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5 best travel insurance plans in Singapore with Covid-19 coverage (2022)

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

PHOTO: MoneySmart

As travel becomes possible again (woohoo!), travel insurance is now once again something that is relevant in our lives.

Remember the good old days when lost luggage was your biggest worry? These days, the most likely mishaps to happen are related to Covid-19, whether they be an infection or a trip cancellation.

Not all insurers cover Covid-19, but a handful do - to varying extents. Here's a comparison of the five best plans in Singapore.

Does travel insurance cover Covid-19?

When the Covid-19 pandemic started, most insurers did not extend their coverage to Covid-19-related mishaps.

The pandemic was quickly considered a "known event", which insurers usually do not offer compensation for. So, if your flight got cancelled because of Covid-19, you'd be out of luck.

Now. as travel restrictions get lifted, insurance companies are rushing for a slice of the pie. Since the virus looks like it's here to stay, insurers are starting to offer coverage specifically for Covid-19.

But Covid-19 coverage is such a new thing that it can vary quite a bit from insurer to insurer. Given a bit of time, insurers will start to understand what their competitors are offering and coverage across the board is likely to become more similar.

Do note that the plans still exclude travelling against a travel advisory put in place by the Singapore government or by the local authority at your trip destination. So be sure to check announcements on both ends before you depart.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Another common exclusion is failing to take precautions against Covid-19. This is broadly worded in the insurance policy but could include not following any Covid-19 regulations at your destination or on the plane. So make sure you wear your mask whenever it's required and don't go attending any illegal raves.

Best travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage

* For a one-week trip to Germany

1. FWD travel insurance + Covid-19 coverage

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

FWD offers some of the cheapest travel insurance plans in Singapore, so this is a budget-friendly option if you're already baulking at the cost of all the antigen tests you'll have to take before and after your trip.

Here's a quick run-through of the Covid-19 coverage offered by this plan:

  • Trip cancellation and loss of deposit
  • Trip disruption
  • Overseas hospital cash
  • Hospital cash while in Singapore
  • Medical expenses
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation

The plan reimburses some of your travel-related expenses if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 no more than 30 days before your scheduled departure date, or if you have to change your itinerary because of a Covid-19 diagnosis while overseas.

You also get to claim medical expenses and a hospital cash benefit if you get hospitalised overseas or for up to 14 days in Singapore upon your return.

The coverage is very bare bones but the plan is frickin cheap. Get this if you can't afford anything else.

2. AIG Travel Guard insurance

Here's a quick run-down of the plan's main offerings:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Early return home
  • Overseas medical expenses
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Overseas quarantine allowance

This plan offers compensation if you catch Covid-19 in Singapore and have to postpone your trip, or if you or a family member catch the virus before your departure date and you have to cancel your trip because of that. You also get medical coverage and a quarantine allowance.

This is quite a decent list of benefits compared to what the other plans are offering, but there are a few perks missing from the list, including a daily hospital cash benefit, early return home and trip interruption due to quarantine or other government advisories.

Overall, the plan is on the cheap side but honestly quite bare bones. If you can afford this plan, you could also just spend a few more bucks to get a better one.

READ ALSO:  Travel insurance claims guide - what to do, what receipts to keep and more

3. AXA SmartTraveller travel insurance

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Here's what this plan gets you:

  • Pre-departure trip cancellations and postponement
  • Trip curtailment or rearrangement losses
  • Overseas hospitalisation allowance

The medical expenses category is quite generous here. You can claim for costs incurred within 90 days of your trip.

One perk that not all insurers offer is overseas quarantine allowance if you're forced to hole up in a hotel or quarantine centre overseas due to a Covid-19 infection.

You can't claim for this if you're already claiming for hospitalisation, though you'd have to be really unlucky to get both quarantined AND hospitalised in one trip.

AXA also tends to be quite flexible when it comes to trip curtailment or rearrangement.

You can claim under this section not only if you yourself catch Covid-19 but if there is a death in your family due to Covid-19, public transport gets cancelled due to Covid-19 or there is a Covid-19 outbreak at your destination which prevents you from continuing on your trip.

In short, this plan has one of the most comprehensive benefits lists available, and it isn't even that expensive. This one gets a thumbs-up.

4. Sompo Travel (Covid-19) Essential travel Insurance

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

The key benefits are as follows:

  • Trip postponement
  • Trip curtailment
  • Medical expenses overseas
  • Overseas hospital income

Compensation for trip cancellation or postponement is offered if you, an immediate family member or a travelling companion also insured by Sompo, got diagnosed with Covid-19 not more than 30 days before your departure date.

If your travel partner gets infected you can choose to claim for your travel expenses rather than go alone.

The same goes for trip curtailment while overseas. While on your trip, you can make a claim for having to change your itinerary if your travelling companion or an immediate family member back in Singapore gets diagnosed with Covid-19 and you need to cut short your trip to return to Singapore.

Medical expenses can be claimed for a period of up to 45 days (the first day being the day you first seek treatment while overseas) or when the limit in your benefits table is first reached, whichever happens first.

Note that you might be left high and dry if you are ill for more than 45 days.

Overall, this plan is generous when it comes to changes to your travel plans, but not so much when it comes to medical treatment. It's probably best if you are young, have no existing health issues and have already been vaccinated.

5. NTUC Income travel insurance

Here's a run-down of the key benefits:

  • Cancelling your trip due to Covid-19
  • Postponing your trip due to Covid-19
  • Shortening your trip due to Covid-19
  • Trip disruption due to Covid-19
  • Emergency medical evacuation due to Covid-19
  • Sending you home due to Covid-19

NTUC Income offers up to $150,000 worth of overseas medical expenses and up to $150,000 worth of evacuation or repatriation expenses if you contract Covid-19 overseas. This coverage is valid for the first 90 days of your trip.

They have recently enhanced their Covid-19 cover to allow claims for trip cancellations and postponements due to you (or your travel companion) being diagnosed with Covid-19 or getting issued an isolation order by the government.

Covid-19 vaccine complications are now covered under medical expenses as well. For more details on what is covered, refer to the NTUC Income website and policy conditions.

There are no excluded countries due to Covid-19 except for Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Sudan and Syria, which are normally excluded from the regular travel insurance plan as well.

In addition, NTUC Income has collaborated with Raffles Medical to offer Covid-19 (PCR) swab test at $124.2 along with a series of other types of pre-departure tests.

What to do if you get Covid-19 during/after travel?

First of all, when booking your trip, you should retain all receipts, tickets and itineraries in case your trip has to be cancelled or altered.

At the first sign of a Covid-19 infection or related travel disruption, you should call your insurer and ask for guidance. Many insurers maintain a 24-hour hotline for travel claims.

What to look out for when buying travel insurance in Singapore (2022)

To make a claim you will usually have to submit your insurer's form with supporting documents within the deadline mentioned in your contract (usually 30 days). Don't wait until you're back in Singapore to check which documents you need.

If you catch Covid-19 while you're in Singapore, you will likely have to submit the results of a PCR Swab Test or Antigen Rapid Test conducted at a clinic or hospital.

It gets a bit more complicated if you're overseas. The insurer will likely require documentation from the hospital as well as a doctor's letter stating that you are unfit to travel and/or recommending treatment.

If you need to be quarantined overseas, you should make sure you have a quarantine order from the government, otherwise you may not be able to claim for quarantine allowance. Remember to ask for this as not all countries automatically issue such documentation.

This article was first published in MoneySmart .

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For more questions, please visit our Help Centre .

No, you’ll need make your purchase before departing Singapore.

Yes, simply purchase a new policy to cover the extended dates. This purchase must be done before or during your trip. Do remember to provide all policy numbers when making a claim.

  • You’ll be glad to hear that cover starts from the time you leave your home in Singapore to go directly to your departure point, or 3 hours before the scheduled departure time of the carrier in which you have arranged to travel, whichever is later.
  • Coverage stops when you return to your place of residence in Singapore, or 3 hours after the scheduled arrival time of the carrier in which you travel, or the date on which the policy is terminated, whichever is the earliest.

Pregnancy-related conditions The policy does not offer coverage for any pregnancy-related condition that results from or is a complication of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage (except miscarriage due to accidental injury).

Pre-existing illnesses You won’t be covered for any pre-existing medical conditions which you have been diagnosed, treated, and knew about before the effective date of the policy.

Terrorism In the event of a claim arising directly from an act of terrorism, the policy covers you whilst you are on a journey. Coverage applies to all benefits other than journey cancellation, provided that it does not involve the use of biological agents, chemical agents or nuclear devices.

Adventurous activities

  • You are covered for activities that are accessible to the general public without restriction (other than height or general health or fitness warnings) and which are provided by a recognised local tour operator are covered. You should be acting under the guidance and supervision of qualified guides and/or instructors of the tour operators when carrying out such tourist activities
  • The policy does not cover any sports or sporting activities that present a high level of inherent danger (i.e. involves a high level of expertise, exceptional physical exertion, highly specialised gear or stunts) including but not limited to big wave surfing, canoeing down rapids, cliff jumping, horse jumping, ultra-marathons, biathlons, triathlons and stunt riding

COVID-19 You will enjoy COVID-19 benefits if your policy was purchased on or after 9 November 2021

Please call the 24-hour hotline at +65 6839 2922 for immediate support. Chubb's Assistance team is always ready to help.

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About Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited, via acquisitions by its predecessor companies, has been present in Singapore since 1948. Chubb in Singapore provides underwriting and risk management expertise for all major classes of general insurance, including Property & Casualty, Marine, Liability, Financial Lines and Group Personal Accident insurance. As one of the leading providers of Accident & Health insurance through direct marketing, the company partners with financial institutions and other companies to tailor individual policies for their clients and employees. In addition, it offers a suite of customised Personal & Specialty insurance solutions to meet the needs of consumers. Over the years, Chubb in Singapore has established strong client relationships by delivering responsive service, developing innovative products and providing market leadership built on financial strength.

