Do you need insurance for a trip to India

Russian citizens need a visa for a tourist trip to India — the easiest option is an electronic tourist visa (e-Visa) obtained online before departure. Tourists are not required to show medical insurance on entry or when applying for an e-Visa.

At the same time, India is a country where a policy is especially useful. Private hospitals in big cities and in Goa are of a good standard, but treatment is paid for foreigners, while public hospitals are overcrowded and not geared to tourists. If you fall ill in a remote area, you will have to be taken to a big city, and from the Himalayas often by helicopter.

Note that not all insurers issue policies for trips to India, so the calculator may show fewer offers for this destination than usual.

Which sum to choose

We recommend USD 50,000. For a long winter stay in Goa, a trip with children or trekking in the Himalayas — USD 100,000: evacuation from high altitudes is very expensive.

The main risks in India

  • Intestinal infections. The most common reason tourists seek help. Drink only bottled water, avoid ice and raw vegetables, and call the assistance company as soon as symptoms appear.
  • Dengue fever and other infections. Dengue is widespread, especially in the monsoon season. Check whether the plan covers it. Consult a doctor about vaccinations and prevention before the trip.
  • Scooters in Goa. Renting a bike is common, but an accident is covered only with the motorcycle or moped option, a category A licence and a helmet.
  • The ocean. During the monsoon (roughly June to September) Goa beaches have strong waves and currents, and swimming is sometimes banned.
  • The Himalayas. Trekking in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim involves altitude sickness and difficult evacuation. You need the active sports option plus search and rescue and helicopter evacuation cover.
  • Heat and sun. In spring and early summer the plains are very hot. Heatstroke is an ordinary insured event; sunburn is covered by a separate option.

Buy a policy to India online

You can buy insurance right on this page: the calculator above shows prices from several insurers at once (16 insurers are available in the service). Online sales are provided by Polis Re’s partner, the Cherehapa service; the contract is concluded with the insurance company you select.

  1. Check that “India” is selected and set the dates and travellers’ ages.
  2. Tick the options you need: motorbike riding, dengue fever, trekking and helicopter evacuation, flight delay.
  3. Sort offers by price or by cover and open the terms of the plan you like.
  4. Enter your first and last name in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport, enter your e-mail and pay.
  5. The electronic policy arrives by e-mail within a few minutes and is as valid as a paper one.

Insured event in India: what to do

Keep the assistance phone number at hand: it is printed in the policy. An assistance company is a service company that organises help abroad on behalf of the insurer.

  1. Report the case before seeing a doctor: policy number, your details, address and symptoms.
  2. Get a referral to a clinic — treatment there is paid without your involvement, within the sum insured and taking the deductible into account.
  3. If the assistance company allows you to pay yourself, keep the medical report, invoices and receipts and file a claim for reimbursement after you return.

More in the “Insured event” section.

Nearby destinations

If your route covers several countries, see the other pages too: insurance to Sri Lanka, insurance to the Maldives, insurance to Thailand, insurance to the UAE. The full list of destinations, annual policies and tips on choosing cover are on the travel insurance page.