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Travel Insurance With Best Medical Coverage

Be it a solo backpacking trip, a romantic retreat with your partner, or a family vacation to a destination of your choice, one imperative facet of your journey requires meticulous attention: travel insurance.

When getting travel insurance, it is wise to understand the breadth of medical coverage for your travels and there are numerous factors that need to be considered. It's advantageous to comprehend the extent of coverage for specific medical expenses, encompassing overseas medical treatments, medical costs upon returning to Singapore, daily hospital cash benefits, and more, so as to get adequate coverage.

Let’s delve into the essential facets of medical coverage benefits, highlight important exclusions, and explore the available options in this guide.

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What Are Usually Included In Travel Insurance Medical Coverage?

While the specifics of medical claim benefits in travel insurance may differ among insurers, there are several commonly acknowledged reasons that most travel insurance companies will cover.

These include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, medical expenses accrued abroad, and incidents resulting in death or disability affecting you, your spouse, child, or travelling companion, all of which are widely accepted reasons for medical claims and covered by all insurers.

Other commonly accepted reasons which you or your travel companion can claim for include:

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions
In the event of a resurgence or exacerbation of a pre-existing medical condition (ranging from asthma to cancer or diabetes, heart conditions, etc. that is stable and under control), leading to a determination of your inability to travel due to injury or illness by a certified and recognised medical practitioner, or if a family member experiences a life-threatening medical emergency immediately preceding or during your journey. Such medical costs relating to a pre-existing condition may be claimable if the plan you’ve purchased include coverage for such aspects.

Overseas hospitalisation expenses

Overseas hospitalisation expenses
Medical, surgical, nursing or hospital charges up to a certain claim limit (as per your policy terms and conditions) with or without excess or co-payment requirements. Some plans do offer the option of including overseas ICU hospitalisation daily allowance for adult/child.

Overseas maternity medical expenses

Overseas maternity medical expenses
These typically include reimbursement for medical expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth that occur during travel abroad such as prenatal and postpartum medical care, follow-up consultations, and medications prescribed after childbirth, neonatal care including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), labour and delivery room fees, and more.

Daily hospitalisation benefits (overseas/local)

Daily hospitalisation benefits (overseas/local)
Reimbursements for room charges, nursing care, diagnostic tests, or in the form of a fixed amount of money for each day spent as an inpatient in a hospital abroad due to an illness or injury covered by the policy.

Compassionate hospital visit

Compassionate hospital visit
Travel and related costs of an immediate family member having to travel to and accompany the insured person during his/her hospitalisation overseas (outside of Singapore).

Emergency medical evacuation costs

Emergency medical evacuation costs
Claims for expenses incurred for emergency medical evacuation services, including air ambulance services, ground transportation, and medical escort services to transfer the insured person from one medical facility to another, including transportation between hospitals for specialised treatment or higher levels of care, repatriating the insured person back to Singapore if it is determined that medical treatment cannot be adequately provided at the location of the medical emergency.

Best Travel Insurance With Medical Coverage Benefits

Although getting travel insurance is mandatory by law in some countries, it is still safer to be covered with travel insurance, as you never know when you’ll need medical attention during unexpected situations.

Best forTravel insurance planEstimated premium rate*
Unlimited overseas medical coverageSinglife Travel Prestige plan$60
Pre-existing conditionsMSIG TravelEasy® Pre-Ex Premier plan$74
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriationGreat Eastern TravelSmart Premier Classic$51
Overall good valueDirectAsia DA500$35

*Estimated premium rates are based on a 3D2N single trip plan to a country in Southeast Asia, all data last updated on 3 May 2024.

Check Out The 6 Best Travel Insurance In Our Article Here

Common Medical Coverage Exclusions In Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance plans with medical coverage still share common exclusions. The below are some examples which are often excluded in travel insurance policies with medical coverage.

  • Medical tourism, such as flying overseas to seek a second medical opinion, is not covered under most travel insurance plans. You will also not receive a payout if you travel against a doctor’s advice.

  • Pregnancy-related claims like those related to childbirth, miscarriage or abortion unless caused by an injury (you are not covered due to sickness) may not be covered in certain circumstances.