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Komsan Chiyadis

GrabFood delivery-partner, Thailand

COVID-19 has dealt an unprecedented blow to the tourism industry, affecting the livelihoods of millions of workers. One of them was Komsan, an assistant chef in a luxury hotel based in the Srinakarin area.

As the number of tourists at the hotel plunged, he decided to sign up as a GrabFood delivery-partner to earn an alternative income. Soon after, the hotel ceased operations.

Komsan has viewed this change through an optimistic lens, calling it the perfect opportunity for him to embark on a fresh journey after his previous job. Aside from GrabFood deliveries, he now also picks up GrabExpress jobs. It can get tiring, having to shuttle between different locations, but Komsan finds it exciting. And mostly, he’s glad to get his income back on track.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

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New insurance coverage for inbound travellers to cover Covid-19 related costs in Singapore

SINGAPORE 18 November 2020 – Changi Airport Group (CAG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), on behalf of the Emerging Stronger Taskforce Alliance for Action (EST-AfA) on Enabling Safe and Innovative Visitor Experiences[1], announced today that foreign visitors will now be able to buy inbound travel insurance coverage for Covid-19 related costs incurred in Singapore.

Inbound insurance coverage has been identified as a key enabler to facilitate the resumption of travel to Singapore. In line with the EST-AfA’s focus on public-private partnerships, CAG, STB and the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) led an Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise to reach out to interested private sector insurers to provide such coverage.  In response to the EOI, three insurance companies, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited and HL Assurance Pte. Ltd., have developed travel insurance products which provide at least S$30,000 in coverage for Covid-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs. A minimum of S$30,000 in coverage is recommended by the Ministry of Health based on Covid-19 bill sizes at private hospitals, which is where inbound travellers typically receive care for Covid-19. (Please see Annex for the list of insurers and their insurance plans).

Inbound foreign travellers entering Singapore via the various Safe Travel Lanes are required to bear the full cost of medical treatment, tests and isolation, should they be suspected of being infected with Covid-19, or require medical treatment for Covid-19 while in Singapore. With immediate effect[2], they will be able to purchase a travel insurance plan to help them cover some of these costs.

 “We have been actively engaging the insurance community since August this year, through an Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise[3], to develop inbound travel insurance products as Singapore progressively reopens. We noticed such products were not available in the market, and wanted to encourage insurers to develop such products and offer them to travellers at a reasonable price.” said Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Changi Airport Group’s Chief Executive Officer and co-lead of the Alliance.  

“With the gradual resumption of travel and the re-opening of borders, having robust travel insurance options in place is integral to ensuring a successful and sustainable revival of inbound travel to Singapore. The general insurance sector is committed to providing travellers visiting Singapore the protection they need to travel here with confidence.” said Mr Ho Kai Weng, General Insurance Association (GIA) of Singapore’s Chief Executive.

Earlier in September, the EST Alliance for Action on Enabling Safe and Innovative Visitor Experiences announced that it will be testing a prototype for safe tradeshows and exhibitions, as well as safe itineraries for event attendees. The new insurance products will complement this earlier work in resuming safe travel.

“As we gradually re-open for safe travel, Covid-19 insurance coverage is a key enabler to rebuild traveller confidence and provide peace of mind. We are heartened that the public and private sectors have come together to provide solutions, and we look forward to more collaborations that will help Singapore lead the way as a safe, trusted and innovative destination.” said Mr Keith Tan, Singapore Tourism Board’s Chief Executive.

Premiums for these inbound travel insurance plans start from S$5.35 (inclusive of GST) and can be purchased directly from the insurers through their respective websites.

[1] The Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST), formed under the Future Economy Council (FEC) convened the Singapore Together Alliances for Action (“Alliances”), which are industry-led, government-supported coalitions that will act quickly by prototyping ideas on key areas for Singapore. The Alliance for Action on Enabling Safe and Innovative Visitor Experiences is one of them. Co-led by Mr Lee Seow Hiang of Changi Airport Group and Ms Kwee Wei-Lin of Singapore Hotel Association, the Alliance has worked closely with a diverse range of industry stakeholders and government agencies to explore and pioneer new ways to facilitate safe and innovative visitor experiences in a Covid-19 environment.

[2] Refer to Annex for each insurer’s expected sale date.

[3] CAG, on behalf of the Alliance,  appointed Willis Towers Watson (WTW) as the consultant of the EOI exercise,  where the objective was to invite licensed Singapore insurers to offer coverage to inbound foreign travellers’ Covid-19 related costs in Singapore.

About Changi Airport Group

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.

About Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com | Follow us: facebook.com/STBsingapore or twitter.com/stb_sg

About the Organisation

What industry does your organization fall within, what best describes the key intent of the project that your organisation is seeking funding for, is your organisation a singapore-registered legal entity, is your organisation an association, is the project able to achieve one or more of the following outcome.

  • Increase no. of sailings to/from Singapore
  • Increase no. of foreign cruise passengers to Singapore through sailings to/from Singapore
  • Increase no. of pre/post nights for cruise passengers sailing to/from Singapore
  • Increase capability of industry players via cruise-specific industry training programmes
  • Strengthen the potential/ attractiveness of cruising in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia

Is the project able to achieve one or more of the following?

  • Improve visitor satisfaction (especially foreign visitors)
  • Increase footfall
  • Increase revenue
  • Significant branding and PR value

Is the project able to attract foreign visitors and contribute to foreign visitors' spend?

Who will be the main target audience of your project, is your project innovative and/or a new event in singapore with tourism potential, what best describes your project, does the event have proven track records in singapore or overseas, and/or growth in tourism value such as growing foreign visitorship, and/or enhancement of precinct vibrancy etc, does the project have a clear tourism focus (e.g. tourism-related trainings, tourism companies taking on capability development initiatives or technology companies creating technology products and services for the tourism businesses), what best describes your market feasibility study project.

Based on your selection, the following STB grant/s may be applicable for your project:

Please note that projects that have commenced prior to Singapore Tourism Board's offer may not be eligible for grant support. Examples where projects are deemed as having commenced include:

  • Applicant has started work on the project e.g. tender has been called.
  • Applicant has made payment(s) to any supplier, vendor or third party.
  • Applicant has signed a contractual agreement with any supplier, vendor or third party.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

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singapore travel insurance that covers covid

TravelSure makes travel safer with over 50 benefits and COVID-19 coverage to take care of you, even before take off.

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Special offers

From now till 19 March 2024, enjoy 40% premium discount for Single-Trip plans and 20% premium discount for Annual plans.

  • COVID-19 coverage COVID-19 coverage is automatically included for Single and Annual plans. Get up to SGD250,000 medical expense coverage when you travel overseas. Please refer to the COVID-19 section for more information.
  • Overseas medical expenses Be covered up to SGD1,000,000 for overseas medical expenses.
  • Replacement of traveller Pays for the charges incurred for change of traveller due to you or insured person not being able to travel as a result of serious injury, illness or death 30 days prior to the trip.
  • Delayed departure Pays for additional administrative and travel expenses incurred to book alternative transport to the same destination should there be delays to the public transport.

Summary of benefits

The limits shown above are based on Individual sum insured. Learn more about the full coverage details .

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Important Notes 

This product is underwritten by MSIG Insurance (Singapore) Private Limited ("MSIG") and distributed by HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited ("HSBC"). It is not an obligation of, a deposit in or guaranteed by HSBC. Full details of the terms, conditions and exclusions of this insurance are provided in the policy and will be sent to you upon acceptance of your application by MSIG. This is not a contract of insurance. It does not constitute an offer to buy an insurance product or service. It is also not intended to provide any insurance or financial advice. 

This policy is protected under the Policy Owner's Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation ("SDIC"). For more information on the scheme, please visit the General Insurance Association www.gia.org.sg or SDIC www.sdic.org.sg websites.

The information and opinions contained in this website are for information only, have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but HSBC makes no representation or warranty as to their adequacy, completeness, accuracy or timeliness for any particular purpose, are subject to change without notice, and are not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity outside Singapore or in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law, regulation or rule. HSBC does not undertake an obligation to update the information or to correct any inaccuracy that may become apparent at a later time.  

Where specific products are advertised and/or recommended, please note (a) the recommendation is intended for general circulation; (b) the recommendation does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person; (c) advice should be sought from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of the products, taking into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person in receipt of the recommendation, before the person makes a commitment to purchase the products; should the person choose not to do so, he should consider carefully whether the product is suitable for him; in particular, all relevant documentations pertaining to the product should be read to make an independent assessment of the appropriateness of the transaction; and (d) this advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, or any regulatory authority elsewhere.

HSBC, its related companies, their directors and/ or employees may have positions or other interests in, and may effect transactions in, the product(s) mentioned here. HSBC may have alliances or other contractual agreements with the provider(s) of the product(s) to market or sell its product(s). In addition, HSBC, their directors and/or employees may also perform or seek to perform broking, investment banking and other banking or financial services for these product providers.

To the extent permitted by law, HSBC accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct indirect or consequential losses, claims or damages arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance on the information, opinions or contents herein.

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Ensure to insure: Which travel insurance policies provide Covid-19 coverage?

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

SINGAPORE - With the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) agreements paving the way for two-way quarantine-free travel, stir-crazy Singaporeans are dusting off their passports and making up for lost time.

But travel during a global pandemic is fraught with uncertainty, and if travel insurance was a good idea pre-Covid-19, it is practically essential now. In fact, it is literally essential for certain VTL countries such as Malaysia and South Korea, which require foreigners to purchase travel insurance with Covid-19 medical expense coverage as a condition of entry.

Fortunately, the majority of travel insurers now provide Covid-19 coverage, either integrated into the main policy or as an add-on rider.

It is not going to burn a hole in your pocket either. With the various ongoing promotions, coverage can be had for less than $10 a day (see chart on Sample Coverage Of Covid-19 Travel Insurance Policies).

What you need to be covered for

Medical expenses.

Assuming you are vaccinated and in good health, any Covid-19 infection should be fairly mild.

However, it is still important to have coverage for Covid-19 medical expenses, whether it is as simple as an outpatient consultation with a doctor or as serious as admission to hospital.

