Best Travel Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions (2020)
Most run-of-the-mill travel insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions. This means, if you need to seek medical treatment or be sent home due to a known medical condition (e.g. diabetes) during your travels, you will not be compensated. That sounds severe. Well, if you currently have a stable medical condition, that shouldn't deter you from travelling. You simply need to choose from a small handful of policies that cover pre-existing conditions. Let's take a look at them.
Travel Insurance That Covers Pre Existing Conditions Singapore
Looking for a travel insurance plan that would cover you for all medical expenses and emergency evacuation costs, even those of pre-existing medical conditions?
Best insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
NTUC Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance
Overseas Medical Expenses (Pre-Ex)
Emergency Medical Evacuation (Pre-Ex)
Trip Cancellation
There are 3 available plans: NTUC Enhanced PreX, NTUC Enhanced PreX Superior or NTUC Enhanced PreX Prestige. Generally, all 3 plans are comprehensive, offer unlimited emergency medical evacuation and higher amounts of overseas medical expenses coverage.
Starting at $54 for a 3-day Southeast Asian trip, the premium isn't ridiculously high, and it includes features such as full terrorism cover and rental vehicle excess cover.
NTUC Enhanced PreX plans don't have an age limit, but adults over 70 years old and children will have lower coverage than adults under 70 years old.
NTUC Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance Plans (Basic, Superior, Prestige)
| Benefit | NTUC Enhanced PreX Basic | NTUC Enhanced PreX Superior | NTUC Enhanced PreX Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal accident | $200,000 | $200,000 | $500,000 |
| Overseas medical expenses (due to pre-ex conditions) | $150,000 | $150,000 | $3,00,000 |
| Medical Expenses in Singapore | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Overseas hospital allowance | $200 a day, up to $20,000 | $200 a day, up to $20,000 | $200 a day, up to $50,000 |
| Trip cancellation | $10,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation (due to pre-ex conditions) | $150,000 | $150,000 | $300,000 |
MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Standard Travel Insurance
Overseas Medical Expenses (Pre-Ex)
Emergency Evacuation (Pre-Ex)
Trip Cancellation
MSIG’s TravelEasy is the most affordable of the 3 providers who cover pre-existing conditions. It covers asthma, cancer, heart conditions and other types of medical conditions as long as your illness is stable and under control.
The plan starts from $38 for a 3-day trip in Area A (Southeast Asia), but it offers lower overseas medical expenses, half of NTUC's PreX Basic Plan.
If you really want peace of mind, get the Premier Plan as it covers medical, surgical, nursing and hospital charges up to $150,000 with no excess or co-payment needed.
MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Travel Insurance Plans (Standard, Elite, Premier)
| Benefit | MSIG Standard Plan | MSIG Elite Plan | MSIG Premier Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Accident | $150,000 | $200,000 | $500,000 |
| Overseas medical expenses (due to pre-ex conditions) | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| Post-trip medical expenses | $25,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Overseas hospitalisation | $200 per day, up to $20,000 | $250 per day, up to $37,500 | $300 per day, up to $60,000 |
| Trip cancellation | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation (due to pre-ex conditions) | $100,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
Etiqa TiQ Pre-Ex Travel Insurance
Overseas Medical Expenses (Pre-Ex)
Emergency Evacuation (Pre-Ex)
Trip Cancellation
Etiqa’s TiQ Insurance is relatively new to the pre-ex travel insurance scene. The provider launched Etiqa TiQ Pre-Ex Travel Insurance late in 2018. It starts from $62 for TiQ Entry (Southeast Asian countries). The Entry plan has overseas medical coverage of up to $200,000, which is above average. On top of that, customers say that the interface is easy to fill and purchase online, and the service is prompt and good.
Etiqa TiQ Pre-X Travel Insurance Plans (Entry, Savvy, Luxury)
| Benefit | TIQ Pre-Ex Entry | TIQ Pre-Ex Savvy | TIQ Pre-Ex LUXURY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal accident | $150,000 | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Overseas medical expenses (due to pre-existing conditions) | $75,000 | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Post-trip medical expenses | Not covered | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Overseas hospitalisation benefit | $200 per day, up to $5,000 | $200 per day, up to $10,000 | $200 per day, up to $20,000 |
| Trip cancellation | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation (due to pre-existing conditions) | $150,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pre existing condition exclusion?
- Many travel insurers do not cover pre-existing conditions. It will be stated in the policy wording under "exclusions". Pre-existing medical conditions are injuries or illnesses that you are aware of and/or receiving treatment for, before departing for your trip. Some examples of such pre-existing conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, eczema and so on.
Is there any travel insurance that covers pre existing conditions?
- Yes. Currently there are 3 such plans: NTUC Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance, MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex Standard Travel Insurance and Etiqa TIQ Insurance Pre-Ex Travel Insurance. The premiums are higher than regular plans, but they provide overseas medical expenses that cover pre-existing conditions.
How much does it cost to buy pre-existing travel insurance?
- The premium for MSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex (Standard) starts from $38 for a 3-day trip in Southeast Asia. The same duration and destination would cost you $54 for the NTUC Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance (Basic) plan and $62 for Etiqa TIQ Insurance Pre-Ex Travel Insurance (Entry) plan. It costs more for higher tiers.