Best Travel Insurance Plans With COVID-19 Coverage
Planning for your next trip to scratch that travel itch? Get your hands on these travel insurance plans that provide coverage for COVID-19, and COVID-19-related delays and cancellations to keep you and your travel mates safe.
As part of the efforts to help the COVID-19 situation transition from a pandemic to endemic, many countries are increasingly opening up their borders to welcome tourists with their Vaccinated Travel Lanes.
From 15 November 2021 onwards, vaccinated individuals can indulge in quarantine-free travel between Singapore and seven European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom), Canada, and the United States, along with South Korea. More information on Singapore’s travel restrictions and guidelines can be found here.
If you’ve been suffering from cabin fever and are starting to make your long-awaited travel plans, one of your main concerns would probably be the possibility of contracting COVID-19 while you’re abroad. But fret not, here are the top travel insurance plans that you can purchase that cover COVID-19 and travel cancellations or delays to protect you and your loved ones.
Overview of travel insurance plans for COVID-19 coverage
| Travel Insurance Plan | Highlights | Premium (Before Discount) |
| Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance | – Overseas COVID-19 related medical expenses of up to S$100,000 – COVID-19 trip-related cancellation/curtailment of up to S$1,000 | From S$15.00 |
| AXA SmartTraveller | – S$100 per day for hospitalisation allowance, up to S$2,000 coverage due to the pandemic – Up to S$700 for overseas quarantine allowance – Reimbursement of up to S$2,000 for trip cancellation due to COVID-19 and up to S$1,000 for trip postponement | From S$54.91 |
| AXA Wanderlust | – Up to S$30,000 medical expenses coverage while overseas – Up to S$1,500 reimbursement for trip cancellation or curtailment – Overseas hospitalisation allowance of up to S$3,000 | From S$26.92 |
| MSIG TravelEasy | – Up to S$200,000 medical coverage – Up to S$3,000 travel inconvenience coverage | From S$42.00 |
| HLAS CovidSafe Travel Protect 360 | – Medical expenses coverage of up to S$100,000 – Reimbursement of up to S$2,000 for trip cancellation or curtailment – Hospital Cash Benefit of up to S$2,000Unlimited coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation for Superior and Enhanced plans | From S$50.00 |
| AIG Travel Guard | – Medical expenses coverage of up to S$250,000 – Up to S$7,500 for trip cancellations or early return – Overseas quarantine allowance of up to S$100 a day | From S$30.00 |
| FWD Travel Insurance — Covid19 Rider | – Only applicable for COVID-19 rider add-on – Up to S$100,000 for medical expensesS$200 local or overseas hospitalisation cash per day – Up to S$1,000 for trip cancellation | From S$16.97 (The price here is for the COVID-19 Rider only) |
| Aviva Travel Insurance | – Up to S$20,000 coverage for overseas medical expenses -Up to S$100 per day for overseas quarantine, up to S$2,000 – Up to S$2,000 reimbursement for trip cancellation or postponement | From S$30.07 |
| Allianz Travel Insurance | – Unlimited coverage for your emergency medical and dental expenses for the Platinum plan – Up to S$25,000 for trip cancellations or disruptions | From S$64.00 |
| Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance | – Up to S$200,000 medical coverage – Up to S$4,000 travel postponement/cancellation coverage – Up to S$1,400 quarantine allowance | From S$40.00 |
Premium plans are based on a basic tiered single travel insurance for a five-day trip to Brunei (ASEAN Region). The coverage also differs according to different tiered plans. Do note that FWD is the only insurer that offers COVID coverage in the form of an additional rider; the rest of the providers offer plans with built-in coverage.
1. Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance
If you’re in need of that long-awaited vacation but scared that you might contract COVID-19 abroad, let Starr TraveLead put your mind at ease. With three tiers to choose from — Bronze, Silver and Gold — you have the flexibility of choosing the level of coverage you need. Within each tier of plans, you can also customise your coverage further.
At the Gold tier, you’ll have up to S$100,000 of medical expenses covered if you contract COVID-19. If you’re hospitalised for other ailments aside from COVID-19, there is a cash benefit of up to S$15,000.
