While some of us suffer from wanderlust, a lot of us also travel because work requires us to do so. It usually feels great to pack your bags and head out to a different place for a while. However, there’s a certain kind of unpleasantness that sets in when things don’t go as planned. It can be quite frustrating when your baggage gets misplaced or you encounter an undesired experience while on a trip! Since accidents happen without warning, a Travel Insurance Policy (with HDFC General Insurance) can be a great backup plan for many unexpected circumstances you might face during your trip.

1. When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

  • When there could be a possibility of your flight being delayed or cancelled.
  • When you are travelling outside the network of your health insurance policy.
  • When you are travelling abroad, in particular, if you are travelling to a country where the currency has a higher value than the Indian Rupee. A small trip to the doctor could cost you much more than you expect when you convert the amount to Indian Rupees.
Every trip you take is different. While planning your trip, determine what factors could have a deeper impact on your wallet and then it will be easy for you to decide whether taking a Travel Insurance Policy is necessary or not.

2. What Benefits Should Your Travel Insurance Policy Cover?

Most Travel Insurance Policies usually cover these basic benefits mentioned below:
  • Flight Delays & Trip Cancellations
  • Trip Interruptions
  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Hospital Cash Benefit
  • Evacuation Coverage
  • Loss or Delay of Checked Baggage
  • Loss of Personal Documents
  • Accidental Death
It is important to remember that each Travel Insurance Policy has certain exclusions which you should be aware of. For example, a Travel Policy by HDFC General Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. This means that you cannot claim for any troubles that arise due to certain diseases you already have before going on your trip. Say if you have Diabetes and you are hospitalized due to a condition arising because of your diabetes while on your trip, you do not qualify for a claim pay out. However, if you are diabetic and are admitted to the hospital due to food poisoning, your claim will be paid out.

3. How to File a Claim under Your Travel Insurance Policy?

  • You need to intimate your Travel Insurance company either via email or by calling their toll free number within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
  • Don’t forget to save the insurer’s toll-free number in your phone book before you leave for your trip.
  • A servicing team who is aware of your local conditions will guide you through the claim filing process in case you call the insurance company.
You must submit your claim documents within 30 days of the date on which the loss occurred. The documents you will require to file your claim are: 1) Claim form duly filled. 2) NEFT Details- Cancelled cheque copy. 3) KYC form along with a copy of either your PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhar card. 4) Original medical bills and supporting reports 5) Copy of your passport showing entry and exit dates related to your trip. 6) A police FIR report, if applicable. With a simple Travel Insurance Policy, you can enjoy your trip knowing you are well prepared to take care of situations that can occur out of the blues. Disclaimer: This blog is for informative purposes only, while HDFC Sales Private Ltd makes an effort to provide the accurate and reliable information about the products, the Company does not guarantee or certify accuracy and completeness of the information. The company shall not be liable for any loss incurred by any person relying on such information.