After a multi-year pandemic, travel – especially for leisure – is finally returning to pre-pandemic levels. That means it’s time to look into travel insurance again, especially given that some countries require it before they’ll issue you a visa.
The right coverage will give you and your family at least a little peace of mind as you plan your vacation.
But what’s the best travel insurance package for you? We’ll get into that today, covering:
- What to look out for in your travel insurance
- An overview of popular travel insurance packages available
- Our top 6 choices for travel insurance and why
How to Choose a Travel Insurance Package
If you’re a seasoned traveller, you already know that price isn’t the only consideration. You get what you pay for, after all. Here are five things to look out for before you decide on a travel insurance provider:
- COVID-19 Coverage. Most insurers these days automatically include COVID-19 coverage, but the degree of coverage differs. Some offer barely enough to cover your medical expenses, while others don’t cover COVID-related trip cancellations or curtailments.
- Coverage for personal items. If your laptop is damaged or you lose any pricey personal belongings, you’ll want to know that your insurance can cover that cost.
- Coverage for travel or baggage delays. These can throw a wrench into your itinerary, especially for short trips.
- Ease of claims. This is why it’s not a good idea to pick insurance purely based on cost. You can check customer reviews to get an idea of the provider’s service quality.
- Coverage for activities. If you’re planning a skiing trip or any potentially risky activities, it’s good to check that your policy covers any accidents.
6 Best Travel Insurance Packages
We chose each of the following packages because they stand out in their own ways, whether it’s for comprehensive coverage for pre-existing conditions, the best coverage for COVID-19, or the best value for short holidays.
We haven’t omitted any for low coverage in specific areas – e.g. trip inconvenience – as these depend on the traveller’s needs. However, we’ve left out providers with largely poor reviews – this list only features insurers with decent customer service. (That said, no provider has a perfect reputation!)
Here are our top picks:
| Travel Insurance | Starting Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| AIG Travel Guard | $48 | Balanced, responsive coverage |
| DBS TravellerShield Plus | $51.75 | Best value for trip inconvenience coverage |
| FWD | $32.40 | Value for money in overall coverage |
| MSIG TravelEasy | $48.90 | COVID-19 coverage |
| NTUC Income | $58.67 | Pre-Ex and COVID-19 coverage combined |
| Tiq by Etiqa | $26.40 | Cheapest travel insurance; affordable Pre-Ex coverage |
1. AIG Travel Guard
AIG Travel Guard
AIG has a good balance of pricing, coverage, and responsiveness to claims – whether you’re claiming for missing baggage, an injury, or a sickness you contracted overseas. We’d recommend getting the Standard policy at minimum, as the Basic policy has many gaps.
Their COVID-19 coverage also includes an overseas quarantine allowance in the event you’re confined to a hotel while travelling. Many policies with automatic COVID-19 coverage leave this out.
| Travel Guard Direct Standard | Travel Guard Direct Enhanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Asia-Pacific) | $60/week | $83/week |
| Overseas Medical Expenses (adults up to 70 yrs old) | $200,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $10,000 ($200 per day) | $30,000 ($200 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $50 daily for up to 14 consecutive days | $100 daily for up to 14 consecutive days |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses for Injuries | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Hospital Allowance in Singapore | $500 ($100 per day) | $1,000 ($100 per day) |
| Trip Cancellation | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Travel Delay | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Baggage Delay (Individual) | $1,000 | $1,200 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Current promotion: Receive up to S$188 PayNow Score. (Valid until 31 March 2024) Click to apply.
Promotion criteria:
- Single Trip: Receive up to S$68 PayNow! (minimum premium S$100)
- Annual Trip: Receive S$188 PayNow! (minimum premium S$650)
2. DBS TravellerShield Plus
DBS Traveller Shield
Underwritten by Chubb, the DBS TravellerShield Plus is a jack of all trades. It sits in the middle of the price range and offers average coverage for all the standard categories. Overall, it’s a well-rounded package.
There are two things of note with the TravellerShield Plus, though:
- You can add coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Its trip inconvenience coverage is higher than similarly-priced offerings
So if either of those holds more importance for you, this may be a good fit.
