does ntuc income travel insurance cover covid

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

NTUC Income adds Covid-19 insurance coverage for overseas travel

(THE BUSINESS TIMES) - NTUC Income customers who buy its travel insurance will now receive Covid-19 coverage as well, for medical-related expenses while overseas.

Outbound travellers, departing Singapore, who are covered by Income's single-trip insurance will be protected for the first 90 days of each trip for Covid-19 related hospitalisation expenses of up to US$100,000 (S$133,900) while abroad.

They will also be covered for costs incurred for medical evacuation or repatriation of up to US$100,000, if necessary.

These Covid-19 benefits are automatically included in single-trip insurance plans purchased from Thursday (Nov 26) - including plans covering pre-existing conditions - and also for travel dates starting Thursday.

However, the Covid-19 benefits will be excluded from travel insurance for trips to countries that the World Health Organization deems as high risk for Covid-19 at the point of purchase.

Policyholders with existing annual travel insurance plans from Income can contact the insurer to find out about getting covered by these benefits for upcoming travel.

Fabian Ng, Income's general manager for consumer business, said that there are some individuals who will need to travel for necessary business-related and other essential matters, even as overseas travel is still restricted in general.

"Nevertheless, we urge everyone to take all necessary precautions when planning your travels as there are countries that are seeing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases or are still experiencing a high number of infections," Mr Ng added.

The Business Times (BT) reported last month that most travel insurance products do not cover Covid-19 related claims, although market leaders including Income had been reviewing some of their offerings.

Income told BT at the time that it may develop a product to cover inbound travellers to Singapore. On Thursday, an Income spokesperson said in response to BT's queries that the insurer is, at the moment, focusing on providing suitable Covid-19 cover for Singapore-based residents so that they can travel overseas with a greater peace of mind.

AXA Insurance currently offers Covid-19 travel cover for Scoot passengers on flights departing Singapore, and will soon be making such coverage available to all travellers regardless of the airline they fly, Julien Callard, its managing director, retail & health, told The Straits Times on Thursday.

Last week, Changi Airport Group and the Singapore Tourism Board announced that three insurance companies had each developed Covid-19 travel insurance plans for foreign visitors entering Singapore.

The three - AIG Asia Pacific Insurance, Chubb Insurance Singapore and HL Assurance - are providing at least S$30,000 in coverage for Covid-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs for inbound travellers to the city-state.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

• Entertainment

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

[[nid:549261]]

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 .

City Nomads

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Related Posts

Restaurant Review: French Fine Dining In A Home At Vianney Massot Restaurant, Singapore

Haji Lane & Kampong Gelam Dining Guide: Best Restaurants, Bars & Cafes in Singapore’s Cultural Enclave

Restaurant Review: The Goodburger Serves Up Kinder, Eco-Friendly Burgers In A Food Truck

Cuisine culture city guides we've got you covered..

• Companies & Markets

Banking & Finance

• Reits & Property
• Energy & Commodities
• Telcos, Media & Tech
• Transport & Logistics
• Consumer & Healthcare
• Capital Markets & Currencies

NTUC Income adds Covid-19 insurance coverage for overseas travel

NTUC Income customers who buy its travel insurance will now receive Covid-19 coverage as well, for medical-related expenses while overseas.

Outbound travellers, departing Singapore, who are covered by Income's single-trip insurance will be protected for the first 90 days of each trip for Covid-19 related hospitalisation expenses of up to US$100,000 while abroad.

They will also be covered for costs incurred for medical evacuation or repatriation of up to US$100,000, if necessary.

These Covid-19 benefits are automatically included in single-trip insurance plans purchased from Thursday - including plans covering pre-existing conditions - and also for travel dates starting Thursday.

However, the Covid-19 benefits will be excluded from travel insurance for trips to countries that the World Health Organization deems as high risk for Covid-19 at the point of purchase.

Policyholders with existing annual travel insurance plans from Income can contact the insurer to find out about getting covered by these benefits for upcoming travel.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.

Fabian Ng, Income's general manager for consumer business, said that there are some individuals who will need to travel for necessary business-related and other essential matters, even as overseas travel is still restricted in general.

"Nevertheless, we urge everyone to take all necessary precautions when planning your travels as there are countries that are seeing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases or are still experiencing a high number of infections," Mr Ng added.

The Business Times (BT) reported last month that most travel insurance products do not cover Covid-19 related claims, although market leaders including Income had been reviewing some of their offerings .

Income told BT at the time that it may develop a product to cover inbound travellers to Singapore. On Thursday, an Income spokesperson said in response to BT's queries that the insurer is, at the moment, focusing on providing suitable Covid-19 cover for Singapore-based residents so that they can travel overseas with a greater peace of mind.

Last week, Changi Airport Group and the Singapore Tourism Board announced that three insurance companies had each developed Covid-19 travel insurance plans for foreign visitors entering Singapore .

The three - AIG Asia Pacific Insurance, Chubb Insurance Singapore and HL Assurance - are providing at least S$30,000 in coverage for Covid-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs for inbound travellers to the city-state.

KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to   t.me/BizTimes

Jack Ma-backed Ant’s profit fell 19% as regulations curb growth

Warburg pincus is relocating a new york dealmaker to singapore, china extradition worries grow for convicted money launderer deported to cambodia, coinbase investigating system outage as crypto prices slide, blackstone-led consortium eyes snacks business of india’s haldiram’s: sources, japanese bond yields climb to decade highs on boj policy bets, support south-east asia's leading financial daily.

