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Best Low-Cost Travel Insurance

Best Travel Insurance for the Lowest Price

Travel insurance is one of the least expensive parts of an international holiday, but it can protect travellers from some of the trip’s largest unexpected expenses.

A suitable policy may cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, medical evacuation, loss of checked baggage, passport loss, trip interruption and specified flight delays. However, benefits, deductibles and exclusions vary substantially between insurers and plans.

The cheapest policy is not automatically the best-value policy. A plan costing a few rupees less per day may provide a much lower medical limit, impose higher deductibles or exclude the activities you plan to undertake.

The best affordable travel insurance is therefore the lowest-priced policy that still provides adequate protection for your destination, health profile and itinerary.

This guide compares current advertised starting prices from major Indian insurers and explains how to avoid buying inadequate coverage merely because it appears cheap.

Affordable Travel Insurance Plans at a Glance

Insurer	Advertised starting price	Key reason to compare
Bajaj General Insurance	From ₹13 per day	Lowest published headline rate among the options reviewed
Care Health Insurance	From ₹16 per day	Very low entry price, but lowest plan carries limited medical cover
ICICI Lombard	From ₹20 per day	Low-cost online plan with medical and travel benefits
Niva Bupa	From ₹20 per day	Broad international destination coverage
Tata AIG	From approximately ₹24.80 per day	Destination-specific plans and multiple cover levels
HDFC ERGO	From approximately ₹31 per day	Medical limits ranging from $40,000 to $1 million
ACKO	From approximately ₹45 per day	App-first purchase and digital servicing
Digit	Destination-specific pricing	Digital process, flexible plans and annual multi-trip option

These prices cannot be treated as a direct ranking because insurers calculate their examples using different assumptions. Some use a young traveller, long trip duration or very low sum insured to produce the advertised per-day amount.

Why the Cheapest Advertised Rate Can Be Misleading

A headline such as “travel insurance from ₹13 per day” does not necessarily mean your complete trip will be insured at that rate.

The final premium depends on:

Traveller’s age
Destination
Trip duration
Medical sum insured
Number of travellers
Existing medical conditions
Deductible
Trip-cancellation protection
Adventure-sports cover
USA and Canada inclusion
Single-trip or annual policy
Optional add-ons

Longer policies can produce a lower daily rate even when the total premium is higher. Similarly, a plan with only $10,000 of medical cover will normally cost less than a plan providing $100,000 or $500,000.

Care’s lowest advertised international plan, for example, begins around ₹16 per day with a stated cover amount of $10,000. That may be inexpensive, but it should not be compared directly with a policy offering substantially higher medical protection.

1. Bajaj General International Travel Insurance

Best for the Lowest Advertised Starting Price

Bajaj General currently advertises international travel insurance starting from approximately ₹13 per day.

Its international policies can cover specified risks such as:

Emergency medical treatment
Hospitalisation
Medical evacuation
Trip cancellation or curtailment
Travel delays
Checked-baggage loss or delay
Passport loss
Personal liability

The actual benefits depend on the selected policy and schedule.

Why consider it?

Very low advertised entry price
Individual, family and senior-traveller options
International assistance
Medical and non-medical travel protection
Single-trip and multi-trip choices
Destination-specific products

Check before buying

Medical sum insured
Deductible for each medical claim
Sub-limits for hospital rooms and treatment
Whether pre-existing conditions receive any emergency protection
Whether adventure activities are included
Trip-cancellation limit
Baggage compensation limits

Best for

Young, healthy travellers taking a standard holiday who can obtain adequate coverage at a low final quote.

2. Care Explore Travel Insurance

Best for an Extremely Low Entry Premium

Care Health Insurance advertises its Explore international travel plan from approximately ₹16 per day.

The entry-level example provides a stated cover amount of $10,000. Benefits can include trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss and emergency protection for a pre-existing disease in life-threatening circumstances, subject to policy terms.

