Travel insurance for India
India is an intriguing land that’s full of diverse cultures and colourful traditions. As well as being home to the Taj Mahal – which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – India also contains the gloriously unspoilt beaches of Goa and the mighty foothills of the Himalayas, so every inch of this beautiful country has an intriguing story to tell. India is the world’s seventh largest country, and between the 38 UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, you’ll never be short of something to see and do. So, pack your rupees and get ready to explore.
India consists of 29 states and has 22 mainlanguages. It’s a brilliantly bustling place that’s packed with character. Due to its diversity, it’s no wonder many people see India as the ideal location for a backpacking holiday. This type of trip is a great way of seeing adrenaline-fuelled cities like Jaipur, the beautiful monuments in the ‘Golden Triangle,’ the deserts of Rajasthan and the palm-fringed western coast.
Plus, visiting India is now simpler and more affordable than ever before, particularly because large cities are linked by faster highways and speedy trains. You can also travel around many cities by metro but, if you’re looking for an authentic way to see the city, you can also catch a rickshaw.
But whatever you choose to do, it's important that you get travel insurance for India to help protect yourself against unforeseen eventualities.
Below is some more information about our products, for which Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.
Why do I need travel insurance for India?
The best travel insurance policies for India provide you with peace of mind. Although India is largely considered to be a safe place to visit, you’ll still need travel insurance to help cover you whilst you’re away.
For example, while on holiday to India, you need to be careful around food and drink. Although it’s normally considered safe to drink sealed bottled water, you shouldn’t drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth. Drinks containing ice should also be avoided, as should raw foods, including salads. Should you need medical care after falling ill due to a water-borne disease, then your travel insurance can cover you. But, if you don’t have insurance, then the cost of care in India can be expensive, because many major cities have private medical care. What’s more, local hospitals and clinics may only be able to offer basic care, so you might need to travel a long way for treatment.
The best travel insurance for India will also protect you from some of the other risks associated with visiting the country. This includes treatment for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, or diseases like cholera.
Finally, theft and petty crime are popular in tourist spots. If you’re the victim of a crime while on holiday, travel insurance for your India trip can help to cover these losses and replace your possessions.
What does our travel insurance for India cover?
Our Single Trip, Annual and Backpacker policies are designed to help protect you when your trip of a lifetime doesn’t quite go to plan. Across our Single Trip and Annual policies, we also offer three different levels of cover: Bronze, Silver and Gold. They can protect you against:
- *Not available with Bronze cover
- **Only available with Gold cover
- Terms and Conditions apply.
You can also purchase add-ons to ensure you’re fully covered for any activities you’re taking part in. For example, if you’re taking a cruise to India and stopping in popular ports like Kochi, Goa or Mumbai, our Cruise cover can help protect you against cruise-specific risks like cabin confinement and itinerary changes. Or, if you’re heading on a ski holiday to the Gulmarg Ski Resort, our Ski and Winter Sports insurance could protect you against things like avalanche closures and unused ski-pack costs. Alternatively, if you’re heading to one of India’s world class golf courses like the ITC Grand Bharat, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, our Golf cover could help protect you, your clubs and any green fees you’ve paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any regions in India that I won't be covered for?
On our Annual policy, India is covered under our ‘Worldwide excluding USA’ area of cover. Select India as your destination on our Single Trip or Backpacker policy and you’ll be charged the apporopriate premium. Any of these policies will be invalid if you travel to a region of India that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all travel, or against all but essential travel. Currently, the FCO advises against travelling to some areas of India, including Kashmir and Jammu on the Pakistani border. For the latest advice from the FCO, please visit their website.
Can I get travel insurance for India with pre-existing medical conditions?
If you’re travelling to India and have a pre-existing medical condition, we may be able to provide cover with a Single Trip or Backpacker policy.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, then it’s vital that you declare it when you take out travel insurance for your India trip. This way, you'll know whether or not we are able to cover you, should anything happen.
If you have any questions about the medical screening process or you’re unsure what pre-existing conditions are not covered, please call us on 0371 200 0428 (from 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday).
What vaccinations do I need for India?
According to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), when travelling to India, you should be up to date with routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. Most travellers visiting India will require vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid; some travellers may also need vaccinations for cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), rabies and tuberculosis (TB).
If you’re travelling from a country that has a risk of yellow fever, then you will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
If you need help or support while you’re in India, we can provide 24-hour emergency medical assistance and also a GP telephone and video consultation service. We also have a legal helpline for our policyholders. For contact information, and to find out if any exclusions apply, please consult your policy documents.
What visa do I need for India?
If you’re a British citizen and you’re visiting India for holiday purposes, you can apply for an e-visa online. You can choose an e-tourist visa that lasts for 30 days, one year or five years, but continuous stays for each visit cannot exceed 180 days.
If you’re not visiting India as a tourist, then you can also get an e-business visa, an e-conference visa, and e-medical visa or an e-medical attendant visa.
What else do I need to consider when visiting India?
When you’re travelling around India, you need to be aware of regional variations. Over 20 languages are spoken in India and many of the 29 states and seven union territories have their own laws. Before you visit each state, you should research the local laws and ensure you’re aware of the customs of the region. If you’re visiting religious or sacred sites, then you should also make sure you’re dressed respectfully.
If you’re visiting different states, then India has a great train network where you can take in amazing views as you travel. The train system is reliable and affordable, but you should aim to travel in first or second class. Much like you would if you were travelling in the UK, you should remain vigilant while on board and you should take particular care of your valuables. If you’re covering large distances, then India also has a good network of internal flights.
For travel within cities, local buses are incredibly popular. Although you can hire a car, many traffic rules are not observed by locals, which can make driving difficult. As a result, most tourists use public transport instead. Rickshaws and taxis are both popular, but they are prone to scams, so you should not get into them alone. When travelling by rickshaw, you should be particularly vigilant of people trying to steal your valuables.
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