Travel Medical Insurance: What It Covers and Why You Need It in India

When you travel outside India, travel medical insurance, a type of coverage that pays for emergency medical care while you’re abroad. Also known as international health coverage, it’s not just a safety net—it’s often required by countries like the Schengen zone, the U.S., and Australia. Without it, a single hospital visit could cost thousands of dollars, even for something as simple as a broken ankle or severe food poisoning. Most Indian travelers assume their domestic health plan works overseas. It doesn’t. Indian public or private health insurance rarely covers treatment outside the country, leaving you exposed when you’re far from home.

Travel medical insurance isn’t just about hospitals. It includes emergency evacuation, repatriation of remains, coverage for lost prescriptions, and even trip interruption due to illness. For example, if you’re hiking in Nepal and twist your knee badly, the insurance might pay for a helicopter ride to Kathmandu and a week of physiotherapy. Or if you get hit with appendicitis in Dubai, it covers surgery, hospital stay, and even a flight back to India once you’re stable. These aren’t edge cases—they happen more often than people admit. One study from the World Health Organization found that over 1 in 10 international travelers experience a medical event serious enough to require care.

What you get depends on the plan. Basic policies cover only emergencies. Better ones include pre-existing condition waivers (if bought within 14 days of booking your trip), dental emergencies, and even mental health crises like panic attacks abroad. Some even cover COVID-19 treatment, which became non-negotiable after 2020. You don’t need the most expensive plan. But skipping coverage because it feels like a waste is like not wearing a seatbelt because you’ve never had an accident.

Indian travelers often overlook this because they think they’re invincible, or they trust their travel agent’s vague promises. But agents don’t pay your bills. Hospitals do. And they won’t treat you without proof you can pay. Even in countries with universal healthcare, foreigners are billed upfront. In the U.S., an ER visit for a sprained ankle can hit $3,000. In Germany, a broken tooth might cost you €800 without insurance. These aren’t rare prices—they’re standard.

And here’s the thing: it’s not just about money. It’s about peace of mind. If your mom gets sick while you’re in Bali, you shouldn’t be scrambling to find a hospital, translate symptoms, or worry about how to pay. A good travel medical insurance plan gives you a 24/7 helpline, direct billing with partner hospitals, and a local contact who speaks your language. That’s worth more than the premium.

You’ll find plenty of advice online about which insurer is cheapest. But the real question is: what happens when you actually need help? That’s where coverage details matter—things like deductibles, exclusions for adventure sports, and whether mental health is included. We’ve seen travelers lose thousands because their policy didn’t cover dengue fever in Thailand or because they didn’t declare a history of asthma. These aren’t tricks—they’re fine print. And the difference between reading it and ignoring it can be life-changing.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical guides from people who’ve been there. Whether you’re planning a weekend in Bangkok or a six-month backpacking trip across Europe, these posts break down what to look for, what to avoid, and how to get real value without falling for marketing hype. No fluff. Just what works.