Solo travelling is a common item on the bucket list of many women. Because it not only gives you a sense of freedom, but acknowledges your independence. But travelling solo also means being accountable to the new set of responsibilities and being responsible for your own safety and security, especially when you are a first-timer.

Apart from travelling solo for a vacation, if you are a student travelling abroad, then having student travel insurance is crucial. This insurance can safeguard you against any unforeseen situations as it provides adequate assistance against medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other incidents that may arise while the student is away from their home country. 

In this article, we shall see the role of travel insurance in  India for solo travellers.

 Benefits of Travel Insurance for Solo Travellers 

With more and more countries welcoming travellers to explore different places, it’s essential to adhere to the rules and keep your safety as a priority. Having travel insurance designed for each traveller’s needs ensures that the travel experience is protected from unexpected challenges, making it a wise and worthwhile investment. 

So let’s understand in detail the benefits of having trusted travel medical insurance.

•  Emergency Medical Expenses 

This coverage covers the cost of medical treatment and hospitalisation if you become sick or injured while travelling. It also provides coverage for sudden medical evacuation. Some policies may also offer coverage for repatriation of the remains in case of unfortunate death during the trip.

•  Trip Cancellation and Interruption 

If, due to an emergency, you call off or cancel your trip, this coverage can help you get a refund for your tickets.

•  Baggage and Personal Belongings 

This coverage helps you with reimbursement costs of your lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal items while travelling under certain conditions.

•  Travel Delay 

This coverage compensates you for extra expenses incurred due to flight delays that may ruin your entire planned trip. Expenses such as extra hotel accommodation and meals due to flight delays are included in the travel insurance plan. 

•  24/7 Assistance Services 

This coverage aids with medical crises and travel-related issues, such as lost passport assistance and emergency cash transfers.

•  Personal Liability 

If you get into an accident that unintentionally causes damages or injury to a third-party, travel insurance policies typically cover such costs.

•  Hijack and Kidnap 

This coverage provides monetary compensation in case the flight you are travelling is hijacked.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Solo Travel Insurance

• Nature of your trip: This includes whether it is a one-time trip or you are a frequent traveller. Single-trip usually calls for a travel insurance plan, whereas if you are a frequent traveller, you will need a multi-trip travel medical insurance policy.

Additionally, there are certain policies which also provide coverage for a specific period. Such policies are cost-effective and reduce the hassle of frequent purchases.

• Coverage provided: Different policies provide different coverage. Again, it’s wise to check all the inclusions and exclusions rather than presume whether your travel insurance covers the specific loss or not.

Some of the common coverage includes COVID-19, medical emergencies, loss of baggage/documents, etc.

• Riders and bonus: The basic travel insurance policies do not cover pricey items such as jewellery, electronics, or adventure sports. So, if such aspects are part of your trip, you must opt for riders that help you enhance your travel insurance coverage.

• Claim process: The essential claim process for your travel insurance is simple; therefore, it is best to choose a reputable provider that offers seamless and efficient claims settlement. Many insurance providers offer cashless travel claims settlement as well. 

• Travel Distance: The cost of expenses and coverage particulars will change with your destination.

• Trip Duration: Your trip duration is another crucial factor, as policy premium depends on the number of days you desire to spend at a destination. It is implied that the premium for a multi-week trip is more than a one-week trip. 

• Planned Activities: Also, your coverage shall depend on what activities are planned and how you intend to spend your vacation. And participating in experience sports that are exceptionally intense and come with high risks, your travel insurance policy may have limitations on the coverage. 

 Conclusion 

Travel Insurance makes you ready for any situation, especially when you are travelling solo. Therefore, understand the above-listed benefits and make sure your next trip has travel insurance that provides you with vital coverage.