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

Browse corporate subscription here

• International
• Opinion & Features
• Startups & Tech
• Working Life
• Events & Awards
• Breaking News
• Newsletters
• Food & Drink
• Style & Travel
• Arts & Design
• Health & Wellness
• Paid Press Releases
• advertise with us
• privacy policy
• terms & conditions
• cookie policy
• data protection policy

SPH MEDIA DIGITAL NEWS

MCI (P) 064/10/2023 © 2024 SPH MEDIA LIMITED. REGN NO. 202120748H

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

Will My Travel Insurance Cover Coronavirus?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you have upcoming travel plans and are considering a travel insurance policy, check if it covers COVID. Not all providers do, and it's important to know for sure. So, does your travel insurance cover COVID? How can you tell?

As with many things in life, the short answer is: "It depends." And the long answer is: You can only start to determine if your insurance covers COVID when you understand what type of coverage you have, which provider you bought it from and what the exact reason is for your trip cancellation.

While we can give general guidance as to most travel insurance plans, it is in your best interest to give your insurance provider a call to verify whether a given policy will cover coronavirus-related interruptions.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance policies that include COVID coverage

Reasons travel insurance typically covers

While not a comprehensive list (and remember all insurance policies are different), here are some standard reasons when a comprehensive travel insurance policy will kick in:

Sickness, injury or death.

Common carrier cancellations or delays.

Labor strike.

Car accident.

Hijacking or quarantine.

Home uninhabitable.

Destination uninhabitable.

Travel document theft.

Medical evacuation.

Military duty.

Military leave revoked.

Terrorist act.

New vaccination requirements.

Civil disorder.

Some of those reasons might apply to your specific coronavirus situation, such as if you are already ill or under quarantine by a doctor's orders. If you (or your travel companion) contract COVID-19, your travel insurance provider may cover cancellation for a medical reason. You will likely be required to submit a medical diagnosis from a physician.

Nonetheless, we recommend giving your travel insurance provider a call before your trip to verify coverage. And, since many airlines and hotels have loosened change and cancellation policies due to COVID-19, first try to get a refund from the travel supplier. It may be an easier process than dealing with the insurance provider.

Is coronavirus a foreseen event?

If you purchased travel insurance after the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, 2020, then COVID-19 might be viewed by your insurance company as a foreseen event and it may not be covered.

In other words, the company says that you should have known about the potential risks but still chose to travel, so the cost of travel and its consequences are on you. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about the "known" or "foreseeable" status dates of the coronavirus outbreak and how this may affect your specific coverage.

Claims due to known, foreseeable or expected events, epidemics or fear of travel are generally not covered, and coverage can vary by state. However, until further notice, although not covered under most plans, some underwriters are currently accommodating claims for:

Under Emergency Medical Care and Emergency Medical Transportation Benefits: Emergency medical care and emergency medical transportation for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip.

Under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits: Trip cancellation and trip interruption if a customer becomes ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip.

Under Trip Cancellation Benefit: Nonrefundable, nontransferable trip cancellation expenses for customers who purchased their plan prior to January 22, 2020, for trip components in Mainland China, South Korea or the Lombardy or Veneto regions of Italy and departing prior to April 1, 2020.”

However, due to the evolving pandemic over the last few years, many providers have updated their policies to include coronavirus coverage. For example, in May 2021, Allianz announced the addition of epidemic-related covered reasons to its popular insurance plans. Plans are now offering accommodations for COVID-19.

» Learn more: Where U.S. citizens can travel right now

Is "I’m afraid to travel" a legit reason?

Almost all travel insurance policies have a "fear of travel" clause. According to AIG , one of the world’s largest travel insurance providers, "Trip cancellation for concern or fear of travel associated with sickness, epidemic, or pandemic, including Coronavirus, is not covered."

If you bought a ticket, then become afraid to travel because of any sickness, that is probably not a covered reason. If you want ultimate flexibility in canceling your trip for any reason, you’ll want to consider "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) travel insurance coverage.

Consider Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance

"Cancel For Any Reason" coverage allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and receive a partial refund (up to 75%) of your nonrefundable trip costs as long as the trip is canceled at least two days in advance. You cannot purchase CFAR coverage on its own; it is an optional upgrade that is sometimes available when you buy travel insurance. Not all providers offer it, so if you’re looking for the CFAR supplement, you’ll have to ask your travel insurance provider about it or filter your online search accordingly.

» Learn more: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance explained

Use your credit card's built-in travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies offer the highest levels of trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. Some premium travel credit cards include trip insurance as a complimentary benefit. Although the coverage limits may be below those offered by travel insurance companies on comprehensive plans, the limits may be sufficient for you. As with paid travel insurance, check with the provider to confirm if known conditions such as the coronavirus are covered.

» Learn more: Travel insurance benefits on American Express credit cards

As an example, we took a look at the policy for one of the popular travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . There are some notable bullet points that are common across many programs.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Similarly, this insurance will not cover a "disinclination to travel based on a pandemic." If you decide that you don’t want to travel because you might get sick or you are afraid to go, you won’t be covered.

The insurance does clearly state, however, that if you are sick or hospitalized before or during your trip, you may be covered by the plan:

Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness experienced by you or your traveling companion which prevents you or your traveling companion from traveling on the trip.

Accidental bodily injury, loss of life, or sickness experienced by an immediate family member of you or your traveling companion when the accidental bodily injury or sickness is considered life-threatening, requires hospitalization or such immediate family member requires care by you or your traveling companion.

If either you or your traveling companion becomes sick and you are prevented from traveling, you may be covered. Also note that if a family member of either you or your traveling companion requires hospitalization and you are needed to care for them, that may be covered as well.

As with all things insurance-related, if you have specific questions about your policy or your credit card’s coverage, it’s always best to give the company a call beforehand. Still, the general consensus is that if you’re afraid you might contract COVID-19, your insurance won't cover you.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip cancellation and travel insurance

How travel medical insurance differs

If your trip doesn't include nonrefundable trip costs paid to a travel provider or the trip insurance coverage you have from your credit cards is sufficient, purchasing a standalone travel health insurance policy may be your best bet for an upcoming trip.