If your trip is cancelled due to the diagnosis of COVID-19, you’ll also get coverage of up to S$1,000 for the Gold tier, and up to S$600 at the Silver tier. The Bronze plan does not offer any coverage.
Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance Promotion:
Enjoy S$10 via PayNow and a 25% discount when you apply using the promo code SSTL25. Valid till 31 December 2021. T&Cs apply.
For travel to all countries that have a VTL arrangement with Singapore: Enjoy $10 via PayNow and a 35% discount when you apply using the promo code SSVTL35. T&Cs apply.
2. AXA SmartTraveller
With AXA SmartTraveller, you’ll be able to choose between the Essential Plan or Comprehensive Plan that offers different levels of coverage.
If you’re in need of medical services abroad, you can claim up to S$150,000 COVID-19 coverage for the Comprehensive plan, and up to S$75,000 for the Essential plan. There’s also a hospitalisation benefit of up to S$2,000 for the Comprehensive plan and up to S$1,000 for the Essential plan, with a S$100 payment per day of hospitalisation due to COVID-19.
For unfortunate instances of being quarantined abroad due to the pandemic, AXA gives you an allowance of S$50 per day, and covers you for up to S$700. There are also emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services that you have access to.
In the event that your trip is delayed or suspended, you won’t have to bear the full cost. This travel insurance covers both postponement and cancellation of up to S$1,000 and S$2,000 respectively for a host of reasons, including getting diagnosed for COVID-19 or self-isolation for being a suspected case of COVID-19.
Promotion:
Single Trip: Use the promo code TSDC10 when applying to receive a 30% discount, a 10% bonus discount, and S$10 via PayNow. Valid till 31 December 2021 for the first 1,000 applications.
Annual Trip: Use the promo code TADC10 when applying to receive a 20% discount, an 8% bonus discount, and S$10 via PayNow. Valid till 31 December 2021 for the first 200 applications.
Enjoy coverage for COVID-19 regardless of the airline that you fly with. Must be travelling under permitted arrangements. T&Cs apply.
3. AXA Wanderlust
With three plans to choose from — Lite, Easy and Pro — you have the flexibility of deciding the level of coverage that you need according to your needs and budget.
The Pro plan covers up to S$30,000 in medical expenses if you contract COVID-19 overseas, while the Easy and Lite plans offer up to S$15,000 and S$5,000 respectively. Since the coverage is relatively lower compared to other plans, this may not be the best option if you prioritise high coverage. If you have to be hospitalised, there is an overseas hospitalisation allowance of up to S$3,000 to relieve some financial burden.
If your trip’s postponed or cancelled, you’ll be reimbursed up to S$800 and S$1,500 respectively with the Pro plan, while any trip curtailment or rearrangement due to COVID-19 will come with a reimbursement of up to S$1,500.
Since this is the plan with the cheapest premium, you may want to opt for this if you’re on a tight budget and don’t need that high coverage.
Promotion:
Single Trip: Use the promo code WSDC10 when applying to receive a 50% discount, a 20% bonus discount, and S$10 via PayNow. Valid till 31 December 2021 for the first 600 applications.
Annual Trip: Use the promo code WADC10 when applying to receive a 20% discount, a 20% bonus discount, and S$10 via PayNow. Valid till 31 December 2021 for the first 20 applications.
4. MSIG TravelEasy
MSIG TravelEasy offers three tiers of plans — Standard, Elite and Premier, with the Premier plan offering the highest coverage.
There are sub-limits for different age groups in terms of COVID-19 medical expenses overseas, with up to S$200,000 coverage if you purchase the Premier plan.
Travel cancellation and postponement are bound to happen if you or a family member is unexpectedly down with COVID-19. Thankfully, MSIG TravelEasy offers up to S$3,000 travel inconvenience coverage as a form of reimbursement.
Regardless of the plan type you purchase, you have access to medical and travel assistance services that you may urgently require. Prices start from S$42 as well, ensuring that you receive decent coverage without having to break the bank.
