How To Choose Travel Insurance?

Whether you are a frequent traveller, or just an occasional globe trotter, travel insurance is a must nowadays for protection against any kind of financial losses that might be incurred while you are out and about.

– from medical emergencies to flight cancellations or stolen bags. Let's find out more on how family travel insurance works, why it's so important and what factors you should keep in mind while buying a policy.

What is family travel insurance?

Travel insurance that covers the entire family is called Family Travel Insurance. It usually covers two to four members of a family when they are travelling together.

Anyone who is a temporary or permanent Indian resident can buy family travel insurance when undertaking trips abroad, either for business or official purposes or for a holiday.

The risks covered under family travel insurance can include unexpected medical expenditure during travel, delay/loss of checked baggage, loss of passport, interruption or delays in flights, missed connection, trip cancellation/delay/curtailment, home burglary while you are away, among other things.

The premium of travel insurance policies depends upon factors like the extent of coverage, age of the family members, travel location and whether it is a single or multi-trip plan. Single-trip policy is usually valid for travelling just once within a predetermined span of time. Whereas multi-trip policy is valid for travelling as many times as possible during a certain time period.

Where can you buy family travel insurance?

Insurance aggregators:

Online insurance aggregators can help you compare various policies from different insurers and find the best family travel insurance plan for yourself that suits all your requirements.

Insurance agents:

In certain cases, insurance agents can prove to be the most helpful in getting the best family travel insurance plan, especially if you fall in the high-risk zone. The insurance agents are usually well-versed with the nitty-gritties of different policies and can help you find the specific cover that you are looking for.

Buying directly from the insurer:

Almost all leading insurers in India sell their policies online through their official web portals. You can simply check websites of different insurers, compare the features and specifications of different plans and choose the desired product for your family.

What are the benefits of buying Family Travel Insurance?

When you plan any trip with your family, the first thing you keep in mind is that the holiday should be as stress-free as possible. Family Travel Insurance works towards that very purpose. And what's even better is that buying a family plan offers some added advantages on top of the benefits available under regular plans. Let's take a look:

Firstly, buying a family travel insurance policy eliminates the need to buy individual travel insurance for different members of the family. This helps you save money on premiums that can be spent on something better during your trip.

Insurers are usually open to customising family travel insurance scheme as per the requirements of a particular family in order to persuade them to opt for such schemes instead of individual travel insurance policies.

Insurers can also offer relevant add-ons (like emergency cash, coverage for repatriation, etc.) at a discounted rate when you are buying family travel insurance plans.

Besides lower premium rates, family travel insurance plans can also offer other facilities of cashless claims, international assistance, minimal documentation, etc.

What is not covered in Family Travel Insurance?

Despite the comprehensive coverage that a Family Holiday Insurance Policy provides, there are certain risks and expenses that are usually not covered by most travel plans. They are as follows:

• Suicide, attempted suicide or self-inflicted injury or illness
• Mental disorder, anxiety, stress or depression
• Use/Abuse of intoxicating drugs or alcohol
• Taking part in Naval, Military or Air Force operations
• Acts of war, invasion, enemy hostilities, civil war, rebellion, revolution, etc
• Contamination by radioactivity from nuclear waste, etc
• Air travel other than as a passenger of a commercial airliner
• Participation in adventure sports or professional sports (unless covered under a special plan)

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

How Travel Insurance Works?

Travelling is an investment you readily make. When you travel, the priority is to have the bookings done for the best accommodation, best touristy sites, etc. Buying travel insurance, however, should be the foremost priority if you are planning a trip. How travel insurance works, is that it forms a safety net against unexpected unfortunate events that may happen during your trip.

By way of your travel insurance, you would be provided compensation and support by your insurance provider, in return of the premium you pay.

Why Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement in most cases. But if you invest in one, it will ensure that your trip is hassle-free. The importance of travel insurance can be understood from the following benefits the policy offers:

• Medical Emergencies: When you go on a trip, be it for pleasure or for business, the last thing you would want falling sick. Still worse, suffering from an injury. However, accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. The travel insurance will provide you compensation for medical assistance that you probably need during your travels.

• Loss/Damage of Baggage: There are instances, especially in long-distance/connecting flight journeys, of baggage getting damaged or lost. In such cases, you can claim monetary compensation from your travel insurance provider.

• Trip Cancellation/Postponement: Sometimes even the most meticulous plans can go wrong. If you have to cancel or postpone your trip for some legitimate reasons, by way of your travel insurance policy, you can claim a refund on the flight ticket bookings, accommodation bookings etc. The only condition in such a situation is that the reason for cancellation or postponement of the trip should be legitimate and supported by some proof as well.

• Frequent Flier Programmes: Many times, you may be required to fly out or travel due to business needs. Applying for separate travel insurance policies before every trip could be challenging. Travel insurance companies solve this by providing multiple-trip programmes which can be easily availed if you are a frequent flier.

