Why You Need Domestic Travel Insurance for Your Trips in India
When going for a domestic trip, other than just packing your bags, another important thing to add is domestic travel insurance. Unfortunately most travellers within India opt not to protect themselves with Domestic Travel Insurance, believing it’s an expense that adds unnecessarily to the cost of their trip. If you meet with any kind of unexpected dire circumstances like an Accident, on Trip Cancellation or even a Delayed Flight, while on a trip, this insurance policy provides financial support. In this article, we will cover the various aspects that there is to a Domestic type of travel insurance. Read on to learn more about how it can benefit you.
What is Domestic Travel Insurance?
Domestic Travel insurance, as the name suggests, covers travellers within India, and offers financial coverage against any unexpected events during your trip. For example, if you choose a domestic type of travel insurance policy coverage for India, then any trips made within the territory of India are only going to be covered. If you avail the Annual Multitrip policy, then you can make a claim on a travel insurance policy more than once, depending on the benefits included under it. This way, you can ensure that your trip stays within budget and you don’t face any unexpected expense that drains your savings.
Why Consider Getting a Domestic Type of Travel Insurance?
Opting for Domestic Insurance can prove to be beneficial for you if you are an avid and regular traveller even within the boundaries of India. It can provide you with the necessary financial aid when you need it the most if met with unexpected medical or non medical emergencies.
Here are a few reasons why you should get a domestic travel insurance cover:
●Provides Trip Cancellation Coverage
If you are forced to cancel your trip unexpectedly, for any covered reasons under the policy, then you can claim the non refundable part of cancellations for Air Flight tickets, Hotel Advances, Car Hire deposits, Land Package reservations and more. For example Indigo Airlines charges a Rs.2500/- Cancellation Fee for each Air ticket, this can be claim under the Trip Cancellation benefit, if the trip is cancelled for the covered reasons.
●Get Medical Coverage While Traveling
While nobody can predict the future, insurance provides the “peace of mind” that every traveller needs to enjoy the holiday, and can somewhat mitigate ill luck that hits anyone at any time. This can happen even while someone is on a trip. Hence, it is better to prepare for such circumstances by getting a travel insurance policy. It will provide coverage when met with unforeseen hospitalization and other types of medical costs.
●Receive Financial Aid for Baggage Loss/Delay
When met with Baggage Loss or Baggage Delay by the Airline, then travel insurance can help cover the indemnity costs for it. Reimbursements of expenses upto the Sum Insured on the policy are covered, which means that you will get the value covered for your lost or delayed baggage. In order to file such a claim, you generally need to submit the Airline Property Irregularity Report (PIR) for your lost/delayed baggage, like a police record and then your costs incurred will be reimbursed, subject to policy T&Cs
●Coverage on all Modes of Transport
The Domestic Travel Insurance policies cover the insured member on all modes of transport throughout India – rail, road, air, where you are a ticket/fare paying common passenger and private car. Travel in today’s mobility companies vehicles like OLA, UBER, RAPIDO, NAMMA YATRI etc are also covered. Generally travel in 2 and 3 wheelers are excluded under all policies. The policy covers you the moment the trip commences from your home or office.
●Annual Multi Trip Option
Domestic Travel Insurance policies are available for a single trip, return trip or even an annual cover, which is a 365 day cover. It is highly recommend that one takes the Annual Mutlti trip plan since this covers you throughout the year on all modes of transport throughout India. Policy coverage is in place in most policies when you leave your place of residence/domicile, where as Star Health Domestic Policy covers you even in you city of residence.
How Can You Choose the Right Travel Insurance?
Here are a few things that you need to consider when choosing the right travel insurance domestic:
●Determine the Coverage you need
It might be more tempting for you to choose a minimum coverage, which is available at a lower premium, but you are advised not to do that. Domestic Travel Insurance premiums are much lower when compared to International Travel Insurance, and hence it is recommended to take a higher Sum Insured option at the most competitive premium. The Domestic Travel Insurance policies have variants based on the Sum Insured for Personal Accident (Accidental Death) and this ranges from Rs.10 lacs to Rs.100 lacs in most cases. Incremental premium for a higher Sum Insured is not very high. Choose yourself an optimum cover. Hence, you need to make sure that you are carefully determining the benefits offered and the scope of covera in the policy prior to choosing.
