If a natural disaster disrupts your travel and authorities advise evacuation, the insurer covers new bookings and non-refundable cancellations up to the sum insured
The recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand caused significant distress to travellers. This was also an important reminder of how uncertain trips can be. Travel insurance, in case of a natural disaster, covers all medical expenses related to any sort of injuries, hospitalisation, accidental death, and repatriation of mortal remains.
“If you want a comprehensive plan that will have you covered against high medical costs in slightly expensive destinations, you can go for coverage of $250,000 or more,” says Meet Kapadia, head, travel insurance, Policybazaar.
Natural calamities can happen anytime and can interrupt a trip in many ways. Travel insurance covers you from various such possibilities. Travel insurance covers you against all possible mishaps.
Injury: “It is possible that you may get injured during a natural calamity like an earthquake, storm, avalanche, landslides, etc. In such a scenario, your travel insurance will help cover the costs incurred due to medical evacuation (transporting you to the nearest hospital) and hospitalization (necessary treatments, surgery, ICU charges, pharmacy charges, etc.),” says Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO & head, direct sales, Digit Insurance.
Death Or Disability: In the unfortunate event of death or disability due to a natural disaster during the trip, the insurer typically pays a lump sum amount to the insured in case of disability. The nominee/family is also paid for costs incurred for repatriation of remains and funeral expenses in case of death.
Trip Cancellation: A natural calamity may take place a few days or hours prior to your trip. “Your destination might be hit by a natural disaster, resulting in the cessation of travel to the destination, or the government of India or the destination country issuing an advisory not to travel to the destination country. In such a scenario, the insurer will compensate for the non-refundable part of your booking (e.g., flight, hotel, excursions, etc.) up to the sum insured (SI) mentioned under the trip cancellation cover,” says Chaturvedi.
Trip Abandonment: “If you are unable to continue with your travel due to a natural disaster in your country of travel and an advisory has been issued by the local authorities of your destination country or your home country to travel back to your home country or evacuate immediately, the insurer will compensate you up to the sum insured for the new bookings made in order to travel back to your home country and the non-refundable cancellation costs incurred by you,” says Chaturvedi.
Trip Extension: If a natural disaster in your home country or country of travel delays your return journey, the insurer will compensate you up to the SI mentioned under the trip extension cover so that you can take care of your and your family's special needs during the delayed span of time.
Missed Connection: If your first flight is delayed due to a natural disaster at any of the ports, resulting in you missing your second flight, the insurer will compensate you up to the SI mentioned under the missed connection cover for you to book the next flight (if the airline is not compensating you for the same).
Natural Disaster in your Home Country Damaging Your Home While You Are Abroad: Some insurers also offer "Home Building and Contents Coverage" under travel insurance. If a natural disaster in your home country, while you are abroad, damages your home or its contents, some insurers compensate you up to the SI mentioned under this cover to recover from such losses.
Policyholders should ensure they have gone through the exclusions, claim procedures, and coverage limits. Policyholders can register their claims via the broker they’ve bought the policy from or directly with the insurer. Travellers should inform the insurer of any claim via a call or helpline number.
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