Mechanics Behind Travel Insurance

For you to understand how does travel insurance work, a few points are elaborated below:

• Step 1: Whenever, during a trip, you face an unexpected situation--bodily injury, loss of baggage, medical emergency etc-- you would need to inform your travel insurance provider. This can be done via an e-mail or telephone.

• Step 2: Once you connect with your travel insurance provider, they will ask you for certain supporting documents to supplement your claim form. It is your responsibility to diligently complete all the documentary obligations for the claim process to move forward.

• Step 3: Upon close scrutiny and investigation by your travel insurance provider, the appropriate compensation, basis your chosen insurance policy, would be provided by the travel insurance company.

Quick Checklist when buying Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy can prove to be your best friend if an unfortunate event happens during your trip. Hence, it is vital that you chose this policy after enough consideration. Below are some of the important aspects which must be looked into when shopping for a travel insurance policy:

• Credibility of your travel insurance provider
• Geographical range where this policy would remain valid
• Provision for add-on riders on your base policy
• Coverage of medical conditions

Conclusion

An understanding of how holiday insurance works will come in handy if you land in an emergency situation during your travels. So, before you organise that long-awaited trip with friends and family, make sure you are making a smart travel insurance choice.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

An irreplaceable document like a passport serves as an important proof of identification and enables your international trips. The validity of a passport is generally 10 years, but you may need to get a passport reissued due to other reasons, such as running out of pages or updating or correcting your name on the passport. Here, you can learn about how to apply for reissue of passport, the required documents, and more.

Understanding the Reissue of a Passport

A reissue of a passport is simply the reissuing of a new and/or updated passport to the passport holder. Some people confuse the reissue of passport with passport renewal. Passport renewal is done to extend the validity of your current passport if it has not been damaged, and you can apply for this within 1 year of expiration.

When Should You Apply for Reissue of Passport?

Any passport holder can get their passport reissued in the following cases:

1. You have lost your passport and can't seem to find it. In such cases, you will be required to submit a copy of a FIR with your application for passport reissue.
2. Your passport has been damaged or disfigured quite significantly, rendering it useless. Having even minor damages to your passport, such as a worn-out cover, may cause delays or troubles at the immigration checkpoints.
3. You have exhausted all pages on the passport booklet, and there is not enough space for any new entries.
4. You need to change your personal details in the passport, such as name, residential address, and spouse's name, for accuracy.
5. Your passport is nearing its expiration, or it has already expired. Since Indian passports usually have a validity of 10 years in case of adults and 5 years in case of minors, you need to apply for passport reissue within 1 year before or after the expiration date to enjoy international travel.

Online Procedure: How to Apply for Reissue of Passport?

Here is the step-by-step guide that you can follow to know how to reissue passport online:

1. Register yourself on the Passport Seva Online Portal and create an account. If you already have registered, you can skip this step.
2. Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal using your login credentials.
3. Select the 'Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport' option under the 'Passport Type' tab.
4. Select your reason for passport reissue and select the type of application. Select 'Normal' if you have plenty of time to get your documents sorted before the travel date and 'Tatkal' if you need your passport urgently.
5. After selecting the booklet type, click on 'Next>>'.
6. Fill in your personal details, family details, and present residential address, and keep saving your details after each step.
7. Verify the details shown on the preview of your new passport and fill the self-declaration section with relevant documents. You can also use Digi Locker at this stage.
8. Preview your application form for passport reissue, pay the fee, and schedule the appointment.

You are required to visit the Passport Seva Kendra near you with all the required documents (original documents and their photocopies) on the scheduled appointment date to complete the process.

Offline Procedure: How to Apply for Reissue of Passport?

If you are unsure of how to go about filling out the passport reissue form online, you can follow the steps mentioned below to complete your application process:

1. Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal and navigate to the 'Forms and Affidavits' section on the web page.
2. Download the 'Reissue of Passport' form and the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) form from this website and take a printout of them. You are recommended to make an extra copy in case you make a mistake while filling out the forms.
3. Fill in the form carefully, attach a copy of all the required documents, and submit it at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra. Make sure to bring all the original documents for verification as well.

Documents Needed for Reissue of Passport

Here is a list of documents that you will be required to submit along with your re-issuance application form:

• Proof of identity (such as Aadhar card or driving license)
• Proof of age (such as the 10th mark-sheet or birth certificate)
• Proof of address (such as Aadhar card or utility bills)
• Photocopies of the first and last pages of your existing passport booklet if it is not lost (copy of the FIR in case the current passport is missing)
• Original passport (if it is not misplaced)
• Appointment application receipt in case of online application as proof of application fee

Please note that all the photocopies of documents that you submit must be self-attested.

Police Verification for Reissue of Passport

Depending on individual circumstances, you may or may not be required to go through a police verification. For example, once you have successfully completed the application process, you may be required to go through a police verification process if you wish to change your personal details.

