There’s no telling what can happen to you during your trip, whether it’s weeks-long or a short getaway. It’s common for many travelers to experience flight delays, lost or stolen pieces of luggage and passports, or accidents that result in hospitalizations.
If any of these circumstances happen to you during your trip and you’re uninsured, chances are you’ll have to draw out extra cash from your pocket to cover these unexpected expenses. This is why getting travel insurance is necessary.
Even buying a basic travel insurance plan can give you coverage on certain incidents, such as medical bills incurred abroad. You can also look at other offers; some can be tailored according to your needs, enabling you to have a well-planned, worry-free vacation.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance: Important Features
Travel insurance policies come in different terms and conditions. Nowadays, it’s common for travel insurance companies to offer customized plans to travelers. However, if your insurance isn’t personalized, make sure it at least has the important features you’d need.
Great travel insurance will have the following characteristics to insure you on several incidents as you get back to traveling after the Covid-19 era:
1. Medical Expenses Coverage
Having coverage for your possible medical expenses is a must, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. This will also cover you for emergency medical or dental care and accidents while you’re traveling abroad. Typically, the insurance pays for the following:
- Medicines
- Doctor’s fee
- Ambulance service
- Hospital and room charges
- Lab tests and examinations
This coverage will keep your savings safe for anything concerning your health, such as injury and unexpected illnesses. Also, take note that some plans can be stand-alone or comprehensive.
- Stand-alone medical insurance: This plan solely covers medical and dental expenses on an emergency basis when you’re abroad. This will not include other perks usually found in a travel insurance policy.
- Comprehensive travel insurance: This covers a wide range of potential risks during your trip. Medical expenses are just one of its many features. That said, this may include death or dismemberment, trip delays, lost documents, or even burglary.
Take note as well, if you’re on a cruise vacation, your health insurance from home may not give you coverage if you’re traveling on a foreign-flagged ship.
2. Overseas Hospital Cash
Overseas hospital cash in your travel insurance plan would cover any out-of-pocket non-medical expenses incurred during your hospital stay or visit.
Some items it covers are phone bills and taxi fares, while an insured individual receives inpatient treatment in a hospital abroad. Usually, this coverage provides you a fixed amount, plus it’s a separate feature from your typical medical coverage.
That said, it’s recommended to have medical assistance and overseas hospital cash coverages since each provides different benefits.
3. Overseas Quarantine Allowance
Contracting the Covid-19 virus isn’t a great way to start or end your trip. However, should you receive positive results, self-isolation is the immediate procedure.
If you are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic upon your arrival overseas, you won’t likely spend more since you can use the hotel accommodation you’ve already booked.
On the flip side, if you get Covid-19 on your pre-departure to Singapore, you’ll have to book accommodation beyond your return date until you’re all cleared. A quarantine allowance will help bear the cost. Generally, this policy provides either of the following amounts:
- S$50 a day
- S$100 a day
It’s recommended that you pay a little extra and get a policy that offers S$100 a day to get a decent hotel. Check as well whether the plan covers 7 or 14 days of the quarantine period.
4. Trip Cancellation
If you are positive for Covid-19 before departure, you might have to cancel your trip. With a trip cancellation policy, you will be reimbursed for all non-refundable, non-recoverable charges and deposits, which may include the following:
- Hotels
- Flights
- Tickets to attractions
To claim, you have to show proof that the merchant denied your request for a refund. That is unless the merchant agrees to give back the portion of your payment.
On a different note, trip cancellation doesn’t apply when you change your mind about the trip or have issues with quarantine documents or travel advisories.
5. Ease of Claims
Travel insurance policies may have the same coverage but are offered at varying costs. Make sure you read the fine print and see to it that claiming your benefits will be a breeze.
After all, some travel insurances have lengthy claim processes or highly restrictive rules leading to most claims being denied. For a fuss-free and seamless claiming experience, opt for a reputable travel insurer with a paperless claim process.
6. Price Range
The price of any travel insurance depends on the country of your destination, the travel duration, and other factors. Some may only cost you tens of dollars, while others can go up to hundreds of dollars.
Carefully weigh all policies you’d need abroad and determine whether you need a basic or premium plan. Having additional travel insurance coverage may also cost you extra.
7. Reliability of the Insurer
With rampant scams, you must do a thorough background check on an Insurance provider. Better yet, opt only for reputable ones. This way, you’ll be confident that your insurance can aid you should you face any trouble abroad.
You can see if the agent is legitimate by checking if they’re authorized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
8. Additional Features
Aside from your package travel insurance, you may find other value-added services useful. Having additional features on your travel insurance policy means added protection.
