The Schengen Area in Europe comprises a borderless zone of 26 countries where travellers can visit freely with a single visa, popularly known as the Schengen Visa. This visa allows non-European travellers to visit any country within this area without any hindrance. No border control between these 26 countries enables free and easy travel within the Schengen Zone. However, for all travellers applying for a Schengen Visa, there is a statutory need to comply with insurance regulations. Thus, travel insurance is an important part of the tour to Schengen Zone.
If you are a traveller visiting a country in the Schengen Area on a Schengen Visa, you must buy a travel insurance policy complying with the minimum statutory coverage requirement.
The Need for Travel Insurance in Your Schengen Visa Application
While applying for a Schengen Visa to visit the Schengen Area in the European mainland, you need to have a travel insurance policy in place. It is one of the mandatory requirements for getting this visa. While citizens of a few countries travelling to the Schengen zone are excluded from carrying a Schengen visa, Indian travellers are not one of them. So, as an Indian, you need to apply for a Schengen Visa, which requires you to have travel insurance in place.
The minimum sum insured under a suitable travel insurance policy to apply for a Schengen visa is Euro 30,000. Such an insurance plan in place ensures that in case of any emergency, whether medical or otherwise, the coverage value can be utilised to meet such unexpected expenses.
What Should the Travel Insurance with Schengen Visa Cover?
There are several reputed general insurance companies in India from which you can purchase a travel insurance plan when applying for your Schengen Visa. Some coverage benefits under these policies may vary from one insurer to another. Still, there are certain features that all of these travel insurance plans offer in common. Below are some of the insurance coverages demanded for Schengen visa approval.
- Coverage for emergency medical expenses on the trip
If any medical emergency arises while you are travelling in a country in the Schengen zone, having travel insurance providing coverage for medical expenses will be of great help. This ensures you do not have to worry about getting adequate healthcare assistance and hospitalisation during such situations. The travel insurance plan should also cover the expenses for prescription medicines, medical examinations, treatments and dental care.
- Coverage for the whole Schengen zone travel
Your Schengen travel insurance plan should cover your trip to all the countries in the Schengen zone. This is necessary even if you are not planning to visit many or all of them. Your insurance needs to cover all countries, regardless of whether you plan to visit only one.
- Coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation
Under extremely unfortunate instances leading to the loss of life of the insured, a Schengen travel cover should provide for the repatriation of the deceased back to the country. Such assistance is also needed for emergency evacuation of the insured back to the homeland due to deteriorating health.
4. Coverage during the Entire Travel Period
Your Schengen visa insurance should be valid for the entire time you spend in the Schengen countries. This can be one day, a few days, a year or longer.
Other common coverages under any travel insurance that might be of great use are:
1. Coverage for baggage delay or loss
The travel insurance policy also provides compensation for the inconveniences that you may face due to a delay or loss baggage at the airport.
2. Protection against trip cancellation
Unforeseen trip cancellation or shortening is another risk of travelling. For your trip to the Schengen region, buy a travel insurance plan that provides compensation for any financial losses arising out of it.
Conclusion
With the best travel insurance policies, you can also avail coverage for the loss of essential documents like a passport, whereby assistance is provided for the re-issuance of such crucial papers. By purchasing these policies from top insurers, you can seek to keep your insurance purchase affordable as well with a low premium cost, especially when applying for coverage as a group.
