Buy Travel Insurance 2026: Best Plans, Premium, Benefits & How to Choose

Planning an international holiday, family vacation, business trip or overseas education journey? Before booking your flights and hotels, one important thing to consider is travel insurance. When you buy travel insurance, you can protect yourself against certain unexpected expenses, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, flight delays, lost baggage and passport loss.

Travel insurance is especially important when travelling to countries where medical treatment can be expensive. A sudden hospitalisation abroad can cost thousands of dollars, while a missed connection or lost baggage can disrupt your entire journey.

In this guide, we explain how to buy travel insurance online in India, what it covers, how much it costs, which insurers you can compare, and what to check before purchasing a policy in 2026.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a general insurance product that provides financial protection against specified risks during a covered journey. It can cover eligible medical expenses, travel disruptions, baggage-related losses and other unexpected events, depending on the selected policy.

When you buy travel insurance, you pay a premium to an insurance company in exchange for the benefits described in the policy wording.

Travel insurance is available for different purposes, including:

• International holidays.
• Domestic trips within India.
• Business travel.
• Overseas education.
• Family vacations.
• Senior citizen travel.
• Frequent international journeys.

A travel insurance policy is not a savings or investment product. Its primary purpose is to provide protection against eligible financial losses during travel.

Why Should You Buy Travel Insurance in 2026?

Buying travel insurance can help reduce the financial impact of unexpected situations during your journey.

1. Protection Against Medical Emergencies

Medical treatment in countries such as the United States, Canada and several European destinations can be expensive. Travel insurance can cover eligible emergency hospitalisation and medical expenses up to the selected policy limit.

2. Emergency Medical Evacuation

If you require emergency transportation to an appropriate medical facility, selected policies may cover eligible evacuation expenses.

3. Flight Delay and Cancellation

Some travel insurance policies provide compensation for specified flight delays, cancellations and missed connections, subject to policy conditions.

4. Lost or Delayed Baggage

Travel insurance can provide financial protection for eligible baggage loss, theft or delay. Coverage limits and documentation requirements vary between policies.

5. Passport and Travel Document Loss

Selected policies cover specified expenses associated with obtaining replacement passports and travel documents.

6. Trip Cancellation and Interruption

If a covered event forces you to cancel or interrupt your journey, eligible non-refundable travel expenses may be covered under the policy.

Types of Travel Insurance You Can Buy

Before you buy travel insurance online, select a policy according to your travel purpose.

International Travel Insurance: Designed for people travelling outside India. It can cover medical emergencies, baggage loss, trip disruptions and other specified risks.

Domestic Travel Insurance: Designed for eligible journeys within India. Benefits may include accidental medical expenses, personal accident coverage and specified travel-related losses.

Student Travel Insurance: Designed for students travelling abroad for higher education. Some policies include study interruption, sponsor protection and medical emergency coverage.

Family Travel Insurance: Allows eligible family members to be insured under a suitable policy for a shared journey.

Senior Citizen Travel Insurance: Designed for older travellers, subject to age limits, medical underwriting and plan conditions.

Annual Multi-Trip Insurance: Suitable for frequent travellers who make multiple eligible international journeys during a year.

Best Travel Insurance Companies to Compare in India

There is no single best travel insurance company for everyone. Compare the coverage, exclusions, premium and claim assistance offered by different providers.

1. HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance

HDFC ERGO offers international travel insurance with coverage options for medical emergencies, evacuation, baggage loss, passport loss and travel disruptions. Its advertised coverage limits vary by plan and can extend to USD 1 million.

2. Tata AIG Travel Insurance

Tata AIG offers international, student, Asia, domestic and other travel insurance options. Depending on the selected policy, benefits may include emergency medical expenses, baggage protection and trip-related coverage.

3. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance

ICICI Lombard offers travel insurance options for eligible international journeys. Customers can compare medical coverage, baggage protection, travel inconvenience benefits and available add-ons.

4. Bajaj General Travel Insurance

Bajaj General offers travel insurance products with different coverage options for international travellers. Compare its medical limits, emergency assistance and policy exclusions before purchasing.

5. Niva Bupa Travel Insurance

Niva Bupa offers TravelAssure products for eligible travellers, including options for international journeys and students. Customers should compare the coverage limits and product-specific conditions.

The availability, prices and benefits of these products can change. Always verify the current policy brochure and premium quotation directly with the insurer.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost in India?

The cost of travel insurance depends on several factors:

1. Age of the traveller.
2. Destination country.
3. Duration of the trip.
4. Medical coverage or sum insured.
5. Number of people covered.
6. Type of policy.
7. Optional add-ons.
8. Pre-existing medical conditions and underwriting requirements.

