Travel Services

The Cover Most Travellers Only Read After Something Goes Wrong

Travel insurance is a visa requirement for much of Europe and a practical necessity almost everywhere else. What matters is not the premium — it is which exclusions you are quietly agreeing to.

What to Check Before You Buy

🏥 Medical and Evacuation Limits

The headline medical figure matters less than whether evacuation and repatriation are included. In remote destinations the evacuation, not the treatment, is the large bill.

📋 Pre-existing Conditions

Most standard policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless declared and accepted in advance. Declaring costs a little more; not declaring can void the claim entirely.

🛵 Adventure and Vehicle Exclusions

Scooter and quad hire, diving below a stated depth, trekking above a stated altitude and skiing are commonly excluded or need an add-on. This is the most frequent cause of a declined claim.

🛂 Schengen Visa Minimums

Schengen applications require medical cover of at least €30,000 valid across the whole area for the full stay. The certificate is part of the visa file, so buy before you apply.

🧳 Delay, Baggage and Cancellation

Check the excess and the trigger. A baggage limit is worth little if the excess is close to it, and cancellation cover usually names the specific reasons it will pay out for.

📞 24/7 Assistance That Answers

The number matters more than the policy wording at 3am in a foreign hospital. Check whether assistance is handled in India or by an overseas partner, and in which languages.

Cover Requirements by Destination Type

🇪🇺 Schengen EuropeMandatory for the visa

Minimum €30,000 medical cover, valid Schengen-wide for the whole stay. Required as part of the visa application.

🏝️ Island and remoteEvacuation is the risk

Maldives, Wadi Rum and similar — the nearest hospital or decompression chamber may be a boat or flight away.

🎿 Adventure and winterNeeds an add-on

Skiing, diving, trekking at altitude and scooter hire usually sit outside standard cover.

👴 Senior travellersDeclare everything

Age bands and pre-existing conditions change both price and eligibility. Declaring is what keeps the policy valid.

Travel Insurance Questions

Is travel insurance mandatory for Indian travellers?

It depends on the destination. Schengen countries require proof of medical cover of at least €30,000 as part of the visa application, and several other countries have introduced their own requirements. Where it is not mandatory it is still the single most important thing to carry, because overseas hospital costs are not comparable to Indian ones.

How much medical cover do I actually need?

For Schengen the minimum is €30,000, but that is a visa threshold rather than a recommendation. For Europe, North America and Japan, higher limits are sensible because treatment costs are high. The figure that matters most in remote destinations is the evacuation limit, since moving a patient can cost more than treating them.

Will my policy cover riding a scooter in Thailand or Bali?

Usually not by default, and this is the most common reason claims are declined. Most policies require a valid licence for the vehicle class, a helmet, and often an explicit adventure add-on. Riding without the correct licence typically voids the cover entirely, even if you were not at fault. Check before you rent, not after.

Do I need to declare pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, and it is worth doing properly. Most policies exclude anything pre-existing unless it has been declared and accepted in writing before travel. Declaring usually raises the premium modestly; not declaring can invalidate a claim for anything the insurer links to that condition, which is the outcome you are buying insurance to avoid.

When should I buy travel insurance?

Before you apply for the visa where a certificate is required, and otherwise as soon as you have paid a non-refundable deposit — because cancellation cover only protects money that is already at risk. Buying at the last minute still covers the trip itself, but leaves the deposit unprotected in the window before departure.

Can Live Traveller arrange insurance for my journey?

We help you get the right cover for the journey we design, including the specific requirements your itinerary creates — Schengen certificates, evacuation limits for remote stays, and add-ons for diving, skiing or riding. Specific products, premiums and terms are confirmed at the time of booking, since cover and pricing change.

Next Step

Not Sure What Your Trip Needs?

Tell us the destination and who is travelling. We will tell you what cover the itinerary actually requires, and what the usual exclusions would mean for it.

Talk to a Specialist →