Moreover, some VTL countries require foreigners to buy travel insurance with a specified minimum coverage for Covid-19 medical treatment. You will usually need to present your insurance certificate before boarding the flight.

Emergency medical evacuation

In the event that you contract Covid-19 and your situation deteriorates, doctors may decide that evacuation to Singapore for further treatment is necessary.

This can be a very expensive process. According to examples from insurance company Chubb, medical evacuation via air ambulance can cost upwards of US$100,000 (S$136,700). You will want to ensure your travel policy has adequate coverage in this area.

When choosing your policy, make sure it provides separate coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.

For example, MSIG TravelEasy (Standard) provides $65,000 of combined coverage for overseas medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.

Allianz Travel Insurance (Bronze) provides $1 million of coverage for medical expenses and a separate $1 million of coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

If your situation is serious enough to warrant repatriation to Singapore, you may well have incurred significant overseas medical expenses already, so it is vital you have something left over to cover the evacuation.

Quarantine allowance

If you receive a positive Covid-19 result while overseas and are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, the standard procedure in most VTL countries is to self-isolate in a hotel.

The two situations where travellers are most likely to receive a positive Covid-19 result while overseas are:

  • Upon arrival overseas: Assuming the country requires a further Covid-19 test on arrival (most European countries and the United States do not); and
  • Pre-departure to Singapore: All VTL travellers to Singapore must take a Covid-19 antigen rapid test/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within two days of departure.

Getting a positive result on arrival is not a great way to start your vacation, but is unlikely to incur much incremental accommodation costs because you can use the hotel already booked for isolation. However, getting a positive result on your pre-departure test could be expensive because you need to book additional accommodation beyond your originally envisioned return date, as you wait for the all-clear.

A quarantine allowance helps defray some of the additional expenses involved. While most policies offer $50 a day, you are strongly advised to top up a little extra for a policy with $100 a day, to cover the cost of a decent hotel. Also, check how many days of quarantine are covered - some policies offer seven days, others 14 days.

Note that quarantine allowances do not cover situations where quarantine is a published requirement for travel. For example, Singapore residents travelling to Indonesia must undergo a 10-day quarantine on arrival . No claims will be allowed in this respect (travel insurance is meant to cover the possibilities, not the certainties).

There is one thing the quarantine allowance will not cover.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has a policy that says travellers who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the last 14 days should not travel to Singapore.

Suppose your pre-departure test in Germany is positive and you are issued a seven-day self-isolation order. After seven days, you clear a Covid-19 PCR test and are released.

You can claim a quarantine allowance for the seven-day period indicated on the self-isolation order, but not the additional seven days you need to wait in Germany before returning to Singapore.

Trip cancellation

Many VTL countries require a pre-departure test before leaving Singapore. Should your result come back positive, you will almost certainly need to cancel your trip.

Trip cancellation protection offers reimbursement for forfeiture of deposits or charges that are unrecoverable - for example, flights, hotels and tickets to attractions.

The emphasis is on the word "unrecoverable". You will usually be required to submit proof that you contacted the merchant to request a refund and were denied. If the merchant agrees to refund you a portion of your costs, that portion is not recoverable from your travel insurer.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

But trip cancellation does not cover situations where you get spooked out of travelling because of quarantine requirements or travel advisories.

Certain travel insurance policies may also provide coverage for trip postponement which, as the name suggests, covers the costs incurred in postponing your trip as opposed to cancelling it.

What you should know about Covid-19 coverage

Coverage applies to overseas expenses.

With the exception of trip cancellation or postponement, travel insurance is generally meant to cover you for things that happen outside of Singapore.

In other words, if you require overseas medical treatment for a Covid-19 infection diagnosed in Britain, you can file a claim with your travel insurer.

But if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 after returning to Singapore from Britain, you need to file a claim with your regular health insurance provider for medical treatment received in Singapore.

While the Singapore Government is currently picking up the tab for Covid-19 medical bills for fully vaccinated Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, an exception applies to those who test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of their arrival in Singapore.

However, these individuals will still be able to tap government subsidies and insurance coverage where applicable. According to the Ministry of Health, the median acute hospital bill for patients who end up in the intensive care unit and require Covid-19 therapeutics is $25,000, although means-tested government subsidies and MediShield Life coverage can reduce the bill to about $2,000 to $4,000 for eligible Singaporeans in subsidised wards.

Covid-19 coverage will be less than general coverage

While travel insurance policies may offer very generous coverage of overseas medical expenses, Covid-19 treatment is usually a much smaller amount.

For example, AXA SmartTraveller offers up to $600,000 of overseas medical expenses, but only up to $150,000 for those specifically related to Covid-19.

I can only surmise that it is because Covid-19 is a relatively novel disease and underwriters prefer to err on the side of caution by limiting their liability.

Mandatory quarantine is not grounds for cancellation

If there is one thing the Omicron variant has done, it is remind people that border restrictions and quarantine requirements are liable to change at short notice.

In recent weeks, for example, Sydney and Melbourne have imposed 72-hour quarantine for all international arrivals, and India reinstated seven-day home quarantine for travellers from Singapore. While both these measures have since been lifted, they are reminders of how fast things can change.

As inconvenient as these things may be, changing regulations, government advisories against travel and border closures are generally not grounds to claim trip cancellation.

Most policies will cover only trip cancellation if you, a travelling companion or family member test positive for Covid-19 prior to departure.

To put it another way, while it is unfortunate you need to spend precious overseas time in quarantine, that is not really the insurer's concern.

If you want a policy that covers such situations, you might want to consider Aviva's travel insurance and its "cancel for any reason" clause.

This covers 50 per cent of your unrecoverable travel and entertainment costs (capped at $5,000) should you decide not to travel, claimable a maximum of once per period of insurance (that is, annual policy-holders can use it only once).

Travel insurance policies with Covid-19 coverage

Travel insurance policies have different tiers and coverage. The chart, Illustrative Pricing For Travel Insurance Policies, uses a seven-day trip to South Korea as the basis for comparison.

My advice would be to look for an insurer that provides coverage for all four areas discussed previously (some policies do not provide quarantine allowance).

Generally, there is no harm in purchasing travel insurance well in advance of your trip, since you are charged only for the days overseas.

For example, an insurance company charges the same for a seven-day trip to South Korea whether you buy it the day before departure or a month in advance. But buying it earlier means you will be covered for specified events that occur in the pre-departure period, such as a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.

Should you eventually decide not to travel, most Singapore-based insurers allow you to cancel and refund your policy, provided no claims have been made. Some may charge an administrative fee.

Other travel insurance options

From airlines.

Instead of purchasing travel insurance from a bank or underwriter directly, passengers flying on certain airlines can purchase or enjoy complimentary travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage.

For example, passengers flying with Singapore Airlines can purchase a policy underwritten by Allianz, which provides up to $1 million of overseas Covid-19 medical expense coverage and trip interruption coverage of up to $150 a day that would cover additional costs incurred due to quarantine.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Likewise, those flying with Scoot can buy a policy underwritten by AXA with $10,000 of overseas Covid-19 medical expense coverage and a daily quarantine allowance of $100. But do note that the relatively low medical coverage will make this unsuitable for certain VTL countries such as Malaysia or Thailand.

Passengers flying on Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Etihad will also enjoy complimentary Covid-19 medical insurance, with no action needed from them.

From overseas

Travellers can also consider purchasing insurance from overseas companies such as SafetyWing and World Nomads. These policies provide coverage for Singapore residents and may be more cost- effective in certain scenarios.

However, it is important to read up on both the seller and underwriter, since you will not have access to mediation bodies like FIDReC in the event of a dispute.

In a nutshell

Remember that travel insurance provides no coverage should your trip be impacted by new quarantine requirements and even border closures. Likewise, there is no coverage against a disinclination to travel, so if you are still on the fence, it is a good idea to hold your fire on any non-refundable bookings.

Venturing overseas without travel insurance was always a foolhardy endeavour prior to Covid-19 and to do so now is borderline insanity.

Do not pinch pennies when it comes to protection - no one ever enjoyed a mai tai on the beach while looking over his or her shoulder.

  • Aaron Wong founded The MileLion (milelion.com) to help people travel better for less and impress relatives during Chinese New Year. He was 50 per cent successful.
  • A version of this story was published in The MileLion .

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Sompo Travel Insurance Covid-19 Singapore: Review (2022)

moneysmart

Sompo travel insurance  has gone through some MAJOR changes since we’ve last talked about it. Let’s first recap the basics of Sompo’s travel insurance plans:

Back then, Sompo’s travel insurance plans were known as Sompo Travel Joy insurance plans. They were categorised into 3 tiers: the basic Vital plan, the middle-tier Deluxe plan and the Japan-focused GO Japan! plan. It even had an Elite plan as it’s basically a bumped-up version of the Deluxe. In the past, Sompo travel insurance was one of the most comprehensive and best travel insurance plans for those travelling to Japan.

But let’s get up to speed with the current Sompo travel insurance and compare them against the other travel insurance plans. P.S. There’s nothing special about the plan for Japan anymore.

  • Sompo Travel Insurance: Summary
  • Sompo Covid-19 Travel Insurance Coverage
  • Disadvantages of Sompo Travel Insurance
  • Sompo Travel Insurance Claims
  • Sompo Travel Insurance: Promo Code
  • Sompo Travel Insurance Singapore Review

1. Sompo Travel Insurance: Summary

While most travel insurance plans offer 3 tiers of plans,  Sompo’s travel insurance (with Covid-19 coverage) only has 2 tiers:

  • the Essential  plan and
  • the Superior  plan.

As its name suggests, the Sompo Essential travel insurance plan offers you basic coverage while the Sompo Superior plan offers you more comprehensive coverage. Both plans, by default, come with Covid-19 coverage.

Here is a summary of Sompo travel insurance’s price, benefits and coverage:

Travel insurance plans are priced based on the country that you’re travelling to. Take Sompo travel insurance, for example, whether you decide on the Essential or Superior plans, you’ll find that there are 3 different prices.

