How many days does an insured have to notify an insurer of a medical claim?

The idea of travel insurance came about in 1863 (not that long ago!) when a gentleman by the name of James Batterson realised that travel came with a unique set of risks. Globalisation and advancing technology have spurred travel and increased the need for assurance against the risks involved. You may know that travel insurance is important, but do you know to what extent? Here are some little-known facts about your travel insurance and claims benefits:

  1. You are covered for up to 60 days before your trip

Savvy travellers often preach about getting travel insurance early but do you know the true implications behind the good advice? Contrary to popular belief, travel insurance does not just cover you during your travels and post-trip. It also protects you prior to trip commencement, from cancellation (in case an unforeseen incident – like bad weather or political unrest – occurs at your destination point) and loss of deposit. This means that if you or your family members get injured, or if an unexpected event hinders travel plans, your flights and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed according to your policy benefits. Hence, you should always buy your travel insurance immediately upon confirming your travel plans.

  1. The cheapest travel insurance does not mean the best value

The basis of travel insurance lies in having a peace of mind, but do you have the habit of considering which aspect of your travel you actually need assurance for? Do not be too quick to choose the basic plan with the lowest price because that may not be the best choice, value-wise.

To determine which insurer or plan suits you best, begin with a risk assessment and consider the following:

  • Your destination(s) – Some insurers do not offer coverage for travel to high-risk countries.
  • Your travel companion(s) – There are greater considerations for solo female travellers or if you are travelling with an elderly person (or even someone with existing medical conditions).
  • Trip duration – The length of your travel will affect your travel insurance costs.
  • Travel activities – Adventure travels, such as scuba-diving trips, tend to involve higher risks so optional add-on riders may be necessary.

 

The cheapest policy may not be of value to you if it does not cover your needs, and paying a little more can go a long way – especially for travellers doing extreme sports or travelling with expensive equipment.

 

  1. Travel delay is not limited to air conveyance

The travel delay benefit in your policy is not confined to just air travel. While many people associate travel delay with flight delay, your travel insurance actually covers delay for any air, land, and water conveyance. This means that if the ferry you’ve booked to get to Tioman Island is cancelled or delayed unexpectedly, you can file a claim with supporting documents. If your train gets delayed due to bad weather or if a pre-booked tour bus fails to turn up at your hotel, this also falls under Travel Delay benefit. There is an array of travel delay instances you can claim for! When in doubt, always refer to your policy wording to know your entitlement.

  1. There’s usually a time limit to seek medical treatments and file your travel claims

If you have fallen ill overseas or upon your return to Singapore, your travel insurance policy does cover medical expenses. However, there is usually a time restriction. Most travel insurance policies stipulate that medical treatment must be sought within 48 hours of your return. You must also file your claims immediately and within the terms of your policy. Doing so immediately will also help you to avoid forgetting to file your claims due. You should also always let your consulting clinic know that you are covered with travel insurance.

  1. Proof is required for making claims

If you wish to make a claim, you must obtain and submit relevant proof of the incident. Depending on the type of claim, you’d need different documentary evidence. Often, the insurer will require copies of airline tickets, police reports, medical bills, carrier irregularities report and original purchase receipts etc.

Imagine you were driving along the highway when a car crashed against the rear of your car. If both drivers were not injured, you’d be taking pictures to document the damages for motor  claims, right? The same rule applies for the unfortunate events during your travel, such as taking pictures of your belongings pre-trip, just in case you lose them along the way. So remember to snap a couple of photos of that Louis Vuitton luggage before you board your aircraft!

More pre-travel tips:

  • Always keep a soft copy of important documents such as your flight details, passport, travel insurance, etc.
  • Leave a detailed itinerary and your travel insurance policy document with a friend.
  • Take a time-stamped picture of the belongings in your luggage in case of baggage loss or delay.
  • When purchasing travel insurance for family travel, it may be good to compare prices of individual, family and group plans. Note that age will affect premium and coverage.
  • For more information of travel insurance, read here.

 

Think you know travel insurance? Think again! Here’s answering some frequently asked questions that are seldom answered:

Qn. If my child – who is 16 years old – is travelling without me, can I buy travel insurance for him?

Ans: For individual travel insurance, policyholder must be at least 18 years of age. In case of exceptional circumstances, please write in to our customer service team to request a purchase. 

Qn 2. What policy can I buy if I am doing a Round-The-World trip during my sabbatical year?

Ans: You can buy an annual global travel insurance policy that will cover you for the entire year. However, do note that annual policy plans usually have a maximum trip length for each trip taken during the year. For example, ePROTECT travel insurance annual policy only covers the insured up to 90 days per trip.

Qn 3. I did not seek medical treatment until the third day after I returned from my trip. Am I still eligible for claims?

Ans: Do not wait to see the doctor if you are feeling unwell. To be eligible for claims, medical treatment has to be sought and administered within 48 hours of return. Any medical treatment thereafter will not be covered by your policy

In this instance, the early bird really catches the worm!

Qn 4. I forgot to buy travel insurance before I departed Singapore. What should I do? 

Ans: (Ahem!) please refer to point 1 at the top of this article.  

 

Humanising Insurance

Committed to placing people over policies, Etiqa is a Singapore insurance company owned by Maybank Ageas Holdings. Maybank Ageas is a joint venture between Maybank Group–the fourth largest Banking group in Southeast Asia with more than 22 million customers across 20 countries worldwide, and Ageas –one of Europe’s largest insurance companies with 33 million customers across 16 countries and a history of over 180 years.

Protecting more than 300,000 homes in Singapore since 1961, Etiqa is best known as the appointed insurer for the Singapore Housing Development Board (HDB) Fire Insurance Scheme. Etiqa also provides comprehensive life and general insurance solutions with affordable and transparent insurance premiums. These include motor insurance (including motorcycle insurance), travel insurance, home insurance, maid insurance, , insurance savings plan, retirement and . Etiqa is one of the first insurance companies in Singapore to empower its customers with online insurance, offering innovative, customer-centric experience such as real-time travel delay insurance and usage-based car insurance.

Discover the full range of Etiqa online insurance plans: http://www.etiqa.com.sg/buy-insurance-online/

 

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All information provided is true at the time of publishing and conditions may have changed since.

This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No 201331905K)
Protected up to specified limits by SDIC

As buying a life insurance policy is a long-term commitment, an early termination of the policy usually involves high costs and the surrender value, if any, that is payable to you may be zero or less than the total premiums paid.

This content is for reference only. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

How many days does the insurer have to comply?

An insurer has 40 days to accept or deny a claim in whole or in part. If an insurer is unable to accept or deny a claim, it should provide a written explanation of why it cannot come to a claim decision and describe what additional information it needs.

What is Section 61 Insurance Act Singapore?

Section 61 of the Insurance Act (Cap. 142) provides that the insurer may (i.e. at its sole discretion) to pay up to S$150,000 to a 'proper claimant' without the production of the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration.

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