AMTD PolicyPal While travelling can throw unexpected challenges like flight delays and disruptions, discover how travel insurance protects you financially to get back on track.
Getting travel insurance before you jet off from Singapore on an overseas adventure isn’t just a good idea; it’s like having a travel buddy who’s got your back. With unpredictable weather events and unexpected lockdowns causing flight hiccups, travel insurance is your secret weapon against bumps along the way.
Here’s what you need to know on how travel insurance helps you from sudden flight disruptions and more.
Related Story: Travelling with Kids? Here’s What You Need to Prepare
Travel insurance coverage for flight delays and cancellations
Based on a survey from Which UK, travel cancellations held the second spot in the five most common types of travel insurance claims, accounting for 27% of claims. The high frequency of flight disruptions is likely the cause of this, and this can lead to the loss of hundreds to thousands of dollars—a risk travellers are open to and have no control over.
Listed below are the most common causes of flight delays and cancellations that can be covered by travel insurance.
Flight delays
Travel insurance can be a saving grace in covering costs related to flight delays. However, certain criteria must be met, in terms of the reason and duration, for instance. While these specific conditions vary based on the policy you choose, in general, the travel delay should run between six to 12 hours and due to reasons like unfavourable weather conditions, airline strikes, or mechanical problems.
Flight cancellations
Should you need to call your journey off before take-off—whether it’s due to an illness, losing your family member, or any other emergency—a Singapore travel insurance plan can help you secure refunds for your flight tickets.
There are also certain policies that extend coverage for generally non-refundable expenses like accommodations and pre-booked activities.
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Airline-related flight interruptions or cancellations
In certain situations, flight interruptions or cancellations occur due to the airline itself. This could range from airline crew strikes to weather-related cancellations and even airline bankruptcy.
Travel insurance can alleviate expenses you may have in rebooking or rescheduling your trip. However, not all travel policies offer the same coverage or benefit. Some may offer basic coverage while others offer a more comprehensive or higher coverage sum. The key lies in reading the policy wording and selecting the travel insurance that best suits your needs.
Take a moment to research travel patterns and potential disruptions that could happen. This assessment gives you a clearer picture of the coverage you need.
If you’re an adventure enthusiast, for example, go for riders or add-ons that safeguard you from the risks involved in these activities. Similarly, travelling to a remote location with limited connectivity would require you to have a good safety net for costs related to delayed or missed flights.
What are the best travel insurances in Singapore (2023)?
There’s no need to splurge on the most expensive travel insurance plan for a worry-free trip. Choose one that suits your travel preferences and patterns.
These are the top selections from AMTD PolicyPal, curated to help you make an informed choice.
Best for Travel Inconvenience: MSIG TravelEasy
MSIG TravelEasy is unique as it provides over 50 coverage benefits, from flight delays and overseas medical expenses to adventurous activities coverage (Elite & Premier plans).
At a glance
|
Premium (1-week global trip) |
S$66.82 to S$114.67 |
|
Trip Delay Coverage |
Up to S$1,500 |
|
Trip Cancellation Coverage |
Up to S$15,000 |
|
Lost or Damaged Baggage |
Up to S$7,500 |
|
Promotion |
With COVID-19 Coverage. Receive your policy documents immediately.
12 - 30 November 2023 Single Trip Plan
|
Best for Annual Travel Insurance: Singlife
Singlife’s Plus Plan offers beyond-the-usual coverage for those seeking flexible medical and trip inconvenience coverages. Its medical coverage can go up to S$2,000,000 and allows trip date changes or cancellations for any reason.
