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General Exclusions of Travel Insurance Policy

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A good travel insurance plan can offer coverage for different emergency situations that one might encounter during any kind of trip – be it solo sojourns, family holidays, or business tours. But all insurance plans come with certain exclusions; and travel policies are no exceptions. Awareness about these exclusions can help you make an informed decision about buying the right travel insurance plan for you and your family.

Here are five general exclusions of travel insurance policies.

• Health issues caused due to a breaching of the law - Travel policies generally don’t cover the health issues that policyholders might experience due to illegal activities on their part. This type of exclusion also covers health issues caused because of wars. You cannot also claim any benefits for problems arising out of consumption of banned or intoxicating substances. For example, if you sustain injuries on your trip while driving under the influence of alcohol or any banned substance, your travel insurance won’t cover it.

• Pre-existing diseases - Travel policies generally do not cover pre-existing conditions of the policyholders. If you suffer from a disease or a health problem before travelling; it will not be covered by your insurance. If you seek treatment during your trip for a medical condition that already exists; the insurance policy is not likely to cover it. When buying travel insurance, it is important to understand how your insurer defines pre-existing conditions. Most insurance companies define pre-existing conditions as a disease or medical condition that a policyholder has had for at least 48 months prior to purchasing the policy. So, make sure to inquire about it before buying travel insurance in case this type of exclusion applies to you or any other member you wish to include in the plan.

• Self-inflicted injuries - Travel policies exclude coverage for any injuries caused to the policyholders due to self-harm. It includes any or all treatments required including hospitalisation due to self-inflicted harm. Suicide attempt is an example of this type of exclusion.

• Injuries caused due to participation in adventure sports - Travel insurance doesn’t cover injuries or treatment required due to policyholders’ participation in adventure sports. Some examples of adventure sports are bungee jumping, paragliding, rock climbing, scuba diving etc. So, if you are buying travel insurance for a trip involving adventure sports, be sure to inquire about the best plans available for you. You can ask your insurer for a list of adventure sports they exclude from travel insurance. You will be still able to find coverage for other travel-related emergencies.

• Obesity and cosmetic treatments - Travel policies generally do not cover treatments for obesity. If you plan to undergo any cosmetic surgery while travelling; it will also not be covered by your travel insurance.

The purpose of buying travel insurance is to protect self and family from health emergences and other hassles during travels. So, it is important to conduct proper research before buying travel insurance. Look for the best coverage as per your travel needs and not a plan that comes with the lowest premium.

The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.