Gone are the days when lost baggage used to be your biggest worry. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic that is almost over, it has made us realise that there are much bigger downers when it comes to travel—major disruptions are likely to be related to a widespread virus infection, political unrest or a resource crunch that could lead to a trip cancellation. So no matter where you’ll be flying to, make sure that you have the right travel insurance policy to keep you sufficiently covered for any flight cancellations.
What Are Excluded In Travel Insurance With Flight Cancellation Coverage?
The general exclusions for most travel insurance plans are quite similar to one another and there are still certain situations that no insurance company is willing to cover. These include:
Travel against prohibitions/acts/travel alerts/bulletins by any government or public authority which include thermal, biological, and nuclear pollution contamination, civil disorder or unrest, closure of a border, declared or undeclared acts of war, etc.
Travel involving illegal activities like trafficking of drugs, manslaughter or other types of crimes which results in a conviction
Any type of sports played in a professional or competitive capacity such as big wave surfing, winter activities like luging, bobsleighing, skiing, snowboarding, cliff jumping, etc.
Travel when medically unfit and advised against travel by a medical professional
Travel with mental disorders
Injury of loss due to alcohol or drugs when travelling.
We asked Singaporeans about flight disruptions, and they answered.
Find out the worst airlines with delays and cancellations according to Singaporean travellers.
Best Travel Insurance With Coverage For Flight Cancellation
MoneySmart Exclusive
Win up to $55,000 | Best value plan
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- Med. Coverage (Overseas)
- S$150,000
- Trip Cancellation
- S$5,000
- Loss/Damage of Personal Baggage
- S$3,000
- Total Premium
Total Premium
S$30.3210% Off - S$27.29
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• Enjoy 10% off your policy premium.
• Get an Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM with every policy purchased.
• Additionally, receive up to S$25via PayNow and up to S$20 iShopChangi e-vouchers with eligible premiums spent.T&Cs apply.
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Valid until 30 Jun 2024
Featuring plans from as little as $4 a day for travel insurance, Bubblegum makes travel insurance purchases hassle-free and convenient via its mobile app. You’ll be able to customise your plan with any optional add-ons, get your quote in just minutes by syncing your details from SingPass, and track your travel insurance claims anytime, anywhere.
MoneySmart Exclusive
Add-on Covid-19 coverage
MoneySmart Exclusive
Add-on Covid-19 coverage
- Med. Coverage (Overseas)
- S$500,000
- Travel Cancelation
- S$5,000
- Loss/Damage of Baggage
- S$2,000
- Total Premium
Total Premium
S$3445% Off - S$18.70
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• Enjoy 45% off your Single Trip policy premium and 80% off Covid-19 add-on for Annual Plans. T&Cs apply
• Get S$10 iShopChangi e-vouchers with every policy purchased.T&Cs apply.
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Valid until 30 Jun 2024
Choose from some of the most comprehensive and affordable travel insurance plans around, provided by one of the newer players in Singapore’s travel insurance scene, Etiqa. The Tiq Savvy which is their 2nd tier in their selection of plans includes coverage for flight cancellation, disruption and curtailment, coverage for pre-existing conditions, coverage for outdoor and extreme sports activities, the option of a COVID-19 travel insurance add-on coverage and more.
MoneySmart Exclusive
Win up to $55,000 | Most Comprehensive
MoneySmart Exclusive
Win up to $55,000 | Most Comprehensive
- Med. Coverage (Overseas)
- S$500,000
- Trip Cancellation
- S$10,000
- Loss/Damage of Baggage
- S$5,000
- Total Premium
Total Premium
S$52.540% Off - S$31.50
[ | MoneySmart Exclusive]
• Enjoy up to 40% off your policy premium
• Get an Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM with every policy purchased.
• Additionally, receive up to S$45 via PayNow OR 1 x Apple AirTag (worth S$45.40) andup to S$20 iShopChangi e-voucher with eligible premiums spent.T&Cs apply.
BONUS:For a limited time only, there are over S$19,600 worth of gifts to be given away:
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• 5x MVST TREK Aluminium Large Suitcase (worth S$790)
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Valid until 12 Jun 2024
MSIG is one of the few insurers in Singapore that has travel insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions. Their TravelEasy® Elite plan includes COVID-19 travel insurance coverage, flight disruption and cancellation coverage, TravelEasy Pre-Ex® add-on option for pre-existing conditions coverage, overseas and post-trip medical expenses, extreme sports coverage, replacement of traveller coverage, coverage for insolvency of licensed travel operator, and more.