Advantages

Low published starting price
Trip cancellation and interruption benefits
Baggage protection
Automatic trip extension during eligible medical emergencies
Plans for tourists and international students
Destination-specific products

Important limitation

A $10,000 medical limit may be inadequate for expensive healthcare destinations or a major hospitalisation.

For comparison, Schengen visa rules require travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage, valid throughout the Schengen area for the duration of the intended stay. (EUR-Lex)

Best for

Budget travellers visiting lower-cost destinations who select an appropriate medical limit rather than automatically choosing the cheapest plan.

3. ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance

Best Low-Cost All-Round Option

ICICI Lombard advertises travel insurance from approximately ₹20 per day.

Its international travel insurance can include cashless medical support, trip-cancellation cover, baggage protection, passport-loss benefits, flight-delay cover and 24-hour assistance, depending on the selected plan.

Why consider it?

Competitive advertised starting price
Online application
Medical-emergency cover
Trip-cancellation and interruption options
Lost-baggage and passport protection
Products for individuals, families and students
Travel-claim support portal

Suitable for

Travellers looking for a balance between a low premium, recognisable insurer and standard medical and journey-related benefits.

Check before buying

Trip cancellation generally applies only when the reason is covered by the policy. It is not a blanket refund for voluntarily changing your plans.

4. Niva Bupa Travel Insurance

Best for Broad Destination Coverage at a Low Entry Price

Niva Bupa currently advertises international travel insurance from approximately ₹20 per day and states that its travel policies cover more than 190 destinations.

Travel insurance can include medical and non-medical protection, depending on the chosen plan.

Potential benefits

Emergency medical protection
Travel-delay cover
Baggage-related protection
Passport-loss assistance
International travel support
Online purchase
Region-specific policies

Best for

Travellers seeking a low-cost quote for multiple international destinations.

Check before buying

Review whether hospital treatment is cashless or reimbursement-based in your destination. Cashless service can depend on prior approval and the participating medical provider.

5. Tata AIG Travel Insurance

Best for Destination-Specific Coverage Choices

Tata AIG advertises international travel insurance from approximately ₹24.80 per day, although actual destination-specific rates differ.

For example, its published Indonesia and Singapore pages quote starting prices near ₹25.60 per day. The Singapore plan example includes up to $100,000 of accident and sickness medical cover, along with baggage, passport, personal-liability and evacuation benefits.

Advantages

Destination-specific plan information
Multiple medical cover levels
Emergency medical evacuation
Passport-loss cover
Baggage delay and loss benefits
Personal-liability protection
Senior-citizen options
Schengen-compatible choices

Best for

Travellers who want to review detailed destination-specific benefit limits before buying.

Important consideration

Tata AIG states that Schengen travel insurance prices can vary widely based on the traveller, cover and plan, illustrating why a single “per-day” headline should not be treated as a guaranteed rate.

6. HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance

Best for Choosing a Higher Medical Limit

HDFC ERGO currently advertises travel insurance from approximately ₹31 per day.

Its international plans offer selectable medical coverage ranging from $40,000 to $1 million. Individual, family, student, senior-citizen and annual multi-trip policies are available.

Potential benefits

Emergency medical treatment
Cashless hospital network
Medical evacuation
Trip cancellation
Passport loss
Baggage loss and delay
Missed connections and travel disruptions
Coverage choices up to $1 million

Why it may offer better value

A plan with a higher premium can be better value when it provides substantially higher medical coverage than a cheaper entry-level policy.

Best for

USA and Canada trips
Older travellers
Longer journeys
Travellers wanting higher medical limits
Families requiring one policy

Check carefully

HDFC ERGO’s published information states that standard international travel coverage does not automatically cover pre-existing conditions. Read the specific policy terms rather than assuming an existing illness is protected.

7. ACKO International Travel Insurance

Best for App-First Purchase and Digital Servicing

ACKO advertises international travel insurance from approximately ₹45 per day.

Its current international product page highlights medical protection, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delays, baggage loss, a large cashless-hospital network and customisable coverage.