Read also: AXA Travel Insurance Review – Pricey, But Worth It?
| Benefits | Classic | Premier | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas Medical Expenses (up to 70 yrs old) | $300,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $10,000 ($200 per day) | $30,000 ($200 per day) | $50,000 ($200 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $50,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $700 ($100 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Quarantine Allowance in Singapore | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Trip Postponement | $750 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Travel Delay | $1,200 | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,200 | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $3,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not covered | Covered | Covered |
3. FWD
FWD
You may have heard of FWD for its inexpensive, straightforward plans. Most people report that everything from getting a quote to filing claims is a smooth, convenient process that you can complete entirely online.
The downside is that FWD doesn’t have automatic COVID-19 coverage: you’ll have to purchase an add-on if you need it. Its trip inconvenience coverage is also far lower than the market average, though this may be inconsequential for backpackers or light travellers with flexible itineraries.
If cost and reliability are your main concerns, FWD is a great option to consider.
| Benefits | Premium | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Asia-Pacific) | $32.40/week | $50.40/week | $63.60/week |
| Overseas Medical Expenses (up to 70 yrs old) | $200,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $5,000 ($200 per day) | $8,000 ($200 per day) | $10,000 ($200 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $200,000 (only with add-on) | $200,000 (only with add-on) | $200,000 (only with add-on) |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $50 per day up to 14 consecutive days (only with add-on) | $50 per day up to 14 consecutive days (only with add-on) | $50 per day up to 14 consecutive days (only with add-on) |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses | $6,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Quarantine Allowance in Singapore | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation | $7,500 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Trip Postponement | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Travel Delay | $300 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $150 | $600 | $900 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Current promotion: Receive 8 Max Miles for every dollar spent or score an Airalo eSIM with up to 1GB data (minimum premium S$60) + Receive an Apple AirTag worth S$45 with no minimum premium
Promotion Criteria:
- Promotion valid until 25 March 2024. Click to apply.
4. MSIG TravelEasy
MSIG Travel Easy
Above-average coverage at midrange pricing: that’s what you’ll get with MSIG. This insurer also seems to take pride in their service. Most customers report smooth, fuss-free purchasing and claims processes.
And on top of higher COVID-19 and adventurous activities coverage, TravelEasy also insures wedding clothing – in case you’re planning your prenuptial photoshoot abroad.
Go for at least the Elite plan if you want cover for adventurous activities and/or wedding clothing and accessories. The Standard plan leaves out benefits like credit card fraud protection, golfer’s cover, and rental vehicle excess.
| Benefits | Standard | Elite | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Asia-Pacific) | $51/week | $69/week | $94/week |
| Overseas Medical Expenses (up to 70 yrs old) | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $20,000 ($200 per day) | $37,500 ($250 per day) | $60,000 ($300 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $75,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $700 ($50 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Quarantine Allowance in Singapore | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Trip Postponement | $750 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Travel Delay | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Baggage Delay | $600 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not covered | Yes | Yes |
Current promotion: Get up to S$40 Grab Voucher + Receive an Apple AirTag worth S$45 with no minimum premium. Click to apply.
Promotion Criteria:
- Get up to S$40 Grab Vouchers (minimum premium S$65) (Valid until 31 March 2024)
- Premium Size: S$65 – S$119.99: S$12 Grab Vouchers
- Premium Size: S$120 – S$239.99: S$20 Grab Vouchers
- Premium Size: S$240 and above: S$40 Grab Vouchers
- Receive an Apple AirTag worth S$45 with no minimum premium (Valid until 25 March 2024)
5. NTUC Income
NTUC Income
Most plans covering pre-existing conditions exclude COVID-19 coverage, since the risks multiply exponentially when someone with comorbidities catches the virus. Still, that leaves you out of luck if you happen to have a pre-existing condition and want to tour the world.
