Popular Travel Insurance Plans in India [2026]

Travel insurance is a financial safety net that protects you from unexpected expenses while traveling. According to IRDAI's Annual Report 2024-25, overseas travel insurance covered 9.67 million lives across 2.79 million policies, generating ₹1,267 crore in gross premiums. That number shows that more Indians are traveling internationally and taking insurance seriously.

This travel insurance comparison looks at popular plans in India, their medical cover, key exclusions, premium estimates, and who each plan may suit. 

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of plans. For details, please check the respective official websites. 

Comparing Top Plans: Coverage and Premiums

HDFC ERGO Explorer Platinum

• Coverage includes emergency medical hospitalization, medical evacuation and repatriation, emergency dental treatment, daily hospital cash, baggage theft and loss, passport and document loss, and emergency cash assistance. 
• Various geographic options are available. This helps you choose a cover amount based on healthcare costs at your destination.
• There is no pre-travel medical checkup requirement. The plan also includes personal liability protection for third-party property damage or injury during the trip.

Tata AIG International Plus Platinum

• Tata AIG travel insurance, through its International Plus Platinum variant, offers emergency medical cover that includes hospitalization, intensive care, emergency evacuation, and repatriation of mortal remains. 
• The plan covers trip cancellation and curtailment for covered events such as illness, injury, or death of an insured or an immediate family member. 
• Baggage loss is covered with a defined per-item and aggregate limit. Personal accident cover goes up to USD 25,000 for accidental death or permanent disability during the trip. 

ICICI Lombard TripSecure+

• The plan covers emergency hospitalization for illness and injury, accidental death on a common carrier, passport and driving license loss, trip cancellation including visa rejection, and hijack distress compensation. 
• The Adventure sports coverage add-on is available for travelers participating in activities such as scuba diving, paragliding, or trekking at altitudes above the defined limits. 
• You can also add outpatient treatment cover, electronic equipment protection, and cruise-specific benefits depending on your trip type.

Bajaj General Travel Prime

• Coverage includes emergency medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment for covered events, missed connection compensation, and passport loss reimbursement. 
• PED cover is included for life-threatening conditions within defined plan limits, which makes this a considered option for older travelers or those with known medical histories.
• The plan is explicitly Schengen-approved, meaning it meets the mandatory insurance requirements for visa applications to all 29 Schengen countries without requiring any separate endorsement.

Niva Bupa TravelAssure

• The plan covers emergency hospitalization and medical evacuation, trip delays and cancellations, baggage loss and delay, missed connections, and passport loss. 
• For single-trip travelers, PED emergencies are covered up to a defined limit within the plan terms. The plan accommodates family groups of up to 6 members (a maximum of 4 adults and 5 children) under a single policy.
• The student variant of TravelAssure is designed to meet university healthcare requirements for Indian students studying abroad. It covers study interruption, sponsor protection, and offers 100% PED coverage as an optional paid add-on. 

Note: You can refer to the HDFC Explorer and Tata AIG International Plus premium charts for complete details. The numbers are indicative and for a single-trip policy, considering the following parameters:

• Traveler Age: 30 years
• Trip Duration: 30 days
• Base Sum Insured: USD 500,000
• No optional covers, loadings, discounts, or add-ons

Travel insurance in India is priced in rupees (₹), even when the coverage is international. The USD figure reflects your sum insured limit, which is standard across most Indian travel policies.

What to Look For in a Travel Insurance Plan

01

Emergency Medical Expenses

For Southeast Asia, USD 100,000 to USD 250,000 is usually enough. For the US, Canada, or Western Europe, go for at least USD 500,000. A single night in a US hospital can cost USD 5,000 or more.

02

Medical Evacuation

If the local hospital cannot treat you, you may need an air ambulance. So make sure evacuation is explicitly covered.

03

Pre-Existing Disease (PED) Cover

Most plans cover PED only in life-threatening emergencies. If you have a known condition, check the PED terms carefully and always declare it at purchase.

04

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

Covers prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you cancel or cut the trip short due to illness, a family emergency, or severe weather. Not all plans cover visa rejection, so check this specifically if your destination has a strict approval process.

