Travel insurance is the thing almost everyone is tempted to skip — until the one trip they wish they had not. Before you decide, here is a clear, honest look at when it is genuinely required, what it actually protects you from, and how to choose a policy that is worth the money.

When travel insurance is mandatory

For some destinations you simply cannot enter without it:

Schengen Europe requires proof of insurance with medical and repatriation cover of around €30,000 (roughly ₹27 lakh) just to get the visa approved.

Several other countries in Asia and elsewhere either require it or check for it at the border.

If you are visiting any of these, the question is not whether to buy insurance — it is which policy.

When it is “optional” (but still a smart idea)

For visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries, insurance is usually not legally required. But “not required” is not the same as “not needed.” A single medical emergency abroad can cost more than your entire holiday. There have been cases of Indian travelers facing enormous hospital bills in places like Thailand and Indonesia. Against that risk, a short-trip policy costing a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees is one of the cheapest forms of peace of mind you can buy.

What travel insurance actually covers

A good policy typically protects you against:

Medical emergencies and hospitalization abroad — usually the main reason to buy.

Medical evacuation and repatriation — getting you home if something serious happens.

Trip cancellation or interruption — if you have to cancel or cut short for covered reasons.

Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.

Flight delays and missed connections.

Loss of passport and emergency assistance.

How much it costs (a realistic range)

Costs depend on destination, duration, and your age, but as a rough guide for short trips:

Europe: Often in the ₹600–1,800 range for a couple of weeks of basic cover.

USA / Canada: Higher — roughly ₹1,500–3,500 — because healthcare costs there are steep.

Asia and budget destinations: Frequently ₹500–1,000 for a short trip.

These are ballpark figures; always get a current quote for your exact trip.

Choosing the right policy: what to look for

Adequate medical cover. Match it to the destination — Europe and North America need higher limits than Southeast Asia.

The right riders, and only those. Add an adventure-sports rider if you will ride a motorbike in Thailand or Bali, ski in Switzerland, or trek at altitude — a large share of motorbike-injury claims are denied without it. A cancel-for-any-reason rider can make sense for honeymoons and group trips. Skip add-ons you will not use, like dental or pre-existing conditions cover, unless they apply to you.

Clear claim process. Check whether the insurer offers cashless hospitals at your destination and how claims are filed.

Read the exclusions. Know what is not covered before you travel, not after.

The bottom line

If your destination requires insurance, buy it — there is no choice. If it does not, buy it anyway for any trip where a medical bill abroad could hurt you financially, which is almost all of them. The cost is small; the protection is not.

Not sure what cover you need?

Tell us where you are going and what you will be doing, and we will recommend the right level of cover and the right riders — no upselling, just the policy that fits your trip. We can bundle it with your booking so it is one less thing to think about.

Coverage requirements, costs, and figures were accurate at the time of writing and vary by insurer and trip. This is general information, not insurance advice — confirm details with a licensed provider before purchasing.