Is Travel Insurance Compulsory for Traveling Abroad?

If you're traveling abroad after the pandemic, it is best not to overlook the need for travel insurance. Some travelers believe that travel insurance is optional, but in fact, almost 34 countries need travelers to purchase travel insurance before entering their territories.

Owning travel insurance on your international trip, avoid difficult situations due to passport loss, flight cancellations, lockdowns, medical emergencies, baggage loss, etc.

Few countries where travel insurance policy is mandatory:

• Cuba
• The United States of America (USA)
• The United Arab of Emirates (UAE)
• Turkey
• Russia
• Qatar
• Antarctica
• Ecuador (including Galapagos Islands)
• Schengen countries (a group of 26 central European countries)

Top benefits of purchasing travel insurance when traveling abroad:

• Medical Assistance

The health benefit aspect of travel insurance is one of the key reasons it is essential for foreign trips. Medical emergencies are unforeseeable. If you don't plan for it beforehand, you can face financial turmoil. Travel insurance covers hospitalization and pharmacy bills. The policy further helps you if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while on a trip. Travel insurance also covers prolonged international stays due to unavoidable circumstances.

• Passport loss

The loss of a passport comes with many repercussions. It will not just mess up your entire trip but can also land you in legal trouble. Many countries have made travel insurance compulsory to track the authenticity of travelers caught without a visa. Now you are probably wondering how travel insurance might assist you. The explanation is that it arranges for a duplicate passport and pays for the costs of getting one.

• Third-party liability

No government wants tourists to damage their citizens' property or cause physical harm. Travel insurance comes in handy if a third party is injured or affected due to your fault while on a trip. It covers third-party property damage and bodily harm and helps you with litigation expenses.

• Helps in obtaining a visa

Travel insurance assists with the quick processing of your visa application. It gives the authority the confidence that if a tragedy happens, you will be able to handle the situation without running out of cash.

To sum it up

Mandatory or not, buying travel insurance before embarking on a trip is always advisable to ensure you are prepared for any unforeseen event.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the mentioned industry. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.