That’s why NTUC Income is a strong contender: they cover both pre-existing conditions and pandemic-related claims. You’ll have to purchase a yearly plan if you want coverage for both, and each trip must be no more than 30 calendar days long.
| Benefits | PreX Basic | PreX Superior | PreX Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Asia-Pacific) | $536/year | $704/year | $834/year |
| Overseas Medical Expenses (up to 70 yrs old) | $500,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Medical Claims due to Pre-Existing Conditions | $150,000 (up to 70 yrs old) | $150,000 (up to 70 yrs old) | $300,000 (up to 70 yrs old) |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $20,000 ($200 per day) | $20,000 ($200 per day) | $50,000 ($200 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $1,400 ($100 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) | $1,400 ($100 per day) |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Quarantine Allowance in Singapore | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation | $10,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Trip Postponement | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Travel Delay | $1,500 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $5,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
6. Tiq by Etiqa
Tiq by Etiqa
A member of the Maybank Group, Etiqa Insurance offers a range of insurance products, including travel insurance, car insurance, and personal accident insurance.
Understandably, plans that cover pre-existing conditions charge a premium for doing so. That’s the case with Tiq travel insurance as well: you’ll pay more than double in premiums if you check the box indicating that you’ve got a pre-existing condition.
Still, Tiq manages to keep its plans affordable. The single trip Pre-Ex plans are priced $5 – 25 cheaper than MSIG’s policies.
And even if you have no need for Pre-Ex coverage, Tiq’s regular travel insurance plans also offer great value at wallet-friendly prices. Just note that the plans don’t include COVID-19 coverage by default, so you’ll have to purchase a rather costly add-on if you need it.
| Benefits | Entry | Savvy | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Asia-Pacific) | $26 | $40 | $51 |
| Price (Asia-Pacific, Pre-Ex plans) | $69 | $93 | $112 |
| Overseas Medical Expenses (up to 70 yrs old) | $200,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance | $5,000 ($200 per day) | $10,000 ($200 per day) | $20,000 ($200 per day) |
| COVID Overseas Medical Expenses | $100,000 (only with add-on) | $200,000 (only with add-on) | $300,000 (only with add-on) |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance | $500 (only with add-on) | $1,000 (only with add-on) | $1,500 (only with add-on) |
| Post-Trip Medical Expenses | None | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Quarantine Allowance in Singapore | None | None | None |
| Trip Cancellation | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Trip Postponement | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Travel Delay | $300 | $300 | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Loss/Damage to Baggage | $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Adventurous Activities | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Current promotion: Receive an Apple AirTag worth S$45 with no minimum premium
Promotion Criteria:
- Promotion valid until 25 March 2024. Click to apply.
Summary Table of Travel Insurance Providers
For the price quotations, we’ve used a hypothetical scenario of:
- A solo traveller in his/her 30’s
- An 8-day trip to Australia
- At least $200,000 in overseas medical coverage (or the closest available package)
These starting prices are accurate as of 14 Aug 2023.
| Insurer | Overseas Medical Coverage | Trip Cancellation | Flight Delays | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirectAsia | $200,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 | $30.45 |
| Tiq by Etiqa | $200,000 | $5,000 | $300 | $26.40 |
| Starr | $200,000 | $5,000 | $500 | $43.20 |
| FWD | $200,000 | $7,500 | $300 | $34.80 |
| Bubblegum (Underwritten by Starr) | $150,000 | $5,000 | $400 | $55.31 |
| Grab (Underwritten by Chubb) | $150,000 | $5,000 | N/A | $40.80 |
| ERGO | $200,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 | $39 |
| NTUC Income | $250,000 | $5,000 | $1,000 | $45 |
| MSIG | $250,000 | $3,000 | $500 | $50.1 |
| DBS TravellerShield Plus (Underwritten by Chubb) | $300,000 | $5,000 | $1,200 | $51.75 |
| Singlife | $250,000 | $5,000 | $500 | $57.3 |
| HL Assurance | $250,000 | $7,000 | $1,000 | $55.20 |
| Allianz Assistance | $250,000 | $5,000 | $500 | $40.02 |
| Chubb | $250,000 | $3,000 | $800 | $48.40 |
| American Express (Underwritten by Chubb) | $500,000 (lumped with dental coverage) | $5,000 | $800 | $63 |
| Liberty Insurance | $250,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $68 |
| Sompo Insurance | $200,000 | $5,000 | $800 | $68.40 |
| AIG Travel Guard | $200,000 | $5,000 | $1,000 | $105 |
| Tokio Marine | $300,000 | $5,000 | $1,200 | $85 |