Some additional features your travel insurance provider may offer are listed below:
- Identity theft
- Life insurance
- Trip interruption
- Hazardous sports
- Rental car collision
5 Best Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore
The five best travel insurance in Singapore with Covid-19 coverage are Allianz, Singlife, FWD, NTUC, and Tiq. They are trusted by many since they provide wide coverage of benefits in affordable to luxury plans. Get to know them, including the promos you may avail of.
| Travel Insurance Plan | Best Suited For | Benefits Included |
| Allianz Travel Insurance | High Medical Coverage | Up to S$50,000 emergency medical and dental coverage |
| Singlife Travel Insurance | Frequent Flyer Points Protection | S$250,000 to unlimited overseas medical coverage |
| FWD Travel Insurance | Budget Single Trip Plans | Up to S$200,000 Covid-19 medical coverage during or after your trip |
| NTUC Travel Insurance | Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Covid-19 | Up to $150,000 Covid-19 medical coverage per individual |
| Tiq Travel Insurance | Pre-existing Medical Conditions | S$300,000 to unlimited overseas medical coverage |
1. Allianz Travel Insurance – High Medical Coverage
Allianz is one of the world leaders when it comes to travel protection. It comes with comprehensive medical coverage, including epidemic cases. Most of their plans also come with a variety of perks and benefits to give you confidence during your entire trip.
For emergency medical incidents during your trip, you’ll be reimbursed up to S$50,000. Allianz also has you when it comes to emergency medical transportation in case you get an illness or injury and need to be transported to the nearest hospital.
While you get the primary coverage in Allianz’s basic plan, upgrading to premium will unlock other exclusive policies. Whatever happens to you while traveling abroad won’t be a financial concern, even despite the risk of getting Covid-19.
Price:
- Allianz Basic Plan (S$14 minimum per day)
- Allianz Deluxe Plan (S$23 minimum per day)
- Allianz Premium Plan (S$31 minimum per day)
Coverage:
- Travel Delay
- Baggage Delay
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Cancellation
- Epidemic Coverage
- Baggage Loss/Damage
- Travel Accident Coverage
- Pre-existing Medical Condition
- Rental Car Damage and Theft Coverage
- Emergency Medical, Emergency Medical Transportation
Promo:
Use promo code Travel40 for a 40% discount and up to a S$60 voucher via PayNow when you apply a minimum premium of S$60. Valid until March 31, 2023. T&Cs apply.
2. Singlife Travel Insurance – Frequent Flyer Points Protection
With Singlife, you can accumulate your miles and earn a free flight to your dream destination. In cases where trip cancellations due to any reason occur, select Singlife travel insurance plans can refund you.
On top of that, you can also have the option to cancel your trip for any reason with a benefit amounting to S$5,000, provided you purchased their mid-tier or top-shelf plan. Going for the premium policies is worth it since traveling may come with several uncertainties.
Further, if more than 50 percent of your holiday has been affected by heavy rainfall, Singlife will provide you a payout of S$150 for single trips (minimum is three days). That’s not it; insurers also offer unlimited medical expenses coverage when overseas.
Price:
- Basic Plan (starts at S$34.20)
- Mid-Tier Plan (starts at S$52)
- Top-Shelf Plan (starts at S$72)
Coverage:
-
- Trip Interruption
- Loss of Baggage
- Personal Liability
- Rental Vehicle Excess
- Change of Traveling Date
- Accidental Death & Disability
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Loss of Frequent Flyer Points
- Trip Cancellation for Any Reason
- Unauthorized Use of Credit Card
Promo:
Use promo code Travel18 for an 18% discount on single travel insurance plans. Valid until March 31, 2023. T&Cs apply.
3. FWD Travel Insurance – Budget Single Trip Plans
FWD has comprehensive coverage for your travels as they added a Covid-19 benefit to their policies. You can receive up to S$200,000 for any Covid-related medical expenses during or after your trip. You can also have up to S$5,000 for trip cancellation due to Covid-19 thirty days before departure.
Meanwhile, if you get sick and are hospitalized for Covid-19 post-trip, your FWD travel insurance will give you an allowance of S$100 a day for fourteen days. This Covid-19 add-on is up for grabs for those insured by single-trip plans with a trip duration of up to 90 days or annual trip plans with a travel duration of 90 days on every trip.
What makes their plans even more special is their claim process. They provide a cashless medical claim making it much easier to avail of the coverages you signed up for.
Price:
- Premium Plan (starts at S$30)
- Business Plan (starts at S$40.80)
- First Plan (starts at S$52.80)
Coverage:
- Travel Delay
- Baggage Delay
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Medical Expenses Incurred Overseas
- Fraudulent Personal Credit Card Usage
- Theft of or Damage to Personal Belongings
- Liability for Harm or Damage You Accidentally Cause
Promo:
Purchase a travel plan and receive a 50% discount on your next life insurance. Valid until April 30, 2023. T&Cs apply.
