Why does one need Travel Insurance?
One usually travels abroad for various reasons- a pleasure trip, a business trip, a study trip etc. You do not want anything to ruin your hard earned holiday, foreign study or your crucial business meeting. But there is a possibility of some unexpected occurrence no matter how perfect the planning is. Unfortunate events such as baggage loss, passport loss, a medical emergency or an accident can affect you. Having Overseas Travel Insurance protects you from all such perils. It ensures that in the unknown foreign land, you are not left stranded in any kind of an emergency.
Who can take Group Overseas Travel Insurance?
Any homogeneous group/association/ institution/corporate body subject to a minimum group size of 7 persons can buy a Group Overseas Travel Insurance for person going abroad for the purpose of vaccation, business or education.
What are the things to look for while choosing a travel insurance plan?
Given below are some factors you may consider while selecting an appropriate travel insurance plan.
i. Purpose of visit : Choose a plan according to your needs whether you are going for study, business, family visit, single trip or are a frequent flier, going for overseas training, professional sports etc.
ii. Sub-limits if any .It is very important to see whether the plan has sub-limits, because if plan has sub-limits, then at the time of claim you will get claim for sub-limits given in plan, for example if plan says room rent sublimit of $500 per day, it means for room rent, you will get $500 only, and if you have taken room with higher room rent then balance has to be borne by you.
iii. If your stay is likely to be extended, choose a plan which is extendable and also see premium for total duration as some companies charge extension premium for your total stay i.e. original period and extended period minus premium already paid. Plans for shorter duration are cheaper and as duration increases it becomes expensive. It is advisable to get from insurer extension premium if your stay is likely to be extended.
iv. If your stay is likely to be cut short i.e. you are not sure about travel duration, choose a plan where there is an option of refund on early return. As sometimes you know your parents has plans to stay for six months and somehow they have to come back early due to any reason whatsoever it may be, in that case if you have chosen plan with early refund option then you can save money.
v. If you have a pre-existing condition, select a plan which covers the same in emergency situations to make the person stable.
vi. Per illness limit if any. If a plan has such a condition, it means for any one illness you will get claim upto per illness limit given in plan. For example if plan chosen by you says per illness limit is $10000, then you will get only $10000 for any one illness, even if you have chosen plan for higher sum insured, so it is very important to see that plan has per illness clause or not, as virtually you are taking higher sum insured but practically you will get claim for any one illness upto the limit mentioned in the policy.
vii. Co-pay if any. If your plan has co-pay clause, it means for every claim you have to pay co-pay limit given in the plan. For example, your plan says co-payment of 10%, it means for every claim , you have to pay 10% and balance 90% will be paid by insurer.
Why ManipalCigna Group Overseas Travel Insurance Policy?
ManipalCigna’s Group Overseas Travel Insurance offers different choices of benefits, area of cover and the duration of the trip. Plus one can always choose from a range of options if you want more.
Get Hospitalization & Outpatient treatment covers.
Set of Travel inconvenience, delays, loss of items, death, disability and related covers.
On Emergency, evacuation, repatriation and family support benefits.
The Protection against personal liability, legal and bail expenses, distress allowance and similar benefits.
Go for a bundle of unique options from adventure sports, fraud, golf related cover and more.
Do I need an option to cover all trips in a period in one policy?
At the time of taking Group Overseas Travel Insurance plan, one can select policy period on the basis of Single Trip or Multi Trip (annual basis).
Under Multi Trip (where your travel days/dates are flexible) one has to opt for Number of Days to be covered per Trip.
Options available are 30/45/60/90 Days.
My travel medical policy has expired and I forgot to extend same. Can I get it extended anytime?
Insurance companies generally provide grace period to get your travel insurance policy extended. However it is at the sole discretion of the company and as per terms and conditions of individual company’s product.
If you are travelling and wish to extend the policy, place a request of policy extension before the expiry of the policy.
ManipalCigna Group Overseas Travel Insurance Policy provides a 30 days Grace Period for Renewal of the Multi Trip Covers Policy.
Can I buy Overseas Travel Insurance if I am traveling on an immigrant visa?
Yes, you can buy Group Overseas Travel Insurance even if you are traveling on an immigrant visa (e.g. H1-B Visa, Work permit, Green Card or Permanent Residency (PR)). However, the maximum duration of your policy will be limited. After the specified period, you need to purchase the policy from the country you are immigrating to.
I want to know how will you deliver the policy?
Once we receive the payment, the policy certificate/certificate of insurance will be made available (as per instruction of the Group coordinator). Also, if required, a hard copy will be sent to you through courier or speed post (as applicable).
There are more than 90 days left for my travel start date but I need my travel insurance policy for visa. What should I do?
You can opt for Group Overseas Travel Insurance as per your group’s need; however in general the risk commencement date will be from the travel start date. It is advisable to purchase a travel insurance keeping sufficient time in hand to avoid last minute hassles.