At a glance
|
Premium (Annual, ASEAN) |
S$330 (Plus Plan, ASEAN) to $448 (Plus Plan, Worldwide) |
|
Trip Delay Coverage |
S$1,000 |
|
Trip Cancellation Coverage |
S$15,000 |
|
Loss or Damaged Baggage |
S$5,000 |
|
Promotion |
17 - 30 November 2023
|
Related Story: The Best Travel Insurance in Singapore for Families
Best for affordable travel insurance to ASEAN countries: Etiqa Insurance, MSIG TravelEasy, and FWD Travel Insurance
If you’re looking for budget-friendly travel insurance, Etiqa, MSIG, and FWD offer reasonable travel insurance plans with comprehensive benefits.
At a glance
|
Insurance Plan |
(Entry) |
(Standard) |
(Premium) |
|
Premium (1-week trip) ***Prices quoted are indicative and based on seasonal discounts |
S$34.20 |
S$34.10 |
S$23.63 |
|
Trip Delay Coverage |
S$300 |
S$500 |
S$300 |
|
Trip Cancellation Coverage |
S$5,000 |
S$5,000 |
S$7,500 |
|
Overseas Medical Coverage |
S$200,000 |
S$250,000 |
S$200,000 |
|
Baggage Loss/Damage |
S$2,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$3,000 |
|
Promotion |
With COVID-19 Coverage.
26 - 30 November 2023 Single Trip Plan
|
With COVID-19 Coverage. Receive your policy documents immediately.
12 - 30 November 2023 Single Trip Plan
|
|
Best for exclusive travel insurance promotions: MSIG TravelEasy & FWD Insurance
MSIG TravelEasy provides extensive coverage, including generous medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, competitive pricing, and a quick claims process, making it the preferred choice for travellers seeking reliable travel insurance.
FWD presents a fantastic value option with discounts ranging from 20% to 25% off premium prices. Overall, FWD’s premiums are typically 15% to 30% lower than the industry average while still providing competitive benefits that go beyond standard medical and trip inconvenience coverage.
At a glance: MSIG TravelEasy
|
Premium (1-week global trip) |
S$66.82 to S$114.67 |
|
Trip Delay Coverage |
Up to S$1,500 |
|
Trip Cancellation Cover |
Up to S$15,000 |
|
Loss or Damaged Baggage |
Up to S$7,500 |
|
Overseas Medical |
Up to S$1,000,000 |
|
Terrorism Cover |
Yes |
|
Promotion |
With COVID-19 Coverage. Receive your policy documents immediately.
12 - 30 November 2023 Single Trip Plan
|
At a glance: FWD Insurance
|
Premium (1-week global trip) |
S$37.80 to S$65.70 |
|
Trip Delay Coverage |
S$300 to S$1,087 |
|
Trip Cancellation Cover |
S$7,500 to S$15,000 |
|
Loss or Damaged Baggage |
S$3,000 to S$7,500 |
|
Overseas Medical |
Up to S$1,000,000 |
|
Terrorism Cover |
No |
|
Promotion |
COVID-19 is not included (optional/ add on)
28 - 30 November 2023 Single Trip Plan
|
What to do if you need to make a flight delay or cancellation claim
To initiate a travel insurance claim, you’ll have to provide proof of disruptions to substantiate it first. Insurers generally require evidence like a letter from the airline specifying the reason for the delay. This letter should contain details regarding the originally scheduled travel dates and times and the changes too.
If the airline doesn’t furnish you with the letter, you can visit the airline counter at the airport to request for one. Another way is to contact the airline directly to obtain the documentation directly. For group tours, you can seek help from your tour group leader.
Flight cancellations due to personal reasons
For flight cancellations due to personal reasons, you will need to compile proper documentation to substantiate your case. This could vary from medical reports and death certificates to police reports, depending on your situation at hand.
Encountering doubts and questions? Don’t hesitate to contact your insurer through their email or hotline number, readily available on your respective insurance website. As reputable insurers mostly streamline their claim processes, this makes it fairly straightforward for you to submit claims. Some insurers even allow you to submit claims online, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
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Disclaimer: Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. This is only product information provided. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future financial needs. If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.
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Travel Essentials for Every Trip – From the Best Travel Insurance to Miles Credit Card