Check which countries Sompo Travel Insurance covers here:

  • Area A : Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
  • Area B : Australia, Cambodia, China (excluding Tibet and Mongolia), Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Macau, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and all countries listed under Area A
  • Area C : Worldwide excluding countries in the Country Exclusion List: Afghanistan, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and Syria
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moneysmart (@moneysmartsg) on May 24, 2022 at 8:00am PST

If you and your squeeze are going to elope and travel the world, you’ll obviously need the most comprehensive and expensive Area C worldwide coverage.

No  lah, won’t get Covid while travelling. Jokes on you, because this Singaporean couple dropped their jobs and tried to travel the world but they got Covid-19 while on holiday in Istanbul.

Here’s Sompo travel insurance’s Covid-19 coverage at a glance:

2. Sompo Travel Insurance’s Coverage includes Covid-19

Before you buy something, you should know exactly what you’re buying. When buying travel insurance, you should know what the plan covers you for.

From baseline baggage loss, flight delay, and medical coverage to Covid-19 coverage and outdoor sports coverage, we broke down the Sompo Travel Insurance here:

Sompo’s basic travel insurance coverage

As with all travel insurance plans, Sompo’s travel insurance covers you for:

  • Personal accident
  • Medical expenses (overseas)
  • Flight delay
  • Missed flight connections ($100 for Essential, $200 for Superior)
  • Overbooked flight
  • Baggage delay/ loss
  • Stolen or lost passport

Those are the basic requirements of any travel insurance. Now, moving on to Covid-19 coverage. Sompo has integrated Covid-19 coverage into their travel insurance plans. So, all Sompo travel insurance plans come with Covid-19 coverage. You don’t need to add on any Covid-19 riders.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pang&Kim (@pangkim.adventure) on Jan 20, 2022 at 8:00am PST

Sompo’s Covid-19 claims & coverage

Sompo’s Covid-19 coverage is actually pretty decent. It starts covering you before you even depart for your holiday. However, as with all travel insurance, there are lots of secret potholes, hidden terms and conditions, and caveats.

Also, what does a travel insurance’s Covid-19 coverage include? Here, we break down Sompo’s Covid-19 claims and coverage for you:

  • Pre-Trip Cancellation : Coverage starts 30 days before your trip. If you or your travelling partner (must be under Sompo travel insurance) gets Covid-19 and you both decide to cancel the holiday, you can claim from Sompo any transport expenses, accommodation, tour agency, cancellation fees that you’ve already pre-paid for.
  • Pre-Trip Postponement:  Again, coverage starts 30 days before your trip. If you or your travel partner (both under Sompo travel insurance) gets Covid-19 and you both decide to postpone your holiday, you can claim from Sompo any rescheduling admin fees charged by your transport and accommodation providers.
  • Shorten Trip due to Covid-19 : If you’re already travelling and you or your travel partner gets Covid-19 and you need to curtail (means to shorten) your trip, you can claim from Sompo any transport, accommodation, and cancellation fees that you’ve already pre-paid. You can also claim economy transport tickets and hotel you’ve had to make to facilitate your return to Singapore.
  • Flights & Accommodation disrupted due to Covid-19 : Already travelling but you or your travel partner got Covid-19 and stalled your plans? Maybe you had to miss your onward flight to the next country and missed the hotel stay too. You can claim from Sompo the new bookings you’ve had to make.
  • Overseas Covid-19 Medical Expenses : If you got Covid-19 while travelling, took a ride on the local ambulance, admitted into their local hospital for Covid-19 treatment, you can claim 45 days’ worth of medical expenses.
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation or Repatriation : If you’re down super serious with Covid-19 and need to be sent back to Singapore for treatment (or body if passed away), all necessary medical evacuation and repatriation transport costs and admin fees will be covered.
  • Overseas Quarantine Allowance : Means if you catch Covid-19 while travelling and the local authorities put you in quarantine, you will get a cash amount everyday you are in quarantine.
  • Overseas Hospital Income : If you get Covid-19 while travelling, you get admitted into the local hospital, you get a cash amount every 24 hours.

However, as with all travel insurance claims, you need to prove to Sompo that you’ve already tried your best and banged tables at your airline, hotel, and travel agency for rescheduling or refunds… but to no avail. Then, you must contact Sompo ASAP and very urgently to let them know about the situation.

Note that there’s also a $100 excess to be paid by you first before Sompo’s coverage kicks in.

3. Sompo Travel Insurance’s Disadvantages

There are several jarring cons to Sompo’s travel insurance that you must know before you buy one.

Frankly, you might want to give Sompo a miss if you’re flying on business class , or using air miles and rewards points such as Agoda points to redeem your hotel stay. You shouldn’t buy Sompo travel insurance if you are setting off on an adrenaline junkie’s adventure-filled trip. Sompo travel insurance’s lack of coverage for outdoor activities is also one of its main drawbacks.

Here, some caveats hidden in Sompo’s travel insurance terms and conditions that you must know:

  • Vaccination:  You must be fully vaccinated according to Singapore’s Covid-19 regulations to be eligible for Sompo’s travel insurance coverage.
  • Waiting period : If you bought Sompo travel insurance today, and get Covid-19 in the next 14 days, you cannot claim(!!).
  • Air Miles/ Credit Card/ Membership Points : If you got your flight or hotel accommodation via any air miles redemption, credit card points, or some sort of hotel membership points redemption, you cannot claim it from Sompo at all.
  • Business Class Tickets/ Hotel Suites : If you only travel  luxury and got yourself Business Class or First Class tickets and deluxe suites, Sompo’s travel insurance cannot reimburse you for your expensive bookings. They can only reimburse you the cheap economy value prices.
  • Specialist Treatments due to Covid-19 : Listen up if you have some health conditions that may be worsened by Covid-19. If you got Covid-19 overseas and you need to have your heart condition, pregnancy, etc. checked out at the same time, you must have a referral letter by the general doctor attending to you in that overseas hospital. Else, you can’t claim those specialised treatments you got overseas even though it’s related to your health and Covid-19.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moneysmart (@moneysmartsg) on May 13, 2022 at 8:00am PST

In terms of outdoor activities, Sompo travel insurance does not cover  activities like scuba diving, car racing (Sepang guys, take note), and professional sports tournaments (sorry Muay Thai and BJJ peeps going to Malaysia or Thailand to compete). If you’re planning to hike the Japan Alps, you won’t be covered.

It’s not explicitly stated in the Sompo terms and conditions  whether activities like skiing, and white water rafting are covered. In the past, the previous Sompo travel insurance was more lenient, stating that some of these sports may be claimable if taken for leisure purposes. However, that clause has since been removed.

If you’re not sure which type of travel insurance you should be buying, here’s a useful guide explaining how to choose travel insurance .

4. Sompo Travel Insurance Claims

According to reviews from Reddit users, Sompo travel insurance’s claims process is smooth and easy. Sompo will take 10 working days to process your claim before they get back to you. If all is done, you will receive your claimed amount via PayNow.

Here are some handy information for your Sompo travel insurance claim:

Emergency hotline: For travel insurance emergencies, call Sompo’s emergency hotline at +65 6532 2522

Online claims: You can submit your Sompo travel insurance claims online via the official Sompo website. Otherwise, you can reach out to [email protected] .

Hard copy claims: Download the claims form and mail with supporting documents to Sompo Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd, 50 Raffles Place, #05-01/06 Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623.

App claims: Download the Sompo SG app and submit the supporting documents via the app. You can take photos on the spot or choose from your files. Claims submitted through the app are instantly submitted and enjoy priority assessment.

Things to note: Claims must be reported within 30 days of your return to Singapore. For useful info on supporting documents needed, refer to Sompo’s claims page.

5. Sompo Travel Insurance Promo Code

Comparing across the board of travel insurance plans that offer COVID-19 coverage , Sompo travel insurance is one of the cheapest. At the moment, there are no ongoing Sompo travel insurance promo codes and promotions. However, the premiums that you’ll be paying is pretty budget-friendly and value-for-money.

6. Sompo Travel Insurance Review

The great thing about Sompo’s Covid-19 travel insurance is the flexibility it offers in rescheduling your travel plans when you unfortunately contract Covid-19.

Compensation for trip cancellation or postponement is offered if you, an immediate family member or a travelling companion also insured by Sompo, got diagnosed with Covid-19 before your departure date (within 30 days). If your travel partner gets Covid-19 , you can choose to claim for your travel expenses rather than go home alone.

On top of that, you can make a claim for having to change your itinerary if your travelling companion or an immediate family member back in Singapore gets diagnosed with Covid-19 and you need to cut short your trip to return to Singapore.

However, considering that Sompo’s Covid-19 coverage kicks in 30 days prior from departure date, but there’s a 14 day waiting period before your coverage can be “activated”, you have to buy your Sompo travel insurance 44 days (or 1.5 months) before your trip.

So… is Sompo travel insurance good?

If you’re planning a leisure holiday well ahead of time that mostly involves an itinerary of eating, shopping and sightseeing, Sompo’s Covid-19 travel insurance plan is well worth looking into. It offers comprehensive Covid-19 coverage on top of the regular policy benefits at wallet-friendly prices.

Given that the price difference does not vary much between the Essential and Superior plans, top up a little extra for the Superior plan to enjoy twice as much coverage.

However, the medical coverage offered by Sompo does pale in comparison to other travel insurance plans in the market. If you’re healthy, vaccinated, and your chances of hospitalisation are close to none due to Covid-19, the Sompo travel insurance is definitely one to consider.

Looking to buy Sompo travel insurance? Compare all Singapore travel insurance policies by price and coverage first .

Related Articles

Travel Insurance Singapore Guide (2023): Must-Knows for Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Airline Travel Insurance – What does SIA, Scoot, Jetstar travel insurance cover?

Best Travel Insurance Plans in Singapore [content outdated due to Covid]

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Be it for work, leisure, or to visit loved ones overseas, travel worry-free with our newly added COVID-19 coverage.