Promotion:
Single Trip: Enjoy 20% off and S$10 via PayNow when you apply.
Annual Trip: Enjoy 20% off and a complimentary PCR test (worth S$138) when you apply.
Valid till 31 December 2021. T&Cs apply.
5. HLAS CovidSafe Travel Protect360
With the HLAS CovidSafe Travel Protect360, you’re able to choose from the three plans — Basic, Enhanced and Superior — that differ in the level of coverage.
The Superior plan offers up to S$100,000 in overseas medical expenses coverage against COVID-19 and the Enhanced plan offers up to S$50,000. However, the Basic plan does not offer any coverage.
You can expect a fairly decent hospital cash benefit of up to S$2,000 that pays out S$100 per day of hospitalisation, as well as an overseas quarantine coverage of up to S$1,000 for the Superior plan, with a daily payout of S$50.
For trip cancellations or curtailments related to COVID-19, you’ll get a reimbursement of up to S$2,000, while any postponements will grant you up to S$1,500. There is unlimited coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation for the Enhanced and Superior plans, while the Basic plan does not offer any coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses or travel inconveniences due to COVID-19.
6. AIG Travel Guard
Know why AIG Travel Guard stands out from the rest? It gives you the most flexibility to choose the kind of coverage you want, as it allows you to choose from the four plans that they provide — Basic, Standard, Enhanced and Supreme.
On top of that, it has the second-highest reimbursement coverage on the list for trip cancellations. If your trip is cancelled, or if you have to return to Singapore earlier due to you or a family member contracting COVID-19, you can get a reimbursement of up to S$7,500. If your trip is altered pre-departure due to you or your relative being diagnosed with COVID-19, you are covered for up to S$1,500 under the Supreme plan.
In terms of overseas medical expenses, you’ll get very decent coverage of up to S$250,000 with the Supreme plan, while the lowest-tier Basic plan covers you for up to S$50,000.
For quarantine orders abroad, you’ll receive an allowance of S$100 a day for up to 14 consecutive days under the Supreme plan and Enhanced plan, and S$50 a day for the Basic and Standard plan.
7. FWD Travel Insurance – COVID-19 Rider
Of all the plans listed here, the FWD travel insurance is the only one that gives you access to COVID-19 benefits only if you add on the COVID-19 rider, while the benefits are all the same regardless of the tier of the travel insurance plan that you choose.
For medical expenses coverage, this plan may not have the highest coverage as it only covers up to S$100,000 for medical expenses if you are hospitalised either overseas or after returning to Singapore. You’ll also get a hospital cash allowance of S$200 per day for up to 14 days if you’re either hospitalised overseas or locally after you’re back.
This rider thankfully covers any trip cancellation or disruption too. If your trip is cancelled, you can get up to S$1,000 in reimbursement if you have to cancel your trip within 30 days of your departure date, while any trip disruptions will entitle you to a maximum of S$1,000 for additional transport expenses.
You’re also entitled to up to S$100,000 in coverage for any emergency evacuation in the event that you fall critically ill and have to be transported to a medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to Singapore.
FWD Travel Insurance Promotion:
Single Trip: Use promo code TWELVE to get 30% off your premium
Annual Trip: Use promo code TWELVE to get 30% off your premium
Valid from 6 – 12 December 2021. T&Cs apply.
8. Aviva Travel Insurance
Aviva travel insurance has three plans that you can choose from — Lite, Plus and Prestige. If you’re comparing medical expenses, the coverage is not that high, with only up to S$20,000 for the Prestige plan, S$15,000 for the Plus plan and S$10,000 for the Lite plan if you get COVID-19. However, you have unlimited coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation at the highest tier.
They also provide an overseas quarantine allowance of up to S$100 per day, and up to S$2,000 for the Prestige plan, while the Plus plan offers S$50 per day up to S$1,000. The Lite plan does not offer any coverage.
For any trip cancellation, postponement or interruption, the Prestige plan will cover you up to S$2,000, while the Plus plan reimburses you up to S$1,500 and the Lite plan offers S$500.
