Schengen Travel Insurance

What the visa requires

• At least EUR 30,000 of cover for emergency medical treatment, hospital care and medical repatriation.
• Valid in all Schengen countries and for the whole stay, from the day you enter until the day you leave. Add a day or two on each side of your dates.
• No deductible that makes the policy unusable, and no exclusion of Europe.
• A policy certificate in English that shows your name, passport number, dates, the amount and the countries covered. Print it for the appointment.

What it costs

A compliant policy for a healthy 30-year-old costs roughly INR 850 to 1,250 for 15 days, and some Indian insurers start from about INR 29 a day. Older travellers pay two to three times as much, and cover for trips of one month or more costs proportionally more. A longer stay and a higher cover amount raise the price; the visa minimum is the cheapest option that works.

Which insurer to choose

• Indian insurers such as HDFC Ergo, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, Care Health and Niva Bupa sell Schengen plans that most consulates accept. Acceptance can still differ by embassy.
• European insurers such as AXA and Allianz are recognised everywhere, which makes them a safe choice if your embassy publishes a list of accepted insurers.
• Check the embassy's list. Several embassies publish approved insurers or specific wording they want. Match your policy to that before you buy.
• Choose a plan that states "Schengen" and the EUR 30,000 amount on the certificate, rather than a general policy.

When to buy

• Buy once your dates are fixed and before the appointment: you need the certificate on the day.
• If the visa is refused, many insurers refund the premium minus a small fee when you cancel before the start date. Check this before you pay.
• If you later change your dates, ask the insurer to update the policy and bring the new certificate.

Using it in Europe

• Keep the policy number, the helpline and your passport details on your phone and on paper.
• For emergencies call 112 anywhere in the EU, then the insurer's helpline. Most plans pay hospitals directly for emergency care; for routine visits you pay and claim back, so keep every receipt.
• Dental, existing conditions and adventure sports (paragliding, canyoning) are often limited or excluded. Read those lines if you plan mountain activities in Switzerland.

Where to compare

• HDFC Ergo: travel insuranceAn Indian insurer with a Schengen plan.
• Tata AIG: travel insuranceAnother widely accepted Indian option.
• AXA SchengenA European insurer built for Schengen visa applications.
• German Missions in IndiaExample of an embassy page that lists insurance requirements.

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