What to Check Before You Buy Travel Insurance in Singapore

Key takeaways

• The important things to check are medical coverage limits, whether your activities are covered, trip cancellation terms, and whether any pre-existing conditions coverage apply.
• Not all travel insurance plans cover the same things, and checking these few key details before buying can save you from an uncovered claim overseas.
• Income Insurance is the only insurer in Singapore that allows you to purchase travel insurance up to one day after departing (available for Per-trip plans only), so you are still covered even if you forget to purchase a plan before you leave¹.

Buying travel insurance in Singapore is easy - some people could even potentially get a plan in minutes. But what’s harder is knowing whether the plan you are buying actually covers your trip, your health, and the things you plan to do while you are away.

This guide walks through what to check before you commit, so you can travel knowing your cover will hold up when it matters.

5 things to check before buying travel insurance

Taking a few minutes to check these things before buying is far more useful than reading the policy after something has already gone wrong.

1. Does the medical coverage limit match your destination?

Overseas medical costs may be costly. A low overseas medical limit relative to your destination means you could still face significant out-of-pocket costs even with insurance in place. If you foresee that you could spend a lot of money on medical expenses because of your destination, it might be a good idea to get a plan with a higher limit.

Check the plan tiers available and consider whether the baseline option is enough for where you are going.

2. Are your planned activities covered?

Standard travel insurance covers most recreational activities, but some require specific conditions to be met or are excluded entirely. If your trip includes scuba diving, skiing, white water rafting, or any other adventure sport, look for an adventurous activity benefit in the plan and confirm your specific activity is listed.

Key things to check include whether there are certification requirements, depth or altitude limits, and operator conditions that need to be met for the activity to be covered. Ignoring these details and assuming you are covered may cause your claims to be rejected.

3. What are the trip cancellation terms?

Trip cancellation clauses vary more than most travellers expect. Some plans only pay out for specific covered reasons such as sudden illness, a natural disaster, or a death in the family. Others offer broader protection that allows you to cancel for reasons beyond those listed.

Before buying, check what qualifies as a covered reason for cancellation and whether there are any time restrictions tied to when the policy was purchased relative to when the trip was booked. If flexibility matters to you, look specifically for a plan that offers cancel-for-any-reason coverage rather than assuming your plan includes it.

4. Do you have a pre-existing medical condition?

Standard travel insurance plans typically exclude claims that arise from a condition you had before departure. If you have a condition such as asthma, diabetes, or a heart condition, a standard plan may not cover you for the most likely medical situation you would face overseas.

If this applies to you, look for a specialised plan designed for travellers with pre-existing conditions, such as Income's Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance.

5. Is a per-trip or yearly plan right for you?

The right plan type depends on how often you travel. A per-trip plan covers one specific journey from departure to return. A yearly plan covers unlimited trips in a year under a single premium, which works out to better value for frequent travellers. As a general guide, if you take multiple trips a year, a yearly plan is likely the more cost-effective option. If you travel once or twice a year, a per-trip plan is usually sufficient.

5 common mistakes to avoid when buying travel insurance

A few missteps at the point of purchase can leave you without cover when you need it most. Make sure you don’t fall for these five mistakes:

1. Buying the cheapest plan without checking coverage limits: A lower premium often means lower medical coverage limits. For trips to high-cost destinations, this gap can be significant if you end up hospitalised overseas.

2. Assuming all activities are covered: Adventure sports, water activities, and aerial activities often come with specific conditions or are excluded entirely. Never assume an activity is covered without checking the plan's adventurous activities benefit first.

3. Not declaring pre-existing conditions: Omitting a condition when purchasing can void your claim entirely. Always declare upfront and choose a plan that covers your specific situation.

4. Ignoring the trip cancellation terms: Many travellers assume they can cancel for any reason. Most standard plans only cover cancellation for specific reasons, so check the clause carefully before buying.

5. Waiting too long to purchase: Some benefits, such as trip cancellation coverage, only apply if the policy is purchased within a certain period of your booking date. Buying early gives you the broadest protection from the start.

Get covered before your next trip

The right travel insurance plan is one that covers your destination, health situation, and the activitis you plan to do while you are there. Checking these details before you buy can make a real difference if you ever need to make a claim.

And if you forget to buy before you leave, Income Insurance is the only insurer in Singapore that allows you to purchase travel insurance up to a day after you have departed from Singapore. Available for Per-trip plans only. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on what to check before buying travel insurance in Singapore

1. What should I check before buying travel insurance in Singapore?

Check the overseas medical expenses limit relative to your destination, whether your planned activities are covered, the trip cancellation terms, and whether any pre-existing conditions need to be declared. These four areas account for the majority of travel insurance claim rejections.

2. Does travel insurance cover adventure activities?

Coverage for adventure activities depends on the plan. Most standard plans include a range of recreational activities but apply specific conditions such as certification requirements, operator rules, or depth and altitude limits. 

3. What happens if I have a pre-existing condition?

Standard travel insurance plans typically exclude claims arising from pre-existing conditions. If you have a condition such as asthma, diabetes, or a heart condition, consider Income's Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance, which covers you for pre-existing medical conditions during your travels, such as diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, eczema and more.

4. Is a per-trip or yearly travel insurance plan better value?

It depends on how often you travel. If you take more trips a year, a yearly plan covering unlimited trips is usually better value. For fewer trips a year, a per-trip plan is typically sufficient.

5. Can I cancel my trip for any reason under travel insurance?

Most travel insurance plans only cover cancellation for specific reasons such as illness or a family emergency. If you want broader flexibility, look for a plan that specifically offers cancel-for-any-reason coverage and check the terms around when the policy needs to be purchased relative to your booking date.

6. What if I forgot to buy travel insurance before I left Singapore?

Income Insurance is the only insurer that allows you to purchase travel insurance up to a day after you have departed from Singapore. Available for Per-trip plans only.