Promotion:
Single Trip: Use the promo code TRAVEL18 for an 18% discount. Valid till 31 December 2021. T&Cs apply.
9. Allianz Travel Insurance
For the Allianz travel insurance, there are also three plans you can choose from — Bronze, Silver and Platinum, with Platinum offering the highest coverage.
If you purchase the Platinum plan and contract COVID-19 abroad, you’ll have unlimited coverage for your emergency medical and dental expenses, and up to S$1,000,000 for the Silver and Bronze plans. This is the highest coverage in the list thus far. There’s also the same coverage for emergency transportation, if needed.
On top of that, Allianz travel insurance ranks highest in terms of coverage for trip amendments. Any trip cancellations or interruptions due to COVID-19 will get you a reimbursement of up to S$25,000 for the highest tier plan, while trip delays of at least six hours will get you up to S$1,500 with a daily limit of up to S$400.
The drawbacks are that you won’t have access to any hospitalisation or quarantine allowance, while the high coverage comes at a hefty price of S$64 onwards.
10. Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance
Sompo Travel COVID-19 Insurance offers two plans with different levels of coverage — the Essential Plan offers relatively basic coverage while the Superior Plan provides more comprehensive coverage.
If you get COVID-19, you will be covered up to S$100,000 for any medical expenses abroad, and any overseas quarantine or hospitalisation will get you an allowance of S$50 a day up to 14 days, for the Essential Plan. If you opt for the Superior plan, you’ll get medical coverage of up to S$200,000 instead and an overseas hospital allowance of up to S$100 per day.
If your trip has to be cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19, you can get up to S$4,000 reimbursement for the Superior Plan. On top of that, you’ll also be covered up to S$200,000 worth of emergency evacuation and repatriation for COVID-19 if required under the same plan.
Which is the best travel insurance plan for COVID-19 coverage?
If you’re looking for one with the best coverage, Allianz Travel Insurance offers the highest medical expenses coverage that is unlimited if you opt for their highest-tier plan (though that comes at a comparatively heftier price), while AIG Travel Guard ranks second by offering up to S$250,000 coverage.
If you’re worried about the possibility of your trip being cancelled due to you or a loved one contracting COVID-19, Allianz Travel Insurance once again offers the highest amount of reimbursement of up to S$25,000. Despite this, their insurance plan does not come with any quarantine or hospitalisation allowance if you get the virus overseas.
Alternatively, you can opt for AXA Wanderlust Travel Insurance that gives you up to S$3,000 in hospitalisation allowance in the event that you have to be hospitalised due to COVID-19, while also offering decent coverage for medical expenses.
Aviva Travel Insurance is also noteworthy as it offers up to S$2,000 of coverage for both hospitalisation and overseas quarantine, though the medical expenses coverage offered is not the highest.
For those on a budget, you can opt for the Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance that is the cheapest of the lot, from as low as S$15 for the basic tiered plan.
Importance of buying travel insurance early
Frankly, no one could have predicted the onset of the Coronavirus or the severity of its impact globally.
What we can do, however, is to protect ourselves from similar future outbreaks and unknown situations. You can consider purchasing a single trip travel insurance policy the moment you confirm the destination and dates of your overseas trip. Frequent travellers can opt to purchase an annual travel plan.
For most cases, if you’ve bought your travel insurance before the advisory was announced (different insurers may use different dates), the trip disruption, postponement or cancellation will be covered up to your policy’s benefit limit.
You should also pay closer attention to the T&Cs of the insurance policy documents. For example, some travel insurance plans offer trip cancellations for any reason (be it as part of the policy or as an upgrade or add-on), which would then cover you for a situation like the Coronavirus outbreak.
The truth is a lot of us end up buying travel insurance at the very last minute. At times (we’re all guilty as charged), we buy it minutes before stepping onto the airplane. However, purchasing our travel insurance weeks, or even months, before the actual trip can save our wallets from unprecedented costs incurred when we are pushed to cancel our trip.
Original post from SingSaver; reproduced with permission.
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