Best Travel Insurance for India

Travelling to India soon? Here are the best travel insurance plans for your trip, including some frequently asked questions on the visa requirements and the best time to travel to India!

Best Travel Insurance: TIQ Travel Insurance | MSIG TravelEasy | Allianz Travel Insurance | Ergo TravelProtect | Singlife Travel Insurance | Sompo Travel Insurance | Tokio Marine Travel Insurance | Allied World Travel Insurance | Starr Travel Insurance | FWD Travel Insurance | AIG Travel Guard

Explore the bustling streets of Delhi, admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal, or get in touch with your spiritual side in Varanasi — India offers all kinds of activities and experiences for tourists to have an unforgettable trip.

However, do make sure you’re equipped with the right travel insurance for your trip. 

Whether it’s medical expenses coverage, flight delay coverage or baggage loss coverage, here are the best travel insurance plans in the market so you can have a peace of mind on your travels.

Table of contents:

• Best travel insurance plans for India
  • FWD 
  • Singlife
  • Tiq
• Important travel insurance coverage for India
  • Medical expenses
  • Baggage loss
  • COVID-19 coverage
  • Flight delay or cancellation
• FAQs

Best travel insurance plans for India

Product	Medical expenses	COVID-19 medical expenses	Travel cancellations	Baggage delay	Premiums*	Apply
Tiq Travel Luxury Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Opt for COVID-19 add-on Up to S$500,000	Up to S$10,000	Up to S$200 S$100/6h	From S$43	Apply Now
FWD First Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Available as a rider Up to S$200,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$900 S$150/6h	From S$32.40	Apply Now
Starr TraveLead Gold Plan - Worldwide (Annual) Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Up to S$100,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,200 S$100/6h	From S$40.80	Apply Now
Allianz Travel Insurance Platinum Plan Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Opt for COVID-19 add-on Same coverage with medical expenses	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,400	From S$62	Apply Now
MSIG Premier Plan Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Up to S$250,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,500 S$250/6h	From S$76	Apply Now
Singlife Travel Prestige Apply Now	Up to unlimited coverage	Up to S$200,000	Up to S$20,000 Up to S$5,000 for any reason	Up to S$2,000 S$200/6h	From S$53.95	Apply Now
AIG Travel Guard® Direct - Supreme Apply Now	Up to S$2,500,000	Up to S$250,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,400	From S$48	Apply Now

*Based on a 7-day trip to India, prices before discount.

Best value-for-money: FWD travel insurance

If you’re looking for a travel insurance policy that’s affordable yet provides very decent coverage, you can get FWD travel insurance. From just S$32.40 for a 7-day trip to India, FWD travel insurance offers highly competitive premiums compared to the rest. Do note that the premium is also before the discount, meaning you’ll get to save more!

They offer S$1,000,000 coverage for medical expenses overseas and up to S$900 coverage for baggage delay, at S$150 for every 6 hours.

However, the plan doesn’t come with COVID-19 coverage — you’ll have to opt for their COVID-19 Protector as an add-on rider from S$11.59 (for a 7-day trip to India). It offers up to S$200,000 for medical expenses due to COVID-19, an overseas quarantine allowance of S$50 per day for up to 14 days, and trip disruption up to S$5,000.

You’ll be thrilled to know that their claim process is seamless as well — just submit your claims on the FWD SG App, and you’re done! 

Also, FWD just added coverage for trip cancellation, postponement or curtailment for any reason, up to S$6,000. This is only applicable if you purchase the add-on within 7 days from the initial trip deposit for your trip.

Best for comprehensive coverage: Singlife Travel Insurance

If you’re looking for all-rounded travel insurance, Singlife does it the best. Aside from their high coverage, they also offer unique coverage such as loss of bridal accessories, rainfall and trip cancellation for any reason — though some require add-ons or are only available for the higher tier plans.

If you opt for their Travel Prestige plan, you have unlimited coverage for medical expenses — which is one of the highest coverage out there. Trip cancellations are covered up to S$15,000, while trip cancellations for any reason cover you up to S$5,000.

This means that if you wish to cancel your trip due to a sudden conflicting event or simply don't feel like going anymore, you can get up to S$5,000 reimbursed. You’ll just have to purchase your policy within 7 days of your flight purchases or hotel bookings for them to qualify for a claim.

On top of that, Singlife offers rainfall coverage of up to S$150 if the rain is more than 6.4mm over a 24-hour period. You’re also covered for adventurous activities like diving, white water rafting, jetski-ing and kayaking.

The plan includes COVID-19 coverage, offering up to S$200,000 for overseas medical expenses.

Best for COVID-19 coverage: Tiq Travel Insurance

TIQ stands out for its high COVID-19 coverage, but do note that COVID-19 coverage is only available if you add on the rider, from S$18 (for a 7-day trip to India). 

It offers up to S$500,000 coverage for COVID-19-related medical expenses, so you’ll be able to have a peace of mind knowing that you’re sufficiently covered. It also covers up to $5,000 on non-refundable costs for cancelling or postponing your trip 14 days before your departure date. With such decent coverage, the add-on is definitely worth the top-up.

It also offers high coverage for sports equipment coverage, that is available as an add-on as well. It covers up to S$4,000 for equipment like golf clubs, diving gear, fishing equipment, bicycle(s), ski equipment, snowboards and climbing gear if you’re planning on participating in adventure sports.

See also:
Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans (2023)
Is Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage Still Necessary?

