Date posted: 01, Apr 2026

Nowadays, there’s an increased trend of Pakistanis traveling abroad for multiple purposes including tourism, education, business, or religious purposes. Despite this rise, travel insurance is still one of the most misunderstood parts of trip planning. People either buy it to just meet the visa requirements or believe in myths and skip it as a whole. 

So, in this article, you will get to know some common travel insurance myths that many Pakistanis still believe so that you can get to know the reality. 

Myth 1: Travel Insurance Is Only Needed for Visa Purposes

This is one of the most common misconceptions in Pakistan related to travel insurance. Many people planning to travel abroad get travel insurance only because embassies, especially Schengen countries, have made it necessary for the approval of visas. 

The reality is quite different as visa compliance is just one small part of travel insurance. With the right policy, you are protected against medical emergencies, hospitalizations, trip cancellations, lost or delayed baggage, flight delays, and even emergency evacuations. So, once your visa is approved, your insurance still protects you throughout your journey.

Myth 2: Travel Insurance Is Too Expensive

Another myth which people believe is that travel insurance is quite costly and just unnecessary. Whereas in reality, you have to pay the least for travel insurance as compared to the rest of your travel budget.

A basic policy often costs less than a single night at a hotel or a meal at an international restaurant. If you compare this with the cost of emergency medical treatment abroad, you may have to pay thousands of dollars, especially in countries like the USA, UK, or Europe. So, just by paying a small upfront cost, you get protection from unexpected and expensive expenses. 

Myth 3: My Credit Card c

Another thing Pakistanis believe in is that if they’ve booked their trip using a credit card, they’re already fully covered. There’s no doubt that some premium credit cards do offer limited travel insurance but it’s also noticeable that the coverage is often very basic.

Credit card insurance usually has low medical limits, strict conditions, and limited coverage for baggage, delays, or cancellations. In many cases, you may not be covered for pre-existing conditions, adventure activities, or longer trips. So, if you are going to rely only on credit card insurance, you are almost uninsured. 

Myth 4: Healthy People Don’t Need Travel Insurance

Many young Pakistani travellers also believe that only elderly people with health issues need travel insurance. But it’s nothing like that. Health is unpredictable, especially when you’re in a new environment.

There are many scenarios like food poisoning, sudden infections, accidents, slips, or sports injuries that can happen to anyone, no matter what the age and even that minor medical treatment abroad can drain your pockets if you aren’t insured. So, basically travel insurance is less about your current health, more about the unexpected conditions. 

Myth 5: Travel Insurance Covers Everything Automatically

There’s also an assumption among travellers that after buying a policy, there’s no exception and everything is covered. Due to this misunderstanding, they have to face issues like claim rejections and frustration.

Every travel insurance policy has terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. For example, some policies may not cover high-risk adventure sports, alcohol-related incidents, or pre-existing medical conditions unless you add them specifically. So, it’s really important to read the details of the policy and choose the coverage that aligns with your travel plan. 

Myth 6: One Policy Works for Every Destination

It’s important to burst this myth as well that not all travel destinations have the same insurance requirements or risks. Many Pakistanis believe that one generic policy is enough for every trip.

For example, Schengen countries require minimum medical coverage of €30,000, while the USA requires much higher medical limits because the healthcare is extremely expensive there. If you are travelling to Middle Eastern destinations, you can go with the varied coverage plans but if you are travelling for Umrah or Hajj, you may require specific plans.

So, if you choose travel insurance according to your destination, you will get the maximum coverage and you will also meet all the local requirements of that country. 

Myth 7: Travel Insurance Is Useless Because Claims Are Difficult

Some travelers avoid insurance because they have heard that it’s impossible to process the claims. But the truth is that if the documentation isn’t done in the right way you may have to come across multiple issues and your claim process will be delayed. 

When you file the claims in the right way, with medical reports, receipts, boarding passes, and incident documentation, you get the claims without any hurdles. Reputable insurers also provide 24/7 assistance to guide travelers during emergencies.

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance in Pakistan

1. Define your destination, trip duration, and purpose of travel to understand visa requirements and minimum coverage needs.

2. Identify the type of coverage you need, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellation, or baggage protection.

3. Visit trusted platforms like Insurekar to access travel insurance plans from top insurers in one place.

4. Compare plans based on coverage limits, exclusions, and your budget to find the best match for your trip.

5. Buy the right policy online within 15 minutes.

Wrapping Up 

Travel insurance myths have been misleading the Pakistani travellers and causing unnecessary stress, financial loss, and even visa complications. But the truth is that travel insurance is affordable, valuable, and essential for safe international travel.

So, before your next journey, don’t rely on assumptions or myths. Invest in the right travel insurance and focus on enjoying your trip, not worrying about what could go wrong.