When it comes to travelling abroad, the planning part can be quite stressful. Have you bought foreign currency? Is your passport still valid? And, what about the itinerary? Well, all these things are important when you are travelling overseas. But one thing that you should not put off until the last minute is your travel insurance. You must be wondering why do need a travel insurance policy when you are just travelling for a few days or a few weeks. Here’s all you need to know about what is travel insurance and how it works.

What is travel insurance?

A travel insurance policy is one that enables you to travel around the world without any worries. Travel insurance essentially protects you from a wide range of financial risks and losses that can occur while travelling. Be it medical emergency abroad or cancellation of the trip at the last minute due to family emergency, a travel insurance policy comes handy to secure you from losses or damages incurred. Before you take off the next time, you must first buy a travel insurance policy.

1. What does travel insurance cover?Before we proceed to understand how a travel insurance plan works, its integral that we understand what travel insurance covers. Your travel policy essentially covers you against the following situations while you are in a foreign land.

1. Medical emergenciesIf you meet with an accident while travelling and you need immediate medical care you can either visit a network hospital and avail a cashless claim or you can visit any hospital and file documents for reimbursement. With travel medical coverage, you don’t have to pay a huge medical bill. With SBI General travel insurance you will get 24x7 assistance that too in your preferred language. Our customer care executives will help you locate a suitable medical facility and arrange for transportation as well

3. Trip cancellationThere can be unforeseen circumstances that can force one you cancel your trip. For instance, a last–minute family emergency may require you to cancel your trip. In such a case, the insurance provider will bear all the costs that you have already paid, subject to the sum insured, after checking the authenticity of the claim. You may also have to cancel the trip in case, you miss the connecting vehicle. For instance, you may miss your cruise because your connecting flight was delayed. In such a case, you can contact your insurance provider who will compensate you for the cost of booking the connecting vehicle.

4. Losses incurred during travelThe list of what travel insurance covers also includes losses incurred during your travels. For instance, if the airline loses your luggage then the insurance company will compensate for the losses incurred. In case you lose your passport while travelling, the insurance company would pay for the expenses incurred in getting a new passport issued. You can also reach out to your insurance provider for assistance in getting the new passport.

5. Personal coverIn the course of your travels you could be involved in an incident that causes damages to a third party, their vehicle or property. Paying for such expenses can prove incredibly expensive, especially if the foreign currency is more expensive than the INR. However, your travel insurance policy comes with a personal liability cover. In case you are liable to pay a third party for any damages that you have caused, your insurance provider will pay the amount on your behalf

Travel insurance claim process made easy

Having explained what is covered under travel insurance, let’s understand how does travel insurance work, i.e. the claim filing process. With SBI General travel insurance, registering a claim is very convenient. Just follow these below-mentioned steps while filing your travel insurance claim.

Step 1– Inform us about your intention to file a claim

The first thing you need to do is intimate SBI Travel Insurance about your intention to file a claim. You can reach us on our toll-free number or send us an e–mail.

Step 2– Fill the insurance claim form and submit the documents

Our representatives will tell you where you can download the form from. Fill up the form and submit the documents mentioned in it, including a copy of your travel insurance policy, Id and address proof details, and reason for filing the claim

Step 3– Wait for claim verification

SBI will now evaluate your travel insurance claim. Once your claim is verified, we will release the claim amount to you. However, in case of a medical emergency, you may avail cashless treatment at a network hospital and our off–shore claims manager will settle the claim directly with the hospital

Avail worldwide protection with SBI General Travel Insurance

Now that you know what travel insurance covers and how it works, ensure your trip is protected with the right travel insurance plan. Whether you are travelling for business or leisure SBI General Travel Insurance will have your back at every step of your journey. Our travel insurance policy covers treatment while on holiday, injury or illness sustained during travel, travel support, cash advance and trip delays. You can buy our insurance policy for single as well as multiple trips

^*Disclaimer:
SBI General Insurance Company Limited I Corporate & Registered Office: ‘Natraj‘, 301, Junction of Western Express Highway & Andheri – Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069. | The information in the advertisement 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. 'For SBI General Insurance Company Limited IRDAI Reg. No. 144 dated 15/12/2009 | CIN: U66000MH2009PLC190546 | SBI Logo displayed belongs to State Bank of India and used by SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd. under license. | Website : www.sbigeneral.in,Tollfree 18001021111 | UIN: SBITIOP14004V011314 | ADDIG/20-21/AUG/683