Denied Abroad, Chased at Home: A Traveler’s Troubling Experience with HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance
By Ahmed Hasan Shaikh
When I purchased my HDFC ERGO travel insurance policy before traveling to the United States and Canada, I believed I had taken a sensible precaution. My plan offered USD 100, 000 coverage, valid from September 14, 2025, to January 20, 2026, and I expected it to provide reliable support in case of medical emergencies abroad.
Barely 12 days after arriving in the U.S., I developed an eye infection ( conjunctivitis) . I promptly sought treatment at a local hospital in Peoria, Illinois, paid the medical bills, and kept all the necessary documents, including the doctor’s prescription, medical report, and payment receipt. Following HDFC ERGO’s guidelines, I also submitted copies of my passport ( first page, last page, and stamped departure page) along with the required pages of their reimbursement form.
I expected the process to be straightforward. Instead, it turned into a confusing and frustrating ordeal.
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A Bizarre Request from Thousands of Miles Away
While my claim was under review, an HDFC ERGO agent contacted me, not via email or video verification, but asking for a home visit in India. Yes — a home visit, while I was still thousands of miles away, seeking medical treatment in the U.S.
This request felt absurd and entirely impractical. The company was asking for a physical verification at my residence while I was abroad, raising questions about whether the insurer truly understands the purpose of travel insurance.
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Unrealistic Documentation Demands
The difficulties didn’t stop there. The insurer then requested a cancelled local cheque or a three-month stamped bank statement from my Indian bank. Producing these documents from overseas was nearly impossible.
The experience highlighted a fundamental flaw: while policyholders purchase travel insurance for financial security abroad, the insurer’s process imposed bureaucratic hurdles that were illogical and obstructive, turning a simple medical claim into a stressful administrative ordeal.
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The Bigger Picture
Travel insurance is designed to offer peace of mind, yet many Indian travelers face similar challenges when filing claims abroad. Unreasonable verification demands and delayed reimbursements undermine the very purpose of purchasing insurance in the first place.
This case is not just about my eye infection or a small medical claim; it reflects a larger systemic issue. Travelers abroad are often forced to navigate confusing requirements, impractical documentation requests, and unclear communication channels, which can leave them financially and emotionally stressed during emergencies.
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Final Thoughts
My experience with HDFC ERGO travel insurance raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and efficiency in handling overseas claims. Travel insurance should travel with the traveler, offering support when and where it is needed most — not become a source of frustration that adds to an already stressful situation.
As international travel continues to grow, insurers must adapt their processes to meet the real-world needs of policyholders, ensuring that coverage truly protects, rather than obstructs, in times of medical emergency abroad.