MoneySmart Exclusive
Add-on Covid-19 Coverage | Low Premiums
MoneySmart Exclusive
Add-on Covid-19 Coverage | Low Premiums
- Med. Coverage (Overseas)
- S$500,000
- Trip Cancellation
- S$10,000
- Loss/Damage of Baggage
- S$5,000
- Total Premium
Total Premium
S$29.0740% Off - S$17.44
[ | MoneySmart Exclusive]
• For a limited time only, enjoy up to40%off your policy premium. Valid till 4 June 2024.
• Get S$20 iShopChangi e-voucherand Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
BONUS:For a limited time only, there are over S$19,600 worth of gifts to be given away:
• 1x Rolex Oyster Perpetual - 124200 34mm Silver (worth S$9,000)
• 1x Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (worth S$1,664.25)
• 5x MVST TREK Aluminium Large Suitcase (worth S$790)
• 1x Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (worth S$589) and many more!
Increase your chances of winning when you refer friendstoday. T&Cs apply
PLUS, score S$100 iShopChangi vouchers in our giveaway on top of existing rewards.T&Csapply.
Valid until 30 Jun 2024
Providing wallet-friendly travel insurance packages that come with a 180-day advance purchase benefit, FWD Business is just one of their insurance plans which offer some of the lowest premiums in Singapore. Highlights of this plan includes an optional COVID-19 Enhanced Travel Benefits add-on that covers up to $100,000 in COVID-19 medical expenses incurred during/after your trip, cashless medical claim service, emergency medical evacuation and many other benefits.
MoneySmart Exclusive
Win up to $55,000 | FLASH DEAL
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- Med. Coverage (Overseas)
- S$200,000
- Trip Cancellation
- S$5,000
- Loss/Damage of Baggage
- S$3,000
S$37.4450% Off- S$18.72
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• Enjoy 50% off your policy premium
• Get an Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM with every policy purchased.
• Additionally, receive up to S$50 via PayNow OR 1 x Apple AirTag (worth S$45.40) and up to S$20 iShopChangi e-vouchers with eligible premiums spent.T&Cs apply.
BONUS:For a limited time only, there are over S$19,600 worth of gifts to be given away:
• 1x Rolex Oyster Perpetual - 124200 34mm Silver (worth S$9,000)
• 1x Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB (worth S$1,664.25)
• 5x MVST TREK Aluminium Large Suitcase (worth S$790)
• 1x Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (worth S$589) and many more!
Increase your chances of winning when you refer friendstoday. T&Cs apply
PLUS, score S$100 iShopChangi vouchers in our giveaway on top of existing rewards.T&Csapply.
Valid until 12 Jun 2024
Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance plans feature 3 tiers namely, Bronze, Silver or Gold which are all highly customisable. Their basic plan Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze plan encompasses coverage for trip cancellation, cruise coverage, extreme sports coverage, overseas medical expenses, as well as in and outpatient treatments abroad coverage, personal accident benefit of up to $500,000 for accidental death and disablement, and many more.
Don't let flight cancellations ruin your trip. Get travel insurance coverage today!
Common Situations Valid For Flight Cancellation Claims
While flight cancellation claim benefits differ from insurer to insurer, there are some widely accepted reasons that would be covered by most travel insurance companies. Death or serious illness/injury (happen to you, your spouse, child or travelling companion) is among the most widely accepted reasons for flight cancellation claims, which all insurers will cover.
Other commonly accepted reasons which you or your travel companion can claim for include:
- Unexpected “flare-up” of a pre-existing medical condition right before your trip or during your trip
- Flight cancellation by the airline due to adverse weather conditions
- Flight cancellation by the airline due to closure of airways, airports or runways
- Residential home damaged by a fire, storm, flood or other natural disasters
- Called to be a witness in court during your travel dates
Do note that for most travel insurance claims, whatever the reason is for cancelling your trip, the reason must occur within 30 days of your departure.
