Fuss-free travellers: Creating a safety net for your travels is easier and cheaper than you think
Creating new memories, gaining experiences and seeing with fresh eyes – just a few reasons why we all love travelling. The world is your oyster, but it’s never fun when things go awry. As a fuss-free traveler, you like to take it easy when you travel. Shopping, eating, relaxing… you believe in life’s simple pleasures, and that less is more. Lying on the beach and getting a sunburn is probably the biggest risk you will ever take. Naturally, you are a little complacent and take it for granted that all will be easy and breezy. But as life goes, sh*t happens when you least expect it. What will you do then? If you’re on a budget, and you are down with food poisoning, for example, and you require urgent medical help, are you prepared to pay the price — literally? There’s no such thing as being too prepared, especially when you’re in a foreign country. The point of planning ahead and buying travel insurance is to ensure there is a safety net for any unforeseen circumstances. We can think of at least four scenarios where things could go wrong, what you can claim and how grateful you will be to yourself for getting insured. Disclaimer: The scenarios depicted below are purely hypothetical. Benefits will vary depending on the travel insurance policy you should decide to purchase. Please check the terms and conditions of your policy to be fully aware of the benefits that are available to you.Scenario 1: You have to cut short your trip due to a family emergency
During your trip, you receive news that a family member is ill, and you have to return home immediately. Due to such unexpected, extenuating circumstances, you are able to claim the unused/paid portion of your travel expenses, and/or accommodation. Depending on your policy plan, the claim amount ranges from about S$3,000 to S$15,000.Scenario 2: Your flight is cancelled, or postponed due to unforeseen weather conditions
Today, with the effects of global warming, it’s increasingly hard to forecast weather conditions. For instance, in December last year, major airlines cancelled their flights to and from Bali as a result of Mount Agung’s eruptions. Such travel inconveniences can be seriously frustrating and dampen one’s spirit. But if you’re covered, you can at least take comfort in the fact that you can cut your losses. The claim amount ranges from S$5,000 to S$15,000. However, note that this claim is only valid if the flight is cancelled 30 days or less before your scheduled departure date, and your policy plan has to be booked more than three days before your trip starts.Scenario 3: You lose your passport and cash as a victim of theft
If you find your passport and cash stolen — it’s not uncommon, by the way — the first thing to do is keep calm and make a police report within 24 hours, at the place where it occurred. Travel insurance will pay for your travel expenses (including flight and accommodation) to the nearest embassy to get a new passport, and the cost incurred to do so. You will also be reimbursed up to S$350 cash (based on the plan selection).Scenario 4: You get food poisoning and need to be hospitalised
Part of is travelling is enjoying the local cuisine. However, we can never really predict how our tummies will react to local delicacies. There could also be situations where you fall ill due to the weather, or get into an unfortunate accident. On top of 24-hour free worldwide emergency travel support, the medical expenses you incurred overseas will be reimbursed, from S$150,000 to S$1 million. No matter how chill and fuss-free you think you are, there are no certainties in life, and as Shakespeare says, readiness is all. Be wise, protect yourself and your family. Thanks to SingSaver, here are some of the most affordable travel insurance plans to consider for your next trip — all for the price of a pizza (or less).| Insurer | Medical Coverage (Overseas) | Cancellation Coverage (before departure) | Loss/Damage of Baggage | Single day premium (adult) |
| FWD Premium (Asia) | S$200,000 | S$7,500 | S$3,000 | S$9.75 |
| AXA Essential Plan (Regional) | S$300,000 | S$6,000 | S$5,000 | S$10.08 |
| AXA Essential Plan (Global) | S$300,000 | S$6,000 | S$5,000 | S$13.86 |
| FWD Premium (Worldwide excluding USA) | S$200,000 | S$7,500 | S$3,000 | S$14.25 |
| HL Assurance Basic (Asia) | S$150,000 | S$5,000 | S$3,000 | S$17.20 |
Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Note: This is only product information provided. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying an insurance product that are not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs. If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.
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By Alexa Fang
Alexa is a pop-culture vulture. She lives to read, write and travel, and decided long ago that life is stranger than fiction. When she's having a croissant, she thinks in French. "31 Rue Cambon" is her favourite address, and she believes that money one enjoyed spending is never money wasted.
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