Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance
- 35% off for all destinations (Code: FINDER35)
- Flexible and affordable coverage
- COVID-19 related trip cancellation/curtailment
- Up to $100,000 for overseas COVID-19 related medical expenses
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Single Trip Travel Insurance
Looking for quality travel insurance for a single trip? Get cover for less than you think.
Single-trip travel insurance is designed to provide affordable cover for just one trip. This is a suitable option for single travellers or families that generally only take one major trip per year. It is usually quite flexible and less expensive than annual policies covering multiple trips in a year.
Before you travel on your next holiday, remember to purchase single-trip travel insurance. Not sure what to look out for? Our guide provides an overview of what to check before buying.
Compare policies and apply securely
What does it cover?
Most policies will provide standard cover for:
- Overseas medical emergencies
- Trip cancellation and lost deposits for flights, accommodation and tours
- Lost, damaged and stolen luggage and valuables
- Personal liability
Many providers will also offer additional cover so you can tailor your policy closer to the trip you will be taking, i.e. winter sports or cruise cover.
This article will offer key tips on what to look for in a policy and how to get an affordable cover that still provides enough protection.
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Should I get a single trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance?
Not sure whether a single trip or annual policy is better for you? Consider these points:
- Annual cover is usually only cheaper for those who travel overseas at least three times a year. If you don’t travel that often you may be better off going with a single-trip policy.
- Most single trip policies will allow you to take out cover for up to 12 months (some specified policies extend this to 18 months). Individual trips on annual policies are usually only available for 30, 60, 90 day periods. If you plan on staying at your destination for longer than this period, you are better off going with a single trip cover.
- There may be lower age limits to single-trip policies.
- Some annual policies will have a reduced level of cover to that offered on the single trip policy.
- Cover for groups is generally not available under annual policies.
- Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions can have difficulty taking out annual travel insurance and will usually have to purchase individual cover for each trip and provide evidence of their health at each application.
- Single trip travel insurance may be more suitable if you need additional cover for your trip, i.e. winter sports cover, cover for valuable items etc.
- Not all trips are the same, and you may only require a reduced level of cover for certain trips.
Looking for a family policy for a single trip?
You may be able to secure a better rate on your travel insurance policy by applying for group cover for your family instead of individual policies. The typical family travel insurance policy covers two adults and four children under 21 years of age, though this may vary between providers. Some benefits of this option for policy owners include:
- The convenience of having only one policy to manage. The reduced hassle of managing multiple policies in case of a claim.
- Generally provides a higher level of cover than individual policies. This includes higher levels of cancellation protection, alternative accommodation and baggage cover.
- Free child cover options. In some cases, the children named in the policy are included without you having to pay any extra cost.
What’s a dependent child?
A dependent child is a child or grandchild under the age of 18 that is not engaged in full-time employment and is with you for the duration of the trip.
A dependent child is a child or grandchild under the age of 18 that is not engaged in full-time employment and is with you for the duration of the trip.
Looking for a group policy for a single trip?
It is also possible to obtain single trip insurance for a group travelling together. It is a far cheaper way of getting comprehensive coverage for all without everyone having to worry about arranging and taking out their protection. Group single trip insurance is ideal for friends travelling together to a common event, such as a major sporting event or concert in another country. It is also an ideal cover for groups of co-workers travelling abroad for a conference. For this reason, group cover will give you the same individual protection you would have received if you had ‘gotten it alone’ and often at a much more competitive rate.
Here are some things to look out for when considering a group cover:
- It might not cover you for some pursuits such as extreme sports such as jet skiing, rock climbing and scuba diving. If you are looking to do extreme sports overseas, be sure to check out extreme sports travel coverage. It’s a good idea to ask the insurer if the activities you want to try are covered before you purchase the policy as different insurers might have a different idea of what counts as ‘extreme’.
- The number of people covered under a group policy. The total number of travellers that can be covered may vary from policy to policy. Most group policies will provide cover for up to 8 to 12 travellers.
- Older travellers in the group might have trouble arranging group single travel insurance, especially those 65 years of age and over. An increased level of risk of a claim from pre-existing medical conditions will usually require each member of the group to take out an individual policy.
- Conditions apply to each member. Anyone looking to apply for group cover should remember that the same policy conditions and exclusions will apply to each group member. If a member of the group is not satisfied with the level of cover provided they might want to look into taking out their own individual policy.
It might not cover you for some pursuits such as extreme sports such as jet skiing, rock climbing and scuba diving. If you are looking to do extreme sports overseas, be sure to check out How can I get affordable single-trip travel insurance that provides the cover I need?
Here are some key steps to take when applying for single-trip travel insurance to keep your premium cost low:
- Work out how much coverage you need. It’s no good taking the most comprehensive policy out there if half of what is covered doesn’t apply to your cover needs. Work out suitable cover levels for each loss and avoid policies with expensive extras you don’t require.
