Visitor Insurance from India vs USA

Is it better to buy visitor health insurance from India or from USA? Read on for some key points that unravel some pertinent facts about the Indian Visitor Insurance Plans.

No ID cards - USA hospitals or doctors may not recognize your insurance. This means that you may have to pay up front and then file the claim with the Indian Insurance company for reimbursement.

Claim processing in India - This can lead to delay and administrative hassle in dealing with the insurance agency in a timely and effective manner.

Type and choice of plan - At this point in time, all Indian visitor insurances only offer limited coverage plans with a rather limited choice on plan selection.

Customer Support - Most Indian Insurance plans, do not have support lines dedicated customer support and belonging to the US time zone.

Regulation and Legal Matter - Reliability is often and issue, especially since how and who regulates the Indian insurance company is not often known. In case of any dispute, it is often unclear where you need to go in order to launch a complaint. Indian insurance regulations may not protect your rights since the policy you will be using, will be within the US jurisdiction. A USA based insurance company can prove a better choice, since it is regulated by the U.S. government.

History of the Service - Longitivity and endurance or how long the company is in business, often marks the reputation of a company in the market. Most Indian insurance companies are very new and may not be able to provide you the level of service/support when you need it, as compared to a US-based company.

Renewal or Extension - Most of the Indian insurance policies are NOT renewable. So, even though you may extend your trip, you can not extend your plan.

Non-Refundable - Most Indian plans are not cancelable or refundable. In case, you have to return to India early, you don't get a refund.

Cost - An Indian insurance policy may cost you less at first glance, but if you compare apples to apples you wont find much of a difference for the price you pay, versus the benefits offered by a US-based Insurance plan.

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