Important travel insurance coverage for India

Medical expenses 

Medical expenses coverage is one of the most important aspects of travel insurance, as accidents do happen, it’s best to know that you are sufficiently covered. 

Whether you need to see a doctor overseas, are hospitalised or require emergency medical evacuation, getting travel insurance with high coverage for medical expenses will help put your mind at ease knowing that you’re sufficiently covered.

If you’re planning on participating in adventure sports or activities, do make sure your travel insurance policy covers for them in case you injure yourself while engaging in these activities. 

Some travel insurance policies include coverage for skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, water rafting, and the list goes on. Make sure you read the policy wording to know exactly what is covered and what is not.

See also: Best Travel Insurance Singapore for Adventure Seekers

Loss of belongings

The crime rates in India are considerably high, especially for petty theft like pickpocketing. It’s best to get travel insurance that covers for your valuables sufficiently. So whether your belongings get stolen, damaged or lost, you would at least be more at ease knowing that you can claim for your valuables.

This is especially important for those bringing their laptops for work or cameras and equipment for professional photography, as travel insurance plans cover these too!

This is also for rare cases in the event your luggage goes missing at the airport, and the airlines and airport security are unable to locate your luggage. This would at least allow you to offset some costs with travel insurance.

Do note that most travel insurance providers require you to make a police report if your belongings are lost or stolen and attach the report to your travel insurance claim for them to be successful.

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COVID-19 medical expenses

Though almost the entire world is learning to live with COVID-19, it is still advisable be covered for COVID-19 as the virus is still prevalent in certain places.

By opting for COVID-19 coverage, you’ll be able to postpone or cancel your trip if you or your travel buddy contracts COVID-19 before your trip. You’ll also be able to purchase off-the-counter medication or get treated at a clinic if you’re down with COVID-19 during your trip.

If you end up being seriously ill due to COVID-19 or medical complications arising from COVID-19, you’ll be covered for your hospital stay and even receive hospital benefits under certain travel insurance policies. If the worst happens, you can also receive emergency evacuation back to Singapore for treatment if need be.

See also: Is Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage Still Necessary?

Flight delay or cancellation

I’m sure you’ve heard of several instances of your friends, family members or even you being stranded at the airport because of an unexpected flight delay or flight cancellation. Regardless of how long the delay is, spending that few hours in the airport and ruining your plans can be highly frustrating.

That is why being able to be compensated for flight delays or cancellations is important to at least be reimbursed for any travel disruptions. Usually, insurers give you a payout for every 4 to 6 hours, up to a limit. 

This gives you the extra budget to book a nearby hotel or cover any missed activities due to your flight delay if need be.

See also:
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Why Buying Travel Insurance is Necessary

FAQs

Must I buy travel insurance when travelling to India from Singapore?

It is not mandatory to purchase travel insurance when travelling to India, but it’s highly recommended and encouraged to safeguard yourself against any unfortunate circumstances abroad. 

It also gives you a peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for medical expenses, baggage loss, flight delay, trip cancellations, emergency services and even COVID-19 medical expenses.

Is there food poisoning travel insurance for India?

There isn't a specific travel insurance plan for food poisoning. However, you are covered for food poisoning under most travel insurance policies, unless it is specifically stated in their policy document that it is excluded.

Some travel insurance plans also offer coverage for medical expenses once you return back to Singapore after your trip for a stipulated period. So this means that if you get food poisoning right after your trip, you are still able to claim for your medical expenses if you go to see a doctor or buy off-the-counter medicine.

Are there any travel requirements or restrictions for travelling to India?

If you’re entering India, you should preferably be fully vaccinated. On arrival, there will be a thermal screening to screen your temperature. If you are found to be running a fever, you will be immediately isolated and taken to a designated medical facility as per their health protocol.

For more information, head over to the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India here.

Is it safe to travel to India?

The crime rates and motor accidents are generally quite high in India. If you wish to travel there, it’s best to take some of these precautions as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 

• Avoid isolated or unlit areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches
• Do not accept food or drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended
• Do not leave your belongings unattended at all times, and pay close attention, particularly in crowded areas
• Travel in well-maintained vehicles with seatbelts
• Avoid travelling alone on public transport, autos, taxis and rickshaws, particularly at night

If you’re a female travelling there, you should exercise caution due to the high cases of sexual assault cases on female visitors even in tourist areas. You should also avoid travelling alone, even in major cities and at tourist sites, choose safe modes of transport, arrange airport transfers before arrival, and abide by their dress codes.

For more information, head to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

What are the visa requirements for India?

If you’re a Singaporean travelling to India, you’ll need a visa to enter the country. You should have at least six months of validity on your passport on the expected date of departure from India. 

For more information on applying for a visa, head to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

When is the best period to visit India?

The best time to visit India is during the winter, which falls between December to early March. 

During the summer which starts from April, it can get very hot, with temperatures rising up to about 44°C in certain parts of India like Delhi and Agra. The monsoon season kicks in from June to September, which may not be the best time to visit because of the frequent rainfall.

What are the languages spoken in India?

The top languages by the number of speakers are Hindi-Urdu, Bengalis, Punjabi, Marathi, and Gujarati. Depending on which part of India you go to, they would have their own local dialects that they speak.

Only less than 0.1% of the total population speak English as their first language, while around 30% of the Indian population can speak English to some extent. Therefore, it’s advisable to have a translation app on your phone or use Google Translate to communicate with the locals.

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