You will definitely need VTL insurance if you are travelling to Singapore under the Vaccinated Travel Lanes scheme. Find out your options that cover medical expense and quarantine in detail. Additionally as protection for trip cancellation.
Some countries require mandatory travel insurance, and travel insurance is generally there to cover you for things that happen outside of Singapore.
Important Coverage for VTL
Insurance Allowance for Quarantine
This is if you are positive COVID-19 result while overseas and are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, the standard procedure in most VTL countries is to self-isolate in a hotel.
Medical Expenses
Some specific VTL countries require foreigners to purchase travel insurance. Specifically this needs to meet with a minimum coverage for COVID-19 medical treatment.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Emergency Medical Evacuation is a very expensive process when your health deteriorates further.
Trip Cancellation
Trip cancellation protection offers reimbursement for any forfeiture of deposits or charges that are inevitable. With the Omicron variants in place, VTL cancellation will surely rise in numbers as insurance will be a good option here.
List of Singapore VTL Travel Insurance Options for COVID-19 Omicron
AIG Travel Guard
Medical Expenses: S$50K to S$250K
Medical Evacuation: S$50K to S$250K
Quarantine Allowance: S$50 per day (14 day max) to S$100 per day (14 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$2.5K to S$7.5K
Policy Wording: https://www.aig.sg/content/dam/aig/apac/singapore/travel/travel-guard-direct-policy-wording-on-after-26-june-2021.pdf
Allianz Travel Insurance
Medical Expenses: S$1M to Unlimited
Medical Evacuation: S$1M to Unlimited
Quarantine Allowance: None
Trip Cancellation: S$15K to S$25K
Policy Wording: https://www.allianz-assistance.com.sg/policy-wordings.html
Aviva Travel Insurance
Medical Expenses: S$10K to S$20K
Medical Evacuation: S$250K to Unlimited
Quarantine Allowance: None to S$100 per day (20 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$500 to S$2K
Policy Wording: https://www.aviva.com.sg/content/dam/asl-public/sg/documents/aviva-travel/policy-documents/Aviva-Travel-Policy-Document.pdf
AXA Smart Traveller
Medical Expenses: S$75K to S$150K
Medical Evacuation: Unlimited
Quarantine Allowance: S$50 per day (7 days to 14 days max)
Trip Cancellation: S$1K to S$2K
Policy Wording: https://www.axa.com.sg/pdf/our_solutions/travel/smarttraveller/smarttraveller_policy_wording_purchased_on_01_Feb_2021_or_later.pdf
CHUBB DBS TravellerShield Plus
Medical Expenses: S$50K to S$200K
Medical Evacuation: S$50K to S$200K
Quarantine Allowance: S$100 per day (7 day to 14 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$2.5K to S$7.5K
Policy Wording: https://www.dbs.com.sg/iwov-resources/pdf/insurance/travellershield-plus/policy-wording-travellershield-plus.pdf#page=5
EQ Insurance Travel CovidSafes
Medical Expenses: S$50K to S$200K
Medical Evacuation: S$50K to S$200K
Quarantine Allowance: S$50 per day (14 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$1K to S$2K
Great Eastern TravelSmart Premier
Medical Expenses: Up to S$150K
Medical Evacuation: Up to S$150K
Quarantine Allowance: None
Trip Cancellation: Up to S$5K
HL Assurance COVIDSafe Travel Protect360
Medical Expenses: Up to S$100K
Medical Evacuation: Up to Unlimited
Quarantine Allowance: Up to S$50 per day (20 day max)
Trip Cancellation: Up to S$2K
Policy Wording: https://www.hlas.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HL-Assurance-CovidSafe-Travel-Insurance-Policy-Wording.pdf
MSIG TravelEasy
Medical Expenses: S$65K to S$200K
Medical Evacuation: S$65K to S$200K
Quarantine Allowance: None
Trip Cancellation: S$1K to S$3K
Policy Wording: https://www.msig.com.sg/sites/msig_sg/files/2021-11/TravelEasy_COVID-19%20Cover.pdf
NTUC Income
Medical Expenses: S$100K to S$150K
Medical Evacuation: S$150K
Quarantine Allowance: S$100 per day (14 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$2K
Policy Wording: https://www.income.com.sg/kcassets/ce0fe97a-33b7-467f-bfd9-222422b408ef/Travel%20Policy%20Wordings%20202112.pdf
SOMPO Travel (COVID-19) Insurance
Medical Expenses: S$100K to S$200K
Medical Evacuation: S$100K to S$200K
Quarantine Allowance: S$50 to S$100 per day (14 day max)
Trip Cancellation: S$2K to S$4K
Policy Wording: https://www.sompo.com.sg/docs/default-source/products-downloads/products/travelcovid19/travelcovid19.pdf
In summary, I would like to recommend to get VTL insurance that provides coverage for all four areas here, as you will be in the disadvantage in the event some bad things occur.
Cover Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