Advantages

Fully digital purchase process
App-based account management
Cashless medical network
Trip-cancellation and interruption benefits
Baggage protection
Customisable coverage
No pre-purchase medical check-up for eligible applicants

Important cancellation rule

Trip-cancellation insurance only pays when the cancellation results from a reason listed in the policy, such as an eligible medical emergency or natural disaster. An airline cancelling its own flight may not be covered under the same benefit.

Best for

Travellers who value digital purchase and claim servicing more than obtaining the absolute lowest headline premium.

8. Digit International Travel Insurance

Best for Flexible Digital Plans and Frequent Travellers

Digit offers international travel insurance covering medical emergencies, baggage issues, passport loss, trip cancellation and personal liability, depending on the plan. It promotes a digital claims process and 24-hour global support.

Unlike insurers displaying one general daily rate, Digit frequently shows destination-specific total prices.

One published example quotes ₹395 for a four-day Malaysia trip for one adult with $50,000 medical coverage. Another product advertises annual multi-trip insurance from ₹2,999, with per-trip duration choices.

Why consider it?

Destination-specific quotations
Digital purchase and claim process
Medical and journey benefits
Selected adventure-activity coverage
Single-trip and annual multi-trip options
Suitable for frequent business travellers

Best for

Travellers who want transparent trip-specific quotations or make several international journeys each year.

Cheapest Does Not Mean Best: What to Compare

1. Medical Sum Insured

Medical protection is usually the most important component of international travel insurance.

Check whether the limit applies to:

Hospitalisation
Outpatient treatment
Emergency room treatment
Ambulance
Dental emergencies
Medical evacuation
Repatriation of remains

Do not select a $10,000 plan merely because it is cheapest when travelling to a destination where one emergency admission could exceed that amount.

2. Medical Deductible

A deductible is the amount you must pay before the insurer contributes to an eligible claim.

For example, if the policy has a $100 deductible and the approved medical bill is $500, you may need to bear the first $100.

A cheaper policy with a high deductible may provide less practical value for smaller claims.

3. Cashless Treatment

Cashless treatment means the insurer or its assistance provider coordinates eligible payment directly with the medical facility.

It may still require:

Prior approval
Immediate contact with the assistance company
Use of an approved hospital
Medical documents
Verification of policy coverage

When cashless treatment is unavailable, the traveller may need to pay first and request reimbursement.

4. Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation

Medical evacuation can be extremely expensive.

Check whether the plan covers:

Ambulance transportation
Transfer to a better-equipped hospital
Emergency return to India
Repatriation of remains

These benefits are especially important for remote islands, cruises, mountain regions and adventure trips.

5. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Most inexpensive policies exclude ordinary treatment connected with a pre-existing condition.

Some plans may provide limited assistance only when an existing condition creates an immediately life-threatening emergency.

Disclose all requested medical information truthfully. Failure to disclose a known condition can affect claim eligibility.

6. Trip Cancellation

Trip-cancellation cover usually reimburses eligible prepaid and non-refundable costs only when the cancellation is caused by a specified event.

Covered reasons may include:

Serious illness
Hospitalisation
Death in the immediate family
Natural disaster
Other events specifically listed in the policy

Changing your mind, obtaining a cheaper flight or deciding not to travel is normally not covered.

7. Baggage Protection

Check whether the plan covers:

Delay of checked baggage
Permanent loss of checked baggage
Theft of personal belongings
Loss of passport

Baggage claims commonly require documents from the airline, such as a Property Irregularity Report.

Electronics, jewellery and cash may carry lower sub-limits or exclusions.

8. Flight-Delay Benefit

A flight-delay claim normally becomes valid only after the delay exceeds a minimum number of hours.

Check:

Required delay period
Fixed benefit or reimbursement
Eligible causes
Maximum payout
Documentation required
Whether the benefit applies to domestic connecting flights

9. Adventure Sports

Standard budget policies may exclude:

Scuba diving
Skiing
Trekking above a specified altitude
Surfing
Paragliding
Rock climbing
Competitive sport
Motorcycling without the required licence

Buy an appropriate add-on when your itinerary includes higher-risk activities.