These policies provide reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, including evacuations, while you’re traveling. Again, it's important to check if the policy you’re considering has any clauses related to pandemics or exclusions for travel to countries that have current travel advisories to ensure you don't nullify your medical coverage.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: emergency coverage while you travel internationally

It depends. Fear of travel generally isn't an allowable reason, so you won't benefit from trip cancellation coverage for nonrefundable payments made to a trip supplier. The reason for cancellation has to fall into one of the unforeseen events listed in the policy. However, if you’ve purchased a CFAR add-on and want to cancel, you will be covered for up to 75% of your nonrefundable deposit as long as you cancel at least two days before the departure date.

Although staying home is the best way to safeguard yourself and others from catching coronavirus, there are some general precautions you can take to reduce the spread. According to the CDC, a few ways include: Checking if the destination you’re going to has increasing cases in the past seven days, knowing whether you’re at an increased risk for severe illness from coronavirus and staying up to date with the airline’s and destination’s requirements/restrictions for travelers (such as wearing masks, enforcing quarantine, etc.). If you choose to travel, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy or a standalone emergency medical insurance plan just in case.

Although staying home is the best way to safeguard yourself and others from catching coronavirus, there are some general precautions you can take to reduce the spread. According to the CDC, a few ways include: Checking if the destination you’re going to has increasing cases in the past seven days, knowing whether you’re at an increased risk for severe illness from coronavirus and staying up to date with the airline’s and destination’s

requirements/restrictions for travelers

(such as wearing masks, enforcing quarantine, etc.). If you choose to travel, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy or a standalone emergency medical insurance plan just in case.

How can I be sure if my travel insurance covers COVID?

Deciding whether to travel during the coronavirus pandemic is a personal decision. Get familiarized with the different insurance protections and airline change/cancellation policies that may be applicable for your trip, as they could help you get your money back in the event of a trip cancellation.

When considering the health implications of travel, keep in mind that travel medical insurance is an option, especially if you don’t need the trip cancellation coverage provided by comprehensive policies. Regardless of which policy you choose, confirm that coronavirus-related losses are covered by insurance before purchasing coverage.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Advertisement

Supported by

What You Need to Know Now About Travel Insurance

A spate of new travel insurance policies have begun covering Covid-19, just as many international destinations begin to require it. Here’s what to look for.

• Share full article

By Elaine Glusac

When the pandemic struck, many travel insurance policies failed to cover Covid-19-related trip interruptions and cancellations, often because they excluded pandemics. But in the intervening months, the travel insurance industry has introduced a spate of new policies covering the disease just as many foreign destinations begin to require them.

“We’ve seen progress in that many plans will now treat Covid like any other unexpected sickness or illness,” said Stan Sandberg, a co-founder of the comparison website Travelinsurance.com . “If you have a trip and travel insurance and came down with Covid-19, which made it impossible to travel, that would fall under cancellation coverage as an unexpected illness that prevents you from traveling.”

Likewise, policies now including Covid-19 would cover holders in the event that a doctor diagnosed them with the virus while traveling under the trip interruption benefit.

Not all travel insurance excluded pandemics when the coronavirus began to spread early this year; Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection was one exception. But the broader change partially arises from consumer demand, a better understanding of the virus — including mortality rates and hospital costs — and the industry’s eagerness for travel to resume.

“People who are traveling are more conscious of their risks and thinking about protecting themselves and their investment,” said Jeremy Murchland, the president of the travel insurer Seven Corners. The company launched policies that included Covid-19 coverage in June; they now account for more than 80 percent of sales.

But, like all insurance, the devil is in the details when it comes to understanding travel insurance, including what’s covered, destinations where it’s required, and the inevitable caveats, as follows.

How travel insurance covers Covid-19

The new Covid-inclusive insurance generally covers travelers from the day after purchase until their return home. During that period, if you become sick and a doctor determines you cannot travel (because of the virus or another illness), trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits would kick in.

These benefits vary by policy, but a search to insure a $2,000 weeklong trip to Costa Rica in December on Travelinsurance.com turned up a $69.75 Generali Global Assistance Standard policy with Covid-19 benefits that would be triggered if you, your host at your destination, a travel companion or a family member tested positive for the virus.

If this happened before your departure, the policy would cover your prepaid travel expenses. If you or your travel companion contracted Covid-19 during the trip and were diagnosed by a physician, it would reimburse prepaid arrangements, such as lodgings, and cover additional airfare to return home — once a doctor deems it safe to travel — up to $2,500. Should you be required to quarantine and can’t travel, travel delay coverage for lodging, meals and local transportation would pay up to $1,000. The policy also covers medical expenses for up to one year, even after you return home, up to $50,000 — though the policy also states that a holder would have to exhaust their own health insurance benefits before seeking coverage under the travel insurance plan.

Travelers should read these policies carefully to understand the benefits (for example, some rules vary by your state of residence), but brokers like TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth are making them easier to find through filters, F.A.Q.s and flags.

The new more comprehensive policies don’t necessarily cost more. On a Squaremouth search for insurance for two 40-year-olds on a two-week trip costing $5,000, the site turned up a variety of policies with or without coronavirus exclusions from $130 to $300, with no apparent premium for Covid-19 coverage.

Not every Covid-19-related expense is covered by many of these policies, including tests for the virus that many destinations require before arrival (those may be covered by private insurance).

Many policies include medical evacuation to a nearby facility, but won’t necessarily transport you home. For those concerned about treatment abroad, Medjet , a medical evacuation specialist, now offers Covid-19-related evacuations in the 48 contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean that will transport you to the hospital of your choice in your home country (trip coverage starts at $99; annual memberships start at $189).

