Everything you need to know about travel insurance for Schengen Countries

Travel insurance is mandatory for everyone who wants to visit the Schengen countries, which is a union of 26 nations in Europe. There is a common visa for these countries known as the Schengen visa. Whether you wish to travel to France, Germany, or any of the Schengen countries, you will need this type of visa. Travel insurance is important as the Schengen visa will not be issued if you do not have valid coverage. Read on to know more.

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Reasons why you need travel insurance for Schengen trips

Here are some important reasons why you need travel insurance when you plan a visit to a Schengen country:

1. To get a visa: First and foremost, travel insurance for Schengen visa is a must. You cannot get a visa unless you have travel insurance. A valid travel insurance policy document is an important document that you have to submit when applying for the Schengen visa. This is why you need to get good and appropriate coverage well in advance and then start your visa application process. This applies to both business and leisure trips.

2. To get medical coverage: Healthcare costs are very high in European countries. Even a minor accident can lead you to spend a lot on your medical bills. This is why you need travel insurance. The travel insurance plans offer comprehensive medical coverage. From in-patient care for serious disorders like a sudden stroke or cardiac arrest to accidental injuries, you get wholesome coverage. This is an extremely important cover to have as health is fragile, and you never know what trouble can knock on your door when you are travelling in a Schengen country. Get travel insurance and stay protected.

3. To secure your trip: A travel insurance policy secures every aspect of your journey. From missed flights to last-minute itinerary changes, you get several important covers which keep you safe and protected. Apart from offering financial coverage for any travel-related misfortune, the travel insurance plan also gives you mental peace. You always know that alternative arrangements can be made easily if there is any problem, and that allows you to go about your trip in a carefree manner.

Benefits of travel insurance for Schengen trips

As mentioned above, there are many benefits of getting good travel insurance coverage before you begin your Schengen journey. Some of them are:

1. Comprehensive health cover: Travel insurance provides the following health covers:

1. Hospital cover: Any disease or injury that requires an overnight hospital stay is covered.

2. OPD emergencies: If you need to visit the OPD of a hospital for a medical emergency, your travel insurance plan will cover the costs.

3. Compassionate visit: If you are severely ill, the insurance provider will pay for a close family member to travel to where you are and stay with you till you recover.

4. Medical evacuation: If you need to urgently come back to India due to a medical emergency, the insurance provider will pay for the expenses incurred.

These are just some of the covers available in a larger list of covers. Read the policy wording carefully to know the exact scope of coverage for your chosen plan.

2. Comprehensive travel cover: Under the travel overhead, these are some of the covers you can expect:

1. Missed flights: You can miss a flight for many reasons, such as unexpected traffic on the way to the airport, problems in the immigration department, etc. If any such problem takes place, the insurer will compensate you and put you on another flight. If you happen to lose a connecting flight due to any unforeseen reason, then too the insurer will assist you in finding another flight.

2. Lost baggage: Loss of baggage is a real problem when travelling. If this happens, your insurance provider will give you a lump sum amount of money with which you can buy the replacement items.

3. Trip delays: Trip delays can be quite distressing and lead to unwanted changes in the itinerary. If you are faced with any such challenge, your travel insurance cover will kick in and ensure the changes are financially accounted for.

4. Cancelled booking: Whether the hotel cancels your reservation at the last minute or you are forced to cancel a flight mid-trip, your insurance provider will ensure you don’t incur too many financial losses due to such cancellations and rebookings.

5. 24/7 assistance: Can you imagine losing your passport when you are in a Schengen country? It can be extremely distressing and challenging but your insurance provider will assist you at such a time. Not only will they help you find the Indian embassy and the other authorities, but they will also help you to get temporary permits till your passport is found or reissued.

6. Repatriation cover: A repatriation cover refers to the costs incurred in carrying a dead body back to India if the policyholder dies while visiting a Schengen country. This is unlikely, but anything can go wrong on your trip so this is a handy cover to have.

These are some of the most crucial ways in which international travel insurance protects you while you are on a trip to a Schengen country.

How to get travel insurance for Schengen countries?

The process to get a travel insurance policy for visiting a Schengen country is quite simple and straightforward. All you have to do is:

1. Visit the official website of your chosen insurance provider

2. Locate the Schengen visa application form

3. Fill out the form properly, without any mistakes

4. Select the correct coverage amount

5. Pay the premium, and the policy is instantly issued

It is quite simple to get a Schengen travel insurance policy in India as practically every general insurance company offers this coverage. Choose a good plan from a good insurance provider.

Tips to find the best travel insurance policy for your Schengen trip

Here are some handy guidelines you must remember when purchasing a Schengen travel insurance plan:

Tip #1: Get adequate coverage: Ensure you have sufficient coverage. The Schengen visa requirements state the amount of coverage you need, based on the type of travel, viz, business, leisure, education, etc. Ensure your coverage amount is at least €30,000 to cover all the required overheads at the time of an emergency.

Tip #2: Get proper validity: Your travel insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of your Schengen stay. If you are travelling for two weeks, your policy tenure should be at least 14 days. If it is longer, the policy period must also be longer.

Tip #3: Understand your total scope of coverage: Choose a comprehensive travel insurance plan that covers all aspects, such as healthcare, travel, etc. Do not compromise on the covers, as a small error when buying a plan can prove to be very costly later on.

Tip #4: Check the reputation of the insurer: Always buy the travel insurance policy from a reliable insurance provider like HDFC Ergo that has a high claim settlement ratio and excellent customer support. You need to have an insurer who will be there with you during an emergency, so make the selection very carefully.

Keep the above-mentioned points in mind and you should be able to have the best travel insurance plan with you in no time.

The final word

Apart from it being mandatory, travel insurance for Schengen countries is also a large requirement as it comprehensively covers your entire trip. You get a lot of mental peace knowing your insurance provider will assist you if there is an emergency. This is a big assurance, especially when you are travelling to a new country. So, whether you are going on a short work trip or you are going on a lavish, month-long European vacation, get travel insurance to protect each and every aspect of your trip.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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