India is a melting pot of cultural, historical, spiritual and culinary experiences. It’s the land that gave us Bollywood, spicy curries, yoga and some of the world’s best cricket players. The nation is also home to architectural gems like the Taj Mahal and the pink city of Jaipur, plus natural wonders like the Himalayas. The list goes on!
Whatever calls you to this unique destination, taking out travel insurance for India is a good idea to protect yourself financially against the unexpected, so that you can enjoy your trip with better peace of mind.
Could you afford medical treatment in India if you broke your foot falling out of a rickshaw? How about the cost of replacing everything that was in the suitcase lost in transit from Mumbai to New Delhi? Could you afford to pay for new flights if you need to get home quickly and your original carrier can’t accommodate you?
The unexpected can happen anywhere and anytime, whether you’re at home or abroad. Travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection against mishaps, injuries and accidents that can happen on your journey, and even before you depart.
While buying travel insurance for India isn’t mandatory, it may improve your peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your holiday hassle-free.
India has a high crime rate, including thefts, scams, robberies and assaults on foreign nationals, so it’s always best to be prepared with the right level of travel insurance cover. That way, you’ll be protected against things like baggage loss, credit card or cash theft and even loss of passport.
You should always be on the lookout for pickpockets near popular attractions and any suspicious activity; this is especially important for unsuspecting tourists who may be at a higher risk of being fleeced.
Common scams in India include, but are not limited to:
We recommend that travellers look into a comprehensive travel insurance policy that offers coverage for theft of cash and stolen, lost or damaged belongings. By having a travel insurance plan, you may save yourself from significant financial loss if your trip to India goes awry.
India is known for its high number of road accidents due to poor driving, traffic conditions and constant disregard for road rules and safety. In 2020, there were 366,138 road accidents in India, most caused by disobeying the speed limit.2 If you’re planning on renting a vehicle on your trip, you will need to exercise care and safety when driving, and have an international driver’s license.
Cars often share the roads with pedestrians, carts and livestock. It’s also not uncommon to encounter vehicles travelling on the wrong side of the road or cars driving at night without headlights.
If you were involved in a car accident, your rental car company would most likely charge you an excess to cover the cost of repairs for your hire car. Generally, comprehensive travel insurance can cover your rental car excess and most overseas medical expenses in case of injury on the roads.
If you were to suffer a serious illness or injury, chances are you would require hospitalisation or medical evacuation. These costs could set you back tens of thousands of dollars if you don’t have sufficient medical cover as part of your travel insurance for India. But if you do, you may receive reimbursement for the healthcare costs involved in a medical emergency or other injuries, including doctors and hospital fees. Depending on your medical coverage, your policy may even cover repatriation.
That’s why it’s important to choose a policy that provides unlimited or comprehensive coverage for medical expenses when you’re planning on overseas travel.
Travel insurance for India can come in different levels of cover, ranging from basic to comprehensive. A top-tier policy will typically offer cover for:
You should always read the policy wording of your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which outlines your cover, policy terms, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions.
When looking for a travel insurance policy for your trip to India, you should take into account:
Travel insurance for India can come with a set of general exclusions. Generally, travel insurance doesn’t provide cover for:
In cases like these, your insurance claim may be rejected. However, some things that are generally considered exclusions may be covered if you have a comprehensive insurance policy or you’ve purchased additional extras; for example, adventure activities and extreme sports. You should always understand the specifics of what your international travel insurance policy covers by reading your policy documents.
If you’re travelling to India, you should check in regularly with Smartraveller, which issues country-specific travel advice and warnings for more than 170 nations around the world.
By signing up to the free email and SMS service, you can even receive this advice, alerts and up-to-date information straight to your inbox. Remember, however, that registering with Smartraveller doesn’t guarantee you consular assistance if you get into trouble in another country. See the Consular Services Charter for more information.
If you’re travelling to India as an Australian national, you should make sure your passport is in good condition and valid for at least six months from the date you plan to leave India.
Australian citizens also require a valid visa for entry into India. The easiest way to get an Indian visa is to apply for an e-tourist visa online at least four days before your departure, which are valid for up to 60 days. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa extension in person. However, not all international airports in India will accept an e-tourist visa, so plan your trip accordingly or apply for a regular visa through an Indian embassy or consulate.
Travelling to a developing nation like India means you could be exposed to infectious diseases. So, before you head off on your trip, make sure you’re caught up with all your vaccinations. Consult a doctor or visit a travel health clinic before you depart for the latest information.
The following vaccines may be recommended for your trip to India:
You may also want to pack medication for traveller’s diarrhoea in case you consume contaminated food or water. Check with your doctor to ensure that such medication is suitable for you.
Remember that while you may be an Australian national, you’ll be subject to India’s local laws and penalties when you enter the country. So, do your research on local laws and customs before you travel to avoid trouble.
Some illegal activities in India include:
India also has a strict social code of dress and behaviour. If in doubt, always dress conservatively and take care not to offend or provoke anyone. You should also be aware that physical contact between men and women in public is frowned upon.
Find out more about travel insurance for Asia.
Looking for travel insurance to cover your trip to India? Our free comparison tool can help you compare a range of policies from leading brands based on your preferred level of cover, policy benefits and excess amount.
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1 Smartraveller. India. Accessed May 2022.
2 Government of India – Ministry of Roads and Transport. Road Accidents in India 2020. Accessed May 2022.
