Despite being a full-time traveller for years now, I still find myself asking the same question before every international trip: “Do I really need travel insurance?”
Sometimes the answer is easy. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa, travel insurance isn’t optional — it’s mandatory. Without valid travel insurance, your visa application can be rejected.
But what about all the other trips? The ones where insurance isn’t required?
For the longest time, I used to think travel insurance was one of those things you buy and never use. I would compare plans, look for the cheapest option, and hope I’d never need to make a claim.
Then Europe taught me an expensive lesson.
My Biggest Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Mistake
Back in 2017, while travelling through Bratislava in Slovakia, I got robbed.
Along with a few personal belongings, I lost my DSLR camera and lenses worth roughly ₹50,000.
The worst part?
I had travel insurance.
The problem was that I had purchased the cheapest policy I could find because I only needed it for my Schengen visa application. I searched for “cheapest travel insurance for Schengen visa” and bought a basic policy for around ₹800.
At the time, I thought I was being smart.
But when I actually needed help, I discovered that my insurance policy offered no meaningful coverage for the equipment I had lost.
That experience completely changed how I think about travel insurance.
Today, I don’t buy insurance just because an embassy requires it. I buy it because I’ve learned that things can and do go wrong when you’re travelling.
And when they do, having the right coverage can save you far more money than the premium you paid. Here’s the travel insurance from SafetyWing that I recommend (we will talk about it more later in the article).
We all know that travel insurance (and I am talking about a full coverage policy and not some cheap ‘cover-me-only-if-I-have-a-heart-attack’ policy) is a useful thing. It keeps us safe from personal damages, whether it’s a road accident or losing our passports.
Yet, when it comes to buying one, our mind tells us how the chances of using the insurance premium are highly unlikely. But what if we had to use it? What if we lost our baggage or worse, we got robbed overseas?
Wait… What? Did I say our travel insurance can cover us if we get robbed? Yes, I did!
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Buying Travel Insurance For Schengen Visa In India
What Is Travel Insurance?
Before anything, let’s start with the basics and understand what is travel insurance. I’ve noticed the term being commonly mistaken, with most people believing that it is a form of medical insurance when travelling abroad. But in reality, it can be much more than that. It is, moreover, much more than just a necessity for your Thailand visa or something you need to make sure your Australia tourist visa doesn’t get cancelled.
When buying travel insurance you should know what kind of coverage you want and what your insurance policy entitles you to. Travel insurance is not just medical insurance. There are different types of coverage available based on your needs.
- Travel Health Insurance: Most commonly and widely used, travel health insurance covers you if you have an accident. It’s your free ticket to a hospital when you’re away from home.
- Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covers you for any interruptions in your travel plans, including flight delays/cancellations etc.
- Baggage Insurance: Gives you full or partial coverage for theft or damages to your travel gear.
…and there can be more types, but you get the idea!
Your insurance can also offer more than one type of coverage. Most vacation plans include basic coverage for trip cancellation, flight delays, medical emergencies, lost baggage, delayed baggage, passport loss, and so forth.
So read your policy carefully and buy what suits you the best. From saving you on a motorcycle trip in the Himalayas to fulfilling the requirement of having travel insurance for a Schengen Visa – travel insurance has many roles. 
Should We Buy Travel Insurance?
And now comes the inevitable: do you need travel insurance? Well, it’s a personal choice, unless you require one to apply for a visa. Eg, you need travel insurance for Schengen Visa. But what if you’re visiting a country where it’s not asked for, or, you’re travelling within India? Should you buy travel insurance in such a case?
I have met plenty of people who travel without being insured, and I’ve done so too in the past. But since my Bratislava Slovakia experience, where I got robbed and lost my DSLR, I’ve realised how a little investment can save me in similar situations. And since then, I’ve started insuring myself no matter where I go. It gives me peace of mind and a little freedom to take risks while on the road.
And well, it’s not just me. Throughout my travels, I’ve heard horror stories of travellers falling unexpectedly sick or getting injured. I’ve seen getting robbed in continents like Europe that are considered to be the safest. So yeah, the choice of buying insurance remains personal but if you travel with a lot of expensive gear, getting yourself insured is a wise move. Travel insurance can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars for a small amount. Remember, shit can happen! And it happens when you least expect it.
What Kind Of Insurance Should You Buy? Especially when it comes to travel insurance for Schengen Visa…
Again, a personal choice. I recommend you calculate the different factors that can affect you to help you decide.
- Do you carry a lot of expensive photo/computer gear? If yes, buy something that covers you in the event of a theft.
- Does your insurance include medical evacuation? You may need it if you have any pre-existing medical condition.
- Are you the type of person who books hotels/flights/activities in advance? If yes, buy something that covers you in the event of trip cancellation
Make sure to choose your insurance based on your requirements. 
Tips For Schengen Visa Travel Insurance
When I first travelled to Europe, in 2017, I didn’t know the use of travel insurance. I remember I searched for ‘cheapest travel insurance for Schengen Visa India’ and bought an 800 Rupee coverage plan from Bharti Axa.
This was for the same trip where I got mugged (I spoke about in the article above). I lost my 50,000 Rupee camera and lenses and that was it. I was provided with no coverage for my loss. Since then, I have applied for a Schengen Visa in India more than 10 times, and I never tried to save money on insurance.
We all know that we need to buy travel insurance for Schengen Visa from India with a minimum coverage of 300,000 EUR. Most Indian travel insurance companies like Bajaj Allianz, Bharti AXA, Reliance Insurance, and others, offer plans for as low as 600 Rupees. But honestly speaking, I would never buy them, at least not again.