●Gauge the Flexibility of the Policy
The flexibility of an insurance policy refers to its comprehensiveness of coverage. Does your Domestic Travel Insurance policy cover both Medical and Non Medical benefits? Does your policy offer you Cashless treatment following an Accident? Does your insurance company offer Claims Assistance with a Toll Free number to contact for claims support? Make sure to carefully determine the flexibility of your domestic travel insurance policy and ensure that you stay covered under your insurance to the best extent possible according to your individual travel needs.
●Financial Strength of Insurance Company
When choosing travel insurance for domestic travel you need to know about the process and turnaround time (TAT) for claims settlement or reimbursement. Also the financial strength of the Insurance partner is important so that you can be rest assured that they will pay claims on time. All insurance companies declare a Solvency Ratio which is mandated by the Regulator, and this gives a direct indication on the financial strength of the insurance company.
●Know the Sum Insured Limits & Exclusions
When choosing travel insurance for domestic travel you need to know about the limits of coverage for each benefit under the policy, which will be mentioned on the Certificate of Insurance. Also be aware on the restrictions of the coverage, which are typically Exclusions under the policy. This is very important as it prevents you from claiming your insurance for instances which are not covered. Getting a clear idea about the limits would also ensure that you are selecting a policy that best covers your trip needs.
How to File a Claim under Domestic Insurance?
The process of claiming domestic travel insurance differs from that of International Travel Insurance and is based on the type of insurance company that you choose. Here is a general overview of the procedure involved when going for claiming a domestic travel insurance:
Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Provider
Unlike International Travel Insurance where the claims are managed by an Worldwide TPA or Assistance Company, all claims of domestic travel insurance are managed by the insurers themselves. The contact details, both phone and email, will be displayed on your Certificate of Insurance, which you must keep handly. Star Health has an additional benefit of a Mobile Application when the insured can register claims for all policies held by them with the company. Just download the app and register your Domestic Travel Insurance policy on the app, for future assistance at the time of a claim.
Step 2: Provide Necessary Details
Next, you will need to brief them about your policy number and a description of the type of incident that has occurred and the benefit of the policy under which you are filing a claim.
Step 3: Review Required Documents
Then review all the necessary documents required as support for the claim you made. For instance, if a person meets with an accident and has to be hospitalized then they will need to submit hospital bills and registration forms as evidence. Ensure you have all original documents prior to filing for the claims reimbursement.
Step 4: Fill Claim Form and Submit
Now, you will have to fill in a claim form. Here, you will have to provide information on the type of claim that you are making, your policy number, your basic information, etc and then submit it. Also ensure for reimbursement claims, the necessary bank account details are provided. Ensure that all the required documents are submitted along with the claim form to ensure a prompt claims settlement.
Step 5: Wait for Insurer’s Approval
Post-submission you need to wait for approval from your insurer. After they are approved, the insurance company will make a claim settlement with the relevant company or hospital to cover the charges incurred if the claim is cashless. In case of reimbursement, they will make the reimbursement into the insured’s bank account.
Final Words
Having domestic travel insurance comes much handy when met with any kind of unforeseen circumstances while on a domestic trip. While it is still not a much sought after insurance policy as of today, there is no denying the fact that this is an important risk mitigating policyif you travel domestically for work or leisure. When choosing an insurer make sure to go through the policy carefully to get a clear idea about the offered benefits. This will ensure that you are selecting a coverage that well applies and covers your trip needs.
If you are looking for a good insurance provider to take up domestic traveller insurance, then look no further than Star Health Insurance. Here, we provide an extensive range of coverage and benefits for policyholders to ensure financial security while going on a trip. Get your health protected today with us at Star Health Insurance! After all, your health is your future.