With effect from 5 November 2021, the COVID-19 coverage under our Ultimate and Essential plans will automatically extend to countries under the latest permitted travel arrangements as per the Singapore Government travel advisory at the point of your purchase. Kindly note that some countries may require COVID-19 insurance coverage as a condition of entry. Please ensure you select a plan that meets the requirement of your intended destination(s). For full details of our COVID-19 coverage and exclusions, please refer to the Eligibility and Policy Wording .

Plans and coverage for

  • Other benefits

Enjoy an enhanced COVID-19 coverage Our Essential and Ultimate plans now include COVID-19 coverage under the Singapore Government travel advisory.

To be eligible, the following conditions must be met:

  • You have not served stay home notice, been quarantined due to COVID-19 or travelled to any countries other than the list of countries permitted as per Singapore Government travel advisory within 14 days before the commencement date of your trip.
  • If required by the authorities, you must take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or any COVID-19 equivalent test approved by Singapore authorities within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your trip and must be tested negative. Otherwise, there will be no coverage for overseas medical expenses and repatriation of mortal remains.
  • You have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 at the point of purchase.
  • You are purchasing a single trip two-way and annual multi-trip policies.

The following sub-limits apply for these coverages:

  • Benefits / Sum Insured
  • Essential Plan Enhanced coverage
  • Ultimate Plan Most comprehensive coverage

Medical expenses incurred overseas Covers the medical expenses incurred overseas if the insured is diagnosed with COVID-19 whilst overseas.

Emergency medical evacuation Covers cost required for emergency medical evacuation expenses while overseas if insured person is diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas.

Repatriation and compassionate expenses Covers the cost of transporting Insured Person's body and ashes back to Singapore if he/she dies overseas due to COVID-19.

Travel inconveniences

(If you or a travel companion is diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas)

(If you, a relative, or a travel companion is diagnosed with COVID-19 before your trip commences)

(If you are placed under mandatory quarantine by the local authorities as a result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 while you are overseas)

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$100/day (Up to $1,400)

If you are hospitalized as a result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 while you are overseas

If you are hospitalized or quarantined overseas as a result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 while you are overseas

Up to 30 days

Overall limit per policy

(applicable to group purchases)

Choose from 3 travel insurance plans

Explorer offers you coverage with reimbursement for inconveniences, disruptions and medical expenses incurred while travelling.

Please refer to the table below for the Individual Cover limits. The limits under Family Cover are subject to the Individual Cover limits under the same plan for each Insured Person.

  • Coverage ($)
  • Starter Plan Basic coverage

Accidental Death and Permanent Disablement

Accidental Death on Public Transport

Medical reimbursement

(a)  Medical expenses incurred overseas

(b)  Medical expenses incurred in Singapore

(c)  Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) treatment

Maximum Aggregate Limit for (a), (b) and (c)

Hospital cash

(a)  Hospital confinement

$200 per day

Maximum $20,000

$200 per day Maximum $30,000

Maximum $40,000

$100 per day

Maximum $7,000

Maximum $1,000

Maximum $1,500

(b)  Hospital visitation/compassionate visit

(c) Child companion

Emergency medical evacuation

Repatriation of mortal remains

Emergency telephone charges

Maximum aggregate limit

Trip cancellation

Trip postponement, trip interruption.

Trip curtailment

Overbooked flight

Travel missed connection

Travel delay

$100 Every 6 Hours

Maximum $2,000

Maximum $3,000

Maximum $500

Delay due to hijack

$250 Every 6 Hours

Maximum $7,500

Maximum Aggregate limit for Trip Interruption, Trip Curtailment, Overbooked Flight, Travel Missed Connection, Travel Delay and Delay due to Hijack

Personal liability

Baggage loss

Personal money

Travel documents

Baggage delay

$200 Every 6 Hours

Maximum $200

Kidnap and Hostage

Maximum $5,000

Terrorism extension

Automatic extension of cover

Leisure adventurous activities

Not covered

The limits under Family Cover are subject to limits under the same plan for each Insured Person.

Boost your coverage with optional add-ons Sometimes, your basic travel coverage isn’t enough. That’s why we have 4 add-on options to cater to your travel needs.

  • Optional add-ons

Sports equipment cover

Top-up cover for laptop computer, netbook and tablet under baggage loss

Rental vehicle excess

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Call our 24-hour emergency assistance hotline at +65 6708 7453 for travel and medical assistance. This includes translation assistance, medical advice, arrangement of hospital admission, emergency medical evacuation and more.

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Log in to OCBC Digital app and tap on “Insure and stay protected”.

Tap on “Travel Insurance”. Navigate to the bottom and tap on “Get a quote”.

Input your travel details (promo code will be automatically applied). Then, tap on “View plans” to choose your preferred plan.

Main Applicant’s details will be pre-filled. Input traveller details. Then, tap on “View summary”.

Review your policy and slide to complete the purchase. You’re all set for your trip!

By Online Submission : Submit your  claim online .

Download and print the claims form . Complete the relevant sections. 

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Child coverage

Children aged between 3 months and 18 years old and full-time students below 24 years old can apply for child coverage

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Terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions governing Explorer 40% and 15% Discount

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Get S$28 in cashback + up to 40% off your travel insurance

Common questions about explorer travel insurance.

Yes, you are able to purchase the plan as long as you have fully recovered and are diagnosed as negative for COVID-19.

We will follow all vaccination, pre-departure tests and post-arrival tests requirements imposed by the authorities.

For some countries, self-administered ART, PCR or other self-test kit will not be accepted for pre-departure COVID-19 test to fly out of Singapore.

You must make an appointment from the list of MOH-approved COVID-19 test providers found on MOH website ( https://www.moh.gov.sg/licensing-and-regulation/regulations-guidelines-and-circulars/details/list-of-COVID-19-swab-providers ).

The COVID-19 Trip Cancellation coverage is claimable if you are forced to cancel your trip within the 30 days that it was due to start as a result of you, a relative, or a travel companion being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner in Singapore.

No. COVID-19 is only applicable should the trip is permitted under the latest permitted travel arrangement as per Singapore Government travel advisory.

You may refer to https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/ for more information on the latest travel advisories issued by the Singapore government.

A medical practitioner has to diagnose that you are positive with COVID-19 while overseas. You are required to provide us with supporting documents such as Inpatient Discharge Summary Report (IPDS), doctor’s memo or diagnosis indicated on the Medical Certificate.

A Medical practitioner is a person who is registered and legally qualified as a doctor, has a medical degree in Western medicine, and is authorized by the medical licensing authority of the relevant country to provide the medical or surgical services their licence and training relate to.

The medical practitioner cannot be the insured or an insured person, or:

  • their husband, wife or unmarried partner;
  • their business partner, employer, employee or agent;
  • their travel companion; or
  • any person who is related to an insured person or the insured in any way, including by marriage or adoption.

The policy is designed to protect you during your overseas journey. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 upon arriving in Singapore, after your journey, you will not be covered by the policy.

Terms and conditions governing Explorer Promotion

  • Discounts shall apply on plans purchased online. Offer ends 31 March 2020.
  • No other promotion shall be applied together with the above discount on Single Trip and Annual Plans.
  • OCBC Bank reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion to terminate the promotion or make changes to the promotion or any of these terms and conditions at any time without notice.
  • The decision of OCBC Bank on all matters relating to this promotion shall be final and binding.

Sub-limits are part of the original limit for each coverage. They do not provide extra coverage, but set a maximum to cover a specific loss. For non-COVID-19 coverage, the coverage amount will be as per existing coverage plan .

Covers non-refundable travelling and accommodation expenses, as well as any change in entertainment tickets paid in advance because you or your travel companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, and as a direct result you are forced to change any part of your trip.

Covers the irrecoverable travel (on economy class), accommodation expenses and/or cost of entertainment tickets that were paid in advance if the trip is cancelled due to you, a relative or a travel companion being diagnosed with COVID-19 in Singapore within 30 days prior to the trip commencement.

Covers the irrecoverable administrative charges of travel, accommodation expenses and/or cost of entertainment tickets that were paid in advance if you are forced to postpone your trip within the 30 days before it was due to start as a direct result of you, a relative, or a travel companion being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner in Singapore.

Attention: Claims Department Great Eastern General Insurance Limited 1 Pickering Street, #01-01 Great Eastern Centre, Singapore 048659

Family plan

  • Single Trip Policy : shall mean an Adult and/or his/her spouse and unlimited number of biological or legally adopted children, OR any one or two adults who are not related by marriage and a maximum of four children who must be least Family related (i.e. biological or legally adopted Child or ward, sibling, grandchild, niece, nephew or cousin) to any one of the Adults.
  • Annual Trip Cover : shall mean an Adult and/or his/her spouse and unlimited number of biological or legally adopted Children.

We will only reimburse the overseas medical expenses incurred up to 90 consecutive days from the date you are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner.

If you pass away overseas within 30 days from the date you are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner.

The above is for general information only. It is not a contract of insurance. It does not constitute an offer to buy an insurance product or service. It is also not intended to provide any insurance or financial advice. The precise terms and conditions of the plans are specified in the insurance policy contract. Explorer is underwritten by Great Eastern General Insurance Limited, a   wholly-owned   subsidiary of Great Eastern Holdings Limited and member of the OCBC Group. Explorer is not a bank deposit or obligation of, or guaranteed by OCBC Bank.

No representation or warranty whatsoever (including without limitation any representation or warranty as to accuracy, usefulness, adequacy, timeliness or completeness) in respect of any information (including without limitation any statement, figures, opinion, view or estimate) provided herein is given by OCBC Bank and it should not be relied upon as such. OCBC Bank does not undertake an obligation to update the information or to correct any inaccuracy that may become apparent at a later time. All information presented is subject to change without notice. OCBC Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly howsoever in connection with or as a result of any person acting on any information provided herein.

Claims arising from events that have already occurred or made known to public via authorities or media before your application will not be covered.

Information presented as at 1 January 2024.

Policy Owner's Protection Scheme

This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the General Insurance Association (GIA) or SDIC websites ( www.gia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg ).

Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme

Via ocbc online banking.

Via Great Eastern

More convenience with prepopulated personal details when you buy insurance via OCBC Online Banking. Choose to pay with your OCBC Savings/Current Account or OCBC Credit/Debit Card.

