This trend is evident in insurance buying habits.
Travel insurance uptake among Indian travelers surged by 22% year-on-year in 2026, as reported by Policybazaar, highlighting a growing awareness of travel-related risks and the importance of financial safeguards during international trips.
Despite mounting uncertainties in travel over recent years, travelers are not typically aborting their plans. Instead, many are choosing more robust insurance policies that protect against trip delays, cancellations, medical emergencies, and other unexpected occurrences.
Data from travel protection provider Asego indicates that trip cancellation rates fell to 6.8% this year, down from 8.3% the previous year, suggesting that travelers are proceeding with their scheduled trips despite disruptions.
“Travelers are becoming more aware of the risks tied to international journeys and are pursuing stronger safeguards against the unforeseen,” stated Dev Karvat, founder and CEO of Asego.
This trend is also evident in the types of policies chosen, with travelers favoring plans that offer emergency medical assistance, evacuation support, trip cancellation benefits, and compensation for delays, as indicated by industry representatives.
Parikshit Kohli, Sales Director, Travel at Allianz Partners India, a Business-to-Business-to-Consumer (B2B2C) company, noted that medical emergencies, flight cancellations, baggage delays, and lost travel documents are among the leading causes of unexpected costs while traveling abroad.
“International medical care can be very costly. Likewise, flight delays and baggage issues can lead to additional expenses that travelers must cover,” Kohli remarked.
Experts in the field suggest that travelers are also being more deliberate about when they purchase travel insurance. Policies secured shortly after booking flights or vacation packages may offer benefits applicable before departure, including coverage for trip cancellations due to specific unforeseen circumstances.
Premiums are typically influenced by various factors such as destination, duration of the trip, age of the traveler, coverage limits, and extra benefits chosen.
This shift occurs as international travel remains robust despite occasional disruptions across global aviation systems. Rather than reducing travel intentions, consumers seem to be prioritizing financial protection and support services that can assist them in navigating unexpected challenges while overseas.
