Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa: Latest Complete Guide

Latest Facts and News:

• As of 2024, Schengen visa applications require a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies.

• COVID-19 coverage is now included in most Schengen travel insurance policies.

• The Schengen area now includes 27 countries, with more potentially joining in the future.

• Digital insurance certificates are increasingly accepted for visa applications.

A crucial element of your Schengen visa application is the best travel insurance for Schengen visa in case you are travelling to Europe or, more particularly, within the area. Well, it is not just a fucking formality: this little shit may literally save your life in order to avoid unexpected expenses and emergencies. In this extensive post, we are going to discuss the reasons that impose on you a need to have an insurance policy along with your Schengen visa and what kind of coverage is mandated for travel insurance for Schengen visa. This article will further delve into what travel medical insurance is for Schengen visas and offer some information regarding the necessary coverage. Points for Travel health insurance

Why is Travel Health Insurance Necessary on a Schengen Visa?

The Schengen area is a group of 27 European countries that have chosen to eliminate passport and other types of identity checks at their common borders. Schengen visa travel health insurance is required to safeguard the visitors and not overburden the host countries. You must demonstrate enough coverage to ensure your visa application is accepted. 

Legal Requirement for Visa Approval

Travel insurance for the Schengen visa is a legal requirement. For anyone applying for a Schengen visa, it's not up to you (or your flight company) if you're allowed entrance into the spells zone or otherwise. If it is the second scenario, then quest for a proper insurance policy with your visa app. In other words, this is not even advice from Schengen States but rather a constitutional obligation. 

Protecting Yourself from Medical Expenses

Saving on Medical Bills if you are a non-resident, the cost of medical in Europe can be annoying but necessary. If you get ill or injured during any trip, medical expenses may increase rapidly. For these reasons, you need the insurance Schengen visa to protect yourself from paying for medical care, hospitalisation and emergencies. This is not just about a medical emergency policy. It will also pay for the repatriation if you become unwell or die and your family is unable to provide that financially. Otherwise, this could be costly.

Minimum Travel Insurance Requirements for a Schengen Visa

As you apply for the Schengen visa, the travel insurance for the Schengen visa India policy you buy must also physically meet a minimum requirement. We'll break down what's essential.

Minimum Coverage of €30,000

Also, for your travel insurance for Schengen visa, you must have a minimum coverage of €30,000 OR equivalent (in other currencies). This makes sure you are covered in case you get struck sick while you are away from home.

Also Read: Multiple Entry Schengen Visa Available For Indians

Top 10 Best Travel Health Insurance for Schengen Visa

here are some of the top travel health insurance options for Schengen visa from India:

1. Tata AIG Travel Insurance

• Provides coverage up to €431,000 (approx)
• Premiums start from ₹40.82 per day
• Covers medical emergencies, baggage loss, trip cancellations, etc.

2. Care Health Insurance (formerly Religare Health Insurance)

• Offers plans without age limit
• Covers hospitalization expenses, passport loss, trip delays, etc.

3. Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance

• Offers plans for ages 6 months to 70 years
• Travel Prime Super Age Policy has no age limit
• Covers medical expenses, baggage loss, passport loss

4. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance

• Offers plans for ages 3 months to 85 years
• No medical tests required
• Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss

5. Digit Travel Insurance

• Covers ages 3 months to 99 years
• Offers COVID-19 coverage
• Covers emergency treatment, flight delays, baggage loss

6. Reliance Travel Insurance

• Provides coverage up to $500,000
• Covers medical emergencies, passport loss, baggage delays
• Offers plans for ages 3 months to 70 years

7. Bharti AXA Travel Insurance

• Covers ages 3 months to 85 years
• Offers emergency hospitalization coverage
• Covers baggage loss, passport loss

8. HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance

• Provides coverage for ages 3 months to 70 years
• Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss

9. Cholamandalam Travel Insurance

• Offers plans for ages 0 months to 70 years
• Covers hospitalization, compassionate visits, document loss

10. Niva Bupa (formerly Max Bupa) Travel Insurance

• Offers plans with a maximum entry age of 65 years
• Provides lifelong renewability
• Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, baggage loss

When choosing a plan, compare coverage amounts, premiums, and benefits to find the best option for your specific travel needs and budget. Make sure the plan meets the minimum €30,000 coverage requirement for Schengen visa applications.

Coverage for Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses

The Schengen visa travel insurance policy must also bear the costs of hospitalisation and medical treatments in case there is an emergency evacuation. The policy also includes repatriation of the remains in case of death.

