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Apollo DKV announces foray into travel insurance

Unveils 'Easy Travel' solutions for overseas travel

Andrea Lopez - Mumbai

Apollo DKV Insurance Company, a joint venture between Apollo Hospitals and the European health insurer DKV AG, has announced its foray into travel. The partnership, which came through in August 2007, makes Apollo DKV, India's second standalone health insurance company after Chennai-based Star Health and Allied Insurance.

The venture's new overseas short-term travel insurance policy - Easy Travel - will cover individuals, families, senior citizens and frequent travellers. The policy covers lost baggage/passport assistance, embassy referrals and emergency cash advance amid other benefits and the sum insured ranges from US$ 25,000 to US$ 5,00,000 depending on the plan.

C Chandra Shekhar, chief marketing officer of Apollo DKV Health Insurance, said, "Our aim through this venture will be to move health insurance from the traditional curative forms. We plan to offer a wide variety of customer-friendly products in the next six to nine months." He added, "We do not come cheap but are competitive."

Hoping to cash in on India's large domestic travel market, the company will roll out its domestic travel insurance products in the next 30-60 days. "Our long term vision is to provide health insurance solutions to every travelling citizen," said Chandra Shekhar. The company has expressed that 60 per cent of the product's distribution will be handled by travel agents.