Planning a summer holiday? Why you should opt for travel insurance if you’re heading abroad

Indian travellers are rethinking their summer holiday plans after the recent geopolitical tensions. Travel bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have fallen sharply on MakeMyTrip (MMT), one of India’s leading online travel agencies, following the countries' perceived stance on the recent India-Pakistan conflict. According to company data, bookings for these two destinations dropped by a staggering 60% over the past week, while cancellations shot up by 250%.

With travellers now opting for alternative destinations, summer hotspots such as Europe and the US are witnessing renewed interest. But amid the shifting preferences, experts are urging travellers to prioritise something often overlooked—travel insurance.

“Travel insurance is not just a formality—it’s your safety net abroad,” said Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar.com. “With the onset of summer vacations, there’s a noticeable spike in trips to Schengen countries and the USA, often double the usual demand. And with that, the need for strong travel insurance becomes more critical than ever.”

Travel insurance policies cover a wide range of scenarios, from medical emergencies to trip cancellations, missed connections, or even natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and forest fires, both at the traveller’s home or destination country. In foreign lands where healthcare costs can run into thousands of dollars, insurance ensures that travellers aren’t caught off-guard by emergency expenses.

“Terrorism-related disruptions, sudden runway repairs, and other ground-level incidents that delay or cancel flights are also covered under most standard plans,” Kapadia added. “Travel insurance lets you claim up to the sum insured, helping offset financial setbacks.”

However, it’s important to note that not every situation qualifies for coverage. Most policies exclude high-risk conditions like political unrest or war-like scenarios. In such cases, Kapadia advises opting for extended coverage plans that offer more comprehensive protection.

As Indian tourists reroute their plans to perceived ‘safer’ destinations, the travel community is learning to understand not only itineraries but also the evolving global network. As this shift unfolds, travel insurance is fast emerging as an essential, not optional, part of the journey.