By clicking on "Apply now", you will be leaving the OCBC Bank website to Great Eastern's website. OCBC Bank has no control over this website and is not responsible for its contents.

You are leaving the OCBC Bank's website to access Great Eastern's website.

By clicking on "Proceed", you acknowledge the following:

  • You have chosen not to seek advice on the suitability of this product. You should consider if this product is suitable for your financial circumstances or needs.

Clinics offering PCR swab tests

OneCare Medical

  • 4 Woodlands Street 12, #02-57, Singapore 738623, Tel: +65 6363 2919
  • 1 Raffles Place, #05-15/16, Singapore 048616, Tel: +65 6532 2692
  • 315 Upper Changi Road, #01-01, Singapore 467347, Tel: +65 6970 0813
  • Blk 449 Clementi Avenue 3, #01-241 Lot C, Singapore 120449, Tel: +65 6970 9300
  • 15 Petir Road, #01-66 Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub, Singapore 678270, Tel: +65 6518 4055

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singapore travel insurance that covers covid

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City Nomads

COVID-19 Travel Insurance: The Best Coverage for Medical Costs, Cancellations, and More for Singapore Travellers

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

PUBLISHED December 13th, 2021 05:00 am | UPDATED July 27th, 2022 04:11 pm

Remember the days we could hop on a plane without a care in the world? Post-pandemic , travellers have more to worry about than a once-in-a-blue-moon case of lost luggage . COVID-19 remains a travel risk that can rack up hefty bills when it strikes, from medical costs to quarantine woes to trip cancellations. That means travel insurance is no longer an extra frill – it’s a safety net you can’t skimp on.

As Singapore launches VTLs in quick succession, insurance providers are fast catching up with policies featuring COVID-19 coverage. We’ve combed through the fine print to pick out the best single-trip travel insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage for Singapore travellers, from the budget-friendly to the comprehensive.

Allianz Travel Insurance

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

For comprehensive coverage at a pocket-friendly price, there’s no beating Allianz Travel’s Comprehensive Bronze  policy. This single-trip plan has you covered in medical emergencies with up to S$1,000,000 in benefits, including selected COVID-19 coverage. Should your trip be cancelled because you test positive for COVID-19 prior to departure – or other covered reasons – you can claim coverage of up to S$15,000. You’ll also get the benefit of peace of mind with 24/7 assistance – their Emergency Medical Assistance team can arrange appointments and even organise direct payment to selected providers.

Their fuss-free claim process is a plus point – unlike providers which require original documents, you can simply upload a scan or photo of your documents to Allianz Travel’s online portal. Folks planning on a longer time abroad can consider their International Health Insurance too. Working much like health insurance at home, this multi-country plan covers not just emergency treatment but also diagnosis and post-treatment care. With 24/7 multilingual support, always-on digital services, and telehealth consultations, it’s ideal for expat families or professionals working abroad.

Allianz Travel ‘s Comprehensive Bronze Plan starts from S$35.10 for Single-Trip Travel Insurance. City Nomads readers can enjoy 40% off travel insurance with the exclusive promo code citynomads40 , from now till 28 February 2022. Get your quote here . 

AIG Travel Guard

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

There’s nothing like a quarantine order to derail your travel plans in an instant, but having your expenses covered offers some small relief. One major perk of AIG Travel Guard’s COVID-19 coverage is a S$100-per-day quarantine allowance across all policy tiers, in the event that COVID-19 strikes and leaves you in self-isolation.

Their mid-tier Superior Plan offers a stellar range of COVID-19 benefits besides, with up to S$250,000 in coverage for your overseas medical expenses and a 24/7 emergency hotline to count on. Should you test positive for COVID-19 before or during your vacay, there’re travel cancellation and curtailment benefits of up to S$5,000 – more than enough for mid-range trips.

AIG’s Travel Guard Superior Plan starts from S$69 for one-week single-trip travel insurance within Zone 1 countries. Find out more here . 

NTUC Income Travel Insurance

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

If you’re on a slim budget, make your coverage count with NTUC Income’s frills-free Classic Plan . Automatically included for all single-trip insurance plans, their COVID-19 Coverage Extension offers up to S$150,000 in related medical expenses, and another S$150,000 for emergency medical evacuation needs. For trip cancellations and postponement, you can recoup some losses with a modest S$2,000 in benefits.

Pandemic mishaps aside, the Classic Plan packs solid coverage for personal accidents to the tune of S$150,000, and up to S$250,000 for non-COVID-19 medical expenses. The cherry on top? NTUC Income has partnered with Raffles Medical to offer pre-departure COVID-19 PCR tests at a discounted rate of S$124.20, available upon purchase of a single-trip plan.

NTUC Income’s Classic Plan starts from S$43.32 for a one-week trip within Southeast Asia. Find out more here . 

HL Assurance Travel Protect360

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

In terms of COVID-19 medical benefits, HL Assurance’s Travel Protect360 Enhanced Plan  sits on the lower end of the spectrum – up to S$50,000 coverage for medical expenses. But it comes with unique features like overseas hospitalization cash benefit of S$100 for every 24 hours, as well as unlimited coverage for medical evacuation.

For trip cancellations and postponement due to COVID-19, the policy extends up to S$1,000 and S$750 in benefits respectively – a fairly slim coverage that may be best suited to weekend getaways. Another unique feature, however, is their No Claim Discount. If you complete a trip without making any claims from your travel insurance, you can enjoy up to 10% off your next travel insurance purchase with HL Assurance.

HL Assurance’s Travel Protect360 Enhanced Plan starts from S$79 for a one-week trip within Southeast Asia; currently, the brand is offering a half-price discount at S$39.50. Find out more here . 

Singlife Travel Insurance

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

If you’re after a truly comprehensive safety net to put your mind at ease, Singlife’s Travel Prestige plan has all the bases on medical expenses covered. This top-tier policy features unlimited coverage for overseas medical expenses, albeit with a maximum of S$20,000 to cover medical costs related to COVID-19. Grounded in quarantine overseas? Take comfort in an allowance of S$100 for every 24 hours. There’s unlimited coverage for emergency medical repatriation due to COVID-19 too.

Outside of COVID-19 woes, this plan is a notable all-rounder. Besides generous benefits on personal accident protection and overseas hospitalization income, you’re covered for emergency chiropractor and Chinese physician treatments too.

Singlife’s Travel Prestige plan starts from S$69.43 for a one-week trip within ASEAN countries. Find out more here . 

Great Eastern TravelSmart Premier

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

If you’re travelling to a VTL destination, Great Eastern’s TravelSmart Premier with COVID-19 coverage is another ultra-comprehensive option. Their plan’s Elite  tier involves up to S$150,000 coverage for medical and hospitalization expenses should you be diagnosed with COVID-19. And should the worst happen before your trip, the cancellation and disruption benefits of up to S$5,000 have your wallet well-covered.

For medical expenses non-related to COVID-19, it’s worth noting that Great Eastern’s plan has your back for both overseas and Singapore expenses – including hospital stays upon return to Singapore, TCM, and chiropractic treatments. You can count on their emergency assistance services for 24-hour help too.

Great Eastern’s TravelSmart Premier Elite plan starts from S$67 for a one-week trip within VTL countries. Find out more here . 

Top Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

jolene-hee

Deputy Editor

Jolene has a major sweet tooth and would happily eat pastries for all meals. When she’s not dreaming of cheesecake, she can be found in the dance studio, working on craft projects, or curled up with a good book.

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Follow our news, recent searches, travel insurance: do you still need covid-19 coverage, advertisement.

Is COVID-19 coverage essential when buying a travel insurance plan, and what do you need to look out for in a policy?

Young woman at the airport checking the flight schedule. (Photo: iStock)

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Yasmin Begum

SINGAPORE: The year-end holidays are just around the corner. Many of us are planning to travel overseas again after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many countries are welcoming back visitors after easing or lifting their COVID-19 entry restrictions .

But at the same time, new COVID-19 variants have been popping up across the globe. And this is why insurers are advising holiday makers to make sure they get the right coverage when choosing a travel insurance plan. 

IS COVID-19 COVERAGE IMPORTANT? 

A travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage is necessary, said Mr Alan Wong, a financial service director at Prudential and an authorised agent of AIG Singapore

He added that the possibility of contracting COVID-19 before and during one’s travel is still high and such coverage will take care of most of the costs related to medical expenses, travel cancellation, travel postponement, travel curtailment and overseas COVID-19 diagnosis quarantine allowance.

Ms Winnie Loh, founder and director of Ad Maiora, an insurance agency, agreed that COVID-19 coverage is important.  She also noted that the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in many countries.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN TERMS OF COVID-19 COVERAGE? 

Mr Wong recommended that travellers look out for the limit of COVID-19 coverage in their travel insurance policies to check to see if it's sufficient to cover the cancellation cost of one’s air tickets, accommodation and itinerary.

"For example, airfare costs S$3,000 and accommodation costs S$2,000 but the trip cancellation limit is only S$2,500. Thus only part of the cost is covered," he explained.

Mr Chandramogan, an executive senior financial planner with Great Eastern Singapore, also said it is important to find out the sub-limits of the benefits included in the travel insurance plan.

“There could be a case where a person could be down due to COVID-19 and might need to cancel, postpone the trip or suffer some travel disruption either before, during or after the trip,” he said.

"For such situations, insurance companies will reimburse based on the sub-limit of (the) plan for expenses incurred during these situations."

The destination should also play a part when deciding on a plan, he added.

He said: "For example, in the US, medical costs can be crazy and depending on the type of hospital and number of days, you might incur quite a hefty amount."

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

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How early should you buy travel insurance.

Buy early and think of it as a way to “maximise your coverage” in case you need to cancel your flight, said Ms Loh.

Others insurers also recommended that travellers buy their travel insurance plan as soon as they book their plane tickets and accommodation.

This is because some people may have to cancel or postpone their trips due to a variety of reasons, including injury or death.

With COVID-19 coverage, those diagnosed with the coronavirus will be covered if they cancel or postpone their trips, said Mr Wong. 

