How to Buy Travel Insurance Online After Departure?

So, you’ve booked your flights and accommodation, secured the visa, packed your bags, and left for your much-awaited trip. You’re excited to explore a new place, experience a new culture, and, of course, indulge in local delicacies.

But wait! You forgot a tiny but super important detail – securing travel insurance.

Planning an international trip involves several considerations. Amidst all the planning, it’s easy to overlook travel insurance until after departure. The good news is that you can still secure travel insurance after you’ve begun your journey. However, your options might be limited, and you won’t be secured for the duration you’re uninsured.

But worry not—we’ll guide you through the steps to buy travel insurance after departure so you can enjoy a worry-free trip.

How to Get Travel Insurance After Departure?

Travel insurance is an essential part of planning a trip. But why buy travel insurance online? Because it acts as a financial safety net for situations like medical emergencies, accidents, emergency evacuation, etc. If you’ve already departed for your trip, you can still enjoy these travel insurance benefits by applying for a plan. Here’s how:

Step 1: Find an Insurer That Offers Post-departure Travel Insurance

When buying travel insurance after departure, the first challenge you will encounter is finding a reliable insurer that offers post-departure plans. You see, there are two limitations:

• First, not all insurers will accept your application.
• Second, you might have to opt for lesser coverage.

So, research carefully and understand all policy terms to identify the best insurers.

Step 2: Compare Coverages Offered by Different Providers

Once you’ve narrowed down insurance providers offering post-departure travel insurance, the next step is to compare your options based on their coverage. Carefully review the policy details to understand coverage for medical emergencies, trip interruptions, emergency evacuation, etc. Additionally, you must also go through the exclusions.

Step 3: Pick a Policy

After comparing your options, select the most appropriate plan that aligns with your requirements. Make sure you’re getting adequate coverage within your budget. It’s also important to carefully review the insurer’s reputation and policy terms and conditions to avoid any hassle later.

Step 4: Share Your Travel Details with the Insurer

The next step is to share your travel details with the insurer. This includes information such as your return dates, destinations you’ll be visiting, the purpose of your trip, etc. It’s also important to disclose any pre-existing medical condition so the insurer can customise your policy accordingly.

Step 5: Make the Payment

Finally, after completing all the formalities, make the online payment using your preferred mode. But before making the final payment, make sure to review the policy terms, coverage, and premium. Once you’ve made the payment, you will receive a confirmation mail along with the policy documents.

Drawbacks of Buying Travel Insurance After Departure

While you can buy travel insurance after departure for foreign countries, it comes with certain limitations:

1. Limited Options

When buying travel insurance after departure, you may have limited options. This can restrict you from finding a policy that aligns with your needs and preferences, and you might have to settle for fewer benefits and lower coverage.

2. Medical-only Coverage

Many insurers offering post-departure travel insurance only provide medical coverage. This means while you may be covered for medical emergencies, other essential benefits such as trip cancellation or lost passport may not be included.

3. Lack of Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Trip cancellation and interruption benefits in travel insurance provide financial protection if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, due to an illness, natural disaster, or other emergencies. But when you buy travel insurance after departure, the insurer may not extend these benefits, leaving you to shoulder these expenses yourself.

Key Takeaways

While it’s possible to buy travel insurance for foreign countries after departure, it comes with several limitations. Not only will you have limited options, but you might also have to settle for limited coverage. Therefore, it’s best to secure travel insurance before you leave to ensure comprehensive protection on your trip.

Consider platforms like PhonePe for a seamless and hassle-free insurance purchase experience.