India
Insurance for expats in India
Overview
With over 1.3 billion people and comprising 17% of the world’s population, India is the second-most populous country in the world, following only China. India is a union consisting of 29 federal states and seven union territories; operating as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government, according to the 1949 Indian Constitution.
One of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the largest democracy, India is expected to overtake China by 2028 as the world’s most populous nation. From the Himalayan peaks to the Indian Ocean coastline, its landscape includes iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the sacred River Ganges — an enduring place of pilgrimage, and a lifeline to millions. With its federal political system, people, languages and cultures, India is a vast nation, home to some of the world’s most ancient surviving civilizations.
With its fast-growing economy and low cost of living, it’s no surprise that India houses one of the largest expatriate populations in the world. Opportunities abound for qualified and experienced expats to find challenging and rewarding work in a variety of sectors. But if you’re considering moving from your home nation to set up a new life in India, you’ll need to consider important issues like health care, job markets, housing, climate, and cultural differences.Â
Although public hospitals in India frequently hire well-trained English-speaking physicians, there is a scarcity of equipment, funding and personnel. These medical facilities in are overcrowded. Waiting queues for treatment are long and conditions are not always hygienic. Public hospitals in rural regions are even more limited.Â
Access to public hospitals and healthcare is free and subsidised for Indian citizens who fall below the poverty line. Expatriates working in India and the majority of middle class local nationals normally purchase expat health insurance (also known as international medical insurance). Most expatriates in India prefer going to private hospitals in the country due to their better standards. Private healthcare amenities can be utilised in non-emergencies for most medical requirements, including health check-ups and consultations.Â
Although private facilities exist such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, expatriates ought to research to figure out which of their local providers is the most suitable for their medical needs. Private GPs throughout India provide a range of healthcare services, including scientifically-supported allopathic, Western medicine and traditional and alternative treatments including Ayurveda and homoeopathy.
Travel Insurance in IndiaÂ
From the grandiose Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, to opulent palaces and forts, India is a spectacular tourist destination that gives expatriates and travellers a variety of experiences.
If you are travelling to a rural area of India, finding a hospital might require a very long drive, and the services available there might feel substandard compared to what you are used to. For any serious injuries or illnesses, you may want to travel to the closest city for treatment.  It is because of this, many expatriates in India include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation on their India travel insurance plans.
All valuables, especially your passport, should be well secured at all times in India as there is often reports of pickpockets. Be especially vigilant on trains and buses, as both are favorite places where these pickpockets to operate. Many traveling to India include theft insurance on their travel insurance in India to protect themselves against this.
Roads and vehicles throughout India can be poorly maintained at times and driving conditions are often hazardous and road rules are customarily ignored. For your safety, always exercise extreme caution when crossing roads or driving around the country. This is important to consider when buying travel insurance in India so ensure that your policy will cover this.
Life Insurance in India
Expat life insurance in India is something that everyone with a young family should look at. It is often the case that the main income generator for expat families in India is one person so the impact on the family should a death occur to this person is potentially catastrophic.
Life insurance in India can allow you to cherish your years more easily without the stress brought on worrying about what will happen to your loved ones after your death. Life Insurance in India will bring additional peace of mind as you take on a new life with new challenges to face.
