India, Jan. 26 -- When travelling abroad, travel insurance is no longer considered optional. Escalating costs of healthcare, theft and loss combined with availability of affordable insurance makes it a no-brainer.

Take an example of a couple honeymooning in Thailand with plans for sightseeing and adventure sports. While a regular insurance would cost a few hundred rupees, any health emergency and evacuation could end up costing tens of thousands of dollars. Hospitals, even in Asia, can easily cost US$ 500 a day. Stolen papers, wallets, baggage - stories all too common for most travellers - are also covered in most plans. In the case of such travels, care should be taken to ensure that accidents during adventure sports are covered in the ...