  • Medical claims that result from a pre-existing medical condition whether you were to proceed with travel plans against a doctor’s advice or not. In the case of trip cancellations resulting from family illnesses, however, a claim may be successful depending on your circumstances.

  • Certain kinds of dental expenses incurred due to sickness, disease, infection or any physical defect or illness. Some plans do offer extra coverage for expenses related to dental injuries resulting from accidents, acute dental pain, or emergency dental procedures needed to alleviate severe discomfort or prevent further complications during your trip.

  • Treatments by a Chinese medicine practitioner like acupuncture, tuina, cupping therapy sessions or consultation sessions with a chiropractor may or may not be claimable in certain situations, which are often assessed on a case-by-case basis by the travel insurance company.

  • Any evacuation which can be treated locally in the travel destination and does not prevent you from continuing your trip or where the insurer assesses you are physically able to return to Singapore as a normal passenger without medical assistance.

  • Any bodily injury which existed prior to the beginning of the insured trip and permanent total disablement caused directly or indirectly by sickness, disease, infection or any physical defect or illness.

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Best Travel Insurance With Medical Coverage

MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Most Comprehensive
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Most Comprehensive

MSIG TravelEasy Standard

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$250,000
Trip Cancellation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$3,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$34.560% Off
S$13.80

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Get over S$75 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$40 via PayNow OR 1 x Apple AirTag (worth S$45.40) with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
 
Score exciting gifts on top of existing rewards:
• Apple iPad 10.9-inch 64GB (10th Gen). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$300,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$5145% Off
S$28.05

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Enjoy 45% off your Single Trip policy premium.
 
Get up to S$40 worth of rewards including:
S$10 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward with every policy purchased.
 
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Trip Cancellation Add-on
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Trip Cancellation Add-on

FWD First

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$1,000,000
Trip Cancellation
S$15,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$7,500
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$34.3325% Off
S$25.75

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
  
Get over S$35 worth of rewards including:
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
  
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Free Trip Cancellation
MoneySmart Exclusive
Free Trip Cancellation

Singlife Travel Prestige

Overseas Medical Expenses
Unlimited
Trip Cancellation
S$20,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$8,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$60.5928% Off
S$43.62

[GIVEAWAY | SmartRewards | Receive your rewards as fast as 30 days*]
   
Get over S$65 worth of rewards including:
Up to 510 SmartPoints OR S$30 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
   
Use SmartPoints to redeem your favourite product from our Rewards Store today.
   
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most Flexible Plan
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most Flexible Plan

AIG Travel Guard® Direct - Supreme

Overseas Medical Expenses
S$2,500,000
Travel Cancelation / Postponement
S$15,000
Loss/Damage of Personal Baggage
S$10,000
Premium
PremiumS$7720% Off
S$61.60

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
• Enjoy an exclusive 20% off your policy premium. T&Cs apply.
 
Get over S$35 worth of rewards including:
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
 
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Pre-existing medical condition coverage available
MoneySmart Exclusive
Pre-existing medical condition coverage available

INCOME Enhanced PreX Superior

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$8120% Off
S$64.80

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
  
Get over S$45 worth of rewards including:
• S$10 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
  
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to claim for medical expenses if I get diagnosed with an infectious disease or sustained a severe injury during my trip?

Yes and no, this depends on the coverage limits and terms and conditions of your purchased travel insurance policy. Most plans provide medical coverage for medical, surgical, nursing or hospital charges up to a certain claim limit (as per your policy terms and conditions) with or without excess or co-payment requirements.

Some plans do offer the option of including overseas ICU hospitalisation daily allowance. It is best to consult your travel insurance agent for the most accurate details.

What are usually excluded in medical coverage for travel insurance?

The usual exclusions include:
  • Medical tourism
  • Medical claims that result from a pre-existing medical condition
  • Treatments by a Chinese medicine practitioner
  • Certain kinds of pregnancy-related claims
  • Certain kinds of dental expenses
  • Any bodily injury which existed prior to the beginning of the insured trip
  • Any evacuation which can be treated locally in the travel destination and does not prevent you from continuing your trip