For example, a 25-year-old travelling to Europe for 10 days may receive a different quotation from a 65-year-old travelling to the United States for 30 days.

Some insurers advertise starting premiums of approximately ₹20–₹30 per day for selected journeys and customer profiles. These are illustrative starting prices, not guaranteed quotations.

Compare the final premium and coverage rather than choosing a policy only because it is cheap.

Travel Insurance Customer Count in India

Travel insurance is an important part of India’s growing international travel market.

According to figures attributed to IRDAI’s Annual Report 2024–25, overseas travel insurance covered approximately 96.7 lakh lives under 27.9 lakh policies and generated around ₹1,267 crore in gross premiums during FY2024–25.

This is an industry-wide figure covering overseas travel insurance across insurers in India. It does not represent the customer count of HDFC ERGO, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard or any individual insurance company.

The figures show the scale of the overseas travel insurance market and why more travellers should understand the benefits of purchasing appropriate coverage.

What Should You Check Before Buying Travel Insurance?

Before you buy travel insurance online, carefully compare these important features:

• Medical sum insured: Select an adequate medical limit for your destination.
• Emergency evacuation: Check the limits for medical transportation and repatriation.
• Pre-existing diseases: Confirm whether emergency complications are covered and whether an add-on is required.
• Baggage coverage: Check the limits for lost, stolen or delayed baggage.
• Trip cancellation: Understand which cancellation reasons qualify for reimbursement.
• Deductibles: Check how much you must pay before insurance benefits apply.
• Adventure sports: Confirm whether activities such as skiing, trekking or scuba diving are covered.
• Claim assistance: Look for reliable 24/7 emergency support.
• Policy exclusions: Read the complete policy wording before making payment.

For Schengen visa applicants, verify that the selected policy meets the applicable visa insurance requirements.

How to Buy Travel Insurance Online in India

You can generally purchase travel insurance through the following steps:

1. Visit the official website of an insurance company.
2. Select international or domestic travel insurance.
3. Enter your destination and travel dates.
4. Add the age and details of all travellers.
5. Compare available plans and coverage limits.
6. Review exclusions, deductibles and optional benefits.
7. Enter the required personal and travel information.
8. Complete payment and download your policy document.

Purchase the policy before your journey begins and check the exact policy commencement date.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Travel Insurance

1. Where can I buy travel insurance online in India?

You can buy travel insurance through the official websites of insurers such as HDFC ERGO, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj General and Niva Bupa. Compare their policies before purchasing.

2. Is travel insurance mandatory for international travel?

It depends on your destination and visa category. Schengen visa applicants generally need travel medical insurance that meets the applicable requirements. Other destinations may have different entry rules.

3. How much does travel insurance cost?

The premium depends on age, destination, trip duration, coverage amount and selected benefits. Obtain a personalised quotation from the insurer.

4. Which is the best travel insurance in India?

The best policy depends on your destination, age, medical requirements and budget. Compare medical coverage, evacuation limits, baggage benefits, exclusions and claim assistance.

5. Can I buy travel insurance after booking my flight?

Yes. You can generally purchase travel insurance after booking your flight, provided the policy is bought before the journey starts and meets the insurer’s purchase requirements.

6. Does travel insurance cover medical emergencies?

Many international travel insurance plans cover eligible emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation up to the selected policy limit. Pre-existing conditions and other exclusions require special attention.

7. Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation?

Selected policies cover eligible cancellation expenses caused by specified insured events. Ordinary changes of mind or reasons excluded by the policy are generally not covered.

8. Can senior citizens buy travel insurance?

Yes. Several insurers offer travel insurance for senior citizens, subject to age limits, medical declarations and underwriting requirements.

9. Is travel insurance necessary for domestic trips in India?

It is generally optional for domestic travel, but it may be useful if you want protection against specified medical emergencies, accidents, baggage problems or trip disruptions.

10. Can I get a refund if I cancel my travel insurance?

Cancellation and refund rules depend on the insurer, policy wording and timing of the request. Check the policy’s cancellation conditions before purchasing.

Final Verdict

Buying travel insurance is a sensible step for travellers who want financial protection against eligible unexpected events during their journeys. It can be particularly important when travelling to countries with expensive medical treatment or when a visa requires specific insurance coverage.

Before you buy travel insurance in 2026, compare multiple insurers, check medical coverage, understand exclusions and select a policy that matches your destination and travel requirements.

Do not choose a policy based only on its lowest premium. The right travel insurance policy is one that provides suitable protection, clear terms and dependable assistance when you need it.