“Covid-19 requires special transport pods to protect the crew and others, which adds logistical issues,” said John Gobbels, the vice president and chief operating officer for Medjet.

In addition to the Medjet plan, travelers would need separate travel insurance with medical benefits to cover treatment costs and trip interruption.

Destination insurance requirements

Travelers aren’t the only ones worried about health. A growing list of countries are mandating medical coverage for Covid-19 as a prerequisite for visiting, often along with other measures like pre-trip virus testing and health screenings for symptoms on arrival.

Many Caribbean islands are among those requiring travel medical insurance, including Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas . St. Maarten requires health insurance coverage and strongly recommends additional travel insurance covering Covid-19.

Farther-flung countries also require policies that cover Covid-19, including French Polynesia and the Maldives .

Some destinations specify the required plan as a way to ensure travelers have the correct coverage and to expedite treatment. Aruba requires visitors to buy its Aruba Visitors Insurance, regardless of any other plans you may have.

“Insurance through a destination typically only covers Covid and infection while you’re there,” said Kasara Barto, a spokeswoman for Squaremouth.com. “If you catch Covid before, they don’t offer cancellation coverage. If you break a leg, the policy may only cover Covid medication. It varies by country.”

Costa Rica also requires insurance that includes an unusual benefit stipulating a policy cover up to $2,000 in expenses for a potential Covid-19 quarantine while in the country.

In response to the new requirement, which Costa Rica announced in October, insurers, including Trawick International , have begun introducing policies that meet the standard.

“It was a pretty quick and nimble reaction,” Mr. Sandberg of TravelInsurance.com said.

Normally, travel insurance varies by factors including the age of the traveler, destination, trip length and cost (most range from 4 to 10 percent of the trip cost). But some destinations are providing it at a flat fee, with most policies spelling out coverage limits and terms for emergency medical services, evacuation and costs associated with quarantines.

Jamaica, which will require insurance, but has not said when the new rule will go into effect, plans to charge $40 for each traveler. The Bahamas will include the insurance in the cost of its Travel Health Visa, an application that requires negative Covid-19 test results, which runs $40 to $60 depending on length of stay (free for children 10 and younger). The Turks and Caicos is offering a policy for $9.80 a day, and Costa Rica ’s policies, if purchased locally, cost roughly $10 a day.

Expect this list of destinations to grow. In January, the Spanish region of Andalusia plans to require travel medical insurance and is working on finding a provider to make it easy for travelers to buy it.

Gaps in travel insurance

Policies that cover Covid-19 as a medical event that may cause trip cancellation or disruption, or those that provide coverage for medical treatment and evacuation still don’t necessarily cover travelers who have a change of heart when they learn they will have to quarantine upon arrival, even if they don’t have the virus. Nor are policies necessarily tied to conditions on the ground, like a spike in infections, State Department travel warnings, a government travel ban or the cessation of flights to and from a destination.

For those events, there’s Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR, an upgrade to plans that generally only returns 50 to 75 percent of your nonrefundable trip costs.

“Prior to the pandemic, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend CFAR because most of travelers’ concerns were covered by standard plans,” Ms. Barto of Squaremouth.com said. “It’s about 40 percent more expensive and we didn’t want travelers to pay for additional coverage.” Now, she added, there’s been a surge in interest in the upgrade, including in 22 percent of policies sold at the site since mid-March.

Industry experts predict some of these outstanding issues may work their way into policies of the future as they adapt to enduring realities, much as they did after 9/11 in covering travelers in case of terrorist events, which was not the norm before.

The pandemic “was unprecedented, but once it happened, the industry has been pretty quick to react and create coverage, and that’s in the spirit of how this industry is trying to define itself, to be one of those subtle but valuable assets,” Mr. Sandberg said. “Once the world opens back up, we expect travel insurance to be much more top of mind with travelers.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

The woman who won the heart of the most eligible bachelor in England

She’s about to marry one of the richest men in the country in a lavish aristocratic wedding, yet the future Duchess of Westminster remains remarkably low-key.

Gary Neville reveals why Gareth Southgate simply cannot be Manchester United's next manager

Three Lions boss strongly tipped to replace Erik ten Hag

Nick Jonas Calls Wife Priyanka Chopra 'Such an Inspiration' in Shout Out on Mother's Day with Daughter Malti

The couple shared sweet photos from the trio's Mother's Day celebrations together

Chris Hemsworth Broke One Very Big Rule at the Met Gala

The 'Thor' actor and his wife made their Met Gala debut earlier this month

Does travel insurance cover pandemics?

More than a quarter of the population of the U.S. has received at least one COVID-19 vaccination as of this week, and all those shots in arms seem to be directly correlating to a surge in travel.

In fact, the number of passengers in U.S. airports reached their highest numbers in more than a year last week according to the Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ). Whether you're vaccinated or not, concerns about new strains of the coronavirus are high, so it's not surprising to hear that inquiries about travel insurance have also hit their highest level since the pandemic began, according to InsureMyTrip .

However, "there is a big misconception about what travel insurance does — and doesn't — cover," said Meghan Walch, pandemic travel insurance expert for InsureMyTrip . In the company's latest poll of travel insurance agents, the vast majority of questions (a whopping 97%) from would-be travelers are regarding how travel insurance may or may not cover COVID-19 related travel concerns.

So, does your travel insurance cover a pandemic? Here's everything you need to know.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Why travel insurance usually doesn't cover epidemics and pandemics

In general terms, regular travel insurance policies cover the "unknowns" — for example, an accident you couldn't have anticipated in advance, such as falling while you were hiking and breaking your leg — and not losses caused directly or indirectly by known or foreseeable events (in this case, an epidemic complete with government travel advisories).