05

Travel Delays and Missed Connections

Seek compensation for meals, hotel stays, or alternative transportation after a delay of 6 to 12 hours. This benefit is useful on long-haul trips with tight layovers.

06

Baggage Loss or Delay

This benefit helps reimburse replacement costs for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage. Check the per-item and aggregate limits before assuming full cover.

07

Deductibles

Some cheaper plans require you to pay the first USD 50 to USD 100 of a medical claim before coverage kicks in. Opt for a zero-deductible plan where possible.

08

Claim Settlement Ratio

Check the insurer's CSR before buying. A ratio above 90% is a reliable sign that the insurer actually pays out claims. HDFC ERGO and Bajaj General have maintained consistently strong ratios.

Common Exclusions in Travel Insurance Plans

Look at the infographic below to know about the common exclusions in travel insurance plans. 

Single Trip vs Multi-Trip vs Student Plans: Which to Choose

• Single-Trip Plans: These plans cover one specific round trip, from the date you leave India to the date you return. Most plans allow trip durations up to 180 or 360 days. If you travel internationally only once or twice a year, a single-trip plan is almost always more cost-effective.
• Annual Multi-Trip Plans: These cover all international trips you take within a 12-month window. Each individual trip is usually capped at 30, 45, or 60 days. If you travel abroad more than twice a year, an annual plan saves both money and the hassle of buying a fresh policy every time.
• Student Travel Plans: Student plans are built for Indians studying abroad on extended programs. They last longer than standard travel plans, are designed to meet university health insurance requirements, and include specific coverage such as study interruption and sponsor protection.

Now that we know the plans, let’s have a look at the claim process in case you’re stuck in an emergency in a foreign country. 

Non-Medical Claims 

For non-medical claims, collect all the documentation and details at the source of the loss. For baggage loss, get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline before leaving the airport. In the event of passport loss, file a police report immediately. For trip cancellation, get written confirmation from the airline or hotel.

Who Should Buy Which Plan?

Travel insurance handles trip logistics. But it does not handle your financial protection. That is what health insurance and term life insurance are for. Here is how they all fit together.

Health Insurance

Your domestic health insurance covers treatment in India year-round. It does not cover medical emergencies outside India, and that is exactly the gap travel insurance fills. 

Travel insurance is also not enough in two specific situations:

• If you are traveling specifically to receive medical treatment abroad, you need international health insurance. Travel insurance does not cover planned treatment.
• If you are relocating or living abroad long-term, stacking travel policies is not a substitute for proper global health cover. Local health insurance in your new country provides the comprehensive, year-round protection you actually need.

Term Life Insurance

Most travel plans include a personal accident or accidental death benefit. Here’s what term insurance covers primarily: 

• Death due to illness, not just accidents.
• The years of income your family loses after you are gone.
• Your home loan, your children's education, or your family's day-to-day expenses.

Why Choose Ditto for Insurance? 

At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 8,00,000 customers with choosing the right insurance policy. Why customers like Pallavi below love us:

• No-Spam & No Salesmen
• Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 24,000+ happy customers
• Backed by Zerodha
• Dedicated Claim Support Team
• 100% Free Consultation

Confused about the right insurance? Speak to Ditto’s certified advisors for free, unbiased guidance. Book your call now or chat with our advisors on WhatsApp.

Conclusion

Travel insurance is not a checkbox. It is a financial decision that can save you lakhs if something goes wrong abroad, and cost you nothing meaningful if it does not.

• Travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellations, baggage loss, and passport loss. It also meets the mandatory visa requirements for Schengen and other destinations that require proof of insurance for entry.
• It does not replace your domestic health insurance, which covers you in India year-round, or your term life insurance, which protects your family's long-term financial security. 
• Specialized variants exist for students, seniors, and frequent travelers. But the right plan depends on your destination, age, trip type, and medical history, not just the premium.

Note: Ditto currently does not help with standalone travel insurance plans. What Ditto does help with is health insurance and term life insurance, the two products that form the actual foundation of your financial protection. If you are looking to sort either of those, we have you covered:

• For health insurance, read our detailed guide on the best health insurance plans in India.
• For term life insurance, refer to our guide on the best term insurance plans in India.