Covid-19 insurance now available for inbound travellers to Singapore

FOREIGN visitors entering Singapore will now be able to buy inbound travel insurance coverage for Covid-19 related costs incurred in Singapore.

Three insurers - AIG Asia Pacific Insurance, Chubb Insurance Singapore and HL Assurance - have developed travel insurance plans, which provide at least S$30,000 in coverage for Covid-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on behalf of the Emerging Stronger Taskforce Alliance for Action on Enabling Safe and Innovative Visitor Experiences.

The alliance noted that inbound foreign travellers entering Singapore via the various safe travel lanes are required to bear the full cost of medical treatment, tests and isolation, should they be suspected of being infected with Covid-19, or require medical treatment for Covid-19 while in Singapore.

According to the statement, 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.

"We have been actively engaging the insurance community since August this year, through an expression of interest exercise, to develop inbound travel insurance products as Singapore progressively reopens," said Lee Seow Hiang, CAG's chief executive officer and co-lead of the alliance.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

SGSME

Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips.

Sign Up

"We noticed such products were not available in the market, and wanted to encourage insurers to develop such products and offer them to travellers at a reasonable price."

Premiums for these inbound travel insurance plans start from S$5.35 and can be purchased directly from the insurers through their respective websites this month.

Said Keith Tan, STB's chief executive: "As we gradually reopen for safe travel, Covid-19 insurance coverage is a key enabler to rebuild traveller confidence and provide peace of mind.

"We are heartened that the public and private sectors have come together to provide solutions, and we look forward to more collaborations that will help Singapore lead the way as a safe, trusted and innovative destination."

STB announced separately on Tuesday that it inked a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Trip.com Group to jointly market Singapore as the destination of choice for travellers and to enhance visitors' experience in Singapore.

Trip.com Group, which operates websites such as Trip.com and Skyscanner, also announced that it has recently set up its international headquarters in Singapore.

As international travel gradually resumes, STB and Trip.com Group will embark on a series of joint marketing campaigns in several markets - such as mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand - designed to attract visitors to the city-state.

STB and Trip.com Group will also customise and promote a range of travel products, itineraries and experiences tailored to different types of travellers. They will also exchange insights on key traveller segments and regional travel trends, with industry stakeholders in Singapore and key markets.

James Liang, co-founder and chairman of Trip.com Group, said: "As international travel resumes, we believe Singapore will be the first port-of-call for many international visitors and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with STB to develop and grow Singapore's standing as one of the top tourist destinations over the next few years."

Last month, STB also signed a two-year MOU with vacation rental marketplace Airbnb to promote and grow a range of online and in-person experiences - such as virtual tours, cooking classes, meditation workshops and nature walks - hosted by locals.

READ MORE: Some insurers reviewing products to facilitate stepped border reopenings