Speaking of a personal choice, I’ve used SafetyWing on my previous few international trips. Since the company was started by digital nomads themselves, the kind of coverage and service that SafetyWing offers suits digital nomads like me, it gives me coverage for medical problems, road accidents, travel delays, lost checked luggage, natural disasters, and even personal liability.
Sounds fantastic, right? Well, it gets even better: SafetyWing offers the cheapest insurance option for digital nomads and long-term travellers on the market. Starting at 37 USD per 4 weeks, much less than what other similar companies like WorldNormads charge. So yeah, SafetyWing remains my choice when I buy Schengen Visa travel insurance from India. I have used WorldNomads as well in the past and prefer it over Indian companies like Bharti AXA and all. But honestly speaking, since I’ve bought SafetyWing, I never returned to WorldNomads. CLICK HERE to buy insurance from SafetyWing using my affiliate link and getting a better price & service.
Domestic Travel Insurance In India
Now comes the hardest part. Domestic travel insurance in India. It took me more than 3 years of full-time travelling before I persuaded myself to buy domestic travel insurance while travelling in India. Again, just like international travel insurance, domestic travel insurance can be useful too. It keeps you insured during events like road accidents, theft, baggage loss, hotel cancellation, and others.
And honestly speaking, the chances of such unforeseen events are much higher in India than anywhere else.
So yea, keep yourself covered while travelling in India too.
Again, for me, SafetyWings is the preferred insurance type when it comes to domestic insurance in India. But you can choose one on the basis of what your requirement is. In most cases, buying insurance from a domestic insurance provider costs much less.
But as I said, you need to be more careful when it comes to being insured. A cheap plan doesn’t always mean a better one. And if you cannot claim your insurance when you actually need it, what’s the point of having one anyway.
It Is An Investment And Not An Expense.
Stop Repeating Common Mistakes
As I said in the beginning, an insurance plan that best suits me may not be a good option for you. For me, for example, insuring my travel gear is a priority over insuring myself for a road accident. Because I carry more digital equipment than most travellers, theft insurance remains my focus. But that may not be the case for you.
My insurance plan may not be useful for you. Similarly, your insurance plan may not make sense to me. As long as you’re only fulfilling a visa requirement and insuring yourself doesn’t personally matter, it’s fine to buy anything.
But if you think of it as an investment, be more vigilant. So yea, stop searching for terms like ‘Best Travel Insurance in India’ or ‘Best Schengen Visa Travel Insurance India’. Research what suits you better and buy it.
Some Useful Tips To Know
- Read the fine print carefully. Find out what you’re covered for. Know every detail even if it says you’re covered. When it comes to insurance, there are always many confusions.
- Take photos of all your gear, in case you need to claim them tomorrow.
- Contact your insurance immediately in the event of an illness or accident for which you need treatment, so they can advise on the proper claim process. Your provider may also have a network of recommended partner hospitals and clinics that they can refer you to at your destination.
- Write down serial numbers, policy numbers, and insurance contact information.
- File a police report immediately after any theft or accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance For Schengen Visa
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory For A Schengen Visa?
Yes. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa. Your policy must be valid throughout the Schengen Area and provide a minimum medical coverage of €30,000, including emergency medical treatment and repatriation.
What Is The Minimum Insurance Coverage Required For A Schengen Visa?
Schengen countries require a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must remain valid for the entire duration of your trip.
Which Is The Best Travel Insurance For A Schengen Visa?
There is no single best policy for everyone. The right insurance depends on your travel style, trip duration, destination, and what you want covered. Personally, I currently prefer SafetyWing for long-term travel because it suits the way I travel, but your requirements may be different.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Theft?
Some policies do, while others don’t. This is why reading the policy wording carefully is so important. I learned this the hard way after losing roughly ₹50,000 worth of camera gear during a trip to Europe. My policy covered very little because I had focused on buying the cheapest insurance rather than the most suitable one.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Lost Baggage?
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include some level of baggage coverage. However, coverage limits, exclusions, and claim procedures vary from one provider to another.
How Much Does Travel Insurance For A Schengen Visa Cost?
The cost depends on factors such as your age, trip duration, destination, and level of coverage. Basic Schengen-compliant policies can cost less than ₹1,000, while more comprehensive plans with higher coverage limits can cost significantly more.
Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Receiving My Schengen Visa?
Yes. However, since travel insurance is required during the visa application process, most travelers purchase it before submitting their visa application.
Is The Cheapest Travel Insurance Good Enough For A Schengen Visa?
If your only goal is to satisfy visa requirements, a basic policy may be sufficient. However, if you want meaningful protection against medical emergencies, theft, lost baggage, trip interruptions, or expensive travel gear, it’s worth comparing coverage rather than focusing solely on price.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Adventure Activities?
It depends on the policy. Activities such as trekking, scuba diving, skiing, motorcycling, and other adventure sports may require additional coverage or may be excluded altogether.
Should Digital Nomads Buy Different Travel Insurance?
Often, yes. Long-term travelers and digital nomads typically carry expensive laptops, cameras, and other equipment while spending extended periods abroad. In such cases, specialized travel insurance can offer more suitable coverage than standard vacation insurance.
Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
After years of traveling and experiencing both smooth trips and unexpected problems, my answer is yes. Most trips will probably go exactly as planned. But travel insurance exists for the one trip that doesn’t.
Happy Travelling!
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