Similar to a weather event , once something becomes "known" it may not be a covered reason for cancellation if a traveler purchases insurance after that date.

In other words, if you purchased travel after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, you've entered "known" territory, the same as deciding to fly into the eye of a hurricane.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance

What travel insurance normally covers

"Essentially, travel insurance covers unexpected events during your travels and pre-departure starting the effective date of your policy," said Christina Tunnah, general manager of the Americas of travel insurance company World Nomads.

According to Tunnah, regular travel insurance breaks down into three main categories:

• The protection of your pocketbook (investment in flights, delays, interruption, cancellation)
• The protection of yourself (emergency medical and evacuation)
• The protection of your belongings ( delayed and lost bags , theft)

Many credit cards also offer travel protection. Covered situations, maximum coverage amounts and eligible expenses vary across the cards that offer this benefit. Covered situations typically include accidental bodily injury; loss of life or sickness; severe weather; terrorist action or hijacking and jury duty or a court subpoena that can't be postponed or waived.

Related: The best credit cards with complimentary travel protection

Are some insurers covering COVID-19?

Not all the news on the COVID-19 insurance front is negative. According to Walch, many traditional travel insurance policies will cover your COVID-19 related travel concerns if you meet regular guidelines.

Examples of COVID-19 coverage in traditional plans include:

• If you must visit a doctor or hospital during a trip due to a COVID-19 illness
• If you get sick with COVID-19 and must cancel a trip
• If a physician orders you to quarantine before a trip
• If you lost a job during the coronavirus pandemic by no fault of your own

In addition, some plans are now offering higher travel delay limits in order to help with additional accommodation expenses due to a covered quarantine, adds Walch.

And, there are also some individual insurers that are simply covering COVID-19 outright. For example, World Nomads' plans cover the diagnosis of COVID-19 the same as any other illness with benefits that could include emergency medical care, emergency medical evacuation, trip delay and trip interruption coverage if you contract COVID-19 while traveling.

How to find a plan that covers COVID-19

First of all, you should look in the exclusion section to see if pandemics or epidemics are mentioned. If so, you'll need to shop around for a different policy, said Tunnah.

Even though travel insurance companies may offer COVID-19 sickness coverage, they typically don't offer benefits for every circumstance.

"Every policy is different, so you'll want to get a good grasp of a plan's coverage before you purchase it," Tunnah explained. Some of the questions you should ask yourself are: Does the plan cover emergency medical and evacuation expenses if I contract COVID-19? What are covered reasons for cancellation? What if my trip is delayed or interrupted because of a COVID-19 event?

If you're getting confused from reading the legal jargon of a policy, you can contact the customer service department of your travel insurance company, Tunnah advised. Representatives should be able to provide plain English explanations of coverage and help you identify a plan that meets your specific trip needs.

To see multiple options in one place, InsureMyTrip has a COVID-19 coverage tool that allows you to compare different policies.

Here's what you should be looking for according to the company:

• Trip cancellation coverage: While traditional trip cancellation does not allow a traveler to cancel a trip due to COVID-19 fears, it may cover a traveler in the event they get sick from COVID-19 and must cancel a trip.
• Trip interruption coverage: In the event a traveler gets sick from COVID-19 and the trip is interrupted, this coverage may apply.
• Cancel for any reason coverage : If eligible, this protection allows travelers the option to cancel a trip due to concerns over COVID-19, whereas traditional trip cancellation coverage does not (see below for more details).

Cancel for any reason insurance could be your best option

Cancel for any reason, also known as CFAR in the insurance industry, is an add-on to certain traditional trip insurance policies.

While travel insurance policies can offer a range of inclusions (think: medical evacuation, trip cancellation due to foreign or domestic terrorism or rental car damage) not every eventuality is included in all insurance policies. For example, some trip insurance plans cover employment layoffs while others do not. Some policies may have robust emergency medical coverage while competitors don't. That's why it's so important for you to select a plan that meets your specific needs for each trip.

One commonality among insurance policies? A long lists of exclusions. That's where a CFAR policy comes into play.

" InsureMyTrip strongly recommends travelers strongly consider a CFAR upgrade," said Walch. This upgrade offers the most trip cancellation flexibility and is the only option available to cover "fear of travel" (traditional travel insurance does not offer cancellation coverage for "fear of travel," whether related to COVID-19 or not).

If eligibility requirements are met, reimbursement is typically up to 70% of the pre-paid, nonrefundable trip cost. "Just be aware that this add-on will increase the cost of the plan," Walch advised.

Some countries are requiring mandatory insurance for entry

Even in pre-pandemic times, many countries required travelers to have personal medical insurance to visit (although you weren't necessarily required to provide proof). Now, with pandemic concerns, some countries are instituting mandatory COVID-19 insurance for entry.

The Bahamas is one example. Travel health insurance is required for all incoming visitors and the cost for the mandatory insurance is included in the price of the Travel Health Visa all tourists are required to apply for before entry. Aruba is another example where COVID-19 insurance is purchased onsite at arrival and mandatory for entry.

Note that these insurance coverage policies just are for medical coverage, so travelers will still need additional coverage to cover non-health-related expenses such as travel delays or lost baggage.

Bottom line

If you're planning on traveling during a pandemic, don't assume that your usual travel insurance will cover you. Be sure to compare different insurance policies. and strongly consider Cancel For Any Reason insurance if you want to make sure your trip costs are covered.

NTUC Income Launches Travel Insurance Plan for Protection by the Hour

NTUC Income, an insurance cooperative in Singapore, launched its new travel insurance offering called “FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance” .

As indicated by its name, this insurance enables travellers to purchase travel protection as needed by the hour.

