Buy Travel Insurance Online in India for International Trips: Step-By-Step

Keep passport details, traveller ages, travel dates, destination, and a reachable Indian mobile number ready. Ensure the journey dates reflect the full time outside India, including transit stops if applicable. If any traveller has an existing medical condition, collect treatment history and medication details so disclosures can be completed accurately.

• Keep passport details handy and match names with flight bookings.
• Note travel dates accurately, including stopovers and return day.
• Gather medical records, prescriptions, and recent reports for disclosures.

Here is the step-by-step process of buying:

Confirm Entry or Visa Requirements

Some destinations or visa categories require minimum medical cover or evacuation support. Review requirements early so the chosen plan aligns with travel documents.

Choose the Medical Sum Insured and Deductible

Select a medical limit suited to the destination’s healthcare costs. Check the deductible structure, as it can affect the amount paid upfront during a claim.

Check Emergency Assistance and Hospital Support

Look for a 24/7 assistance number, guidance on hospital admission, and clarity on whether prior authorisation is expected for cashless treatment, if offered.

Review Trip Disruption Benefits

Verify how trip cancellation, trip curtailment, missed connections, and delay benefits are triggered. Focus on waiting periods, minimum delay hours, and proof requirements.

Understand Baggage and Document Sections

Check sub-limits for checked-in baggage, valuables, and essentials purchased during the delay. Confirm what is covered for loss of passport or travel documents and the reporting steps expected overseas.

Read Exclusions With Extra Care

Pay attention to exclusions around pre-existing conditions, non-emergency treatment, intoxication, and activities treated as high risk. Confirm whether any add-ons are needed for the planned activities.

Compare Limits, Sub-Limits, and Co-Pay Clauses

Plans can differ on room category caps, treatment sub-limits, co-pay percentages, and coverage for outpatient treatment. Compare the schedule and wording, not only the headline medical limit.

Pay, Download, and Verify the Policy Schedule

After payment, download the schedule and full wording. Check traveller names, passport numbers, dates, destination, and sum insured to avoid issues during travel.

Treat the policy wording as the operating manual. Confirm the definition of a medical emergency, how to notify the assistance team, and what approvals are required before planned expenses. Check claim notification timelines, document lists, and whether reporting to local authorities is required for theft or loss. Also, verify that the insurer is authorised to sell general insurance in India and that the product documentation is available at the point of purchase.

• Confirm emergency definitions, notification steps, and pre-approvals before treatment starts.
• Note reporting timelines, required documents, and local police report rules.
• Ensure insurer authorization in India and full documentation availability online.

Save a PDF copy offline on the phone and email it to a trusted family member in India. Keep the policy number, assistance contact, and any app or portal login details accessible without relying on roaming data. Carry a printed copy of the schedule when travel involves multiple legs or limited phone access.

• Download the PDF, save it offline, and back it up securely.
• Share the policy number and helpline contact with family in India.
• Carry a printed schedule for long routes or limited signal.

Buying travel cover online works best when approached as a short verification process rather than a quick checkout. With careful selection and properly stored documents, the policy is easier to use if an unexpected event interrupts an international trip. Keep the insurer’s emergency number handy and report incidents as soon as possible, as delays can complicate documentation. A quick review of limits and exclusions before departure avoids confusion when assistance is needed.