- Before deciding which policy to choose, compare several quotes and thoroughly evaluate their worth. Comparing options online can save you time and money as you can view multiple options simultaneously. Ensure you are not drawn to the cheapest quote, as it will only provide the most basic cover available. Comparing online will also allow you to read through and compare the policy benefits available quickly.
- Keep an eye out for special discounts. Travel insurers are always looking for new customers, and most will offer great deals to help you cut costs even further.
How much cover do I need?
The challenge of finding the right single-trip travel insurance policy is knowing the appropriate level of coverage for your trip. It is worth taking the time to consider how you will be spending your time away and any additional coverage that may prove valuable. Most policies will have predetermined cover levels in place for you to compare.
- Where are you heading? It is crucial you know what countries you will be covered for under the region you have chosen. In some cases, it could be worth taking out a worldwide policy to make sure you are covered across multiple destinations.
- How much medical cover do you require? As a rule of thumb, the priority for single-trip travel insurance is to be sure that if you become ill or injured during your trip, you will have adequate resources to pay for proper medical treatment and, if necessary, to be returned home.
- Cover for luggage loss and other belongings? Most policies will let you note down specific valuable items to be covered within the policy. This may include electronic equipment, cameras, valuable sporting equipment, expensive luggage and jewellery. There will generally be a maximum amount of cover that you can take out on each item.
- Need cover in case your trip is cancelled? Overseas travel often require a lot of upfront costs. However, if something crops up and you had to cancel after paying for your trip, you won’t get a lot of sympathy from your trip organiser. With trip cancellation cover, you can make claims for the cost you’ve already forked out. Most travel insurance policies will let you cover bookings made in your itineraries, such as hotels, tours and car hire.
- Do you need additional cover? Depending on your itinerary, you may require additional cover such as winter sports or valuable items.
Cover most single trip policies will include
The benefits and exclusions of single travel insurance policies can vary significantly between providers. Therefore, it is worth getting an idea of some benefits to look out for and the typical conditions that usually apply before comparing different policies. After that, you might consider additional options to tailor the policy closer to your needs. Some of the more critical standard provisions you should start with should be as follows:
Cover for medical treatment and repatriation
- Cover for medical expenses. The cost of getting medical treatment, especially if it involves a hospital stay, can be extremely expensive, with some hospitals in Asia often charging more than $800 a day. For these reasons, you must have unlimited medical cost protection. Many standard single-trip travel insurance policies will cap the amount they are willing to pay for medical treatment. It is worth checking if the country you are travelling to has a reciprocal agreement with your own country regarding the cost of medical treatment.
- Emergency medical assistance. Most policies will offer 24-hour medical aid while you are overseas. This should cover ambulance fees, medical evacuations and funeral arrangements.
- Dental cover. Cover for emergency dental treatment following astute pain.
- Additional expenses. Additional transport or accommodation expenses if you can’t travel due to illness/injury.
- Family emergency. Cover if your travelling companion or relative passes away or is disabled and requires hospitalisation.
- Accidental death/permanent disability. Will provide a lump-sum payment if you pass away or suffer permanent disablement.
Cover for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and valuables
- Cover if your luggage or valuables are lost, damaged or stolen. The inconvenience and cost of replacement can be considerable, especially if you take your laptop, camera and smartphone with you. Most standard policies will have these items covered, but you must assess if there is any cap on the cover they provide. It is crucial to check if there is an excess that you must pay first before your insurer assesses a claim and if there is a single item maximum payout.
- Credit card fraud/replacement. Cover for the replacement cost of stolen credit cards that are then used.
- Theft of cash. Cover for cash stolen from your person.
Cover for trip cancellation costs and lost deposits
- Full or partial trip cancellation cover. You don’t know what is likely to happen in the future, and if something was to occur and you were forced to cancel your trip, the cover must be in place to minimise any financial loss. Suppose you decide to cover yourself against cancellation. In that case, you should also check to see if you can cover other components of your trip that have already been booked, including flights, accommodation, car hire and tours. Cover generally only applies if the cause of the cancellation was out of your control.
- Disruption of your journey. Cover for any additional meals and accommodation after your transport carrier is delayed.
- Alternative travel expenses. Cover for additional expenses following delays to special events, i.e. weddings, funerals, and conferences.
Legal costs incurred while travelling
- Personal liability. Cover for legal liability, i.e. bodily injury or damage to another party’s property.
- Rental vehicle excess. Cover for the excess payable on the rental vehicle following theft or accident.
Frequently asked questions
Compare policies from Singapore travel insurance providers and apply securely online
If you are looking for a one-off policy to cover for your single trip away, start by comparing the plans in our table above. No two plans are identical, so it is crucial to take the necessary steps to ensure that you find the right insurance solution for your needs. It is essential to be clear on what benefits are provided and any conditions that may be applied to your claim.
Compare single trip travel insurance policies today
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