Available for those who are travelling only to Bintan and Batam (Indonesia) as well as Malaysia, this is a flexible and affordable way for travellers to insure themselves for short or impromptu regional trips by land or sea that range from a few hours to a full weekend.

The FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance charges a minimum of SG$1.80 for six hours of protection, with the option for travellers to add on coverage at a rate of SG$0.30 for every additional hour, capped at a maximum charge of SG$3 per day.

Accessible via the ‘My Income’ mobile app, travellers can activate and stop their insurance coverage at anytime.

With its geolocation feature, the app is designed to push notifications to travellers and remind them to activate their insurance plan when it detects that they are departing Singapore, and to terminate their plan upon arrival in Singapore.

Alternatively, travellers can update their travel details manually in the app without the need to turn on the geolocation feature.

Annie Chua, Vice President and Head of Personal Lines, NTUC Income said,

“Travelling always involves a certain level of risk, be it short or long trips as unforeseen circumstances can occur any time. Based on a recent survey we conducted, we found travellers to be most concerned about seeking assistance when mishaps occur such as catching COVID or getting injured while overseas and needing medical treatment, as well as losing their personal belongings.   However, despite these concerns, majority of the respondents still find purchasing travel insurance for such short trips expensive or cumbersome. With this in mind, we designed FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance to offer a pay-by-the-hour proposition to solve travellers’ pain point so they can continue enjoying their short trips while staying protected.”

Get the hottest Fintech Singapore News once a month in your Inbox

About Author

Fintech News Singapore

Related insurtech articles.

HK-Based AMTD Acquires Insurtech Startup PolicyPal

Igloo Expands Weather Protection Insurance Coverage for Vietnamese Farmers

India’s InsuranceDekho Secures US$150 Million Series A

Loading, please wait.

Advertisement

Recent searches, trending searches.

Now Available: Hourly Travel Insurance From $1.80 For 6 Hours For JB Day Trips Or Bintan Or Batam Weekend Getaways

It’s much cheaper than conventional travel insurance. So what’s the catch?

The days of impromptu JB jaunts or spontaneous Bintan weekend getaways are finally back.

But if we’ve learnt anything from the pandemic, it’s that travel insurance is a must-buy for overseas trips, whether you’re going for a long European vacay or a day trip to Legoland in JB. For the latter, there’s now a travel insurance policy that lets you buy travel protection on an hourly basis.

NTUC Income has just launched FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance for travellers to Bintan, Batam and Malaysia which not only costs a fraction of the price of conventional travel insurance policies, it comes with Covid-19 coverage as well.

How much does it cost?

The minimum charge is $1.80 for six hours of protection, while additional coverage costs $0.30 per hour, and this is capped at a maximum charge of $3 for 24-hour coverage. In other words, for a short weekend getaway, you could be paying $6 for two days with this plan, compared to $32 for Income’s classic travel insurance plan.

Of course, with such a big difference in pricing, the benefits are largely different from regular travel insurance plans as well. The newly-launched pay-by-hour travel insurance is designed to cover short-term trips via land or sea up to a maximum of seven days. In comparison, conventional travel insurance policies have more comprehensive coverage that includes flights, and offer travel protection for up to 180 days.

The key benefits of the FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance include loss of baggage and personal belongings due to robbery or snatch theft, fraudulent use of bank card while overseas, relief for additional transport expenses due to snatch theft, robbery or road accidents, and reimbursement for unused entertainment tickets purchased for your trip.

Folks heading out for nearby golfing day trips will also be pleased to know that it also includes golfer’s cover (including stolen golf equipment from a locked car and subsequent rental of golf equipment).

Covid-19 coverage benefits include medical expenses incurred overseas and emergency medical evacuation if required.

Income FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance key benefits

To be eligible for the FlexiTravel Hourly Insurance, you have to be living or working in Singapore and have a valid Singapore identification document. You also need to be starting and ending your trip in Singapore, and have bought the policy before leaving Singapore. 

The travel insurance plans are accessible via the My Income mobile app, and plans are purchased based on date and time of travel. The app has a geolocation feature which detects when you’re departing or arriving in Singapore, and will send push notifications to remind you to activate or terminate the plan according to your location. However, if you don’t want to turn on the geolocation feature, this can be done manually on the app as well.

More info here . Photos: NTUC Income

Related Stories

You Can Now Fly Direct From Seletar Airport To Redang Island; All-In Resort & Flight Packages Available

These Travel Insurance Policies Come With Covid-19 Coverage — Absolutely Essential If You're Planning A VTL Trip

Travel Insurance: To Buy Or Not To Buy?

Home Matters

This AeroPress Coffee Maker Is On Sale Now & Is $20 Cheaper Than Other Stores — And It’s A Shoppers’ Fave With 19K Reviews

Best Luxury Candles & Affordable Alternatives For A Relaxing Home, Including One That Smells Like Matcha

Floral-Themed Home & Kitchen Wares From $16 To Liven Up Your Space - Including Bedding, Wall Art, Vases

Subscribe to the 8days weekly e-newsletter to receive the latest entertainment, celebrity, food and lifestyle news!

Terms & Conditions!

I consent to the use of my personal data by Mediacorp and the Mediacorp group of companies (collectively “Mediacorp”) to send me notices, information, promotions and updates including marketing and advertising materials in relation to Mediacorp’s goods and services and those of third party organisations selected by Mediacorp, and for research and analysis, including surveys and polls.

Want More? Check These Out

Singapore Airlines Premium Economy: New Meals, Bigger Portions On Porcelain Tableware Instead Of Plastic Containers Soon — Compare New Meals Vs Current Ones

How To Travel With Just A Carry-On Luggage — Packing Tips & Travel Essentials You Need 

When Can You Catch Cherry Blossoms In Japan In 2024? The First Sakura Forecast Of The Year Is Here

You May Also Like

This browser is no longer supported.

