What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance covers overseas medical emergencies, trip cancellation, baggage loss and passport loss for a specific trip. It is mandatory for Schengen visas, which require a minimum of EUR 30,000 of medical cover, and is strongly advisable for the US, where a single hospital admission can exceed USD 50,000. At Valiantedge Solutions we compare travel insurance plans from 25+ IRDAI-licensed insurers, explain the fine print in plain language and stay with you through every renewal and claim.
This guide explains how travel insurance works in India in 2026, who should buy it, how much cover is right, what it costs, and the mistakes that cause claims to fail. Everything below is written to answer the questions our advisors hear every day from families and business owners across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and the rest of India.
Travel Insurance at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Schengen requirement | Minimum EUR 30,000 medical cover, valid across Schengen states |
| Typical US/Canada cover | USD 100,000 to USD 500,000 recommended |
| Trip types | Single trip, multi-trip annual, student, senior citizen |
| Common inclusions | Emergency medical, evacuation, trip cancellation/delay, baggage and passport loss, personal liability |
| Common exclusions | Undeclared pre-existing conditions, adventure sports without a rider, travel against medical advice |
| Buy by | Before departure; cover cannot start once you have left |
Who should buy travel insurance?
- Schengen, US, UK and most visa applicants
- Students going abroad, where university cover may be limited or costly
- Senior travellers, where overseas medical risk is highest
- Business travellers taking several trips a year, who save with an annual multi-trip plan
It is usually not the right first purchase for:
- Nobody travelling internationally; the downside is catastrophic and the premium is trivial by comparison
Key benefits of travel insurance
Overseas medical cover at local prices
An emergency appendectomy in the US can cost more than a mid-size car in India. This is the core reason the policy exists.
Visa compliance
Schengen and several other visa regimes require proof of insurance meeting a stated minimum.
Trip cancellation and delay
Reimburses non-refundable bookings when illness, a visa refusal or a covered disruption stops the trip.
Baggage and passport loss
Covers replacement costs and emergency documentation abroad.
24x7 assistance
A number that works in your time zone when something goes wrong in a foreign country.
How much travel insurance cover do you need?
Match cover to destination healthcare costs. EUR 30,000 is the Schengen floor and adequate for Europe. For the US and Canada aim for USD 100,000 to USD 500,000. For South-East Asia, USD 50,000 is usually sufficient.
Our advisors run this calculation with you in a 15-minute call, using your actual income, loans, dependants and existing policies, then show side-by-side quotes so the number is grounded in what you will actually pay.
How to buy the right travel insurance plan: step by step
- Buy before departure. Cover cannot be issued once the trip has begun.
- Declare pre-existing conditions. Undeclared conditions are the leading cause of overseas claim rejection; many plans cover declared conditions for life-threatening emergencies.
- Match the policy to the visa. Check the minimum sum insured and geographic validity your visa requires.
- Consider annual multi-trip. Three or more trips a year usually makes the annual plan cheaper.
- Add adventure sports if relevant. Skiing, scuba and trekking above set altitudes are excluded without a rider.
Why choose Valiantedge Solutions for travel insurance?
Valiantedge Solutions is an insurance advisory and distribution partner serving individuals, families and businesses across India. We are not tied to a single insurer, which means our recommendation for travel insurance is based on your profile, not on commission. Every policy we place comes with dedicated claim assistance, renewal reminders and a named advisor you can call.
- Unbiased comparison across 25+ life and general insurers, with IRDAI claim settlement data shown alongside premium.
- Plain-language explanation of waiting periods, exclusions, riders and tax treatment before you sign.
- Claim support that stays with you: we handle documentation and insurer follow-up when you need it most.
- Doorstep, phone or video consultation at a time that suits you, in Hindi or English.
- Transparent pricing: you pay exactly the insurer's premium, nothing extra for advice.
Travel Insurance services across India
We help clients buy and manage travel insurance in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Chandigarh, as well as hundreds of other cities and towns. Local knowledge matters: hospital networks, garage networks, regional claim turnaround and even premium zones vary by city, and our advisors factor that into every recommendation. Use the location pages on this site to find travel insurance guidance for your city, or simply request a callback and we will connect you with an advisor who knows your area.
Frequently asked questions about travel insurance
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Schengen rules require travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen states and covering the full stay including repatriation. Applications are commonly refused without compliant proof.
How much travel insurance do I need for the USA?
Between USD 100,000 and USD 500,000. US healthcare is the most expensive in the world and a short emergency admission routinely exceeds USD 50,000.
Does travel insurance cover trip cancellation?
Most comprehensive plans reimburse non-refundable bookings when cancellation is caused by a covered reason such as illness, injury, a death in the family or in many plans a visa refusal. Cancelling because you changed your mind is not covered.
Are pre-existing conditions covered abroad?
Usually only for life-threatening emergencies, and only if declared at purchase. Undeclared conditions are the most common reason overseas claims fail.
Get a free travel insurance quote today
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