5 Things You Must Consider When Buying Travel Insurance

Now that travel restrictions are a thing of the past, there is no stopping travellers from jet-setting off on holidays whenever they please. If you too are planning on going on a global-trotting adventure, buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy before leaving Singapore may be a wise move. Why? Read on to find out why you should consider buying travel insurance and how you can go about selecting the right one for you.

What Travel Insurance Covers

The best travel insurance in Singapore covers an extensive range of medical remedies and travel inconveniences that may arise during an overseas trip. Depending on the type of policy you sign up for, it can compensate you for something as minor as baggage delay to more life-threatening situations that require medical evacuation.

The list of benefits that a typical travel insurance policy covers include:

Why Travel Insurance Is Essential

Buying travel insurance in Singapore is a way to protect your finances, health, safety and security. It is one of the most important investments that a traveller can make to help navigate unexpected risks in a foreign environment. Some may argue that unexpected events can happen anywhere but what they fail to see is that it is harder to find the right remedies when they are in an unfamiliar location. Often this can cause even more inconveniences and larger costs.

While travel insurance is not a talisman that promises no harm will befall you, at the very least it covers medical emergencies that can sometimes cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, evacuating from China to Singapore can cost over S$100,000. Fixing a broken ankle in Hong Kong can also amount to S$8,000. If you don’t have travel insurance, the expenses will have to be paid out of your pocket.

The benefit of travel insurance goes beyond medical coverage to include everything from pre-trip disruptions and flight cancellations to personal accidents and loss of belongings. If you are a seasoned traveller, surely you would acknowledge that these are common disturbances that require time, effort and money to mitigate. Thankfully, travel insurance is designed to cover these travel risks and minimise your financial loss.

Related: Best Travel Insurance in Singapore

5 Tips for Buying the Right Travel Insurance for You

It is hard to pinpoint which insurer offers the best travel insurance in Singapore because every traveller’s needs are different. However, there are a few tips that may help you find the right travel insurance policy for you.

1. Single Trip vs Annual Policies

If you have plans to take multiple trips or vacations in a year, opting for annual travel insurance with a flat premium may be more cost-effective than buying multiple single-trip plans. Taking the extra step to plan ahead may help you save money and time required to look for a new policy every time you want to take a trip.

2. Don’t Just Pick the Cheapest Plan

Because buying travel insurance seems to rank low on the to-do list, many travellers tend to assume that buying the cheapest plan will suffice. However, paying a low premium equates to low coverage. Instead of focusing on price, assessing the benefits and what you want to be covered for the trip may help you arrive at a better decision.

3. Group Policies Are More Economical

Group or family plans are cheaper than individual ones. Some policies provide group travel insurance policies that can cover as many as 10 people travelling together. Another thing to note is that the Medical Expenses and Personal Accident cover will be reduced significantly for those above 70 years old. If you are travelling with a group comprising seniors, you may want to consider a separate policy that is tailored for them.

4. Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

Not all travel insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions. If you have existing health problems, make sure to look out for travel plans like MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex or Income Insurance Enhanced PreX. These plans may come with higher premiums than regular travel insurance in Singapore, but they provide comprehensive medical coverage despite your current health status.

5. Take Note of Exclusions

Most insurance policies come with a list of key exclusion clauses that prevent you from making claims. The clauses are quite similar across most travel insurance plans. They include Behavioural, Activity, Travel and Circumstantial exclusions that limit a claim if you willingly take a hazardous route or partake in risky activities despite knowing the danger.

Conclusion

Travel insurance will make that your holiday as stress free as possible by ensuring you covered should there be any unforeseen circumstances. Want to see even more options before you purchase your travel insurance plan? Check out our roundup of the best travel insurance to help you make the best decision for your next trip!

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