Are you planning for a trip in 2025? Then, do not forget to pack your travel insurance along with it. Whether it is a weekend getaway in India or an international vacation, affordable travel insurance can keep you safe from all the unforeseen twists and turns.
Most travellers consider travel insurance as an unnecessary expense, especially those travelling on a budget. However, here’s a fun fact: travel insurance does not come with a hefty price tag. In many instances, especially for travel to destinations within Asia, affordable travel insurance comes at the cost of a cup of coffee at the International Airport. Plus, it can save you a lot of money at the time of a Medical or Non-medical emergency while abroad or in India. You just need to find the right plan.
To help you find the most affordable travel insurance, we will walk you through the top budget-friendly options. So, let’s dive in!
Things to Look For When You Are Buying Affordable Travel Insurance Online
To get the best deal, there are certain things to look for in travel insurance. It will help you to strike a balance between affordability and comprehensive protection. Take a look:
Emergency Medical Coverage:
Accidents and illnesses can be untimely. This is why emergency medical coverage is one of the crucial elements of a travel plan. Ensure to look for affordable medical travel insurance that pays for immediate Inpatient or Outpatient Medical treatment and Medical Evacuation, if necessary. In the worst-case scenario, if the insured family member needs to be repatriated back to India, then ideal travel insurance can be a financial safety net against unexpected expenses. Without it, you can be stuck with a massive out-of-the-pocket cost in a foreign land. Hence if you are on a tight budget for a holiday, we recommend that you take a minimum policy coverage of $50,000 but not take the risk of traveling without travel insurance.
Baggage Protection:
Lost or Delayed Luggage is a headache for every traveller. Statistically the Airline industry loses or delays almost 10% of checked in baggages they handle for their customers…Luckily, many budget-friendly travel insurance policies offer lost and delayed baggage protection. It reimburses you if your luggage is lost during the trip. Also, in case of a delay, it offers immediate reimbursement for essential items, like clothes, and medicines.
24x7 Customer Assistance
The best and affordable travel insurance serves as a friend in need to the insured member whilst abroad. To get round-the-clock assistance at the time of need, always choose a policy that offers 24x7 customer assistance. Reach out to your insurance provider to get support during a difficult situation through their Assistance and Claims Partner abroad. Star Health for example works with Falck India, who have one of the largest network of hospitals across the world, which is beneficial to the insured member.
Exclusions:
Since we are discussing the factors/benefits that are included in a travel plan, it is crucial to be familiar with its exclusions as well. Many policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, high-risk adventurous or sports activities, For a clearer overview, talk to your insurance provider or review their policy terms & conditions before settling on a plan.
Claim Settlement Ratio:
Lastly, it is crucial to consider the previous year’s claim settlement ratio (CSR) of your chosen insurance provider. Travellers must select a provider who possesses a seamless digital claim filing process and has a history of settling claims quickly. Since all claims on the International travel insurance policy will be from abroad, it is important to ensure that the Claims process is managed by a competent Assistance and Claims partner.
How to Make Your Travel Insurance Affordable
There are several ways to get the best affordable travel insurance without compromising your needs. Ensure to comply with these smart strategies below and stand a chance to save a lot:
Compare Between Plans:
One of the best ways to bring down your travel insurance expense is to simply shop around. Never settle for the first plan you come across, look for various options from multiple providers. Because the prices of different travel plans can vary widely for the same coverage.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons:
The season you are planning to travel can massively influence your insurance cost. This is why off-peak seasons tend to have low insurance premiums. Avoid school vacations and holidays to find travel insurance at a much lower rate.
Go for a Lower Sum Insured Plan:
Most insurance companies offer multiple variants of plans from $50,000 upto $500,000 as the Sum Insured for Accident & Sickness. Hence if you are on a tight budget, you can opt for a minimum Sum Insured of $50,000 for your trip…it is significantly much safer to travel with a minimum sum insured plan than traveling without insurance.
Go for Single-trip Policy:
If you are not a frequent flyer, then go for a single-trip travel policy. Though multi-trip policies may seem intriguing, a single-trip policy is more economical. Also, it makes more sense to have a single-trip plan if you travel once a year. But it is recommended that if you travel atleast 3-4 times in a 12 month period, you should consider an Annual Multi trip policy.
Inquire About Group or Family Discounts:
If you love to travel in a group, be it family or friends, then there might be room for added discounts on your travel plan. Various insurance providers offer discounts for multiple travellers. Also, a policyholder can opt for a travel plan that offers comprehensive family coverage, as it helps to reduce the overall cost per person.
Top 3 Affordable Travel Insurance in 2025
Here are some top affordable travel insurance plans that you may consider having in 2025:
- Star Student Travel Protect Insurance Policy: This is exclusively designed for students who visit foreign countries for higher education. From covering travel inconveniences to emergency medical expenses, this travel plan has some unique features like Sponsor Protection, Bail Bond etc to provide comprehensive coverage.
- Star Domestic Travel Insurance Policy: If you are a frequent domestic traveller, then this plan is for you. It features medical to non-medical coverage that is needed to make your travel diaries full of cherishing moments.
- Star Travel Protect Insurance Policy: This international plan is tailor-made for outbound travellers. With no pre-insurance screening for up to 75 years, this travel plan makes your overseas vacation a trip to remember without letting you worry medically and financially.
Benefits of Having an Affordable Travel Insurance
Affordable international travel insurance has diverse benefits. Have a look at some of them:
- Cashless Treatment Facility: With affordable travel medical insurance, you can get medical treatment at either of the network hospitals worldwide. Simply contact your Assistance Provider (contact details will be available on the policy certificate), let them know of your medical emergency and you will be directed to the nearest network hospital.
- Easy VISA Application Approval: Travel insurance is required to travel to various European Schengen countries. This means a traveller must apply for travel insurance even before applying for a VISA for a seamless application process ahead.
- Coverage for Non-medical benefits : Nothing can be more intimidating than losing your passport or baggage in a foreign country. In case of such a situation, travel insurance will indemnify the incurred expenses for getting a duplicate passport/articles purchased due to the loss of the baggage.
Final Words
Summing up, affordable travel insurance acts as a financial safety net. By paying a nominal premium upfront, you can get access to myriad advantages and an undisturbed peace of mind. Before planning for your trip in 2025, ensure to compare between plans and choose a budget-friendly travel insurance to uncover the real joy of travelling.
