Best Travel Insurance for Batam (Indonesia) 2024

Ever since Indonesia reopened its borders and welcome tourists in 2022, most COVID-19 travel restrictions have been dropped and travellers visiting places like Batam no longer have to follow regulations that include certified COVID-19 vaccination, the purchase of travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, the type of certified hotels which you book, mandatory PCR tests, and other related procedures.

Vaccination requirements

According to the latest announcements by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian government has changed the health protocols/travel restrictions (with effect from 21st June 2023) which include doing without PCR tests prior and upon arrival to Indonesia. However, proof (physical or digital certificates) of at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines must be presented before arriving at and within Indonesia after arrival. 

In certain indoor public places in Indonesia, you’ll be required to register your COVID-19 vaccine certificate using the Satu Sehat app (which you can download to your mobile phone before your trip to Batam). 

Do note that as an international traveller, you’ll have to receive the second dose of vaccine at least 14 days before your departure (via plane or ferry/cruise) to Batam, however, the entry/boarding requirements may differ for different airlines/carriers, so it is best to check with the customer service team of the airline or ferry/cruise that you’re boarding with, or follow the official updates through the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs page, and the website of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.

Travel insurance

Being covered with travel insurance is not a must for travellers visiting Batam now, but it is still highly recommended to be covered with COVID-19 travel insurance, as it’ll better prepare you in situations when you require medical assistance during your trip in Batam. Healthcare expenses in Indonesia may get expensive for foreigners, as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government for travellers from outside Indonesia.

VISA application

To travel to Batam as a tourist, you’ll need to apply for a single or multiple-entry visa, unless you’re from one of the 9 countries which are on visa exemption agreements with Indonesia. Currently, these 9 countries on visa exemption agreements with Indonesia are Brunei Darussalam, Phillippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

If you are visiting Indonesia for business purposes, you’ll have to apply for a business visa, unless you’re a holder of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) who will be exempted from Indonesia’s Visit Visa requirements (with no engagement in employment in Indonesia). For those who need to apply for a visa, here are several types of visa you can apply for, but if you’re just going there for leisure or business, here are the 3 common visas to consider.

• Single entry visitor visa

If your country is not on the “Visa Exemption Entry” list, you may apply for the single entry tourist visa to enter Batam, and it is valid for a maximum of 60 days. The fee payable for a single entry visitor visa is about S$200.

• Multiple entries visitor visa

Whether you’re visiting Batam for tourism, short term employment or executing a service contract, this form of visa allows you to enter Batam more than once and for an intended stay of a maximum of 60 days (two months) each arrival, with a validity period of 5 years. The fees payable for a multiple-entries visitor visa is S$300.

• Business visitor visa

This business entry visa is valid for a longer staying period of more than 60 days as it can be extended up to 4 times and it costs about S$85.

Requirements for Air Travel to Batam

Travelling by air to Batam includes several requirements that include:

• Approved visa Directorate General of Immigration Officer website or directly at Online Visa Approval.
• Wearing masks is optional, depending on the differing regulations on inbound international flights to Indonesia and when you’re indoors and on public transport upon arrival in Batam or other parts of Indonesia.
• Medical insurance that covers COVID-19 related medical and evacuation expenses is strongly recommended although not mandatory

When comparing the key features and price points of MoneySmart’s round-up of the best 5 travel insurance plans with flight cancellation coverage, we can easily spot the differences and similarities. The average cost of a travel insurance plan for a 3D2N single trip plan to Batam is about $46, assuming that we consider a mix of the basic plans and more comprehensive plans offered by these travel insurance providers.

Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:

$76 + $50 + $33 + $46 + $24 = $229

$229 ÷ 5 = $45.80

The plans with lower premiums would be those offered by FWD and Bubblegum, which makes them more affordable for travellers looking for cheaper and more hassle-free travel insurance options. When it comes to flight cancellation benefits, Singlife, Starr and FWD provide higher coverage of up to $20,000 and $15,000 respectively, which comes in handy in the situation of unexpected natural disasters like the Mount Semeru volcano eruption in East Java during June 2023.

However, how much you can claim for flight cancellation really depends on when you submit your trip cancellation request and the departure date of your trip. Most travel insurance companies will accept your claim if your request and the valid reason for cancellation is submitted within 30 days of your departure.

If you’re looking for more extensive coverage for medical expenses, Singlife’s Prestige plan will be really useful with the highest coverage of an unlimited claim limit among the 5 plans.