How Much Medical Coverage Should You Buy?

There is no universal amount suitable for every destination.

Schengen Countries

Schengen visa applicants generally require travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid across the Schengen territory and for the complete intended stay.

Meeting the visa minimum does not necessarily mean the policy provides ideal protection for every traveller.

United States and Canada

Healthcare can be expensive, so prioritising a higher medical limit and evacuation cover is generally more important than saving a small amount on the premium.

HDFC ERGO, for example, offers selectable limits extending to $1 million.

Southeast Asia

Lower-cost policies may be sufficient for uncomplicated trips, but travellers should still consider their medical history, planned activities, islands or remote areas and the quality of local healthcare access.

Cruises and Remote Trips

Check evacuation, shipboard treatment and cruise-interruption benefits carefully. Standard low-cost plans may not cover every cruise-related disruption.

How to Get the Lowest Travel Insurance Price

Compare Identical Coverage

Obtain quotes using the same:

Traveller age
Travel dates
Destination
Medical limit
Deductible
Cancellation cover
Add-ons

Comparing a $10,000 plan with a $100,000 plan does not reveal which insurer offers better value.

Buy Only Relevant Add-Ons

Do not pay for skiing, cruise or adventure cover when the itinerary does not include those activities.

Consider a Family Policy

A family policy can be more economical than buying several individual policies, depending on the travellers’ ages and benefits.

Compare Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

Travellers making several international trips in one year should compare annual cover against separate single-trip policies.

Digit currently advertises annual multi-trip plans from ₹2,999, subject to its trip-duration and eligibility conditions.

Avoid Excessive Medical Cover for Low-Risk Trips

Select adequate protection but avoid buying the highest limit automatically when the destination, trip and traveller profile do not justify it.

Buy Online

Insurers frequently promote lower online starting rates and instant policy issuance through their official websites.

Use a Credit Card’s Insurance Carefully

Some premium credit cards provide travel benefits, but they may cover only tickets purchased with the card or offer limited medical protection.

Read the card policy before deciding that separate insurance is unnecessary.

Common Travel Insurance Exclusions

Exclusions depend on the individual policy, but commonly restricted situations include:

Undisclosed pre-existing conditions
Planned medical treatment abroad
Self-inflicted injuries
Alcohol- or drug-related incidents
Illegal activity
War or specified civil disturbances
Unauthorised adventure sports
Travelling against medical advice
Pregnancy and childbirth outside stated limits
Unattended baggage
Loss without a police or airline report
Cancellation for an uncovered reason
Cosmetic or elective treatment

IRDAI explains that an exclusion is a condition, treatment, service or situation that is not covered under an insurance contract. The policy wording and schedule—not the marketing headline—determine whether a claim is payable.

Documents Needed to Buy Travel Insurance

Most online applications request:

Full name
Date of birth
Passport details
Travel destination
Departure and return dates
Indian contact information
Nominee details
Medical declarations
KYC details where required

The issued policy certificate should display:

Correct traveller name
Passport number where applicable
Destination or geographical region
Policy dates
Sum insured
Policy number
Emergency contact details

Correct errors before departure.

How to Make a Travel Insurance Claim

Step 1: Contact the Insurer Quickly

For hospitalisation, contact the insurer’s international assistance provider as soon as possible.

Step 2: Follow the Emergency Instructions

The assistance team may direct you to a network hospital or request documents for cashless approval.

Step 3: Collect Evidence

Depending on the claim, retain:

Medical reports
Prescriptions
Hospital invoices
Payment receipts
Police report
Airline delay certificate
Property Irregularity Report
Baggage receipts
Passport replacement documents
Flight and hotel confirmations
Proof of non-refundable expenses

Step 4: Submit Within the Deadline

Claim-notification and document-submission deadlines vary by insurer.

Step 5: Keep Copies

Store digital copies of every submitted document and communication.

