Very often when you’re booking a flight, airlines will either prompt you to add travel insurance as you’re about to pay for the flight or right after you’ve paid.
Perhaps for the sake of convenience, you will just get it so you don’t have to think about it again.
However, some important aspects of these travel insurances might not be covered by airlines and you might be better off with travel insurance by a mainstream insurer.
From unexpected detours to misplaced baggage, insurance providers bring a touch of reassurance and a lot less stress to your travel stories. Because let’s face it, vacations are for making memories, not worrying about the what-ifs.
Let’s zoom in on some of the coverages offered!
TL;DR: 4 Reasons to Choose Insurer for Travel Insurance Over Airlines
While it might be convenient to purchase travel insurance from airlines, you’re advised not to overlook the activities you will be doing overseas so that you won’t miss out on important coverage.
Contrary to the belief that airlines prioritises coverage on things that are directly related to the airlines such as trip delay, trip cancellation, and loss of baggage by the airline, we found that at least Singapore Airlines and Scoot offer decent coverage for most aspects of travel insurance, but to get the level of coverage, you will need to be a KrisFlyer member.
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Disclaimer: The Information provided by Seedly does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any insurance product(s). It does not take into account the specific objectives or particular needs of any person. We strongly advise you to seek advice from a licensed insurance professional before purchasing any insurance products and/or services.
Coverage Comparison of Travel Insurance for Insurers vs Airlines
Here’s a glimpse into Singapore Airlines and Scoot’s travel insurance to give us a sense of what’s prioritised:
| Benefits | Singapore Airlines | Scoot | Seedly Travel Insurance | DBS Chubb TravellerShield Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underwritten by | Allianz Insurance Singapore | MSIG | HL Assurance | Chubb |
| Trip Cancellation | Up to $10,000 | Up to $1,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Trip Curtailment (You have to end your trip early and need to recover unused trip costs) | Up to $10,000 | Up to $1,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Trip Incident: Early Return, Trip Continuation or Extended Stay | Up to $10,000 | Flight Diversion: $1,000 - $2,000 Flight Overbooked: $200 - $400 Travel Misconnections: $100 - $200 | $1,000 - $2,500 | |
| Travel Delay | Up to $1,500 $200/day (with no receipts) $400/day (with receipts) | Up to $600 | $500 - $1,000 | $1,200 - $2,000 |
| Lost, damaged or stolen baggage | Up to $4,000 (Comprehensive) / Up to $5,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) Per item sub-limit: $500 Max. benefit for all high value items combined: $1,000 | Up to $2,000 Per item sub-limit: $200 Max. benefit for all high value items combined: $500 | $5,000 - $10,000 ($500 per article) | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Baggage Delay | Up to $400 No receipts sublimit (outbound travel only): $200 | Up to $800 | $1,500 - $1,800 | Up to $2,000 |
| Overseas Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage (0-64 years old) | Up to $500,000 (Comprehensive) Up to $1,000,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) Dental care sublimit: Up to $500 | 12 - 69 years old: Up to $70,000 70 - 74 years old: Up to $25,000 Below 12 years old: Up to $10,000 Emergency Dental: Up to $50,000 Hospital cash: Up to $4,000 ($200/day) Follow-up treatment in SG: - 12 - 69 years old: Up to $5,000 - 70 - 74 years old: Up to $2,500 - Below 12 years old: Up to $1,000 | $200,000 - $500,000 Follow-up treatment in SG: - 70 and below: $20,000 - $40,000 Overseas Hospital Cash Allowance: $10,000 - $20,000 | $300,000 - $1,000,000 |
| Overseas Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage (>65 years old) | Up to $125,000 (Comprehensive) Up to $250,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) Dental care maximum sublimit: $500 KrisFlyer Comprehensive only - Hospital cash: Up to $5,000 - Follow-up treatment in SG: Up to $5,000 - TCM: Up to $350 | $50,000 - $100,000 Follow-up treatment in SG: - 70 and below: $2,000 - $4,000 Overseas Hospital Cash Allowance: $10,000 - $20,000 |
||
| Emergency Transportation | Up to $300,000 (Comprehensive) Up to $500,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) Search & Rescue sublimit: Up to $10,000 | Covered | Up to $50,000 | |
| Personal Accident or Permanent Disability | Up to $80,000 (Comprehensive) Up to $100,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) | 12 - 69 years old: Up to $100,000 70 - 74 years old: Up to $50,000 Below 12 years old: Up to $10,000 | 70 and below: $150,000 - $300,000 Above 70: $50,000 - $100,000 Child: $10,000 | $150,000 - $500,000 |
| Personal Liability | Up to $1,000,000 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) | Up to $500,000 | $500,000 - $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Rental Car Excess | Up to $750 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered - $1,500 |
| Personal Documents | Up to $650 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) | Up to $1,000 (Max $300 for money) | $2,500 - $5,000 Max limit for money: $200 - $300 | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Personal Money | Up to $650 (KrisFlyer Comprehensive) | $250 - $750 | ||
| Hijacking | Covered | Up to $2,000 | Up to $5,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Terrorism | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Medical expenses whilst overseas & Emergency / Medical Evacuation and Repatriation due to COVID-19 | Covered | Up to $70,000 | Covered | $50,000 - $200,000 (Add-on) |