Validity Across the Entire Schengen Area

If you are going to visit a single country, even if it is France or Italy, keep in mind that your Schengen visa travel insurance must be valid in all the Schengen countries. It's flexible now in case you ever travel to different countries during your stay.

Coverage for the Entire Duration of Your Stay

It must be an insurance policy from your travel insurance towards a Schengen visa that is valid for the whole of your stay and covers you from the moment you arrive in the Schengen area until your departure. That's why some visa officers ask you to include a few extra days of stay above your regular stay, so it's good to be safe and extend the coverage a bit in case of a problem during your visa application.

What Does Schengen Travel Insurance Typically Cover?

Schengen visa is the best travel insurance to protect you while travelling. Comprehensive policies can also extend beyond what is just required.

Medical Emergency and Hospitalisation

Although we suggest you take at least one trip abroad outside of Europe to have on-hand travel health insurance for Schengen visa, your coverage may commence right in case you experience sudden sickness or injury. This applies to all accidents or illnesses while you are travelling.

Repatriation in Case of Medical Emergency or Death

Schengen visa travel insurance will bear the cost of bringing you back home if there's a medical emergency and treatment can't be given locally. If the worst happens and you pass away during your trip, the insurance will cover the cost of returning your remains to your home country.

Trip Cancellation or Curtailment

Trip cancellation or interruption coverage is a typical part of many travel insurance for Schengen visa policies, and it pays you for your non-refundable travel cost if you are unable to take the trip because of unforeseen circumstances such as a family emergency, getting sick ahead of time or a natural disaster in the country you are travelling to.

Lost or Stolen Luggage

Covered under Schengen visa policies for travel insurance, most likely, your luggage will be insured to cover for lost, stolen or damaged luggage. And then some even take care of the expense of retrieving lost or stolen documents — such as passports — were you to lose or lose them during your trip.

Travel Delays

Once a flight is delayed for a significant amount of time, travel insurance for Schengen visa from the company covers accommodation, meals, and other costs of staying for a maximum delay period. This feature is great when jetsetting between Europe's Schengen countries since delays can derail your travel plans.

Also Read: Cover letter for Schengen visa in 2024: Master Guide 2024

How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa?

The plethora of insurance providers who provide Schengen-compliant plans can make it incredibly difficult to choose the right travel insurance for Schengen visa. Here are some factors to consider so that you can help you navigate the options.

Evaluate Coverage Options

Try to choose travel insurance for the Schengen visa policy, which includes Schengen visa requirements but offers extra benefits which you need. For example, if you plan to participate in certain kinds of activities, such as skiing or hiking, be sure that the policy they offer will cover injuries from that kind of sport.

Compare Policy Limits

The minimum coverage on travel insurance for Schengen visa plan is €30,000, but some plans provide more than that at a reasonable price. If you're travelling to countries with expensive healthcare systems, you might want to opt for a policy with higher coverage for that little added bit of peace of mind.

Understand Exclusions and Fine Print

Every travel insurance for Schengen visa policy has exclusions—situations where coverage won't apply. Common exclusions include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions

• Injuries from extreme sports (unless specifically covered)

• Medical care related to pregnancy beyond a certain stage

Make sure you read the fine print and understand what needs to be covered to avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip.

Look for Flexibility in Policy Terms

There are few travel insurances for Schengen visas that provide flexible terms on application; for example, if your trip is delayed unexpectedly, the coverage can be extended. It is very flexible, which can be very useful for applications for longer-term visas, such as Schengen business or student visas.

Customer Service and Emergency Support

If a problem arises abroad, you'll need help quickly and efficiently. You will need to pick travel insurance for Schengen visa provider with good customer service and 24/7 emergency assistance. The lookout would be for online reviews and testimonials by travellers who have themselves been in a crisis with the insurer.

Top 10 Cheapest Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa

 here are some of the cheapest travel insurance options for Schengen visa from India, along with their key features:

1. Tata AIG Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹40.82 per day
• Covers medical emergencies, baggage loss, trip cancellations, etc.
• Provides coverage up to €431,000 (approx)

2. ACKO Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹10 per day
• Offers 24/7 assistance, baggage loss coverage, COVID-19 coverage
• Covers medical emergencies and trip cancellation/interruption

3. Digit Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹30 per day
• Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, luggage loss, flight delays
• Offers plans for ages 3 months to 99 years

4. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹40.82 per day
• Covers medical expenses, emergency cash advances, missed connections
• Offers plans for ages 3 months to 85 years

5. HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹515 for a short trip
• Covers emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, trip cancellations
• Provides 24/7 assistance and cashless hospital treatment

6. Reliance Travel Insurance

• Provides coverage up to €50,000 for medical expenses
• Covers dental care, passport loss, baggage loss
• Offers plans for ages 3 months to 70 years

7. Care Health Insurance

• Premiums start from around ₹450 for a week-long trip
• Covers medical emergencies, hospitalization, accidents, passport loss
• No age limit on plans

8. Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance

• Premiums start from ₹40.82 per day
• Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, loss of belongings
• Offers plans for ages 6 months to 70 years

9. Bharti AXA Travel Insurance

• Covers medical expenses up to €100,000
• Offers personal accident coverage, baggage loss protection
• Provides emergency accommodation coverage

10. Niva Bupa Travel Insurance

• Offers cashless claims for medical emergencies
• Covers personal liability, baggage loss, trip cancellation
• Provides medical expenses coverage

Remember to compare the specific coverage details and terms for each plan, as they may vary. The premiums mentioned are approximate starting rates and may change based on factors like the trip duration, destination, and traveller's age.

How to Find Cheapest Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa Without Compromising Coverage?

Travel insurance for Schengen visa India doesn't have to cost you the bank. Some smart strategies will allow you to find good, affordable coverage without sacrificing what you need to protect yourself and your family.

Use Comparison Websites

Travel insurance for Schengen visa policies comparison websites such as InsureMyTrip, Square Mouth and PolicyBazaar make it easy for you to compare and choose one policy depending on the coverage, price or customer reviews. By doing this, you can determine what cost is possible that still meets Schengen visa requirements.

Look for Seasonal Discounts

Some travel insurance for Schengen visa providers provides seasonal discounts, as does a trip during their peak travel time. Often, you can get good promotions and early bird discounts that will reduce the cost of your policy.

Consider Multi-Trip Insurance

When you are a frequent traveller, purchasing multi-trip Schengen visa travel insurance can be cost-effective in the long run. With multiple trips in a year, these policies are a great cost-effective choice for business travellers or those travelling a few times a year.

Purchase Directly from Insurance Providers

Travel insurance for Schengen visa can be bought directly from the provider (sometimes), which can result in lower premiums due to a service fee from comparison websites. Directly contact the insurer to see whether they do any discount or promotion.

Also Read: Unlocking New Frontiers: Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Buying Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

Purchasing travel health insurance for Schengen visa is quite easy, but common mistakes travellers make with insurance can scupper your visa application or even otherwise leave you with insufficient coverage.

Inadequate Coverage Amounts

Also, when travelling to Schengen for a visa, ensure your travel insurance covers the minimum amount of €30,000. If you apply for a visa with anything less, it won't go through.

Not Checking Exclusions

Don't assume that everything will be covered—always look at the travel insurance for Schengen visa policy exclusions. If you have pre-existing conditions or if you're planning on taking part in high-risk undertakings, these must be covered by your plan.

Purchasing Insurance Too Late

Don't buy travel insurance for Schengen visa at the last minute. It can cost really high and may also have limited policy options available. The best part is that you can buy insurance for your trips as soon as you have booked your flights or accommodation to get the best rate and speed up the visa application process.

Why Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Can Be a Smart Choice?

If you're a frequent traveller, purchasing a Schengen visa for individual travel insurance for every trip you're making can be expensive and tiresome. Then there is multi-trip travel insurance, an efficient alternative that not only saves money but also provides continuous coverage over several trips during a set period (typically a year).

Advantages of Multi-Trip Insurance for Schengen Visa Holders

Schengen visa multi-trip travel insurance is beneficial for those who travel to various Schengen countries across Europe at least two to five times a year because there are too many benefits to miss out on. It extends your policy for however many trips you make without the requirement to reapply for a new policy every time. This is specifically ideal for business travellers, students or anyone with family staying in the Schengen region who needs to visit frequently.

Conclusion

Securing travel insurance for Schengen visa is a necessity in the process of your visa application and a fundamental condition for your trip to be easy, free of stress, and delightful. Knowing what is needed in terms of mandatory requirements about travel insurance for Schengen visa, looking at what travel insurance options you should select, and making unbiased decisions will help you choose the perfect plan that's compatible with your budget. Regardless of whether you're travelling for business, tourism or visiting your family, investing in the correct travel insurance is not only a legal requirement but also a sensible financial decision.

To learn more about travel insurance for a Schengen visa and to get assistance getting this visa easily, TerraTern is right here to help you throughout the process!