3. Clause on Pre-Existing Diseases

A tricky area in travel insurance is that it does not cover any mishap due to pre-existing diseases of the insurance seeker. Arun Balakrishnan, CEO of BerkshireInsurance.com, says, "Pre existing ailments are usually not covered in travel insurance and it is imperative that the policyholders understand this. In case of any health problem, while travelling, they should be prepared to pay out of pocket for pre-existing conditions.”

Sanjay Datta, head undertaking and claims, ICICI Lombard, says, “If a customer who is a heart patient, declares his/her heart condition before taking the policy, the travel policy covers him in the event of another heart attack. Once the condition becomes stable, (when he/she is shifted from the ICU to general/normal ward and is out of danger) from that point onwards, the expenses of further treatment have to be borne by the customers.”