It is very important to have travel insurance when you travel, whether within India or internationally. It provides you with protection against personal, medical losses, including delays and flight cancellations. Especially during international travels, a travel insurance policy is quite helpful in case of any unexpected incidence.
There are two main types of international travel insurance: Single trip insurance and multi-trip insurance.
Let us check the difference between single trip insurance and multi-trip insurance.
What is single trip insurance?
The single trip insurance policy covers the costs and losses of an international trip or a domestic trip. This policy would be valid till you return to India. Typically, the insurance policy covers 180 days. However, the period of coverage would depend on the insurance provider. Some aspects that are covered in single-trip insurance are:
Cancellation of trip and cover of disruptionPassport loss (provides help in getting a duplicate one)Loss of luggage, personal items, and documentation of travelMedical chargesfor emergency and accident hospitalizationCash support for robbery or luggage lossHome burglary protection
What is multi-trip insurance?
Multi-trip insurance would save time and money if you make frequent international visits. The cover is valid for 365 days, and trips taken within the year are protected. However, you can not stay in one place for over 180 days.
How is travel insurance for single and multi-trip different?
| Basis | Single-Trip Insurance | Multi-Trip Travel Insurance |
| Validity | It will be valid for 180 days | It will be valid for 365 days but you cannot stay in one place for more than 180 days. |
| Eligible Criteria | The age to avail of this insurance policy is usually 6 months to 70-80 years. | Minimum age criteria are 18 years. |
| Registration | You may have to go through the terms and conditions of this policy to find the best one. | You don't have to repeat the process of reading terms and conditions again because this policy protects for a year. |
| Customization | This insurance policy gives you the option to customize every trip according to your needs. | You don't have any choice in this insurance policy but to go with the same policy for the whole year. |
| Best Suitable | People who travel once a year. | People who love to travel or who need business trips more than once a year. |
| Premium | Premium is typically low. | Premiums are typically higherbecause the policy is operational all year long. |
FAQs
Will a single trip insurance plan cover pre-medical conditions such as high blood pressure?
No, any allegation resulting from or because of medical conditions does not apply in most travel insurance plans for a single trip.
What is the limit of the maximum age of one trip in an annual multi-trip policy and a Single Trip policy?
For a multi-tripinsurance policy, the age limit is 75 years and for a single-trip maximum limit is 79 years.
When should I begin my multi-trip policy?
Your insurance cover would begin on the day you buy it, so if you have a current policy protecting you before a Start Date cover is chosen, you will have to book a vacation and you can book it only on or after the start date.
Before the policy start date, you have no coverage.
How is the family defined in a single-trippolicy?
2 adults/spouses who live with each other and their dependents under the age of 19.
Is it possible to fly alone by individuals under age 19?
Yes, but you must have a travel insurance policy in your name.
Whether it is a singletrip or multi-trip, you should always compare differenttravel insurancepoliciesonline and select the best travel insurance for you.
FAQs
Multi-trip plans offer secondary emergency medical benefits. That means your personal health insurance plan will be billed first, and you'll have to pay any co-pays and/or deductible. The takeaway: If medical costs are a concern, a single-trip plan can give you more protection.
Is it better to get multi-trip travel insurance? ›
To recap, think about your travel plans for the next 12 months. If you're sure you'll only take one holiday, then single trip cover is likely to be your best option. If you're planning more than one trip, you might be better off getting annual multi-trip insurance.
Is it better to get single trip or annual travel insurance? ›
Is annual travel insurance cheaper than single trip cover? This will depend on how many trips you make per year. If you know you will only go on one or two holidays abroad in a 12-month period, a single trip policy will most likely be the best option.
What is the difference between multi-trip and single-trip travel insurance? ›
The key differences
These policies are often better value for money than buying single trip cover for each separate holiday you take. Multi-trip policies should allow you to take as many journeys a year as you like, but double-check for any restrictions before you buy.
Does travel insurance cover more than one trip? ›
A multi-destination trip insurance plan covers all your destinations under one policy so you don't have to concern yourself with purchasing multiple policies for one trip. You can also file claims through one policy, rather than having to worry about navigating multiple at a time.
When should I start multi-trip travel insurance? ›
When does annual travel insurance start? The start date can be up to 31 days in advance. If you have a pre-booked trip and need cancellation cover, make the start of your policy the date you take it out, not the date your trip starts. The period of insurance is for 12 months.
What are two disadvantages travel insurance? ›
Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.
Why is multi-trip cheaper than single trip? ›
Why is annual travel insurance cheaper than single trip? Multi-trip insurance focuses mainly on medical policies, while single-trip policies can cover a broader range of issues. In general, annual travel insurance will cover you in the event that you need medical care while traveling overseas.
Is 100000 enough for travel insurance? ›
Every plan is different, but the coverage amounts and benefits may vary. Determine how much you really need. For example, SquareMouth recommends international travelers get around $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 for cruises or travel to remote areas.
Do I have to insure my entire trip? ›
Do I Have to Insure My Entire Trip? The short answer is: no. The long answer is: Yes, if you want certain benefits. You may cherry-pick from your list of non-refundable, prepaid trip costs to create your travel insurance policy.
All policies include cover for cancellation of your trip under certain circ*mstances out of your control. There may, however, be some exclusions. For example, you won't be covered if you just decide you don't want to go.
What are the two 2 basic types of travel insurance? ›
What type of travel insurance do I need? There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans.
How much should travel insurance cost? ›
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost? According to our research, the average cost of travel insurance is $204, but you could pay anywhere between $14 and $765 for travel insurance. While this may seem like a wide price range, it's important to understand that travel insurance is not a “one price fits all” purchase.
Does travel insurance cover 100%? ›
If all conditions are met, most of the policies will reimburse you 50% to 75% of your trip costs, unless otherwise noted.
Does trip insurance cover all cancellations? ›
Trip cancellation insurance does not cover everything. For example, deciding not to go on vacation does not mean you're entitled to reimbursem*nt. If there's a chance you won't take your trip due to a foreseeable event, you may consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason coverage (CFAR).
Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip? ›
Unlike other aspects of your travel experience like airfares or hotel-room rates, the price of travel insurance doesn't increase the closer you get to your travel date. There's no financial penalty if you wait to buy travel insurance (except for those bonus coverages, of course).
What happens if you have multiple travel insurance policies? ›
Claims May Only Be Paid Out Once
The most important thing to remember when purchasing multiple policies is that travelers can't “double dip.” In other words, purchasing multiple policies for the same trip doesn't mean travelers can receive multiple payouts for the same insurance claim.
Is excess travel insurance worth it? ›
Having the right amount of insurance is hassle enough. Here's the thing, though: Excess insurance is not a bad thing when it comes to travel medical insurance. In fact, excess travel medical insurance as included in a Generali travel protection plan is something you should definitely consider for your next vacation.
What percent of trip should travel insurance cost? ›
The average cost of travel insurance is about 3% to 5% of a trip's total value, according to quotes gathered by our research team across different travel insurance providers for various traveler profiles.
