TripZillaWell, after two years, the world is opening up again. Some destinations have completely reopened to tourists from all over the world as long as they’re fully vaccinated, while some countries like Singapore and South Korea are taking it step by step with Vaccinated Travel Lanes. But let’s say you still want to be extra careful about getting COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. What are the essential steps?
Make sure you have travel insurance before you leave SG
Image credit: Meric Dagli
The main reasons why it’s important to get travel insurance in the time of COVID-19 are the following:
- You’re covered in case you cancel or postpone your trip.
- You’re also covered for medical expenses relating to COVID-19, plus quarantine allowance for your trip.
- Some insurers will cover your expenses for COVID-19 up to 14 days after your trip.
Which types of Singapore travel insurance cover COVID-19 expenses?
Image credit: Kylle Pangan
There are a couple of leading insurance companies that give comprehensive coverages, such as policies from FWD Insurance, Sompo, and AXA.
When you’re travelling with Singapore Airlines (SA) though, they already have AIG as their partner insurance company for their passengers. AIG policies are always available for purchase when travellers depart from the following countries:
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Korea
- China
- United Kingdom
- United States
- France
- Germany
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
So, if you’re coming from Singapore and travelling via SA to destinations the country shares Vaccinated Travel Lanes with — currently, South Korea and Malaysia — then AIG would be the most convenient travel insurance for you.
Note: Singaporeans are also quarantine-free in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Singapore Airlines’ AIG travel insurance
When you’re booking a flight on singaporeair.com, you can simply add travel insurance while booking, or even add it to an existing itinerary via “Manage Booking.” SA has already amended the AIG travel insurance policy to cover COVID-19 medical expenses for passengers who purchase a new policy. On the other hand, those who have purchased a travel insurance policy from AIG before 17 Aug 2020 can still look forward to a COVID-19 medical coverage; but its extent will depend on the terms, conditions, and exclusions of their policy.
According to the SA website, return-trip insurance purchases will cover the following:
- Medical expenses incurred overseas, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation if you contract COVID-19 while travelling internationally (up to S$350,000)
- Travel cancellation up to 60 days before departure for non-refundable travel and/or accommodation expenses if you or your relative contracts COVID-19 before your scheduled trip departure date
- Travel curtailment for non-refundable trip costs and additional travel expenses to return to your country of residence if you or your relative contract COVID-19 while travelling internationally
- Up to S$200/day/person for up to 14 consecutive days if while you are outside your country of residence, you test positive for COVID-19, and as a result are unexpectedly placed into mandatory quarantine outside your country of residence
Note: The AIG travel insurance policy will only cover cancellation and postponement for one-way trips. Read more about AIG’s assistance services here.
More travel insurance policies covering COVID-19
Singaporeans can also avail of AXA’s SmartTraveller plan and Wanderlust plan. Both plans offer COVID-19 medical coverage overseas for as much as S$300,000 and trip cancellation coverage worth S$6,000, among other benefits. Read more about AXA’s travel insurance plans here.
Meanwhile, FWD Insurance’s travel policy covers up to S$100,000 in COVID-19 medical expenses incurred during/after your trip and additional coverage for trip disruption. Plus, this insurance will still cover S$200 a day for up to 14 days after your trip in case you’re hospitalised due to COVID-19. Read more about this insurance policy here.
Sompo Insurance is another great option for Singaporeans who want to take advantage of the current VTLs. Its Superior policy covers COVID-19 medical expenses overseas from S$80,000 to S$200,000. The policy’s family insurance for medical expenses can cover up to S$300,000. Its medical evacuation and repatriation due to COVID-19 also cover up to S$500,000. Read more about this travel insurance here.
What to do if you get COVID-19 before your trip
Get a refund. But, remember that insurers will only cover your expenses if your chosen airline and accommodation have chosen not to refund you in case you get COVID-19. So, you’ll have to present proof or receipts to your insurer that these mentioned parties have not repaid your expenses. You most likely have to show a positive PCR test result as well. Here’s a brief summary of the next steps to take:
- You need to collect the necessary emails to show your insurer that your airline and/or accommodation have denied you a refund or only partially refunded you.
- You need to submit a positive COVID-19 PCR test result.
- If any, you need to fill up your insurer’s trip cancellation or postponement form.
What to do if you get COVID-19 during your trip
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As of writing, Singapore won’t let its citizens back home if they’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas and until they test negative. This means that Singaporeans will have to isolate themselves for days or even be hospitalised in the country they’re currently in. Here are the basic steps:
- Call your insurer right away to check the expenses they can cover.
- See a doctor in your destination to determine your next step: isolation or hospitalisation.
- Gather your supporting documents, specifically: a positive PCR test result, doctor’s memo stating that you have COVID-19 and the appropriate treatment, vaccination card, flight itinerary or boarding pass, medical report or inpatient discharge summary, and original medical bills.
- Fill out your insurer’s claims form.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 after arriving back in Singapore
Image credit: Kirill Petropavlov
Ask your insurer if they can cover your COVID-19 medical expenses in Singapore. But as of writing, only FWD Insurance covers a post-travel scenario, with a budget of S$200 a day for up to 14 days after your trip.
But luckily for Singaporeans, the government has made it very easy to know your next steps whenever you’re not feeling well at the time of COVID-19. Check the Ministry of Health’s website here for a simplified process.
Also read: Singapore Will No Longer Cover Medical Costs for COVID-19 Patients Who Are “Unvaccinated by Choice”
Thanks to Singapore’s quick vaccination rollout and efficient COVID-19 response, Singaporeans can now enjoy vaccinated travel lanes ahead of so many other countries. Now, the only thing left is to become extra confident in travelling again; that’s possible with the help of the perfect Singapore travel insurance that will meet all your needs. Which one do you think you’ll get?
Featured image credit: John McArthur | Unsplash