4. NTUC Travel Insurance – Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Covid-19
You never know what may happen during your trip, so NTUC travel insurance added Covid-19 as a benefit on top of their plans’ many features. Along with these is protection against any travel inconvenience.
This may also include personal accidents, overseas medical expenses, travel delays, and damage to personal belongings. Travelers with pre-existing conditions can also benefit greatly from NTUC travel insurance plans’ comprehensive medical coverage.
You won’t have to spend your personal cash when you need medical treatment abroad since certain plans cover overseas hospitalization and outpatient treatments and expenses due to a pre-existing condition. Repatriation and medical evacuation are also included.
Price:
- PreX Basic (starts at S$102.00)
- PreX Superior (starts at S$128.00
- PreX Prestige (starts at S$149.00)
Coverage:
- Travel Delay
- Trip Disruption
- Baggage Delay
- Personal Accident
- Canceling Your Trip
- Personal Accident
- Losing Travel Documents
- Medical Expenses Overseas
- Overseas Hospital Allowance
- Rental Vehicle Excess Cover
- Loss/Damage to Personal Belongings
- Coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Promo:
Get a 45% discount on your travel insurance per-trip plans. Valid from March 9 to 26, 2023. T&Cs apply.
5. Tiq Travel Insurance – Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Tiq travel insurance offers reliable plans at affordable prices. Regardless of what your needs are or the budget you set, they have a travel insurance policy tailored for you and your family members. It’s ideal, especially for those under a Pre-Ex Plan with pre-existing conditions.
Other highlights of their product include emergency medical evacuation, 24-hour travel support, flight delay benefits, and coverage of leisure activities. The travel insurance claim is hassle-free and made to be convenient since they send these via PayNow.
When it comes to medical coverage overseas, you’re entitled to claim S$200,000 up to S$1,000,000 and $2,000 to S$3,000 for your bags and belongings. You can also have other add-ons, such as pet hotel cover and rental car excess cover.
Price:
- TIQ Entry Plan (starts at S$21)
- TIQ Savvy Plan (starts at S$29)
- TIQ Luxury Plan (starts at S$39)
Coverage:
- Travel Delay
- Baggage Delay
- Personal Liability
- Personal Accident
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Medical Expenses Incurred Overseas
- Trip Cancellation and Loss of Deposit
- Overseas COVID-19 Diagnosis Quarantine Allowance
Promo:
Use promo code TIQSINGSAVER for a 60% discount on your Covid-19 add-on. Valid until March 31, 2023. T&Cs apply.
What to Do if You Get COVID-19 During or After Your Trip?
If you contract Covid-19 during your trip, your travel insurance with Covid-19 benefits should be able to shoulder the expenses. It will pay for your hospitalization, doctor, medicines, lab tests, and other prerequisites for your full recovery. Of course, these will be subject to the terms and conditions of your purchased travel insurance plan.
On another note, travel delay insurance will take care of your expenses if you have to stay overseas beyond your return date due to Covid-19. Your insurer will provide you with an overseas quarantine allowance for your accommodation.
Other costs incurred while quarantined may also be covered by the plan depending on the terms. The duration is typically seven days, but other travel policies can reimburse you up to 14 days past your return date. That said, make sure your policy has a decent daily benefit limit for a financially comfortable stay during this period.
Tips for the Traveler
Many travel insurance plans have medical coverage, but not all include Covid-19 on their benefits. If this is of utmost importance to you, ensure your policy includes Covid-19.
Some scenarios that can derail your trip may include travel bans and unexpected quarantine before you depart from Singapore. Hence, a “Cancel for Any Reason” is ideal. Your travel insurance will have all the expenses settled, whether for your hotel or flight tickets, regardless of the reason for canceling.
Further, you’re also insured in case you need to overstay abroad for isolation. There’s no need to worry about stretching your finances and going beyond the budget for your trip for post-trip Covid-19 quarantine.
Closing
Travel insurance gives you confidence that you’re protected during your trip abroad. Always choose the best plan for better coverage at just prices. Consider the process of travel insurance claims, too, in case certain events transpire and benefits from your policy are needed.
Key takeaways:
- Always read the brochure and prospectus to learn more about the travel insurance plans you’re offered since their conditions may vary.
- The main benefits of travel insurance include trip cancellation, travel delay, overseas medical coverage, accidental death, flight accident coverage, baggage delay, and more.
- Your travel insurance purchase is ideally done when you book your flight. This will keep you in good stead, especially during your pre-departure time, particularly if you cancel your trip.
- Consider where you’re going and the activities you’re going to do. If your destination country is the United States, where healthcare is expensive, your next travel insurance purchase should have extensive medical coverage of at least S$50,000.
- Engaging in high-risk activities would make it ideal to have leisure or sports coverage in your plan.
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