Recommended Shortlist by Traveller Type

Lowest Advertised Starting Rate

Bajaj General Insurance

Its current international product page advertises cover from ₹13 per day. Confirm the sum insured and deductible before choosing it.

Lowest Entry Rate With Basic Benefits

Care Explore

It advertises cover from ₹16 per day, although the lowest example carries only $10,000 of medical protection.

Affordable All-Round Plan

ICICI Lombard

Its advertised ₹20-per-day starting point combines a competitive headline price with medical, baggage and travel-related benefits.

Higher Medical Coverage Options

HDFC ERGO

It offers selectable coverage ranging from $40,000 to $1 million.

App-First Experience

ACKO

Suitable for customers who prefer digital purchase, account servicing and claims assistance.

Destination-Specific Comparison

Tata AIG or Digit

Both publish destination-focused plan information and examples, helping travellers understand benefits before purchasing.

Frequent International Traveller

Digit annual multi-trip plan or another comparable annual policy

Compare the maximum permitted duration of each individual journey before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which travel insurance has the lowest price in India?

Among the official product pages reviewed, Bajaj General currently displays the lowest headline starting price at approximately ₹13 per day. This does not guarantee that it will be cheapest for your age, destination and required medical coverage.

Is ₹13-per-day travel insurance sufficient?

It may be sufficient only when the included sum insured, deductible and benefits match your trip. Review the policy schedule before paying.

Which affordable travel insurance is best for Europe?

Choose a policy valid across all required Schengen countries with at least €30,000 in medical cover, repatriation protection and coverage for the entire stay.

Which travel insurance is best for the USA?

Prioritise high medical coverage, emergency evacuation, low deductibles and cashless support. HDFC ERGO currently provides plan choices extending up to $1 million.

Does cheap travel insurance cover flight cancellation?

Some plans cover trip cancellation for listed reasons. They do not normally reimburse every cancellation or voluntary change of plans.

Does travel insurance cover an airline-cancelled flight?

The airline may owe assistance or a refund under its own rules. Travel-insurance payment depends on the policy wording and cause of cancellation. ACKO, for example, states that its trip-cancellation benefit does not cover an airline cancelling the flight.

Are pre-existing diseases covered?

They are commonly excluded, although some policies offer limited protection during a life-threatening emergency or through an add-on. Full disclosure is essential.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

It depends on the destination and visa. Schengen visa applicants generally require qualifying travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover.

When should travel insurance be purchased?

Purchase it soon after making non-refundable reservations when trip-cancellation protection is important. Coverage begins according to the dates and conditions stated in the policy.

Can travel insurance be purchased after leaving India?

Many Indian policies must be purchased before departure. Confirm eligibility before travelling rather than assuming you can buy it after the trip begins.

Is annual travel insurance cheaper?

It may be cheaper for people taking several international trips within one year. Compare the annual premium, geographical coverage and maximum duration permitted for each trip.

Final Verdict

Bajaj General currently has the lowest advertised starting price among the insurers compared, at approximately ₹13 per day. Care follows at approximately ₹16 per day, while ICICI Lombard and Niva Bupa advertise plans starting near ₹20 per day.

However, these figures should not determine the final purchase by themselves.

Care’s lowest example, for instance, provides only $10,000 of cover, while HDFC ERGO offers choices extending to $1 million. The policies address very different levels of financial risk.

For a short, low-risk trip, compare Bajaj, Care, ICICI Lombard, Niva Bupa and Tata AIG using the same medical limit and deductible. For the United States, Canada, senior travellers or longer journeys, prioritise medical coverage and evacuation benefits over the lowest headline rate.

ACKO and Digit are worth considering when digital servicing is important, while an annual multi-trip policy may save money for frequent travellers.

The best low-cost travel insurance is not the cheapest policy on the screen. It is the least expensive policy that would still provide meaningful help during the emergency you are most likely to face.

Premiums, policy wording, cover limits and eligibility can change. Review the official policy schedule, benefit table, deductibles and exclusions before purchasing. This article provides general information and is not personalised insurance or financial advice.