India’s appetite for international travel continues to grow. According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, Indian nationals made approximately 3.28 crore overseas departures in 2025, up 6.3% from the previous year. From short holidays in Southeast Asia to university courses in Europe and business trips to the United States, overseas travel now comes with a greater need to plan for emergencies.
Medical treatment overseas can be expensive, especially when hospitalisation or medical evacuation is involved. A cancelled flight, lost passport or delayed suitcase can also create unexpected costs. Travel insurance helps pay for specified losses, subject to the limits and exclusions in the policy. It is also an essential visa document for many travellers: Schengen visa applicants generally need at least €30,000 in qualifying medical cover, valid across the Schengen Area.
But the lowest premium does not always buy the strongest protection. The right choice depends on medical limits, deductibles, age eligibility, existing illnesses, cashless arrangements and what happens when a claim is filed thousands of kilometres from home. This guide compares ten prominent options available to Indian travellers in 2026.
What to Check Before Buying Travel Insurance
Medical cover: Consider at least US$100,000 for many overseas trips and higher limits—US$250,000 to US$500,000 or more—for destinations with expensive healthcare. Check evacuation limits separately.
Claims and assistance: An insurer’s overall claim settlement ratio may not reflect travel claims. Prioritise 24/7 overseas assistance, cashless hospital coordination and a clear reimbursement process. Even insurers with in-house teams may use international assistance partners.
Exclusions: Check deductibles, age restrictions, maximum trip duration, pre-existing disease (PED) conditions, adventure sports, cancellations and baggage sub-limits.
1. HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance
HDFC ERGO’s Explorer travel plans cater to individuals, families and frequent travellers. Benefits can include emergency hospitalisation, evacuation, passport loss and baggage delays. The company advertises access to a large global cashless hospital network. It offers in-house claims assistance but uses Allianz Global Assistance for overseas cashless coordination. Medical limits and PED extensions depend on the chosen policy. Best for: Families wanting established emergency support.
2. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance
ICICI Lombard offers Silver, Gold and Platinum options, with published higher-tier medical limits ranging from US$50,000 to US$500,000. Benefits may include medical evacuation, trip delays, missed connections and baggage protection. Customers can submit or track claims digitally through IL TakeCare, while overseas assistance operates through a partner network. Watch for deductibles and limits on individual benefits. Best for: Business travellers and digital-first buyers.
3. Bajaj General Travel Insurance
Previously known as Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Bajaj General offers Travel Ace International plans with published medical limits of US$50,000 to US$500,000. Customisable benefits include certain baggage and travel disruptions, with an optional home burglary feature. Limited emergency cover for pre-existing illnesses is offered under specified conditions. Claims may be cashless or reimbursed depending on hospital arrangements and eligibility. Best for: Travellers seeking flexible, competitively priced cover.
4. Tata AIG Travel Insurance
Tata AIG offers International, International Plus, student and annual multi-trip policies. Selected International Plus options advertise up to US$1 million per medical incident, making them worth comparing for the US and other expensive healthcare destinations. Plans may cover evacuation, emergency dental care and travel disruptions. Claims can be initiated online, with assistance available overseas. Best for: Frequent flyers and travellers seeking higher medical limits.
5. Niva Bupa Travel Insurance
Niva Bupa’s TravelAssure range includes individual, family and student options, with published medical cover up to US$500,000. Student-focused benefits may address study interruption, documents and other education-related risks. Certain versions offer optional protection for pre-existing conditions, subject to strict terms. Claims use digital submission and overseas assistance arrangements. Best for: Students studying abroad and families needing tailored plans.
6. IndusInd General Travel Insurance
Formerly Reliance General Insurance, IndusInd General offers Travel Care policies, with published medical options up to US$500,000. Its senior travel offerings advertise eligibility up to 90 years, although acceptance and medical limits depend on the policy. Routine pre-purchase medical tests may not be required for certain plans; disclosure of existing illnesses remains essential. Best for: Older travellers and parents visiting family overseas.
