The ongoing pandemic has disrupted the travel plans of people across the globe. However, there is a ray of hope with the government rolling out vaccination and once things are safe, we might see travel and vacation plans resuming. Till then it is advised for people to not take unnecessary travel. Having said that, people might still have to travel for genuine reasons like relocation, medical emergencies, work or family crises.

In such a time, travel insurance is critical while planning any trip. Especially now as the pandemic has still not subsided, there can be uncertainties of flight delays, cancellations, or medical emergencies during the travel. Travel insurance becomes a responsibility and not just a choice. Travel insurance protects you against losses and unpredictable travel glitches that could come up on your trip, right from flight delays and baggage losses to thefts, illnesses, and accidents. If you need to travel, these factors reiterate the need for travel insurance:

• Unavoidable Trip Cancellations: What happens if you get food poisoning the day before your travel date and you do not have an alternate solution but to cancel the trip? In such situations, having travel insurance comes to use. If you get sick before the travel date, your insurer will refund all your pre-booked, non-refundable expenses like flight tickets and hotel bookings.

• Flight Delays: Delays are no fun, especially when you are in a hurry and the sole reason for a flight journey is to reach the place immediately. However, in case there is a delay, your travel insurance ensures that you are given an 8 immediate monetary compensation to help you wait through the delay.

• Missing the Flight: What if you have a connecting flight and your first flight was delayed? There are high chances of missing the connecting flight. If you have insurance, you can reimburse the cost of the missed connecting flight if your previous flight gets delayed.

• Loss of or Delay in Receiving Baggage: Baggage losses or delays are common yet unfortunate events that most of us have come across while travelling. With travel insurance, you can claim for the delay or loss of baggage.

• Hospitalisation including Pandemic Cover: Medical assistance while travelling is the last thing anyone wants to face. But if an unfortunate accident leads to emergency hospitalisation, you can focus on your health, and your travel insurance will take care of the finances. Travel insurance will cover the expenses for treatment, room fees, medical fees and diagnostic costs. Travel insurers are also covering hospitalisation for Covid-19, in case you contract the virus in an unknown place.

• Strikes or Riots: Situations of unrest leading to war are unpredictable. In any such situation when no other measures can be taken, and if the government declares restrictions on travel along with other measures like Section 144 for the safety of the people, your travel insurance will cover all pre-booked, non-refundable expenses.

With the second wave of Covid-19 bringing in more restrictions, be aware of the most recent updates like the countries that have closed borders, which do not allow travellers from India. Do not forget to look for the best travel insurance that covers your needs according to the nature of your travel to be safe amidst the pandemic. While planning your travel, domestic or international, do not forget to look for the best travel insurance that covers your needs according to the nature of your travel to be safe amidst the pandemic.

The author is HEAD - Health and Travel - Digit Insurance

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed are the author's own, and Outlook Money does not necessarily subscribe to them. Outlook Money shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.