Why Trust MoneySmart?Travelling with a baby comes with enough to worry about—your travel insurance shouldn't be one of them. Most major insurers in Singapore include child coverage as part of a family plan, though the cost and limits vary by provider. The catch is in the details: minimum age requirements, lower benefit limits for children, and exclusions that can catch you off guard if you don't read the fine print.
Here's what you need to know before you fly.
Key Takeaways
Some travel insurers in Singapore cover infants from 1 month old—newborns younger than this might not be eligible, but always check with your insurer.
There are no standalone infant travel insurance plans in Singapore; your baby must be covered as a dependent under a family policy with an insured adult.
Family plans bundle child coverage together with adults, but whether additional child coverage costs extra depends on the insurer.
Medical coverage limits for infants are typically lower than for adults—except with DirectAsia, where children get the same limits as adults.
Standard policies don't cover pre-existing conditions—if your infant has one, look for plans with a pre-existing conditions add-on.
Does My Infant Need Travel Insurance in Singapore?
The rules for infant travel insurance coverage in Singapore can be surprisingly specific. Here's what parents should know to ensure their little one is adequately covered for trips abroad.
Age eligibility: When can my baby be insured?
Some travel insurance providers in Singapore require infants to be at least 1 month old to qualify for coverage. Newborns under one month might not be eligible. Once your baby meets the minimum age, you can include them under a family travel insurance plan.
How are infants covered: Individual vs family policies
Family plans: The most common option is a family policy. This typically covers 1 or 2 adults and their children under a single plan. Whether additional child coverage comes at an extra cost depends on the insurer.
Child-only or stand-alone plans: Stand-alone travel insurance for infants or child-only plans are generally not available in Singapore. Coverage for infants almost always requires that an adult (parent or guardian) is the policyholder.
Automatic inclusion: Infants are not automatically covered just by virtue of travelling with you. Always double-check your policy form to confirm that your child's details are included before you fly.
Travel with parent or guardian is a must Travel insurance for an infant is only valid if the child is travelling with a parent or legal guardian on the same trip. Insurers require that an adult named on the policy accompanies any baby or child, and coverage may be void if this condition isn't met.
Singapore-specific practices
Additional child coverage under family plans: Some insurers include additional child coverage at no extra premium; others charge a separate child rate. Always check your insurer's pricing.
No stand-alone infant plans: Children, including infants, must be accompanied by an insured adult to be covered.
Coverage limits: Medical coverage limits for infants are typically lower than for adults. Always review your policy's exact terms.
When planning your next trip, always review your travel insurance policy's wording to confirm your infant's eligibility and coverage details, as these can vary between providers.
What Does Infant Travel Insurance Typically Cover?
Here's what's usually included—and excluded—in family travel insurance plans, with highlights from leading insurers like MSIG, Income, and Singlife.
Key types of coverage for infants
1. Medical emergencies and hospitalisation
All major travel insurance plans cover emergency medical expenses if your infant falls sick or gets injured overseas. Hospitalisation is included, but coverage amounts for infants are often lower than for adults.
For example, under MSIG's family plan, a child gets up to S$150,000 in overseas medical expenses and S$5,000 for daily hospital allowance.
Post-trip medical expenses in Singapore are also typically covered, with limits of S$5,000 to S$10,000 for children on standard plans.
2. Trip cancellation and curtailment
If your plans change due to your baby's illness or a medical emergency, insurers like Income and Singlife provide reimbursement for cancellations or cut-short trips, up to fixed limits per insured child.
Optional add-ons may be available for "cancel for any reason" coverage, giving parents more flexibility.
3. Coverage for baby belongings
Delayed or lost baggage is covered for the whole family, including compensation for lost or damaged baby essentials like strollers, milk formula, and baby gear, though item limits typically apply (e.g. S$500 per article with Singlife). Travel delay benefits apply to all insured travellers, including infants, with per-person or per-family caps.
Differences from adult coverage
Benefit limits for infants are usually set lower—especially for medical expenses, hospitalisation, and accidental death benefits. For instance, accidental death cover may be S$20,000 for children versus S$100,000 or more for adults.
A notable exception is DirectAsia, where children receive the same coverage limits as adults under family plans, which is uncommon in the Singapore market.
What's commonly excluded
Pre-existing conditions: Standard policies do not cover pre-existing medical issues in infants unless you opt for a plan with a pre-existing conditions add-on.
Adventure or hazardous activities: Claims involving activities not suited for babies are typically not covered.
Travel against medical advice: If travelling is not recommended by a doctor, or the baby is under the minimum eligible age, coverage will not apply.
High-value baby items: Personal belongings are covered, but sub-limits can restrict payouts for pricey items like prams or monitors—check your plan for details.
For a deeper dive into provider-specific details, see the latest on travel insurance options for families in Singapore.
Compare Singapore's Best Infant Travel Insurance Plans
Here's a side-by-side look at leading travel insurance plans for families travelling with infants.
Provider | Min. Infant Age | Family Plan Eligibility | Child Overseas Medical Expenses | Trip Cancellation if Infant Falls Ill | Child Coverage Cost |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 18 children | Up to S$150,000 | Yes (up to S$5,000) | No additional premium | |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 5 children | Up to S$150,000 | Yes (up to $5,000) | No additional premium | |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 10 children | Up to S$250,000 | Yes (up to $5,000) | No additional premium | |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 5 children | Up to S$200,000 | Yes (up to S$7,500) | No additional premium | |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 9 children | Up to S$200,000 | Yes (up to S$1,500) | No additional premium | |
1 month+ | 1–2 adults, up to 8 children | Up to S$200,000 ($30,000 medical per child) | Yes (up to S$5,000 family limit) | No additional premium |
How to File a Travel Insurance Claim for Your Infant
Filing a travel insurance claim for an infant in Singapore can be straightforward if you follow the right steps and have the correct documents ready.
1. Notify your insurer as soon as possible
Contact your insurer as soon as the incident occurs—ideally within 30 days. Most providers require prompt notification to avoid claim denial due to late reporting. Use the insurer's online portal, claims page, or hotline, as listed on their website or your policy document.
2. Prepare the required documents
For medical claims:
Your infant's passport (copy)
Birth certificate
Policy number or certificate of insurance
Proof of travel (flight itinerary or boarding pass)
Original medical bills and receipts
Medical reports or doctor's memos (diagnosis and treatment)
Hospital admission/discharge summaries, if applicable
For lost/damaged baby items:
Purchase receipts or warranty cards for affected items (e.g. prams, car seats, strollers)
Photos of the item(s) and the damage
Police report made within 24 hours (for theft or loss)
Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline for baggage issues
Keep originals and make copies for your records.
3. Complete the claim form accurately
Download or fill in the appropriate claim form from your insurer's website. Some insurers offer digital forms and allow uploads via their portal. Ensure all fields are completed correctly to prevent unnecessary delays.
4. Submit all documents promptly
Submit via your insurer's preferred channel—typically an online claims portal or email. Insurers like Income, MSIG, Singlife, FWD, Allianz, and Great Eastern all provide online claims channels for travel insurance.
5. Follow up and track your claim
After submission, insurers will usually acknowledge your claim within 2 working days. Processing typically takes 10–14 working days, provided all documents are in order. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information to avoid delays.
Common mistake to avoid
Failing to submit original receipts or required documents is a frequent reason for delayed or rejected claims. Always double-check you have every item on the checklist before submission.