| Trip Cancellation due to COVID-19 | Up to $1,000 | Covered | $2,500 - $7,500 (Add-on) | |
| Trip Curtailment/Rearrangement due to COVID-19 | Up to $1,000 | Covered | $2,500 - $7,500 (Add-on) | |
| Overseas Hospitalisation Allowance due to COVID-19 | Up to $1,000 ($50/day) | Covered | $700 - $1,400 (Add-on) | |
| Overseas Quarantine Allowance due to COVID-19 | Up to $1,000 ($100/day) | Covered | $700 - $1,400 (Add-on) | |
| Other coverages | - | Loss of Frequent Flyer Points: Up to $500 Travel Misconnection: Up to $600 KrisFlyer Member Exclusive - Rental Car late fees: Up to $100 - Hospital Income in Singapore: Up to $1,000 - Fraudulent credit card usage: Up to $1,000 - Additional Accidental Death and Permanent Disablement Benefit (while on Scheduled Flight): Up to $50,000 - Treatment by Physician (cost of TCM, physiotherapy, chiropractor incurred whilst overseas): Up to $200 - Legal Expenses and Assistance whilst Overseas: Up to $300 | Emergency phone charges, Adventurous activities, Double Public Transport Coverage, Child Support Grant, Child Education Grant, Overseas Funeral Expenses, Compassionate Visit | Add-on: Adventurous activities, pet care, funeral expenses, child education grant, credit card indemnity, home guard |
*We have shortlisted white-labeled products for more accurate comparison
When we compare it to mainstream travel insurance, the coverage by both airlines falls short in the following aspects:
- Emergency phone charges
- Adventurous activities
- Double Public Transport Coverage
- Child Support Grant
- Child Education Grant
- Overseas Funeral Expenses
- Compassionate Visit
While you might just need something super basic, it’s worth considering these aspects if you plan to do more activities including overseas hiking or scuba diving.
Cost Comparison of Travel Insurance for Insurers vs Airlines
Based on a 7-day trip to Taipei, Singapore Airlines’ travel insurance costs $48 (for all passengers), and Scootsurance costs $44.43 per passenger.
Naturally, the more extensive the coverage, the higher the premium, and this is reflected in the premiums of both Seedly Travel Insurance and DBS Chubbs TravelShield Plus – the former costs $40.22 – $53.72 ($53.63 – $71.63) while the latter costs $40 – $60.80 (U.P. $100 – $152).
While the premiums by insurers are higher, we all know that premium is not the only thing you should be looking at when picking travel insurance, and if it costs just $10 more for more coverage, it does make financial sense to do so.
Claim Processing of Travel Insurance
Travel insurance by airlines is underwritten by a third-party insurer, and this includes Singapore Airlines and Scoot.
For Singapore Airlines Travel Protect, you will need to visit Allianz’s claims portal.
So, if you are submitting a travel insurance claim, you will have to work directly with the underwriting company for your claims and follow the procedures and requirements for document submission.
To get a better sense of what you can do to prepare for a travel insurance claim, here’s a guide on how to do so:
Coverage Gaps for Pre-existing Conditions
It can be rather difficult for someone with pre-existing conditions to get covered by travel insurance, but it’s possible to do so when purchasing from a mainstream insurer.
Currently, two insurers are known for providing coverage for pre-existing conditions and they are Income and FWD.
Other than that, airlines don’t typically offer this set of coverage.
Pros and Cons of Buying Travel Insurance From Insurers And Airlines
The choice between insurers and airlines for travel insurance depends on individual preferences, travel plans, and the level of coverage desired, but if you need a starting point to weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your needs, here’s a summary of what you need to know:
| Pros of Buying Travel Insurance from Insurers | Cons of Buying Travel Insurance from Insurers |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Potentially higher cost |
| Tailored policies | Complexity in customisation |
| Dedicated support | |
| Flexibility | |
| Pros of Buying Travel Insurance from Airlines | Cons of Buying Travel Insurance from Airlines |
| Convenience | Limited coverage |
| Simplicity | Less flexibility |
| Lower cost in general | Gaps in coverage |
Afterthoughts
Personally, when it comes to protecting your trips, I would prefer choosing insurance from specialised providers as it offers a distinct advantage.
Unlike airline-specific coverage, comprehensive travel insurance from insurers provides broader protection, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage loss.
Take a moment to explore your options and ensure your travel insurance suits your specific adventure, providing the peace of mind you deserve. It’s like having a travel-savvy friend who’s got your back, offering coverage beyond flight hiccups.
If you are looking to get travel insurance, you might want to consider our offering.
Seedly Travel Insurance Promotions
If you’re considering travel insurance, make sure you check out Seedly Travel Insurance!
This travel insurance is ideal for everyone, particularly families, as it automatically includes insurance protection for children without needing additional add-ons!
Built from the ground up based on what users want in a travel insurance plan, Seedly Travel insurance includes COVID-19 coverage, personal accident benefits per child, and all your travel essentials covered!
Sign up now and enjoy 50% off and an additional 7% off with promo code ‘march7‘.
You’ll also receive a FREE 3GB Airalo Travel eSim (worth US$10) and up to S$50 Grab Vouchers! And that’s not the end.
From now till 10 March 2024, you will also get a FREE Apple AirTag (worth S$45)! No min. premium required.
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