I am going on Kailash Mansarover yatra in a group. Can I get Group Overseas Travel Insurance for it? I have the required visa.
Yes, Group Overseas Travel Insurance can be availed, however for visa formalities, kindly check with respective authorities.
When does the travel insurance cover start?
The travel insurance cover commences on the date specified in the Policy Schedule or the time you board the conveyance to leave for onward overseas journey or the Departure Date as per the policy, whichever is later.
Till when is the travel insurance policy valid?
In general, Overseas travel insurance cover shall terminate
i) With the end of Insurance Period i.e. the period for which the premium has been paid or
ii) When the insured person first disembarks on return to India.
Automatic Extension of the Policy is available (subject to terms and conditions) if the insured’s journey is delayed because of a valid reason.
If you want to extend your policy further due to a valid reason which resulted in your stay being extended, you can do the same by contacting us.
How much of the hospital expenses is covered by the policy? Is it 100%?
Hospital expenses shall be reimbursed / covered in excess of the deductible (if any) and up to the sum(s) insured applicable to each cover.
Is medical examination necessary for travel insurance policy? When and where are medical tests to be done?
Medical tests (if required) for any specific group/age or sum insured, our support executive will contact you to help with the required details and provide necessary help to schedule and complete any additional formalities in this regard.
Are the expenses for the test a part of the overseas travel insurance policy premium or additional?
For issued policies, expenses towards pre-policy medical test (if any) will be borne by ManipalCigna. For Decline cases full premium (excluding 50% cost of medical tests wherever conducted and paid by the company) is refunded.
Can I get a refund in case of cancellation if there is change of plan?
The Insured Person may at any time, prior to the coverage expiry date, give notice in writing to the Company for the cancellation of this Policy, in which case the Company shall, from the date of receipt of notice cancel the Policy and retain the premium for the period this Policy has been in-force at the Company's short period scales, as per the table given in policy Terms and Conditions.
No refund of premium shall be made if any claim has been made under this Policy by or on behalf of the Insured Person. The Company shall also retain a sum Rs. 300/- towards cancellation charges for the Policy before refunding the premium which the Insured is eligible hereunder.
What is the procedure for issuance of a duplicate policy/certificate of insurance?
You can put in a service request by reaching our Customer Support team on our Toll free number (1800-102-4462) and email us at (servicesupport@ManipalCigna.in) and we will get back to you.
Is there any travel insurance plan without Medical Cover?
Yes, overseas travel insurance plans without medical cover are available. Please contact our Sales Representative at any of our branches or call us at our toll free number to know more.
Are there options which cover OPD expenses, Drug Abuse, Adventure sports, Pregnancy complication, Child care, Mental disorders?
Yes, ManipalCigna Overseas Group Travel Plan offers a range of 51 optional covers, you can accordingly personalize your Group plan that suit your budget and needs. These optional coverages include protection against OPD (out-patient treatment), loss of passport, checked-in baggage, trip delay, substance and alcohol abuse, adventure sports, pregnancy related complication, child care and mental disorder and much more.
What is Bail Bond cover?
In case of any unfortunate event where the insured person is arrested or detained by police or Judicial authorities for any bailable offence, Company will be liable to pay bail amount upto opted Sum Insured to the appropriate authority.
What is Financial Emergency Assistance?
Whist on a trip due to any theft ,mugging, robbery, docoity or pilferage of money , if the insured person need any financial assistance, the ManipalCigna willl contact relatives in India/ Country of Origin to provide emergency cash as per his/her requirement.
What is Cruise Cover?
This cover specifically caters to pay /reimburse losses incurred due to cruise Trip interruption, Missed Port Departure, Unused Excursion in the country of Visit.
Missed Port Departure would mean Company shall pay/reimburse reasonable costs incurred towards any alternate accommodation booking and travel bookings in reaching the next Port at which the Common Carrier shall dock for the same Cruise.
Unused Excursions provides coverage towards cost of any on-shore excursions booked in advance forming a part of the trip, which such insured person was unable to utilize and which are not recoverable from any other source.
Cruise Interruption would provide coverage for reasonable costs incurred towards any alternate travel bookings in reaching the next port at which the Common Carrier shall dock for the same Cruise.
Are Pre-existing conditions covered in the travel policy?
A pre-existing condition is defined as any injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental or nervous condition, with reasonable medical certainty, existed before commencement of Trip.
ManipalCigna Overseas Group Travel Insurance offers coverage for medical expenses incurred due to complication arising out of a Pre-Existing Disease or Condition which requires Emergency Care in a country of visit whilst on trip, till the Insured Person becomes medically stable or till the insured person get discharged from the hospital and return back to place of origin.
What is Home to Home Cover?
During transit when the customer leaves from the place of residence to the port in India to board a common carrier or on his way back home, if he suffers injury due to an accident and such injury leads to the death or disablement, company will be liable to pay/reimburse the percentage of Sum Insured as specified in the policy certificate.
What is STD Cover?
