Travel Insurance For a Trip to India (2024) (2024)

Use the table below to compare the best travel insurance companies for a trip to India:

Travel insurance plans are not required to visit India. However, travel insurance can protect you from losing nonrefundable costs if your trip gets interrupted or you experience a health emergency. Most U.S. health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses overseas, like if you require hospitalization or emergent care. But you can add protection by purchasing a travel insurance policy with emergency medical coverage.

It’s important to check policy documents regarding participation in activities such as adventure sports and motorbike riding, which insurance may not cover. However, even if you’re simply exploring Delhi, heat exhaustion or minor incidents may require medical treatment you can cover by filing a travel insurance claim.

Travel insurance can reimburse some or all prepaid costs for trip delays or cancellations. So you won’t have to rely on airline policies to recoup losses if your flight to India is delayed or canceled for reasons outside your control. A policy can also cover a delay of checked-in baggage and lost or stolen belongings.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Most travel insurance providers offer cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which covers nonrefundable trip costs without limits on why you need to cancel.

Standard travel insurance coverage includes cancellation for predetermined reasons, including the death of a family member or a personal accident or illness. But CFAR coverage allows you to cancel plans for reasons outside your policy. So if you cancel your trip to India to go to Canada or Thailand instead, your insurance company is more likely to reimburse travel costs if you have CFAR coverage.

CFAR is subject to rules that vary among different travel insurance providers. Rules may include exclusions and time limits, such as a requirement to cancel within 48 or 72 hours of your vacation start date. It is typically offered as a policy add-on, which may increase your insurance premium.

Gear Theft Protection

Travel insurance also offers coverage for valuable items and expensive equipment so you can travel to India with added peace of mind. Gear theft protection is useful if you’re traveling with valuables such as:

• Laptops
• Smartphones
• Professional cameras and video equipment
• Jewelry
• Adventure sports gear

Check your international travel insurance plan for inclusions, exclusions and the sum insured. Certain travel policies may not cover everything, like the full cost of stolen valuables after your deductible. Generally, reimbursem*nt includes items that are damaged, lost or stolen through common carriers such as airlines or tour organizations. Many travelers leave items at home or locked in hotel rooms if they are too valuable to lose.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

According to the U.S. Department of State, the quality of medical care in India varies depending on your location. You may have an easier time finding medical care in more populated cities versus rural areas. But regardless of your location, travel medical insurance can cover health emergencies and help you avoid significant medical costs.

Policies may vary regarding coverage of pre-existing diseases or medical conditions. Standard medical coverage typically includes:

• Hospital fees
• Operating room charges and anesthesia
• Ambulance
• Dental emergencies
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Most travel health insurance plans include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation if local medical care isn’t available or you need to fly back to your home country.

Rental Car Protection

Many people choose to explore India via a guided tour or with private drivers due to traffic conditions, specifically in big cities. The country requires that rental car companies provide third-party personal liability insurance to cover deaths, injuries or property damage while using rented vehicles. However, companies may offer you the option to purchase additional rental car coverage.

Depending on the type of car insurance and coverage you choose, premium plans may include the following:

• Collision damage waiver and theft protection
• Tire and windshield protection
• Roadside protection
• Personal effects coverage

As a separate safeguard, a standard travel insurance policy generally includes rental vehicle coverage to reimburse you for stolen or damaged cars. Some policies may offer this coverage as a policy add-on, which costs extra.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance covers nonrefundable trip costs (like your flight or hotel) if your trip to India gets canceled unexpectedly. Coverage extends to the insured person or policyholder for a limited number of reasons, including:

• Death of family members
• Hospitalization or serious illness
• Severe weather conditions preventing departure
• Jury or military duty
• Domestic or international terrorism (such as a hijack at air or sea)

Opt for CFAR coverage for more general cancellations, like a compassionate visit to someone in the hospital, concerns about pre-existing conditions or simply changing your mind. Note that your policy may not cover cancellations due to certain natural disasters (such as flash flooding in India) if you travel after a known event.

The cost of India travel insurance largely depends on your trip details and personal risk factors. For example, a senior citizen who requires a regular check-up for pre-existing medical conditions may pay more for a policy, whereas student travel insurance is generally the cheapest.

Plan options may include single-trip travel insurance for a one-time visit to India. Or if you’re traveling from Schengen countries to Australia and then onto India, you might find multi-trip travel insurance more cost-effective. In this example, a U.S. citizen would not need a Schengen visa to travel between countries but would require a tourist visa to enter India.

We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to India. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to India for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.

These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.

Keep in mind that your cost may vary depending on your personal details and trip duration or end date. If you are on a budget, check out our picks for cheap travel insurance options.

When planning your vacation to India, check your credit cards and health insurance as you may already have some forms of coverage. Some credit card companies extend certain travel coverages, and private health insurance may extend to emergencies abroad. You can also buy travel insurance directly through your airline when purchasing flight tickets.

If you decide to purchase travel insurance, take your time to shop around and compare plans. It’s important to check your policy wording for coverage exclusions so you are not surprised during the claims process. For example, policies may include varying coverages for lost baggage, which can affect how much you receive in a claim settlement.

The right travel insurance policy for you should take into account your personal needs. If you plan to hike or participate in sporting activities, look for coverage that includes medical emergencies and sporting gear. Or find a trip plan with optional CFAR coverage if unexpected trip interruptions are a concern.

Travel Insurance Reviews

Below are travel and safety tips to help you enjoy a hassle-free Indian vacation.

Crime and Safety

The India Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. According to the State Department, the level is in place due to growing crime across tourist destinations, along with possible terrorist attacks. Check updated information for certain areas with Level 4: Do Not Travel advice.

It’s recommended to avoid demonstrations and always follow instructions from local authorities. Be aware of your surroundings in big crowds and guard your belongings from pickpockets. Take note of local media concerning breaking events and adjust your plans accordingly.

Day Trips, Tours and Excursions

From seeing the Taj Mahal to learning how to cook Indian food, tours are a fantastic way to see the country. Some international travel insurance policies can safeguard you from financial loss related to travel excursions — like cruise insurance from Nationwide.

Always book tours and day trips through reputable companies. Seek advice from hotel concierges and trusted travel agents. For more information, visit India’s official tourism website.

COVID-19

India currently does not have any rules or restrictions regarding COVID-19 and U.S. travelers. However, the situation is subject to change. Visit the Indian government’s Bureau of Immigration for up-to-date information.

Travel insurance is not mandatory for a vacation to India. However, it can help you recoup finances due to potential baggage loss, stolen valuables, canceled flights and more. Travel insurance can also cover medical expenses if you experience an emergency abroad. Other reasons why travel insurance is worth it include peace of mind in knowing you have coverage on your trip to India, whether it be for sporting equipment, a delayed flight or a trip to urgent care.