Your Guide to Buying Domestic Travel Insurance

Travelling on holidays is supposed to be fun. You are ready to explore a new place, try new food and spend some quality time with family and friends. You would have planned what you want to see and activities you want to do in advance, right? But you might not have prepared for emergencies like cancellation of flights or baggage being lost in transit!

The good news is you can plan for such emergencies as well, by purchasing Domestic Travel Insurance.

Where Can I Buy Domestic Travel Insurance?

There are a lot of online travel and insurance broking companies that can help you with this. They have tie-ups with general insurance companies who have these products. Alternatively, you could also approach a general insurance company and buy domestic travel insurance from them, either online or offline.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Before you buy domestic travel insurance, you need to know what it covers.

Cancellation and Delays: If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you are protected by Domestic Travel Insurance. You might have to suddenly cancel a holiday or have to rush back while you are on holiday due to a medical emergency. This would involve purchasing a return ticket which would be very costly. If you buy domestic travel insurance, they will cover the cancellation charges and cost of the return ticket.
Medical Costs: When you get Domestic Travel Insurance, you protect yourself against any medical costs payable by you when you are on a trip. Travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, medical evaluation and more. If you have been hospitalized for more than seven days, then return ticket airfare is reimbursed for a family member who visits you. You also have access to a 24 x 7 toll-free helpline to contact the insurer for making arrangements during a medical emergency while travelling. If you have any pre-existing medical illnesses, even then you can buy domestic travel insurance, but there are certain conditions to be fulfilled.
Loss of Possessions: Losing your baggage is something that happens to a lot of passengers. You will have to immediately purchase all the essentials and clothing. Domestic Travel Insurance will ensure that you are reimbursed for your lost baggage. Some insurers cover you if you are pickpocketed.
Personal Accident Liability: You might accidentally cause damage to third-party property or person. Your Domestic Travel Insurance will cover the liability arising out of the accident, including any legal costs that you will have to incur.

Burglary Insurance: When you buy domestic travel insurance, you are also covered for any financial loss that occurs to your property while you are away on a trip. Not all insurers offer this cover, so you need to do your research to find out which insurer offers it.

What Is Not Covered By a Travel Insurance Policy

While there are a lot of things which a Domestic Travel Insurance policy covers, here are some things which are not covered:

Life-Threatening Conditions: If you have disclosed any pre-existing illness which could lead to life-threatening conditions when you buy domestic travel insurance, you will be covered with the same, otherwise not.

Specific Expenses: Expenses which occur as a result of suicide, self-inflicted injury, anxiety, depression, HIV/AIDS, or mental disorder will not be covered under a Domestic Travel Insurance Policy. You will not be covered for expenses when you buy domestic travel insurance which arises if you are violating your physician's advice, are scheduled for a particular medical treatment, or are in a terminal condition due to a specific medical condition.

Not Following the Procedure: You are required to report the loss of your possession to the local police before you can claim compensation under Domestic Travel Insurance. If you have not followed this process, your claim will be rejected.

Partial Loss of Baggage: You will be compensated for complete loss of baggage and not partial loss under Domestic Travel Insurance.

Nuclear Threat or War: If there is a nuclear threat or war in the country, you will not be covered by Domestic Travel Insurance.

What Are My Options?

When buying Domestic Travel Insurance, you could either go for a single trip policy or a multi-trip policy. If you travel frequently, it would be more convenient and economical for you to go for the multi-trip cover instead of buying a single trip policy every time you travel. The policy will cover your family members as well.

You can also extend your Domestic Travel Insurance if your holiday is extended. However, you need to fill up the extension form on time. However, you need to keep in mind that there are age restrictions for Domestic Travel Insurance policies. If you have a family member over the age of 85, they will be required to undergo medical tests before they get travel insurance cover.

Points to Remember When Choosing a Policy

When choosing a Domestic Travel Insurance policy, you need to remember that:

Before you buy domestic travel insurance, find out if it covers all your needs. Your requirements should be more important than the policy premium
Read the terms and conditions of your Domestic Travel Insurance policy carefully and understand each one. If there is a crisis, you will know what is covered and what is not
The insurer should be certified by IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India).
Take time and understand what information is required while filling up the application form for your Domestic Travel Insurance Policy. Providing wrong information or insufficient information would lead to rejection of your claim and the entire premium paid would be a waste. You will have to cover the expenses of all losses and hospitalizations
Understand the claim settlement process and follow it if you want to claim compensation against your Domestic Travel Insurance Policy.
Find out if the insurer has a refund policy in case a trip is cut short or cancelled before you buy domestic travel insurance.

Enjoy Your Trip With Domestic Travel Insurance

Travelling should be about fun and not worrying about what to do if things go wrong. Domestic travel insurance guarantees you your peace of mind! So, go online, find out what the different insurers are offering you and choose the policy that serves your purpose! Bon Voyage!