Travel insurance for Indians — what Schengen / US / Thailand visas need

Quick frame: Travel insurance is the cheapest part of an international trip but the one most likely to save you from a six-figure medical bill abroad. Most Schengen visas, US ESTA-equivalents, and many Asian destinations either mandate it or strongly recommend it.

Mandatory cover by destination

Destination	Min medical cover	Notes
Schengen (Europe)	€30,000 (~₹27 lakh)	Must include repatriation; visa rejected without
UK	Recommended; not mandatory	NHS does not cover tourists
US	Strongly recommended	A 3-day ER stay = $30,000+ uncovered
Australia	Recommended	Bridging visas often require
UAE	Mandatory for Dubai	Already part of visa cost
Thailand	Mandatory in some periods	Check current rules
Singapore	Recommended
Japan	Recommended	National health doesn't cover tourists

What a typical policy covers

• Emergency medical (₹25 lakh - ₹2 crore)
• Hospitalisation + repatriation
• Trip cancellation (limited; usually 5-10% of total cost)
• Lost baggage (₹5,000-50,000)
• Flight delay (₹2,000-10,000)
• Personal liability (₹5-50 lakh)
• Loss of passport (re-issue cost)

Typical premium for an Indian (2026)

For a 35-year-old:

• 7-day Schengen trip: ₹600-1,200
• 14-day US trip: ₹1,500-3,500
• 30-day backpack South-East Asia: ₹1,000-2,000
• Annual multi-trip: ₹4,000-8,000

Use the Travel Insurance Cost Tool for an instant estimate.

Pre-existing conditions — the silent killer

Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease) from coverage unless you explicitly buy a rider. If you have BP / sugar issues:

• Disclose at purchase (failure to disclose = denied claim)
• Buy a PED (pre-existing disease) rider — adds 30-60% to premium
• Carry prescription as proof for the medications you carry

Common claim disputes

1. Adventure sports excluded — bungee, paragliding, scuba require add-ons
2. Alcohol-related — claims rejected if blood alcohol > legal limit
3. "Reasonable and customary" cap — insurer won't pay above their grid
4. No cashless network in remote areas — pay first, claim reimburse

Buy from insurers with 24×7 emergency assistance numbers. The Indian aggregator landscape has improved cover quality dramatically since 2020.

FAQ

Q: Do I need travel insurance for domestic India trips? A: Not legally — but recommended for treks (Himalayan), adventure sports, or solo travel. Cost: ₹100-300 per trip.

Q: Are credit-card insurance covers enough? A: Most premium credit cards (HDFC Infinia, Amex Platinum) include travel insurance. Check sum insured (often only ₹50 lakh). Often insufficient for US/EU. Top-up if going abroad.

Q: Do I need to buy in India or can I buy at destination? A: Buy in India before departure. International providers won't cover you if you're already abroad and unwell.