Travel insurance provides crucial support in the event of a plane crash, covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and 24/7 assistance. It ensures financial protection, access to care, and help for travellers and their families in crisis.

All checks were thorough. Family goodbyes were exchanged. Passengers’ seats were buckled, and dreams of going to London were to come true. On the other side of the airport, students, unaware of the tragedy awaiting, were probably busy with their day or enjoying their lunch. And just in a second, everything changed.

12th June, 2025, looked something like this. What happened? An Air India plane that took off from Ahmedabad for London crashed shortly after takeoff. It slammed directly into a college building. Causalities? 270 bodies were recovered from the site, with just one survivor out of 242 onboard.

The crash is now one of India’s deadliest air disasters that not only devastated the nation but will further change how people see air travel and its risks. It also brought one thing to the open: no matter how much you plan your travel, the risks are real and unpredictable. Perhaps it is incidents like this, along with the rising awareness about safety, that an increasing number of Indian travellers are prioritising international travel insurance in 2025.

Understanding the Role of Travel Insurance in Plane Crashes

Statistically, air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation. Road travel involves the risk of heavy traffic and reckless driving, while water transport poses a threat with stormy seas. Air travel is relatively much safer in comparison. However, the possibility of a plane crash is quite real, although the probability is low.

While plane crashes are rare, when they do happen, they are devastating. Travellers and families are often left with emotional, physical, and financial difficulties in the aftermath of such crashes. Travel insurance acts as a safety net in these cases, covering your emergency expenses and making your situation less stressful.

For Indians travelling abroad, especially to certain European countries, a Schengen travel insurance is mandatory when you apply for a visa. Whether mandatory or not, insurance is extremely helpful during travel. Read on to understand how travel insurance helps victims when a plane crash happens.

Medical Help for Plane Crash Survivors

If someone survives a plane crash, getting medical help becomes a top priority. Injuries can range from minor cuts to serious conditions, and dealing with hospitals in countries like the US or across Europe can be both confusing and costly. That’s where travel insurance steps in to ease the burden. Here’s what it usually includes:

• Hospital Care and Treatment: Most travel insurance plans cover hospital stays, surgeries, and doctor visits. For example, if you’re travelling to Europe, Schengen visa rules require your insurance to cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses. This ensures you get proper care without worrying about the bills.
• Emergency Evacuation: If you need to be moved to another city or even flown back to India for treatment, travel insurance can cover the cost of air ambulances or medical repatriation.

Trip Cancellation or Disruption Coverage

A plane crash doesn’t just put lives at risk; it can also throw your entire travel plan into chaos. From missed connecting flights to cancelled hotel stays, the losses can quickly add up. That’s where travel insurance proves its worth:

• Non-Refundable Bookings: If your trip is cancelled or cut short due to an accident, your insurance can provide a refund for expenses such as unused hotel stays, flights, and tour packages.
• Extra Travel Expenses: You may need to book another flight or find new accommodations after the crash. Your policy can cover those extra costs, helping you get home or continue your journey safely.
• Compassionate Visits: If you’re hospitalised, some plans cover the travel and stay of a family member so they can be with you during recovery.

Lost or Damaged Belongings

If a crash occurs, your luggage and personal items may go missing or become damaged. Travel insurance helps ease that loss by covering:

Lost Bags: You’ll be reimbursed for your lost luggage and its contents—whether it’s clothes, toiletries, or gadgets.

• Important Documents: If your passport or visa is lost, your insurer can help replace it and may even cover the associated costs.
• Delayed Baggage: If your luggage is delayed due to an incident, your policy can cover immediate necessities, such as clothing, etc, until your bags arrive.

24/7 Emergency Help

One of the biggest advantages of travel insurance during a crisis like a plane crash is having access to help anytime, anywhere:

• Emergency Hotlines: Multilingual support teams are available to guide you through medical emergencies, embassy contacts, or evacuation needs.
• Legal Support: If you encounter legal issues, such as disputes or questions about liability, your insurer can offer expert advice or refer you to a lawyer.
• Family Support: Insurers often assist in contacting your family, updating them on your condition, and even arranging for them to travel to you if needed.

