International Health Insurance Coverage | Travel or International Health Insurance Singapore

Insurance | Travel Insurance

The pandemic has demonstrated that we truly live in a globalized world, and that remote work and a digital nomad lifestyle are entirely feasible. There are also many of us who work and live in other countries, including expats who have chosen to live in Singapore due to work or other obligations. Read about the difference between travel insurance and international health insurance coverage. 

Key distinctions between travel insurance and international healthcare insurance coverage 

Travel protection Insurance

• Designed to be used when traveling abroad.
• Covers any emergency medical expenses you may incur while traveling.
• Covers common travel mishaps such as lost luggage and flight delays.
• Generally, it only covers trips of up to 90 days.
• It is usually only effective in the countries in the same geographic region where you purchased coverage.

International medical Insurance

• Designed to provide medical coverage anywhere in the world or in specific geographic regions, including at home.
• Provides broader medical benefits in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Does not cover travel-related mishaps such as flight delays or lost luggage.
• One of the most significant benefits of international healthcare insurance is that medical coverage is comprehensive and includes outpatient benefits, which are not typically available with travel insurance.

What if all you have is Travel Insurance?

If you only have travel insurance and are hospitalized, you can only make a claim for emergency hospital treatment. However, if you return to Singapore and require outpatient treatment at a GP’s clinic or a physiotherapist’s office, you may be unable to claim those costs (unless your travel insurance provides coverage for continuation medical care in Singapore or you have an existing local health insurance plan).

The Benefits of Global Health Insurance

You may be able to add maternity or dental coverage to your plan — similar to what a comprehensive health insurance plan provides, but across borders! This is not usually available with travel insurance. If you want comprehensive medical coverage anywhere in the world, international health insurance is a good option. You can rest assured that your non-emergency and emergency medical expenses will be covered, no matter where you are.

How do I know what kind of insurance I need?

So, do you require international medical insurance, travel insurance, or both? Here are some questions to consider.

Are you planning a long business trip or relocating?

If you are going on a long, one-time trip or relocating to another country, international healthcare insurance can provide you with comprehensive medical coverage for more than 90 days. You’ll be able to stay abroad for an extended period of time without having to worry about medical costs. Travel insurance, on the other hand, may be sufficient to provide the coverage you require if you are only taking a short trip of less than 90 days.

Where are you geographically throughout the year?

If you spend a lot of time travelling to different countries, you may require the more comprehensive health coverage that international healthcare insurance provides.

What kind of protection do you require?

International healthcare insurance, as previously stated, provides comprehensive health coverage, whereas travel insurance only provides emergency medical coverage and coverage for travel mishaps. So, deciding between the two types of plans boils down to determining what level of protection you require.

However, for those who spend extended periods of time outside of Singapore (and possibly in different countries/regions), relying on a local health insurance plan for more comprehensive healthcare expenses may not be sufficient. An international healthcare insurance plan would be a better option in that case.

What is your financial situation?

For obvious reasons, international healthcare insurance is more expensive than travel insurance. You not only get more comprehensive health coverage, but you are also protected across borders for the duration of your plan. If you can afford it, it’s a great asset to have. If you’re on a tight budget, it may be cheaper to simply purchase travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your international trips.

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