WHAT ARE COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID? 

Some common mistakes travellers make would be choosing the cheapest travel insurance policy available without ensuring that the coverage is sufficient.

Mr Chandramogan said that one might be infected with COVID-19 while overseas and depending on the COVID-19 measures and protocol in that country, you might find yourself incurring a huge bill.

Some people also prefer to purchase travel insurance online instead of through an agent, said Mr Wong.

He said: "The claims process might not be straightforward in some cases and it might result in some claims being rejected."

Mr Chandramogan echoed his view, saying that there  are many scenarios that can happen while overseas and it may be hard for an individual to self-manage the claim.

"Imagine you are overseas and you are in an accident, I doubt you will be in the right frame of mind to know how to do your own claim," he said, noting that buying travel insurance policies online can be "slightly cheaper".

He added that t he claim requirements and documents needed vary according to the type of claims made, so it saves the claimant "a lot of hassle" if there is someone telling him or her what to do.

He said: "You do not want to come back thinking you can claim, (only) to realise that you are unable to because you did not get the right documents."

Another piece of advice: Don't save on travel insurance even for a short trip to a neighbouring country. 

"There are many cases of items being stolen, (travellers being) met with road accidents and incidents of food poisoning occurring during short trips and consumers did not purchase any travel insurance to cover these," said Mr Wong. 

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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Travel Protection

When you’re planning your holiday, you don’t plan for all the things that could go wrong. Take out the right cover and you won’t have to.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Overseas Travel Insurance

Chubb Travel Insurance offers customisable cover for individuals and families with worldwide access to medical assistance.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Inbound Travel Insurance

SG Travel Insured is a travel insurance plan specially designed for foreign traveller arriving in Singapore, excluding Singapore Residents.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Staycation Insurance

Travel Local is designed to provide domestic travellers with greater peace of mind when taking a local holiday or staycation.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Coach & Ferry Travel Insurance

Protection against travel inconveniences and medical coverages for coach and ferry commuters.

Make Chubb a part of your travel plan. As a global leader in the provision of travel insurance products and services, covering millions of travellers around the world, Chubb's suite of travel insurance plans provides you and your loved ones with benefits like Covid-19 coverage for overseas medical expenses, journey cancellation and curtailment, emergency medical evacuation, travel inconveniences and more. We offer a wide variety of plan types with different levels of cover and optional add-ons, so you have the flexibility to choose something that's catered to your specific travel needs. Whether you're a leisure or business traveller, you'll have access to a dedicated overseas emergency hotline - Chubb Assistance. Chubb Assistance operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need emergency aid or require advice on available medical resources or facilities at your travel destination, you can be comforted in knowing that Chubb Assistance is there for you.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

4 Reasons to Get Travel Insurance

If you’re considering traveling for business or leisure, travel insurance can help give you peace of mind in case not everything goes as expected.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

Best Practices for International Travel During COVID-19

If you have upcoming trips planned, here are some useful tips to help keep you a little safer as you resume your travels.

singapore travel insurance that covers covid

8 Ways to Safely Travel Abroad

Travellers often face all kinds of risks and challenges in foreign countries, due to the differences in language, culture, politics, and economics. Here's a quick list of things to think about as you plan your trip.

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Evaluating the Value and Benefits

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews ( here's how we assess insurance products ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners ; however, our opinions are our own.

  • Travel insurance covers risks like trip cancellations, health emergencies, and lost luggage.
  • Travel insurance costs can range from 4% to 12% of your total trip cost.
  • Travel insurance is best for trips that are long, expensive, nonrefundable, and international.

Vacations can be very expensive. If you're paying a lot for yours, you might wonder if you should purchase travel insurance, especially when some costs are nonrefundable.

The answer isn't always cut-and-dried. Travel insurance isn't necessary for everyone. Whether you need it will depend on a variety of factors. Here are some key points to consider when deciding if travel insurance suits you.

Introduction to travel insurance

When planning a trip, it's essential to think about how you'll protect yourself from the unexpected. That's where travel insurance comes in. It can cover various risks like loss of personal belongings, checked baggage, and more. With the appropriate coverage, you can nullify or mitigate the potential losses. "Plain and simple, travel insurance is a layer of protection against financial loss," says Brad Cummins, owner and principal agent for Insurance Geek , an insurance comparison platform. "Whether it be lost luggage or a lost passport, travel insurance will cover the extra costs during these unfortunate events."

Benefits of travel insurance

Protection against unforeseen cancellation.

One of the top reasons to acquire travel insurance is to cover potential losses from trip cancellations. When canceling a trip due to a covered cause, travel insurance will reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. 

Some covered causes for travel cancellations include:

  • Sickness, injury, or death of traveler or family member of traveler
  • Inclement weather
  • Unexpected work or layoffs
  • Terrorist incidents in a travel location

Some travel insurance covers trip cancellations regardless of the reason. However, you make certain trade-offs when you enroll in a  "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) insurance policy . These policies are more expensive and may only refund a percentage of your trip's cost. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance  here.

Financial security and peace of mind

While your travel insurance covers any unforeseen issues before your trip, it continues to cover you even after your flight has taken off.

For example, you don't have to be as anxious at baggage claim when your fellow passengers have claimed their luggage and yours hasn't come out yet. Travel insurance offers lost luggage protection and can cover any necessary purchases while you wait for your late luggage to arrive, such as toiletries and a change of clothes.

Medical coverage on travel insurance  can also offer peace of mind as most US health insurers don't provide coverage when you're abroad. A comprehensive travel insurance plan will cover you in an unexpected accident or emergency so you can seek medical attention for an injury sustained while traveling without worrying about mounting medical bills.

Evaluating the cost of travel insurance

The average cost of travel insurance is 5%-6% of your total trip cost. However, the exact cost will vary based on factors such as your age, travel destination, and where you live, and can be as little as 4% of your trip cost or as high as 12% of your trip cost.

If you're wondering whether travel insurance is worth it, you're not alone. There are a few things to consider. If an emergency arises on your trip, travel insurance can reimburse part or all of your vacation expenditure. However, this will depend on factors such as your trip type and whether it's refundable.

Cost vs. potential savings

In general, travel insurance is worth it if you're concerned about losing money if your trip is called off or delayed or if you're worried about medical bills while traveling. However, conducting thorough research and understanding the costs and coverage provided is critical before purchasing a policy.

For example, older travelers or those with pre-existing medical conditions may pay more for their insurance. Similarly, those traveling to high-risk destinations or participating in high-risk activities may also face higher premiums. 

Ultimately, it's important to shop around and compare quotes from different travel insurance companies to find the best coverage and rate for your needs. You can find our picks for the best travel insurance companies here. 

Cost-benefit analysis for different trip types

Travel insurance may be a wise investment if you've already paid for your and can't change or cancel your trip without penalty. Suppose your trip is canceled or disrupted due to a covered cause. In that case, travel insurance will cover the trip's cost and any other nonrefundable expenditures up to a pre-determined amount.

If you're heading to a country where your health coverage doesn't apply, or if you don't have any health insurance at all, travel insurance might provide the protection you need. Travel insurance can also assist you in case of medical emergencies. It's vital to understand that not all travel insurance policies are created equal. Be sure to carefully study the details and understand what is and isn't covered before purchasing one.

Scenarios where travel insurance is essential

Expensive vacations and long-term travel.

It's a good idea to insure trips with a high, nonrefundable price tag because you'll never forgive yourself if your expensive, once-in-a-lifetime trip gets canceled and your money and planning go down the drain. For these vacations, you'll want to find a policy that covers 100% of expenses.

Similarly, if you have long-term travel plans, you'll want to have a policy that protects against travel interruption in case something cuts your plans short. You'll also want medical coverage during extended stay outside the country.

High-risk destinations and activities

High-risk destinations include regions facing political instability, war zones, and areas prone to natural disasters. Travelers headed to these areas should look into travel insurance in case their trip is canceled due to an unforeseen event. 

Additionally, certain areas are known for the thrilling activities they offer, like skydiving and bungee jumping. If you have extreme sports on your itinerary or believe you might build up the courage to plunge down a canyon, you may want to invest in a travel insurance policy. Keep in mind that some travel insurance policies don't cover high-risk activities, so shop carefully.

When travel insurance may not be necessary

Low-risk, short, or domestic trips.

There are also some situations in which you might not need travel insurance. If you are traveling within the US, you do not need travel insurance for health reasons since most health insurance plans will cover you even if you're not in your home state. 

Additionally, travel insurance may not be necessary if you're only traveling over the weekend or exclusively booked refundable experiences.

Making an informed decision

There are a few key considerations when buying a travel insurance policy. The cost of the policy is one factor, but it's also important to look at the coverage limits and what is included and excluded in the policy. Be sure to read the fine print carefully and compare policies between different companies. 

It's also important to consider the purpose of your travel insurance policy. If you're going on a trip where you'll be doing adventurous activities, ensure your policy covers those activities. Finally, remember that travel insurance is there to protect you in case something goes wrong on your trip, so don't hesitate to use it if you need to.

If you decide that you need travel insurance, here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a policy:

  • Read the fine print of any policy you are considering to understand what is and is not covered. This is especially important for those who want to add special coverage options. 
  • Compare policies from different providers to find the best coverage at the best price.
  • Purchase your policy well in advance of your trip so that you are covered in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Ensure you're covered for pre-existing conditions because a number of policies will exclude pre-existing conditions if you don't pay extra for a waiver or additional coverage. 

Buying travel insurance can be a pretty quick and painless process, thanks to insurance aggregator sites like SquareMouth .

Using SquareMouth is one of the easiest ways to see multiple coverage options simultaneously. Once you've entered some personal details and information regarding your trip, you'll see a variety of insurance providers and plans from which to choose.

Assessing personal and trip risks

The first consideration you should factor into travel insurance is how much of your trip is already paid for. If you've prepaid for most or all of your travel expenses, you may want to purchase travel insurance if you have to cancel.

Another thing to consider is where you will be traveling. If you are visiting multiple countries, getting insurance that covers you in all of them might be a good idea.

