Understanding Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) 2017

You’re standing at the passport office, excited about your upcoming job abroad, but doubts linger in your mind. What if you fall sick or have an accident in a foreign country? What if something unexpected happens and your family struggles at home? While you are waiting in line, someone mentions the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY), Which is an insurance plan exclusively for overseas working Indians. Just by listening to it, you understand that it can solve your worries to a great extent.

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana is a security cover designed by our Indian government to protect those workers who work abroad. Be it a medical emergency, accidental injury or loss of your job, this PBBY sceme provides financial protection to you and your family, when it’s needed most.

In our guide, we will tell you in detail what this scheme does or how it works and why it is important for you, if you work abroad, So that you can make informed decisions and feel confident when embarking on your trip abroad.

What is Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana?

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme for Indian emigrant workers in ECR (Emigration Check Required) countries. It offers financial protection against accidental death, disability, medical emergencies, repatriation, and legal expenses. With premiums as low as ₹275 for two years, PBBY ensures affordable and essential security for overseas workers.

For detailed benefits, eligibility, and application steps, explore our complete guide to PBBY.

Top Benefits of Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY)

1. Online Renewal: You can easily renew your this policy online to ensure continuous coverage without any interruptions. For renewal details, visit the official website IFFCO Tokio PBBY Renewal.
2. Accidental Death and Disability Cover: If you die in an accident or suffer a permanent disability while working abroad, you will get a cover of up to Rs 10 lakh, irrespective of change employers or locations. Your accident or disability will be confirmed by the Indian Embassy which will be followed by the insurance company.
3. Medical Insurance: It covers medical expenses for injuries, sickness, ailments, or diseases up to ₹1,00,000 (up to ₹50,000 per hospitalization), helping you manage medical bills abroad.
4. Repatriation Cover: If you become medically unfit or your employment ends prematurely, the policy will cover the cost of a one-way economy class airfare to the nearest international airport in India. This is why its become the best benefit of this scheme.
5. Family Hospitalization in India: Covers hospitalization expenses up to ₹50,000 for your spouse and the first two dependent children (under 21 years of age) in India.
6. Maternity Expenses: Female emigrants are eligible to claim up to ₹50,000 for maternity-related expenses, such as pregnancy and childbirth.
7. Repatriation of Attendant: In case of accidental death or permanent disability of the emigrant, the policy covers the cost of a return economy class airfare for one attendant to India.
8. Legal Expenses: Covers up to ₹45,000 for legal issues related to the emigrant’s overseas employment.

Eligibility for Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana

• Age: Between 18 and 65 years.
• Emigration Status: Must belong to the ECR (Emigration Check Required category).
• Employment: Applicable to Indian workers employed in ECR-required countries.

List of 18 Countries Where Emigration Check is Required

e Emigration Check Required (ECR) category refers to countries where Indian emigrants must meet specific requirements before leaving India for employment. The following list includes 18 countries that fall into this category, as stated in the official guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MEA). This list is important for Indian workers who are applying for employment abroad so that they can follow the necessary application process..

How to Apply for PBBY in 5 Steps

1. Prepare Your Documents: Have your passport, visa, and work permit details ready for application.
2. Visit the Website: Go to the IFFCO Tokio website and press on the Buy Now button for PBBY.
3. Fill Your and Nominee’s details: Complete the online form with accurate personal and travel information. Double check your filled data before you submit.
4. Payment: Premiums are ₹275 for two years and ₹375 for three years, excluding service tax. Choose your preferred payment method like (debit/credit card, net banking, or e-wallets) and pay the premium.
5. Confirmation: After successful payment, your policy will be activated, and you can download the receipt for future reference.

For more information, visit the official page.

PBBY Claim Process and Required Documents

When you purchase the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) policy, all the relevant details will be provided in the policy document. Claims can be made directly from the same website where you purchased the policy. Ensure to check the latest document requirements on the official website as they may change.

Generally, the required documents for claims include:

1. Accidental Death: Police and post-mortem reports, certificate from the Indian Embassy, attested passport copy.
2. Permanent Disability: Medical records and disability certificate.
3. General: Original policy certificate and signed compensation form.

Always check for updates before making a claim.

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana Exclusions

While PBBY offers extensive benefits, some exclusions apply:

• Pre-existing conditions.
• Outpatient treatments.
• Self-inflicted injuries or suicide.
• Expenses due to war or civil unrest.
• Injuries from reckless behavior or substance abuse.

Comparison Table: PBBY vs. Private Insurance Plans

Additional Plans to Consider

For those seeking alternatives to PBBY, here are some private insurance plans which are popular in Indian market:

• Cigna Global Health Insurance: Offers customizable plans with global coverage, emergency evacuation, and repatriation benefits.
• ManipalCigna Global Health Insurance: Includes coverage up to $10 million for inpatient and outpatient treatments, as well as medical evacuation.
• HDFC ERGO Global Health Insurance: Provides global hospitalization coverage and emergency treatments overseas.
• Bajaj Allianz International Health Insurance: Covers therapies like occupational and physical therapy, along with extensive hospitalization benefits.
• Tata AIA NRI Life Insurance: Focused on life insurance for NRIs, with quick claim processing and high claim settlement ratios.

Tips to Choose the Best Insurance Plan for Overseas Workers

1. Evaluate Coverage Needs: Always decide your insurance coverage keeping in mind your job, its location and your personal health risks.

1. Understand Exclusions: Always read the exclusions carefully before taking any insurance. Exclusions means what things are not covered in the policy, only after that you take insurance according to your need.
2. Consider Premium Affordability: Always try to match the balance cost and coverage as per your financial capacity.
3. Check Claim Processes: Always select the insurance company which has a good reputation in the market and whose claim process is very easy. For this, you should always check the reviews of the company so that you can have an idea of how the company is.

Latest Updates and Additional Insights

• Mandatory for All ECR Workers: The scheme is now mandatory for all Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to ECR countries, regardless of their passport category or profession. (Amended in 2017)
• Global Coverage: PBBY provides global insurance coverage, irrespective of the employer or location of the worker. (Amended in 2017)
• Simplified Claim Process: The claim process has been simplified to ensure faster settlement of claims. (Amended in 2017)
• Online Renewal Facility: Policyholders can now renew their policies online. (Amended in 2017)

Other Benefits:

• Increased Insurance Cover: The insurance cover remains at Rs. 10 lakhs for accidental death or permanent disability. (Amended in 2008)
• Affordable Premiums: The premiums for the policy are affordable, with options for 2-year and 3-year terms. (Amended in 2008)
• Comprehensive Coverage: The scheme offers comprehensive coverage, including medical expenses, repatriation costs, and family hospitalization. (Amended in 2017)

Conclusion

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana B provides a valuable protection for Indians working abroad that helps in cases of medical emergencies and accidents. It is important for one to have the correct information about the policy and medication process as the plans and benefits may change with time so always check for the latest updates from the official website.

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