on a longer journey with multiple flights, trip delay benefits are especially important.
Coverage for Trips Cut Short
Any trip could be cut short by unexpected and unfortunate issues. For example, if there is a death of an immediate family member and you need to cut your trip short and return home, trip interruption benefits could save you thousands of dollars, especially when you are halfway around the world.
Last-minute international flights can be very costly. In addition, if you pre-paid for hotel lodging or a private tour company, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for the unused part of your trip.
When visiting India you might wish to consider coverage related to cyclones, depending on the region you’re visiting, says Scott Adamski, a spokesperson with AIG Travel. If you need to cut your trip short due to a national emergency, contact your travel insurance carrier for assistance.
Medical Coverage When Visiting India
Most U.S. health insurance plans do not cover overseas medical expenses, or have only limited coverage. Medicare does not cover health care outside the U.S.
Travel medical insurance plans can help you in India if you become sick or injured. For example, if you are touring historical sites and become dehydrated and faint due to the heat, you will require medical attention. Medical travel insurance benefits will cover costs such as being treated by a physician in India.
Not all travel medical plans cover Covid. Even if you’re fully vaccinated you may want a plan that will cover Covid-related medical expenses in case you contract the virus during your trip. Work with a travel insurance agent to identify the travel insurance policies that cover Covid and the other coverage types you want.
In addition, your travel insurance company’s 24-hour emergency assistance hotline can be a resource to help you find a clinic or medical office where they can treat your condition.
If you require emergency transportation to an adequate medical facility treatment, medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost. If you are in a remote village, for example, you may need to be transported to a major hospital for care, depending on your condition.
Squaremouth recommends at least $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage in the event you require a medical transport back to the U.S.
Travel medical and emergency evacuation coverage can both be added to a comprehensive travel insurance plan with trip cancellation coverage and other valuable benefits.
Losing Your Belongings in India
When traveling in India, particularly in crowded tourist spots, you should take precautions and be mindful of your surroundings. Even though you’re careful, you could still fall victim to crafty and experienced petty thieves. Your wallet could be grabbed, your cell phone can disappear from your back pocket or your camera could be stolen from the side of your table while you’re eating lunch.
A travel insurance policy can pay out for the theft of personal belongings under the baggage coverage. If you do experience theft, be sure to contact the local authorities to file a report and alert your tour operator (if you have one) that you were robbed. Be sure to take an inventory of what you’re missing and provide receipts and supporting documentation if you file a claim.
Travel Insurance Requirements For India
Testing and Vaccination Requirements To Enter India
Fully-vaccinated travelers are welcome to enter India. Any primary series considered as fully vaccinated in the U.S. will carry over as compliant. Although you do not need to register in advance, you should carry your vaccine card with you.
Unvaccinated travelers will instead need to bring proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Related: When Should I Use a Home Covid Test?
Testing and Vaccination Requirements To Enter the U.S. From India
As of June 12, U.S. citizens returning from India to the United States no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test in order to return home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the previous mandate that had required travelers to supply a negative Covid test or documentation of recovery in order to re-enter the U.S.
However, if you’re not a U.S. citizen or are on an immigrant visa, you’ll still need to show proof of vaccination to fly to the U.S. from India.
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