Your age and overall health can also determine whether you need travel insurance. Suppose you are older or have pre-existing medical conditions, for example. In that case, it might be a good idea to purchase travel insurance if you need to cancel your trip or incur unexpected medical expenses.

Lastly, the value of your luggage can also be a factor to consider. If you plan to bring expensive items with you on your trip, it might be worth purchasing travel insurance to cover lost or stolen luggage.

Reviewing policy options and exclusions

When it comes to travel insurance, the ease of use will depend on the provider you choose. If you're working with a reputable insurer, then the process should be relatively straightforward. However, it's still important to understand what is and isn't included in your policy before you purchase it. This way, you can be sure that you're getting the coverage you need and that you won't be caught off guard by any fine print.

Travel insurance isn't necessary for everyone or every trip. But it can bring a lot of peace of mind during your travels and can certainly translate into significant savings if you're faced with a medical emergency while on your trip. It's best to do your research, compare plans, and understand your own level of risk when it comes to deciding whether or not to purchase coverage.

Travel insurance frequently asked questions

Travel insurance is highly recommended for trips that are long and expensive. For example, you should buy travel insurance for any international trips, cruises, adventure travels, and trips with significant pre-paid expenses.

To say that travel insurance will save you money in the long run isn't entirely accurate. Travel insurance will save you money when things go wrong, but it won't save you any money if your trip goes smoothly.

Short domestic trips don't necessitate travel insurance. Most health insurance policies cover you from state to state, so unless you're worried about unexpected cancellations, travel insurance isn't a must-have.

Travel insurance policies commonly exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, extreme sports injuries, and travel to high-risk countries.

Cost-benefit considerations should include the total cost of your trip, the refundability of your expenses, your destination's healthcare costs, and your personal health and travel risks.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

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singapore travel insurance that covers covid

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IMAGES

  1. Best Travel Insurance in Singapore with Covid-19 Coverage

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

  2. How AXA Wanderlust Travel Insurance Protects Your Holiday Trip During

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

  3. Travel Insurance Guide in COVID-19 times

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

  4. Foreign visitors can buy travel insurance for COVID-19 costs

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

  5. Best Travel COVID-19 Insurance in Singapore

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

  6. COVID travel insurance: What's covered (and what isn't) for trips

    singapore travel insurance that covers covid

COMMENTS

  1. 6 Best Travel Insurance with COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore (2024)

    Bubblegum Travel Insurance. $42. - Overseas medical expenses: $150,000. - Trip cancellation: $5,000. - Trip cancellation or disruption: $600. - Overseas medical expenses: $65,000. FWD Travel Insurance. $32 - $56 (Add $11-22 for COVID-19 coverage) - Overseas medical expenses: $200,000 - $1,000,000.

  2. Best Travel Insurance with COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore

    SingSaver Exclusive: Travel Insurance Promotions in Singapore. Allianz. Use promo code SSVAZ to get 57% discount and receive an Apple AirTag (worth S$45) (min $60 premium). Valid till 8 March 2024. T&Cs apply. Tiq. Use the promo code TIQSINGSAVER to get 47% off on Single Trip plans plus first 1,000 purchases will receive an eSIM by JetPac with ...

  3. 5 best travel insurance plans in Singapore with Covid-19 ...

    1. FWD travel insurance + Covid-19 coverage. FWD offers some of the cheapest travel insurance plans in Singapore, so this is a budget-friendly option if you're already baulking at the cost of all ...

  4. TravellerShield Plus

    It covers travel to all destinations, except destinations that are excluded from COVID-19 Cover* and Cuba. View all COVID-19 benefits here. *Please note that this is subject to change, depending on the development of the COVID-19 situation. For policies purchased on or before 5 November 2021, the COVID-19 Cover will not be applicable.

  5. Inbound Travel Insurance

    Inbound Travel Insurance. SG Travel Insured is a COVID-19 travel insurance plan specially designed for short-term foreign visitors arriving in Singapore, excluding Singapore Residents. Get a Quote. As part of the COVID-19 travel insurance and medical treatment guidelines for inbound travellers, all short-term visitors who are not vaccinated ...

  6. Best Travel Insurance Plans With COVID-19 Coverage (2024)

    Best Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage in Singapore. Jump to: Overview of travel insurance plans. TIQ Travel Insurance. FWD Travel Insurance. Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance. Allianz Travel Insurance. MSIG TravelEasy. Singlife Travel Insurance.

  7. Buy Travel Insurance Online With Covid Benefit

    Instant travel insurance with Travel Cover. Get travel insurance now. Download Grab app. Overview. Travel Cover gives you the travel insurance coverage you need for your vacations from as low as S$3.90 a day. From now till 30 June 2023, enjoy 50% OFF* your first Travel Cover purchase. *T&C apply. Scan the QR code to buy now.

  8. New insurance coverage for inbound travellers to cover Covid-19 related

    A minimum of S$30,000 in coverage is recommended by the Ministry of Health based on Covid-19 bill sizes at private hospitals, which is where inbound travellers typically receive care for Covid-19. (Please see Annex for the list of insurers and their insurance plans). Inbound foreign travellers entering Singapore via the various Safe Travel ...

  9. TravelSure

    Up to $8,000. Personal. Liability. Up to $1,000,000. COVID-19. Covered. The limits shown above are based on Individual sum insured. Learn more about the full coverage details.

  10. Ensure to insure: Which travel insurance policies provide Covid-19

    While travel insurance policies may offer very generous coverage of overseas medical expenses, Covid-19 treatment is usually a much smaller amount. For example, AXA SmartTraveller offers up to ...

  11. Travel Insurance For Trips To Singapore

    Travel insurance with Covid-19 medical coverage is required for all travelers entering Singapore. "You must have at least $30,000 of medical coverage for Covid-19-related medical treatment and ...

  12. Best Travel Insurance Singapore 2024 with COVID-19 Coverage

    From S$30.07. Allianz Travel Insurance. - Up to S$1 million for your emergency medical and dental expenses for the Platinum plan (ages 69 years and below) - Up to S$15,000 for trip cancellations or disruptions. From S$64.00. Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance. - Up to S$200,000 coverage for overseas medical expenses.

  13. Best Covid Travel Insurance Singapore: Sompo No PCR

    Sompo lets Essential/Superior policyholders claim up to $700/$1,400 overseas quarantine allowance, OR up to $700/$1,400 for overseas hospital income if diagnosed with Covid-19 while overseas. You can make a claim under one category only. Affordably priced for the amount of coverage.

  14. Travel Insurance

    Simply add travel insurance while you're making a new flight booking on singaporeair.com, or to an existing itinerary via Manage Booking . Add travel insurance. Selected Coverage for Epidemic and Pandemic Diseases - Including Covid-19 - On All Policies*. Holidays are one of life's great pleasures, and we want you to travel with peace of mind.

  15. Sompo Travel Insurance Covid-19 Singapore: Review (2022)

    Sompo travel insurance's lack of coverage for outdoor activities is also one of its main drawbacks. Here, some caveats hidden in Sompo's travel insurance terms and conditions that you must know: Vaccination: You must be fully vaccinated according to Singapore's Covid-19 regulations to be eligible for Sompo's travel insurance coverage.

  16. Explorer Travel Insurance

    For full details of our COVID-19 coverage and exclusions, please refer to the Eligibility and Policy Wording. Covers loss or damage to baggage, clothing and personal effects. Maximum $500 for any one article or a pair or a set of articles, $1,000 in the aggregate for laptop computer, netbook and tablet and $500 in the aggregate for handphones ...

  17. COVID-19 Travel Insurance: The Best Coverage for Medical Costs

    As Singapore launches VTLs in quick succession, insurance providers are fast catching up with policies featuring COVID-19 coverage. We've combed through the fine print to pick out the best single-trip travel insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage for Singapore travellers, from the budget-friendly to the comprehensive.

  18. Travel insurance: Do you still need COVID-19 coverage?

    A travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage is necessary, said Mr Alan Wong, a financial service director at Prudential and an authorised agent of AIG Singapore. He added that the possibility ...

  19. Singapore Travel Insurance

    Singapore recently removed the travel medical insurance requirement for visitors. Previously travelers needed to secure coverage for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalization with a minimum coverage amount of $30,000. Although, the coverage requirement has been lifted, we highly recommend that travelers still purchase travel ...

  20. Travel Protection

    Make Chubb a part of your travel plan. As a global leader in the provision of travel insurance products and services, covering millions of travellers around the world, Chubb's suite of travel insurance plans provides you and your loved ones with benefits like Covid-19 coverage for overseas medical expenses, journey cancellation and curtailment, emergency medical evacuation, travel ...

  21. Travel Insurance

    Travel has changed dramatically since Covid-19 became a worldwide pandemic. Singapore Airlines cares that our passengers are able to travel safe with confidence again. Our travel insurance covers selected benefits if, during your period of cover, you are positively diagnosed as suffering Covid-19 sickness and depending on your policy.

  22. Travel Insurance for Singapore: Buy online & secure your trip

    Yes, ACKO's travel insurance for Singapore covers Covid 19. How much does travel insurance cost for Singapore? Usually, the cost of travel insurance will be around 4-10% of your trip cost. Disclaimer: The plans, services, features, processes, and other details mentioned on this page are subject to availability and change. Baggage cover for up ...

  23. TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance Plan

    TravellerShield Plus customers receive automatic COVID-19 coverage. View all COVID-19 benefits. Overseas Medical Expenses. S$1,000,000. S$500,000. S$300,000. Continuation of Medical Treatment after Return to Singapore. S$75,000. S$50,000.

  24. Assessing the Value of Travel Insurance for Your Trips

    Travel insurance costs can range from 4% to 12% of your total trip cost. Travel insurance is best for trips that are long, expensive, nonrefundable, and international. Vacations can be very expensive.

  25. Singapore Eases More Mask Rules as Covid Treated as Endemic

    Singapore will further ease mask-wearing rules in health care facilities, saying the country has adjusted to living with Covid-19 as endemic without having to impose new curbs even during two ...