A trip to a foreign country is very exciting, especially when it is your first one. Amidst this excitement, most people unintentionally tend to overlook the potential risk of unforeseen circumstances such as meeting with an accident or falling sick.
To reduce the financial and mental burden in such situations, you must stay prepared to brave the consequences. But from the two options travel insurance vs health insurance, which one should you choose?
In this detailed guide, we will discuss the difference between travel and health insurance based on the type of coverage they offer and the availability of the same in India today.
Travel Insurance vs Travel Medical Insurance: Global Outlook
Travel insurance and travel medical insurance are often used interchangeably everywhere. However, they are not the same for all countries.
In most parts of the world, a travel insurance policy is a comprehensive travel protection plan that covers your entire journey from departure until you return to your home country.
On the other hand, travel medical insurance is often considered to be a travel protection plan or an international health insurance plan focussed more on providing financial protection for medical emergencies and other health-related concerns only.
Let us look at the common international medical insurance vs travel insurance differences below.
Features | Travel Insurance | International Medical Insurance |
Scope of Coverage | Comprehensive journey coverage with medical inclusions | Comprehensive medical inclusions |
Standard Inclusions | Flight Cancellations | Emergency medical assistance |
Trip interruptions and Delays | Medicines and hospital costs |
Medical emergencies | Surgery and dental treatments |
Loss or damage of passport | Urgent medical treatment for accidents |
Total loss of baggage | Emergency evacuation from your current place to the nearest healthcare centre or hospital |
Delayed baggage | Legal coverage (If you land up in legal trouble) |
Personal liabilities | Getting you back to your home country in case of serious illness, accident or death |
Tenure | Long-term based on trip destination and stay duration | Short-term based on medical needs and treatment requirements |
Travel Insurance vs Medical Insurance for Travel in India
In India, most insurance providers offer medical coverage under travel insurance plans for all international destinations, to ensure you get the necessary coverage for journeys and medical emergencies without any hassle.
So, if you are wondering “Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?”, the answer is yes. The important thing to remember here is that in India, there is rarely an option for a standalone “travel medical insurance policy” since all travel plans already come with built-in medical coverage for emergency medical care.
However, if you want dedicated and highly comprehensive medical coverage for any pre-existing health condition or planned medical treatment, you can opt for an international health insurance policy in India for your next international trip.
We at Reliance General Insurance happen to offer a Global Health Insurance plan for planned medical treatment overseas.
Travel Insurance vs Health Insurance
Now that you understand the key difference between travel insurance vs travel medical insurance, you now need to look into the main difference between a travel insurance policy and an international health insurance policy for your next trip.
Here is all you need to know.
Features | Travel Insurance | International Health Insurance |
Duration of Coverage | Limited to the trip duration | Usually annual |
Scope of Coverage | Short-term | Long-term |
Comprehensive coverage for trip-related emergencies and unforeseen circumstances, including medical emergencies | Primarily medical coverage for health-related requirements, including pre-existing conditions, medical emergencies, and overall well-being coverage |
Main Focus | Ensuring a hassle-free trip experience with minimal out-of-pocket expenses | Ensuring continuous health and well-being with a dedicated financial safety net |
How to Choose the Right Insurance for Your Travel Needs?
Assess your Needs
To decide between travel insurance and international health insurance for your next trip, you must assess your needs to determine the extent of required medical coverage. For instance,
- A travel insurance policy will suffice if you are medically fit but want to secure your health and journey with a financial safety net.
- If you have a pre-existing chronic disease and want extensive coverage for necessary medical support at the international destination, you can go for an international health insurance plan.
Compare Plans
Once you have clarity about your necessary coverage requirements, you must compare different travel insurance and international health insurance plans to choose the one that aligns with your needs and budget most effectively. This is crucial to ensure you only pay for the coverage you need.
Customisation Flexibility
Some insurers also allow you to customise your chosen travel insurance plan with a range of add-ons. Check for the types and number of add-ons available to choose a plan that provides you the benefit of personalisation for better coverage.
Review Insurer Image and Services
Before finalising any policy, review customer testimonials and the market image of the chosen insurance provider. Moreover, you also need to check the claim settlement ratio and availability of customer support and service to make the final decision.
Online Convenience
The last thing to assess is the provision of online policy purchases, renewals and claim requests with different insurers. Digitisation has been adopted in the insurance industry, and thus, you must choose an insurance provider that allows convenient and quick policy solutions for all your needs.
Conclusion
Travelling to any international destination is an enriching experience. However, you must remember the importance of
overseas travel insurance to secure your trip and finances from any unexpected situations.
Moreover, with the added knowledge about the difference between travel insurance vs medical insurance, you are now aware that the benefits of both policies are combined into one in India.
Reliance General Insurance offers a wide range of travel insurance plans for different international destinations with ample medical coverage to ensure you and your savings are well-protected throughout your trip.
Moreover, our plans offer comprehensive medical coverage along with additional benefits, such as dental treatment, repatriation of mortal remains, daily allowance in case of hospitalisation, and much more for complete support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travel insurance different from health insurance?
Travel insurance is an insurance category that protects you from various unexpected travel and medical emergencies and is valid till the end of the trip. On the other hand, health insurance is an insurance category designed for medical assistance in India for all your medical needs.
Do I need to buy travel insurance as a mandate for international trips?
Many countries worldwide have a mandatory travel insurance requirement as part of their visa application process. However, even if it is not mandatory for your chosen country, you must buy one to ensure you are protected with a comprehensive financial safety net in times of need.
What are some common exclusions for travel insurance?
Some of the common exclusions for travel insurance include -
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Acts of war
- Cosmetic procedures
- Travelling against the advice of a doctor
- Claiming for an undeclared pre-existing condition
