Schengen Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
All European countries part of the Schengen region require travellers visiting their country to have valid travel insurance. It is mandatory, and your visa approval process also hinges upon it.
This is primarily because hospital bills are sky-high in European countries. Even a single hospitalisation could severely impact your travel expenses. So, embassies and visa authorities want to ensure that you have some form of financial backup in case anything were to go wrong during your stay overseas.
A Schengen travel insurance policy also signals to the embassy that you can financially support yourself during your stay. So it acts as a failsafe for both the embassy authorities and you during your travels.
What is Schengen Insurance?
Schengen insurance is a type of travel insurance policy explicitly meant for people travelling to any of the 26 countries in Europe’s Schengen region. You are only allowed entry into these countries with a valid visa and Schengen insurance.
This applies to adults and minors travelling to Europe for any purpose, for any length of time. They must be insured to gain entry. So if you’re a student planning to pursue further education anywhere in Europe, you should look into getting travel insurance for students.
Travel Insurance Requirements When Applying for a Schengen Visa
Before starting your visa process, you must own valid travel insurance for a Schengen visa, and the travel medical insurance must satisfy these requirements:
- The travel insurance policy must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.
- The insurance plan must apply to all 26 countries in Europe’s Schengen zone.
- The travel insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of your trip.
Where Can You Get Schengen Travel Insurance in India?
Most insurance providers in India offer Schengen insurance online. These plans cover medical emergencies, flight delays or cancellations, loss of goods, and emergency evacuation. In addition, most travel insurance plans today will almost always have built-in Covid-19 coverage.
These plans only cover European countries that are part of the Schengen region. For example, providers like Tata AIG offer separate Schengen travel insurance on their website for Schengen countries, costing around ₹40.82* per day.
You can also purchase Schengen travel insurance in India through travel agencies or a local Schengen-accredited travel insurance company.
Not all European countries are part of the Schengen region. So if you are also travelling to countries outside of the Schengen region, you will need to purchase a different travel insurance policy in addition to your Schengen insurance.
Schengen Visa Documents Required During Visa Application
- A Filled and signed visa application form.
- Valid passport
- A Schengen insurance policy that satisfies all the minimum requirements.
- Confirmed flight ticket and flight itinerary.
- Accommodation proofs.
- Two recently taken passport-sized photographs.
- Bank statements from the last 6 months
- A letter declaring the purpose of your travel and the duration of your stay in the country.
- School or university admissions proof if travelling for further studies.
- An appointment letter from your employer if travelling for work/business purposes.
Additional Documents Needed for Other Types of Schengen Insurance Visa
The visa application must be submitted 15 days before your trip. However, it is advised to do so at least 30 to 60 days before your trip in case the consulate or embassy asks for additional documents.
| Schengen Visa Type | Additional Documents |
| Airport Transit Visa | ● Visa And Flight Ticket For The Final Destination |
| Visa To Visit Friends Or Relatives | ● Letter Of Invitation
● Accommodation Proof ● Travel Itinerary ● Affidavit Of Support |
| Tourist Visa | ● Bank Statements
● Travel Itinerary ● Affidavit Of Support |
| Business Visa | ● Round Trip Itinerary Or Reservations
● Cover Letter ● An Invitation From The Employer ● Income Tax Returns ● Employee Offer Letter Or Contract |
| Training Visa | ● Noc From The Current Institute
● Enrollment Certificate For The Attending Institute |
| Medical Visa | ● Letter From Doctor, Physician Or Hospital
● Official Confirmation Of The Medical Institute In The EU ● Birth Certificate ● Letter Of Consent In Case The Patient Is A Minor ● Proof Of Financial Means |
| Student Visa | ● Two Application Forms
● Letter Of Admission From The EU Educational Institute ● Proof Of Financial Means |
| Work Visa | ● Two Application Forms
● Offer Letter Or Employment Contract |
Overview of Schengen Travel Insurance in India
| Category | Details |
| Total Number of Schengen Countries | 26 |
| Eligibility | Aged Between 6 Months To 70 Years (Or More) |
| Tourist Visa Duration | 90 To 180 Days Maximum |
| Features | ● Trip Cancellation Baggage And Passport Loss● Emergency Medical Evacuation ● Recovery Of Mortal Remains In Case Of Death. ● Hospitalisation And Person Accident Coverage |
| Minimum Sum Insured | €30,000 |
| Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Visa Approval | Yes |
| Covid-19 Coverage | Provided By Most Insurance Providers |
| Claim Settlement and Assistance | 24/7 Assistance Is Offered By Most Insurance Providers With Missed Call Services. |
| Automatic Extensions | Yes |
| Claim Procedure | Fully Digitised And Paperless Claims Settlement. |
Conclusion
Schengen travel medical insurance is a must-have for anyone travelling to any of the Schengen countries. No one wants their trip ruined because of injuries, lost belongings or cancelled due to Covid-19 quarantine procedures.
To avoid all of these instances draining you of your hard-earned savings, Schengen travel insurance from India is your best option. So the next time you plan your trip to Europe, consider getting Schengen insurance from reputed providers like Tata AIG.
*Disclaimer: The prices are subject to change depending on the nature of policy, and extent of coverage. It is advisable to check the price of the policy at the time of purchase.
