Questions

• What is travel insurance?
• Why do I need Travel Insurance?
• Can I buy Overseas Travel Insurance If I am traveling on an immigrant visa?
• What is a TPA?
• Will my charges be paid directly to the hospital or do I need to pay the bill first and then claim from the company?
• Do I need to show an I-Card to get admitted in a hospital that will provide cashless treatment?
• Is loss of passport covered under the travel policy?
• Are there any restrictions on the hospital where the treatment should be taken?
• Is travel insurance provided for domestic travel as well?

What is travel insurance?

Travel Insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to protect your health, loss of belongings including passport, delays etc. when you usually travel abroad. It provides peace of mind for you and your family while on your vacation since these unforeseen expenses can often be very large and you may not be in a position to quickly arrange for funds.

Why do I need Travel Insurance?

One usually travels abroad for two reasons- a pleasure trip or a business trip. You do not want anything to ruin your hard earned holiday or your crucial business meeting. But there is a possibility of some unexpected occurrence no matter how perfect the planning is. Unfortunate events such as baggage loss, passport loss, a medical emergency or an accident can affect you. Having Overseas Travel Insurance protects you from all such perils. It ensures that in the unknown foreign land you are not left stranded in any kind of an emergency.

Can I buy Overseas Travel Insurance If I am traveling on an immigrant visa?

Yes, you can buy Overseas Travel Insurance even if you are traveling on an immigrant visa.

What is a TPA?

TPA stands for Third Party Administrator. It is an organization that facilitates cashless medical services, taking care of the hassles of payments in case of medical emergencies. They also provide the necessary information to deal with any claim related queries.

Will my charges be paid directly to the hospital or do I need to pay the bill first and then claim from the company?

It depends on the type of policy you have - if you have the cashless hospitalization cover, you can intimate the insurer or TPA, who will then make the required payments directly to the hospital. Otherwise, you will need to make the payments, and then submit your insurance claim. You will then be reimbursed after your claim has been validated.

Do I need to show an I-Card to get admitted in a hospital that will provide cashless treatment?

No. All you need to show is your passport number and the policy number.

Is loss of passport covered under the travel policy?

Yes, most insurance companies provide cover for the loss of passport. If your policy doesn't include it, you can purchase it as an additional cover. The insurance company will reimburse you for expenses incurred while getting a duplicate or temporary passport.

Are there any restrictions on the hospital where the treatment should be taken?

There are no restrictions on the hospital where you should be treated; the only regulation is that the hospital should be registered under the local jurisdiction.

Is travel insurance provided for domestic travel as well?

Yes. Some companies offer travel insurance for domestic journeys as well. Typically, it provides you with cover for personal accident, ambulance charges, accidental hospitalization, carriage of remains, baggage loss, and home burglary.