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An expert explains why factors like policy validity, medical proof, insurer approval and prompt intimation play a crucial role in whether a travel insurance claim goes through.
Insurers treat the policy duration- not the traveller’s actual stay- as the final determinant of coverage.
With international travel rising sharply and medical costs abroad touching Rs 8–Rs 10 lakh for a single hospitalisation, one question worries many travellers: What happens if you are hospitalised abroad after your visa expires or your return ticket has passed? In that case, does travel insurance automatically extend coverage or could you end up paying massive out-of-pocket expenses?
To understand how insurers treat such situations, News18 spoke with Chetan Vasudeva, Senior Vice President- Business Development at Elephant.in, Alliance Insurance Brokers, who explained how policy duration, medical emergencies, extensions and documentation determine whether a claim is accepted or rejected.
Does Travel Insurance Automatically Extend If You Are Hospitalised?
According to Chetan Vasudeva, travel insurance does not automatically extend coverage just because a traveller is hospitalised beyond their visa or ticket date. The policy remains valid strictly for the duration purchased, and insurers are legally bound by that timeframe. However, most insurers provide a short automatic extension of around 7 to 15 days, but only when the traveller is already hospitalised during an active policy period and is medically unfit to travel. This extension applies solely to genuine medical emergencies that are supported by proper documentation from the treating doctor and hospital.
If the policy has expired before the hospitalisation begins, or if the insurer is not informed within the required timeframe, travellers may face significant medical bills abroad. Without an active policy or pre-approved extension, the costs can be overwhelming.
How Do Insurers Treat Policy Duration Versus Your Actual Stay Abroad?
Insurers treat the policy duration- not the traveller’s actual stay- as the final determinant of coverage. Even if a trip extends due to flight disruptions, weather issues or medical circumstances, insurance protection is valid only until the policy expiry date, unless the traveller proactively extends it.
If a traveller is hospitalised before the policy ends, insurers typically continue covering treatment even after the original return date, provided the emergency extension is approved. Because unexpected delays are common during international travel, Chetan Vasudeva advises travellers to add buffer days when buying a travel insurance plan.
Are Automatic Extensions Allowed During Medical Emergencies?
Yes, most insurers allow automatic extensions during medical emergencies but only under specific conditions. The emergency must occur within the active policy period and a doctor must certify that the traveller is medically unfit to fly back home. In such cases, insurers usually allow treatment until the patient reaches a stable condition and can travel safely.
These extensions do not apply to non-medical delays, personal travel extensions, visa issues or missed flights. Chetan Vasudeva stresses that travellers should never assume they are covered; insurers require timely intimation before approving an extension.
Why Do Intimation Timelines And Documentation Matter So Much?
Timely intimation- usually within 24 hours of hospitalisation- is crucial. Delays can complicate the claim process and may even lead to rejection, especially when hospitalisation extends beyond the original travel dates. Travellers must submit complete medical documentation, including admission notes, diagnostic reports, treatment summaries and a certificate declaring that they are unfit to fly. Insurers rely on these documents to verify the emergency and decide whether coverage can be extended.
In addition, any request for extended hospitalisation, cashless treatment abroad or medical evacuation requires prior approval from the insurer. Without this, expenses incurred after policy expiry may not be reimbursable.
When Do Insurers Reject Claims Due To Overstays?
Claims are frequently rejected when travellers overstay the policy period without extending the insurance. If medical treatment begins after the policy has expired or if the insurer was not notified in time, the claim will be denied- even if the emergency is genuine.
Claims are also rejected when the traveller extends their trip for personal reasons, faces non-medical delays or overstays due to visa issues unrelated to health. Additionally, if the traveller fails to buy coverage for pre-existing diseases (PED), claims arising from those conditions are disallowed. Chetan Vasudeva explains that many travellers mistakenly believe that hospitalisation itself triggers an extension. In reality, insurance companies follow the policy dates very strictly.
Does Visa Validity Have Any Impact On Insurance Coverage?
Visa validity and insurance validity are completely independent. A traveller may have a 30-, 60- or 90-day visa but if the insurance is purchased only for 10 or 15 days, coverage ends after those insurance days- not when the visa expires. Even if immigration authorities allow a visa extension on medical grounds, insurers will not cover hospitalisation if the insurance policy has expired or was not extended during the emergency. The insurance validity period alone decides whether a claim is admissible. Travellers must therefore ensure that their travel insurance covers the entire duration of the trip and includes buffer days to account for delays or medical contingencies.
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December 02, 2025, 14:58 IST
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