Common Myths About Travel Insurance

Many Indian travellers underestimate travel insurance due to misconceptions such as:

• “Plane Crashes Are Too Rare”: While rare, crashes happen, and insurance ensures preparedness.
• “It’s Too Expensive”: Policies start at ₹50 per day, a small price for extensive coverage.
• “Airlines Cover Everything”: Airlines may offer limited compensation, but travel insurance provides broader protections.
• “It’s Hard to Make a Claim”: Reputable insurers streamline claims with online processes and support.

Schengen Travel Insurance: A Must for European Travel

For Indian travellers visiting the Schengen Area, Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for visa approval. In the context of a plane crash, it provides tailored protections:

• Medical Coverage: Minimum €30,000 coverage for hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, and repatriation, ensuring survivors receive immediate care.
• Visa Compliance: The policy must be valid in all 26 Schengen countries and cover the entire trip duration, including entry and exit dates.
• Additional Benefits: Beyond medical coverage, Schengen policies often include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), baggage loss, and trip interruption benefits, thereby enhancing protection.

Conclusion

A plane crash is the worst that can happen, but travel insurance protects Indian travellers from the financial and logistical burdens of such a calamity. From medical coverage and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) to trip cancellations and emergency evacuations, travel insurance serves as a safety net during times of crisis.

For a trip abroad to Europe, Schengen travel insurance is not only a visa requirement but also an all-around safety net. With the right policy that offers strong coverage, shopping for plans online, and reviewing inclusions, you can travel in peace, knowing you’re prepared for the unexpected. Invest in travel insurance before your next getaway and fly with confidence.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Following a series of recent incidents, tourists should be aware of relevant safety advisories for traveling and navigating Indonesia, particularly in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

According to the Bali Sun, Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has advised tourists to seriously consider the climbing risks that come with journeying up the country’s mountains and volcanoes. Reportedly, Antoni shared the advisory after Indonesian search and rescue authorities found 26-year-old Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist, dead. Tragically, she fell nearly 2,000 feet down Mount Rinjani. The latter is an active, over 12,000-foot volcano on Indonesia’s Lombok island.

“Climbing the mountain is not the same as going to the mall,” warned Antoni. “[It] requires physical, mental, and adequate equipment. Don’t just follow the trend, because safety should not be at stake.”

“Our imagination about climbing a mountain should not be equated with going to the office, on vacation,” said the forestry minister. “This requires physical exercise, complete equipment, and mental readiness.”

What Else Should I Know About Staying Safe In Indonesia?

In late April, the United States’ State Department issued a “Level 2” advisory instructing travelers to “exercise increased caution” if traveling to Indonesia. The U.S. government’s safety guide noted the potential of terrorism or natural disasters in Indonesia.

In December 2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism shared safety tips on social media for traveling the country. The authority advised remaining informed by its key natural disaster and health agencies regarding important and timely updates. The post also shared the numbers to call for the country’s various emergency services. The post also noted that if there is a crisis tourists should “stay calm,” follow local authorities’ directives, and avoid dangerous or restricted areas.

What Incidents Have Recently Occurred?

Volcanic eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki within the past month have caused disruptions in Bali’s airspace, including the cancellation of dozens of flights. In addition to that, recent major incidents have involved tourists in and around Bali, a popular Indonesian island and province.

An Australian male collapsed at the island’s Denpasar International Airport shortly after arriving via a July 6 Jetstar flight. The Bali Sun alleged that the man suffered a severe head and neck injury while heading to the arrivals area. Airport police spokesperson I Gusti Ngurah Rai Ipda I Gede Suka Artana, further detailed that “the victim had a seizure and fainted at the scene.”

“After receiving initial medical treatment, the victim was then evacuated to BIMC Kuta Hospital for further treatment,” added Artana.

Separately, Indonesian search and rescue teams have yet to locate a 29-year-old Saudi Arabian man who went missing earlier this month while swimming at Bali’s Batu Belig Beach.

Moreover, on July 14, Reuters reported that Indonesian authorities have reduced their search efforts for the 17 ferry passengers still missing after the vessel sank in early July. The ferry reportedly went down shortly after it started sailing Bali’s nearby waters. Ribut Eko Suyatno, an official working at Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, allegedly disclosed that the ferry incident had 30 survivors, and 18 deceased victims.

When the vessel set sail, 65 people were on board.