7. ACKO Travel Insurance
ACKO emphasises digital purchase, policy access and claims through its app and website. Its international policies offer selectable protection for medical emergencies, evacuation, baggage issues and journey disruptions. Cashless treatment requires coordination with a participating hospital and approval; digital filing does not guarantee immediate settlement. Cover limits differ by plan. Best for: Travellers who prefer an app-based experience and straightforward short trips.
8. Care Health Travel Insurance
Care Health’s Explore and student travel plans focus on overseas medical expenses, with selected Explore options providing up to US$500,000. A notable provision offers limited cover for a life-threatening emergency linked to a declared pre-existing illness, subject to a percentage cap and policy conditions. The insurer uses international assistance partners, including Falck. Best for: Travellers comparing medical-focused protection and PED emergency clauses.
9. IFFCO Tokio Travel Insurance
IFFCO Tokio’s Travel Protector comes in Bronze, Silver and Gold variants, with published medical limits between US$50,000 and US$500,000. Benefits may include evacuation, emergency dental care, passport loss and checked-baggage problems. Lower tiers may exclude the US and Canada, so destination eligibility needs careful checking. Cashless assistance and reimbursement are available subject to policy rules. Best for: Buyers who prefer clearly tiered cover.
10. Aditya Birla Capital Travel Insurance via ABCD
The ABCD app provides access to travel insurance, but it is a distribution platform rather than necessarily the insurer underwriting the risk. Its published single-trip illustration includes US$100,000 emergency medical cover, a deductible and separate evacuation benefits. Claim instructions involve an assistance contact. Check the actual insurer’s name and PED exclusions on the issued certificate. Best for: Travellers seeking convenient app-based purchase.
Travel Insurance Pricing
Insurers sometimes advertise introductory rates starting at a few dozen rupees per day, but these are not comparable quotations. The premium changes with age, destination, trip length, medical limit and add-ons. Request at least three quotes using identical details. A low-priced policy with US$50,000 cover should not be treated as equivalent to one offering US$500,000.
How to Choose the Right Plan and Save Money
- Compare direct and bundled offers: Buying from an insurer may be cheaper than an airline checkout, but not always. Compare the actual benefits rather than the displayed discount.
- Consider annual multi-trip cover: For three or four overseas journeys a year, compare the annual price with separate policies. Check the maximum permitted duration of each trip.
- Disclose health conditions: Declaring diabetes, heart disease or another existing illness does not automatically make it covered. Obtain written confirmation of any emergency PED protection.
- Check cashless arrangements: Save the overseas emergency helpline and understand when pre-authorisation is needed.
Conclusion
The best travel insurance in India depends on where you are going, your age, health and travel frequency. Compare medical and evacuation limits first, then claims assistance, exclusions and price. Before paying, read the policy wording and keep the emergency contact details accessible throughout your trip.
FAQs
Q. Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa from India?
Generally, yes. Schengen visa applicants need qualifying medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, including emergency treatment and repatriation, valid for the required travel period and area. Follow the relevant consulate’s checklist.
Q. How does a cashless medical claim work abroad?
Contact the insurer’s emergency assistance team as soon as possible. It checks the treatment and may arrange direct hospital payment after approval. Deductibles and excluded expenses remain payable by the traveller.
Q. Are missed flights and baggage delays automatically covered?
No. These benefits must appear in the policy, and claims usually require a covered cause, minimum delay and supporting documents from the airline.
Q. Can people above 70 buy travel insurance without medical tests?
Some plans allow it, including selected senior offerings. Eligibility, premiums and medical restrictions vary, and existing conditions must still be disclosed accurately.
Q. Is annual multi-trip insurance better than single-trip cover?
It can be more economical for frequent travellers, but there is no fixed break-even point. Compare premiums, limits and the maximum duration permitted for each trip.