We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with 8 Days to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.

To continue, upgrade to a supported browser.

Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us

• Sustainability
• Latest News
• News Reports
• Documentaries & Shows
• TV Schedule
• CNA938 Live
• Radio Schedule
• Singapore Parliament
• Mental Health
• Interactives
• Entertainment
• Style & Beauty
• Experiences
• Remarkable Living
• Send us a news tip
• Events & Partnerships
• Business Blueprint
• Health Matters
• The Asian Traveller

Trending Topics

Follow our news, recent searches, integrated shield plan coverage for hospitalisation due to covid-19 vaccine complications extended to end-2022, advertisement.

A healthcare worker at National Centre for Infectious Diseases prepares to administer one of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Singapore on Dec 30, 2020.

Firdaus Hamzah

SINGAPORE: The seven insurers offering Integrated Shield Plans (IP) have extended their coverage of hospitalisation resulting from COVID-19 vaccine complications until Dec 31, 2022, said the Life Insurance Association, Singapore (LIA Singapore).

The special coverage  was first announced last January and was to have ended on Dec 31, 2021.

The extended coverage will continue to apply to all IP policyholders who received COVID-19 vaccines under the national vaccination programme, as well as those approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) under its emergency use listing and administered in Singapore under the special access route.

"This initiative reflects the life insurance industry’s continued support of the Government’s ongoing vaccination and booster immunisation programme," said LIA Singapore in a media release on Monday (Jan 17).

COVID-19 booster shot needed to maintain fully vaccinated status from Feb 14: MOH

Vaccinated people accounted for 30% of COVID-19 deaths last year: Ong Ye Kung

As of Saturday, 91 per cent of Singapore's eligible population have completed their full vaccination regimen under the national vaccination programme.

About 51 per cent of the total population have received their vaccine booster shots.

“IP policyholders taking their vaccination and booster shots can rest assured that any related medical complications resulting in hospitalisation will be covered by their respective insurers,” said Mr Khor Hock Seng, president of LIA Singapore.

Integrated Shield Plans are made up of two components – MediShield Life run by the Central Provident Fund Board and an additional private insurance coverage component run by insurance companies. The latter covers hospitalisation in A- and B1-type wards in public hospitals as well as private hospitals.

The seven IP insurers are AIA, AXA, Great Eastern Life, NTUC Income, Prudential Singapore, Raffles Health Insurance and Singlife with Aviva. 

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

Download  our app  or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic:  https://cna.asia/telegram

Related Topics

Also worth reading, this browser is no longer supported.

We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.

To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience, download the mobile app.

Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us

Understanding What Travel Insurance Covers

Find a Qualified Financial Advisor

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. Datalign's free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in as little as 3 minutes. All firms have been vetted by Datalign and all advisors are registered with the SEC. Get started with achieving your financial goals!

The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex℠. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
• Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
• When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

What does travel insurance cover?

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

• Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
• Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
• Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex , for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

What travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for?

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Choosing the right travel insurance

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Get Travel Insurance Quotes Online

Protect your trip with the best travel insurance . Compare travel insurance quotes from multiple providers with Squaremouth.

What does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions

Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations due to a pandemic like covid-19.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Are sports injuries covered under travel insurance?

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Can travel insurance provide coverage for travel advisories or warnings?

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

How does travel insurance handle emergency medical evacuations?

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Are lost or stolen passports covered by travel insurance?

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

Best Travel Insurance Policies for Places Prone to Natural Disasters (2024)

When it comes to natural disasters, Singapore is a sheltered island. How sheltered? Based on data from 2023, we have the 4th lowest disaster risk in the world . So on this island refuge, it can be easy for us to feel detached from earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.

But it’s a different reality for many of our Asian neighbours. For example, China lies where the Eurasian, Pacific, and Indian Ocean plates meet—a region with high tectonic activity. Between 1990 to 2024, Statista reports that China recorded 186 earthquakes, the highest number in the world. According to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the earthquakes that hit China account for one third of destructive continental earthquakes globally. Yikes.

If you’re travelling to earthquake-prone places like China,  Japan or  Bali , you want to make sure your travel insurance policy covers you in the event that your trip gets affected by natural disasters. Here’s what you need to know.

Guide to Best Travel Insurance for Countries Prone to Natural Disasters

• Best travel insurance for natural disasters
• How do I choose the best travel insurance for an area prone to natural disasters?
• What are some things that travel insurers might exclude?
• How do I make a travel insurance claim if a natural disaster strikes?
• Is it safe to travel to areas prone to natural disasters?

1. Best travel insurance for natural disasters

You won’t see a separate category for natural disaster coverage in travel insurance policies. Instead, insurers count natural disasters as one of several factors that may cause a trip cancellation, postponement, delay, or curtailment.

Let’s assume you’re going on a week-long trip to an ASEAN country. Here’s a summary of the non-discounted costs and coverage of different travel insurance policies for trip disruptions and inconveniences due to national disasters.

Back to top

2. How do I choose the best travel insurance for an area prone to natural disasters?

Before you buy your travel insurance, you need to do research on the following:

• What kinds of natural disasters that area is prone to
• How your travel insurance policy defines natural disasters  

The first question to ask is what kinds of natural disasters the place you’re visiting is prone to , if any. For example, is the area near an active volcano that might lead to a volcanic eruption? Does it sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 90% of the world’s earthquakes take place?

At this point, also look out for disaster warning announcements —if you’re forewarned that a natural disaster may occur but still go on the trip, you won’t be able to make insurance claims.

Additionally, don’t forget about natural disasters that you don’t hear about as often, such as hail, ice storms, landslides, heat waves, and wildfires. These are important to consider because not everyone may consider them natural disasters—including your insurers.