Best Travel Insurance With Flight Cancellation Coverage Benefits
Best For | Travel insurance plan | Estimated premium rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Highest trip cancellation coverage limit | Singlife Travel Lite, Singlife Travel Plus and Singlife Travel Prestige plans | $31 - $60 |
| Overall good value | Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze, Silver and Gold plans | $24 - $39 |
| Affordability | Bubblegum Travel Insurance plan | $21 |
| Trip cancellation due to pre-existing conditions | MSIG TravelEasy® Standard Pre-Ex, Elite Pre-Ex, Premier Pre-Ex plans | $38 - $68 |
| Family | FWD Premium, FWD Business and FWD First plans | From $66 |
What Is The Average Cost Of A Travel Insurance With Coverage For Flight Cancellation?
| Travel insurance provider | Medical expenses | Personal accident | Overseas hospital allowance | Trip cancellation | Estimated total premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singlife | Unlimited | Up to $500,000 | $200 per day | Up to $20,000 | $31 |
| Starr | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $500,000 | $200 per day | Up to $15,000 | $24 |
| Bubblegum | Up to $150,000 | Up to $150,000 | $100 per day | Up to $15,000 | $21 |
| MSIG | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $150,000 | $300 per day | Up to $5,000 | $38 |
| FWD | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | $200 per day | Up to $5,000 | $17 |
Average Cost Of A Travel Insurance Plan With Flight Cancellation Coverage
*Estimated premium rates are based on a 5D4N single trip plan to a country in Asia.
Looking at the key features and price points of MoneySmart’s round-up of the best 5 travel insurance plans with flight cancellation coverage, we can do a quick comparison of the differences and similarities. The average cost of a travel insurance plan with flight cancellation coverage for a 5D4N trip to somewhere in Asia is about $27, assuming that we take the most basic plan offered by each travel insurance provider.
Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:
$31 + $24 + $21 + $38 + $17 = $131
$131 ÷ 5 = $26.20
Those offering lower premiums would be FWD, Bubblegum, followed by Starr. Despite offering lower premiums than Bubblegum, the medical expenses coverage by FWD is much more with a maximum limit of $1,000,000.
Singlife, Starr and FWD also provide higher coverage of up to $20,000 and $15,000 respectively, for trip cancellation in the situation you’re diagnosed with COVID-19.
For more extensive coverage for medical expenses in the event that you or your travel companion gets diagnosed with COVID-19 or meet with any medical-related mishaps during the trip, Singlife’s Prestige plan will be really useful with the highest coverage of an unlimited claim limit among the 5 plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have purchased travel insurance but my trip is cancelled. Will I be able to get a refund?
- Yes and no, this depends on when you submit your trip cancellation request and the departure date of your trip. Most travel insurance companies will accept your claim if your request and the valid reason for cancellation is submitted within 30 days of your departure.
If I need to cancel my trip due to the closure of a border (as announced by a particular overseas government) en route to your originally planned journey, can I make a claim?
- No. Most travel insurance companies do not cover travel against prohibitions/acts/travel alerts/bulletins by any government or public authority which include closure of a border.
Should I buy travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage?
Yes, given that the recent pandemic situation is not entirely over, it is still recommended for most places that you’re travelling to. Although most countries have removed their COVID-19 related entry restrictions tourists visiting, there are still countries with stricter restrictions put in place. It is mandatory to get travel and health insurance coverage before you enter some countries.
Note that each country has its own prevailing entry requirements and in the situation you require medical assistance during your vacation or business trip, healthcare expenses can get very costly, unlike those in your home country as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government.
Do travel insurance plans cover COVID-19 tests?
Yes and no. Certain insurers like MSIG that offer free PCR test coverage for some of their plans i.e. Annual Trip plans, while those like NTUC Income travel insurance offer COVID-19 (PCR) swab tests at a certain price along with a series of other types of pre-departure tests.
However, there are also insurers like AXA and AIG who do not cover expenses incurred for mandatory COVID-19 diagnostic tests or any pre-departure or post-departure testing.
How can I compare and get COVID-19 coverage for my travel insurance?
- You may get COVID-19 coverage for your travel insurance either through your preferred travel insurance mobile app, website or insurance agent. As for the comparison process, you can choose to do it yourself via a comparison platform like Moneysmartor through the recommendations of your insurance agent.