It is an optional cover wherein company is liable to pay/ reimburse medical expenses towards Emergency Care if the Insured Person suffers an Illness or Injury which is directly or indirectly attributable to any sexually transmitted disease. This benefit is available only if Medical Expenses (Benefit I) is opted from Base Cover.
What covers are available for discontinuance of study?
Going abroad for pursuing higher education is a dream of many students. To eliminate the odds of the financial risk arising out of any unpredictable and unfortunate instances ManipalCigna Overseas Group Travel Insurance plan offers 2 options to take protection against discontinuance of study.
Option 1
Study Interruption: In the event of any prolonged interruption/ discontinuance of studies at an educational institution due to death of any immediate family members or hospitalization of Insured person for 2 or more consecutive months because of life threatening condition or emergency medical evacuation , Company shall pay/ reimburse any tuition fees paid to any competent educational institution.
Option 2
Sponsor Protection: In the event of death of education sponsor of an insured person who is a student pursuing a full time educational course in the country of visit, the company shall reimburse remaining unpaid tuition fees upto the limit specified.
Is there a cover for Loss of Passport?
Yes, there's an optional cover to claim for the replacement costs, issuance of duplicate or fresh passport and replacing lost travel documents in case original is lost or stolen during your travel abroad.
Is there any protection against loss/theft/fraud of Debit/Credit/Forex card?
If you are going abroad and worried about card fraud or theft of your Debit/Credit or Forex Card, ManipalCigna offer optional cover to get protection against financial losses incurred due to loss/theft of Debit/Credit or Forex Card in a Country of Visit.
What is Golf Hole in One cover?
If a person declares to be a winner of a “Hole –in One” at any internationally recognized golf course, you're covered for the expense incurred on traditional round of drinks in the clubhouse offered as part of celebration.
Is there a cover against Visa refusal?
In case of Visa Refusal by Visa Facilitation service, the Company will make payment/reimbursement of expenses incurred by the insured person towards processing of visa application.
How do I know the limit of each type of expenses, what expenses are covered or not?
You can know the limits and coverage by referring to the policy schedule. The general coverage and exclusions are also given in the policy terms and conditions available on our portal www.manipalcigna.com (visit download section).
My mother has diabetes and she needs to take insulin injection every day. Is that covered in overseas medical insurance?
A pre-existing medical condition will be covered if it is specifically mentioned in the policy certificate/certificate of insurance.
What is EASP (Emergency Assistance Service Provider)?
Emergency Assistance Service Provider or “EASP” means a Third Party Administrator or any organization or institution appointed by the Company, as an independent contractor, for providing services to the Insured Person for an Insured Event covered under this Policy. EASP shall also include any Medical Practitioners empanelled by the EASP for seeking Medical Advice or opinion.
From where can I get the claim form to make a claim?
Generally the claim form is provided in the travel kit with the policy itself and in the event of a claim, is to be submitted as per instructions provided in the Policy and Claim Handling procedure of the company.
You can also obtain or download it from company’s website www.manipalcigna.com (visit download section).
What if in an emergency I don't have time to call up?
TPA should be contacted by any person within 48 hours and given the details about the insured.
Can I continue my treatment of the disease which happened during my travel abroad, in the home country, after expiry of my policy?
If the Third Party Administrator (TPA) advises that the continued treatment in the republic of India is appropriate, then the company will pay the medical expenses incurred in India for the same illness/injury contracted abroad following the transportation to India, for a maximum period of time of 45 days from the date the Injury or Illness was sustained or first contracted, provided that the illness/injury is sustained or contracted within the period of insurance during the trip abroad.
If I am evacuated on grounds of medical reason, can I continue my treatment in India?
If recommended by the claims administrator and subject to the medical sum assured remaining, you can be indemnified in respect of the medical expenses incurred by you within India to continue medical treatment started outside India, immediately prior to any medical Evacuation. The company’s liability to make payments shall be limited to 45 days from the date the Injury or Illness was sustained or first contracted, provided that the illness/injury is sustained or contracted within the period of insurance during the trip abroad.
How and where can I register a claim? What are the documents required?
Please refer to the claims procedure as detailed in the Terms and Conditions for complete details of the claims process and the list of documents to be submitted for registering a claim.
Is travel insurance mandatory for all countries?
Travel insurance is mandatory for Schengen visa countries. The Schengen visa basically allows the visa holder to travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries during the same trip.
Travelers obtain the visa from the Consulate of the country of their main destination. If your main destination cannot be determined, the country you first enter is responsible for granting your visa.
Even if you are travelling to countries where travel health insurance is not mandatory, it would be wise to carry traveler’s insurance as it protects the traveler in the event of emergencies or circumstances that create any type of interruption or disturbance in the trip plans. Travel insurance is basically a means to minimize the financial risks that can occur due to Medical emergency , Trip Cancellation/Interruption , Passport loss and legal expenses , Events like delay or missed departure , loss or delay in arrival of baggage, Loss of cash, or valuables etc