Once you know what natural disasters your destination area is prone to, check if your travel insurance policy defines them as natural disasters . Some insurers may limit their claims to trip disruptions due to specific disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis. If you have to cancel your trip due to a heat wave but your insurance policy doesn’t consider that a natural disaster, your claims won’t be approved.

For example, here’s how “natural disaster” is defined by AIG travel insurance :

Comparatively,  MSIG travel insurance  listed fewer types of natural disasters as examples and described natural disasters as natural events with catastrophic effects:

A good rule of thumb is to choose a travel insurance policy with a broad definition of natural disaster . Don’t assume this is always the case, especially if you’re buying travel insurance from an airline.

3. What are some things that travel insurers might exclude?

Travel insurers generally define natural disasters as any event or force of nature which has catastrophic consequences on the environment, finances or human life.

Most types of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, typhoons, tsunamis, hurricanes and so on can fall under this category if they are serious enough. If you feel light tremors causing no damage, you’re unlikely to be able to make a claim.

Do note, however, that many insurers have exclusions on nuclear risks and exposure to nuclear radiation , even if this was caused by a natural disaster. For example, the Tohoku earthquake in 2011 caused the meltdown of three nuclear reactors, leading to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Insurance would cover you for the earthquake, but may not cover you for the nuclear disaster.

The most important thing to note is that most insurers will not cover you if you already knew about the natural disaster risk in the area, but decided to book the trip or buy the travel insurance policy anyway . Insurers will usually include such announcements as travel advisories or warnings, such as this one from FWD:

So let’s say you have already read in the news that a volcano is about to erupt in a certain destination, and you go ahead and book a trip there anyway. If you end up having to cancel your trip because the volcano erupted, you are unlikely to get reimbursed for your travel expenses.

4. How do I make a travel insurance claim if a natural disaster strikes?

Recall that insurance policies don’t have a claim category for natural disasters. Instead, you’ll usually have to make a claim under one of the following: 

• Travel cancellation : You are unable to depart for your trip due to unavoidable, unforeseen circumstances.
• Travel postponement : You already booked your trip, but are forced to change your travel dates and book another ticket for a later date.
• Travel delay : You end up departing for your trip at a later time than scheduled, e.g. due to a delayed flight. Insurers stipulate the exact number of hours that count as a delay—usually 6 hours. Note: Don’t mix travel (i.e. flight) delay up with baggage delay !
• Trip curtailment/shortening : You are already on your trip, and have to cut it short due to an unexpected event that happened during the trip.

Pro tip : You don’t have to pore through each travel insurance policy wording to find out these claim limits! View them easily on our MoneySmart travel insurance comparison page.

What kinds of expenses can be claimed under the categories above? Typically, a travel insurance policy should pay for additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred should your trip be disrupted due to a natural disaster in the country you’re in or travelling to.

If a natural disaster does occur while you’re travelling ( choy! ), contact your insurer as soon as possible, and preferably before incurring additional expenses like hotel bookings. They will advise you on the documentation you need to provide in order to make a claim, which might include receipts or police reports.

Finally, this has nothing to do with insurance, but it’s a good idea to call the Singapore Embassy in the country you’re in and ask for emergency contacts in case you need urgent consular assistance. You should also eRegister your overseas travel with the MFA so they can search for you if you go missing in any natural disaster ( choy! ).

5. Is it safe to travel to areas prone to natural disasters?

As we mentioned earlier, your insurance claims won’t be approved if you were forewarned about a natural disaster risk but chose to go on your trip anyway. So in this case, if you haven’t booked your tickets yet, you probably shouldn’t. But what if you’ve already booked your flight? Is it safe to go on your trip? Will you be refunded if flights are cancelled?

That was exactly what happened in October 2017, when it was announced that Mt. Agung in Bali was expected to erupt for over a month. After the last eruption in 1963 killed over 1,100 people, everyone in 2017 who booked a ticket to Bali was left wondering: Will I get killed if Mt. Agung erupts again? Should I still travel to Bali? If so, what can I do to protect my safety?

If a disaster warning surfaces after you’ve booked your tickets, here’s what you need to know:, 

• It’s generally safe to travel to another area in that country far from the disaster threat. In the case of Mt Agung,  there are tourist spots in Bali far away enough to not be affected by the volcano. So if you don’t have plans to travel anywhere near the Bali volcano, you can still go ahead with your travel plans. Furthermore, the authorities will clear out people in the danger zone, and will put up red alert exclusion zones where the lava and ash may potentially reach. So, if you’re ever stumbling too near the danger zone, you’ll definitely know.
• Flights will be cancelled and rescheduled by your airline. If the situation gets bad, your airline will cancel their flights to destinations near where the natural disaster is expected to occur. Flights booked that are deemed unsafe to proceed  will likely be rescheduled without any additional fees. Of course, this is subjected to availability and fare differences. Alternatively, some airlines may also allow refunds.
• Airports will be closed if the natural disaster occurs nearby. In the case of Mt. Agung in Bali, the volcano erupted on 26 November 2017, leading to the closure of the Ngurah Rai International Airport because of the ash cloud. While ideally you’d be ferried to other airports in neighbouring islands to take your flight out, there’s also the chance that a widespread eruption might affect road travel and neighbouring airports too. If the eruption warning came when you were already in Bali, your insurance will cover your expenses while you’re stranded.

Have you ever experienced a natural disaster while travelling? Did you buy travel insurance ?

Related Articles

Best Travel Destinations and What To Do There, According to MoneySmart Staff

How Much Does It Cost To Travel With Pets?

10 Data Roaming Plans in Singapore—Which is Most Worth It? (2024)

6 Things to Know About Travel Insurance for Extreme Sports and Outdoor Adventure Coverage (2024)

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