As borders begin to open, NTUC Income adds Covid-19 coverage to travel insurance

SINGAPORE — Customers who buy travel insurance from NTUC Income will now receive coverage for Covid-19 medical expenses while overseas, the insurer announced on Thursday (Nov 26).

The Covid-19 benefits are automatically included in single trip travel insurance plans purchased from Thursday and are also included in plans that cover pre-existing conditions. They apply to trips with travel dates starting from Thursday.

Travellers who have bought the plan will be protected for 90 days for Covid-19-related hospitalisation expenses of up to US$100,000 while overseas, as well as costs incurred for medical evacuation or repatriation of up to US$100,000, if that becomes necessary.

NTUC Income said in a press release that it has decided to enhance its travel insurance offerings “in response to the gradual lifting of border restrictions in Singapore and other parts of the world”.

These Covid-19 benefits, however, will be excluded from travel insurance for trips to countries that the World Health Organization deems as high-risk for Covid-19 at the point of purchase, NTUC Income said.

Mr Fabian Ng, NTUC Income’s general manager for consumer business, said: “While overseas travel in general continues to be restricted, we understand that there are some who will need to travel for necessary business-related and other essential matters.

“As such, we have added new benefits to our travel insurance plans to cover for Covid-19-related medical emergencies so that our customers can travel with greater peace of mind when the need arises.”

Foreigners flying into Singapore can buy travel insurance with Covid-19 cover.

On Nov 18, the Changi Airport Group and the Singapore Tourism Board announced that three insurers, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance, Chubb Insurance Singapore and HL Assurance, have developed travel insurance products which provide at least S$30,000 in coverage for Covid-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.

A minimum of S$30,000 in coverage is recommended by the Ministry of Health based on Covid-19 bill sizes at private hospitals, which is where inbound travellers typically receive care for Covid-19.

Insurer Great Eastern told TODAY that the firm is “closely monitoring the still-evolving Covid-19 situation and the gradual lifting of travel restrictions”.

“It is too early for us to comment on the changes to travel insurance coverage at this stage. All Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who return from their overseas travels can use MediShield to pay for their hospitalisation bills if infected with Covid-19.

“They can also make use of their Integrated Shield plans if hospitalised for inpatient Covid-19 treatment from Oct 20, 2020, in line with the Ministry of Health announcement,” the Great Eastern spokesman said.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, insurer AXA said that the firm offers Covid-19 travel cover for Scoot passengers on flights departing Singapore, and will soon be making such coverage available to all travellers regardless of the airline they fly with so that they can travel with greater assurance.