Passport Reissue Fee

Category of Passport	Application Fee	Additional Application Fee for Tatkal Passport
Passport reissue with a booklet of 36 pages	₹1500 (₹1000 for minors)	₹2000
Passport reissue with a booklet of 60 pages	₹2000	₹2000
Passport reissue with a booklet of 36 pages in case the current one is misplaced, stolen, or damaged	₹3000	₹2000
Passport reissue with a booklet of 60 pages in case the current one is misplaced, stolen, or damaged	₹3500	₹2000
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)	₹500

How to Check Passport Reissue Status?

With the help of your account on the Passport Seva Online Portal, you can easily track the status of your reissue application; just follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal.
2. Click on the 'Track Application Status' option from the side menu.
3. Select the type of application and enter your credentials (date of birth and file number).
4. Proceed by clicking on 'Track Status' to see the status of your passport reissue application.

Alternatively, you can also use the following methods to track the status of your application:

1. Login to the mPassport Seva application and enter your credentials to access the details of your application.
2. Send a text message to 9704100100 with 'STATUS (file number)' to get details about the status of your application.
3. Dial the customer care number-18002581800-to enquire about the status of your application between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. to connect to an interactive, automated voice response system.

Conclusion

International travel, whether done for official, educational, or leisure purposes, can enrich your life in numerous ways. However, it can be troublesome if you don't have proper documentation. People with an ECR passport may also face delays and difficulties at the emigration clearance checkpoint during their travel.

By investing in an insurance travel policy, you can secure your trip. If you are a frequent traveller, you can consider getting a long-term travel insurance policy or opt for a one-time travel insurance policy. Learn about the benefits of travel insurance and pick the right plan for yourself today.

FAQs About the Reissue of Passports

Q. How long does it take to receive the new passport after reissue application request?

A. It can take about 7-10 days for Tatkal passport re-issuance and about 15-30 days for the reissue of a normal passport, but the exact timeline may vary.

Q. What happens to the older passport booklet after passport re-issuance?

A. You have to submit your older passport at the Passport Seva Kendra if it is not lost or stolen for passport reissue.

Q. Where can I get the passport reissue form?

A. You can download the passport reissue form from the Passport Seva Online Portal or submit your application online on the portal itself.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

Buying a travel insurance policy is the most effective approach to protecting yourself from the financial risks that may arise during your travel. One question that pops up during discussions on insurance is this: ‘how much travel insurance should I buy’? It is a question you can answer the best because nobody knows the nature and scope of your trip better than you.

Scope of Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy can serve you in diverse situations. A few circumstances wherein its benefits come into play are illustrated below to apprise you of its importance:

• Medical Expenses: Accidents know no vacation. They can affect you anytime, anywhere. If you are on a trip and were to require medical assistance, then no better solution than a travel insurance policy. It promises to compensate you for medical expenses, including hospitalisation, diagnosis, ambulance services etc.

• Evacuation: During your travel, there could be a situation wherein you can fall sick and need to be evacuated back to home for treatment. There could also be circumstances wherein you may get stuck in remote places where medical facilities are not the best and you would have to be taken away to the nearest possible hospital. In such a scenario, the costs incurred to get you to a place of comfort will be compensated by your travel insurance provider.

• Loss/Damage of Luggage: If your luggage is damaged or lost during transit, it could come as a big blow to you. You may also suffer significant losses by way of your lost/damaged luggage. A travel insurance policy holds provision to raise claims for compensation against such events.

• Cancellation/Postponement: If you were to cancel or postpone your travel plans due to some unavoidable situations, you would like a refund of your advance booking amounts pertaining to accommodation, tickets etc. Your travel insurance policy helps in refunding these costs to you.

• Personal Accident Cover: The implications of an accident can be many. If you were to get permanently disabled during your trip, a travel insurance policy looks to provide monetary compensation to you up to a certain prescribed limit. In the unfortunate event of your demise, within your travel days, your nominee is eligible to receive the sum insured amount from your travel insurance provider.

Buying Travel Insurance

There are different travel insurance policies available in the market. To access these products, you may take the online or offline route:

• Offline: How to buy travel insurance offline? Well, you may visit a travel insurance provider’s office directly. An executive will guide you through the process and apprise you of their different plans. You can fill in your details and basis the provider’s approval, a travel insurance plan will be issued to you on the decided premium payment.

• Online: Almost all travel insurance providers have their own websites. You can conveniently browse through their available travel insurance products. You can make comparisons between different plans offered by different travel insurance companies and choose the most appropriate plan for yourself. After providing your details, you will be able to make an online payment and receive the soft copy of your travel insurance plan on your registered e-mail ID.

Online Versus Offline

The question of how I can buy travel insurance gets answered much easily through online avenues, considering the following aspects:

• Provision for online plan and quote comparison of multiple insurance providers

• No need for insurance agents

• Minimal documentation needs

• Contactless buying

• Instant policy purchase

• Convenient and hassle-free

Conclusion:

How to buy travel insurance is no longer a complicated question. The process has been rather simplified. You only need to make an informed decision after comparing different products to know what would fit you the best.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.