Home / Travel Insurance / Articles / Travel Tips / How to Name Beneficiary in Travel Insurance?

How to Name Beneficiary in Travel Insurance?

Q: How can I change my ACKO travel insurance beneficiary?

Log in to your ACKO account, open your active policy, and update the beneficiary details under 'Update Beneficiary.'

Team AckoDec 9, 2025

When planning a trip, most people focus on booking flights and hotels. Some even look for the right travel insurance plan. But one small detail often gets missed: naming your beneficiary.

If you were to get into a major accident while travelling, your travel insurance beneficiary is the person who receives the payout. As for naming a beneficiary, the process itself is quite easy and straightforward. All you need to do is choose the right person, fill in their correct details, and keep that information up to date. Let's explore the process in detail in this article.

How_to_Name_Beneficiary_in_Travel_Insurance_5342b8c67a.webp

Contents

What Is a Beneficiary in Travel Insurance?
Types of Beneficiaries in a Travel Insurance Policy
- Primary Beneficiary
- Contingent (Secondary) Beneficiary
Who Can You Name as a Travel Insurance Beneficiary?
Steps to Name a Travel Insurance Beneficiary
Can You Change Your Beneficiary Later?
Why Naming a Beneficiary Matters?
Tips to Know Before Naming a Beneficiary
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is a Beneficiary in Travel Insurance?

A beneficiary for travel insurance is the person or people you legally choose to receive the insurance payout if you pass away or suffer a serious covered injury during your trip.

You can think of it as similar to naming a nominee for your life insurance or savings account. The insurer uses this information to make sure the money goes directly to the right person, without confusion or legal delays.

For example, let’s say you buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy and name your spouse as your beneficiary. In the event of your accidental death or major medical emergency while travelling, your spouse will be the one to receive the benefit amount under the policy.

Types of Beneficiaries in a Travel Insurance Policy

When you buy travel insurance, you have the freedom to decide who should receive the payout. What many people don’t realise is that policies allow you to name two types of beneficiaries:

Primary Beneficiary

This is the person who receives the payout first if something happens to you. In most cases, this might be your spouse, parent, or child.

Contingent (Secondary) Beneficiary

This person receives the benefit only if the primary beneficiary is unable to. For instance, if they have also passed away or are unreachable. In that sense, you could almost consider a contingent beneficiary a backup, your plan B.

Listing both a primary and contingent beneficiary adds an extra layer of security to your travel insurance plan. Not only does it help avoid delays, but it also helps avoid any confusion during claim settlements.

Who Can You Name as a Travel Insurance Beneficiary?

You get to choose who you want listed as a beneficiary for your travel insurance. Whoever you select will receive the payout if something happens to you during a trip.

Beneficiaries are most often:

A spouse or partner
Parents or guardians
Children
Siblings or other close relatives
Financial dependents

Some policies, including ACKO Travel Insurance, let you name more than one beneficiary. Then, all you need to do is divide the benefit amount between them. For example, 70% of the death benefit can be allocated to the spouse, and 30% to a parent.

Steps to Name a Travel Insurance Beneficiary

Naming a beneficiary in travel insurance is simple, especially when done online. Platforms like ACKO make this process seamless, paperless, and accessible in a few steps. To name an ACKO international travel insurance beneficiary, you need to:

Step 1: Log in to your ACKO account

Download the ACKO mobile app or visit the website
Sign in using your mobile number to create the account.

Step 2: Go to your active travel insurance policy

Go to the 'My Policies' section.
Select your active travel insurance plan.
View your policy summary, coverage details, and nominee options.

Step 3: Open the beneficiary or nominee section

Click on 'Add Nominee' or 'Update Beneficiary Details.'
Provide the required information, including:
Full name of the beneficiary
Relationship to the insured person
Date of birth
Contact details
Valid ID proof (if required)

Step 4: Review and confirm

Make sure names, dates, and contact information match official documents.
Confirm changes to avoid delays during claims.

Step 5: Save the changes

Click 'Save' or 'Confirm' to update your beneficiary details.
You will receive confirmation by email or app notification.

Step 6: Keep information updated

Review your beneficiary details regularly.
Update them after major life events such as marriage, childbirth, or a change in dependents.
ACKO allows online updates at any time before your policy expires.

Tip: Let your chosen beneficiary know they’re listed in your policy and where to find the details. This helps make things easier during emergencies.

Can You Change Your Beneficiary Later?

Life happens, circumstances evolve, and insurers understand this. Most policy providers allow you to change or update your travel medical insurance beneficiary.

Some of the common reasons are:

Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of a previous beneficiary
Change in family responsibilities

Updating your details is as easy as logging in to your insurer’s portal. So, you can make changes whenever you want. However, you are only allowed to do so before the plan expires.

Why Naming a Beneficiary Matters?

Leaving the beneficiary section blank or incomplete can cause delays during a claim. In such cases, the payout might go to a legal heir after a verification process, which can take time.

Clearly naming a travel medical insurance beneficiary ensures that:

The benefit amount reaches the right person as soon as possible
There is no scope for any disputes or misunderstandings
Your loved ones receive financial support during difficult times
The insurer can process claims faster and maintain transparency

Tips to Know Before Naming a Beneficiary

Before you finalise on your travel insurance beneficiary name, make sure to:

Use full legal names and verified contact details.
Appoint a legal guardian if you choose a minor as a beneficiary.
Specify the payout percentage each beneficiary should receive if there's more than one.
Store a copy of the policy and beneficiary details.
Review beneficiary details before any trip.
Confirm your nomination is written in the policy.

Once you have these pat down, you can rest assured that your family will have a better claim process when needed.

Final Thoughts

Travel insurance is there to protect you when things don’t go as planned. Naming a beneficiary makes sure that protection also extends to your loved ones.

It’s a simple step, but an important one. Before your next trip, take a few minutes to review your policy and check your beneficiary details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I add more than one beneficiary for travel insurance?

Yes, most insurers allow you to name more than one beneficiary. You will need to assign percentage shares to each person.

Can I name my friend as my travel insurance beneficiary?

Yes, but it’s best to list a close family member or legal heir, when possible. Doing so can help avoid complications during claim processing.

What happens if I don't name a beneficiary in my travel insurance?

If you don't name a beneficiary, the payout goes to the insured person’s legal heir. But this can delay the claim.

Can a minor be added as a beneficiary?

Yes, but a legal guardian must be appointed to manage the payout until the minor turns 18.

How often should I update my travel insurance beneficiary details?

At least once a year or whenever there’s a major life event. This could be either marriage, childbirth, or a change in dependents.

How can I change my ACKO travel insurance beneficiary?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medication. The list provided is intended as general guidance and may not be suitable for everyone.