MoneySmart Financial is an Exempt Financial Adviser and Registered Insurance Broker licensed by Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS").

Will Travel Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Most travel insurers define a natural disaster as "a large-scale extreme weather or environmental event that damages property, disrupts transportation or utilities, or endangers people, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions."

However, not every significant weather or environmental event qualifies as a natural disaster which will be covered as per the terms and conditions in your travel insurance plan. These nuances in coverage can sometimes be confusing. To help you navigate these details, this guide will provide a closer look at how travel insurance can protect you if your travels are affected by a natural disaster.

masthead-media

Common Claim Benefits For Natural Disasters Coverage In A Travel Insurance Plan

It's important to note that coverage for natural disasters can vary depending on the insurance plan. Below are some benefits typically included in most plans. Therefore, before purchasing travel insurance, carefully read the policy wording to understand which types of natural disasters are covered.

Emergency medical and dental coverage

Emergency medical and dental coverage
Payment for medical and dental expenses if you are injured or fall ill due to a natural disaster while traveling.

Travel cancellation

Travel cancellation
You need to change your travel dates and book a new ticket for a later date after having already booked your trip.

Travel postponement

Travel postponement
You need to change your travel dates and book a new ticket for a later date after having already booked your trip.

Travel delay

Travel delay
Your departure is later than scheduled, often due to a delayed flight. Insurers define a delay as a specific number of hours, typically about 6 hours. Do note that travel (flight) delay is different from baggage delay, so it is wise to check with your travel insurance agent on what will be separately covered for your baggage in the situation of any lost or damaged baggage due to a natural disaster.

Trip curtailment/shortening

Trip curtailment/shortening
You are on your trip but must cut it short due to an unexpected event occurring during your travels.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation

Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Coverage for the cost of emergency evacuation to the nearest safe location or back home if a natural disaster makes your current location unsafe.

Accommodation coverage

Accommodation coverage
Payment for additional lodging expenses if a natural disaster makes your accommodation uninhabitable.

24/7 assistance services

24/7 assistance services
Access to a helpline for emergency assistance, including help with rebooking travel arrangements, finding medical care, and other urgent needs.

Check Out The Best Travel Insurance For Places Prone To Natural Disasters Here!

Best Travel Insurance For Your Trips

MoneySmart Exclusive
Cancel for any reason add-on available
MoneySmart Exclusive
Cancel for any reason add-on available

FWD Business

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$30.5735% Off
S$19.87

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
    
Get over S$35 worth of rewards including:
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
     
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most efficient claims for flight delay
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most efficient claims for flight delay

Tiq Savvy

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Travel Cancelation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$2,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$4250% Off
S$21

[GIVEAWAY | FLASH SALE]
  
Enjoy 50% off Single Trip and 80% off COVID-19 add-on Annual Trip. Discounts valid till 31 Dec 2024. T&Cs apply
   
Get S$30 Revolut cash reward with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
   
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Value Plan
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Value Plan

Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Silver

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$48.3660% Off
S$19.34

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
   
Enjoy 60% off your Single Trip policy premium.
   
Get over S$115 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$50 via PayNow OR an Apple AirTag (worth S$45) with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• S$30 Trip.com Hotel Coupon*
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
   
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Medical Coverage
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Medical Coverage

Allianz Travel Silver

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$3,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$4653% Off
S$21.62

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Get over S$80 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$45 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
 
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most Comprehensive
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most Comprehensive

MSIG TravelEasy Elite

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$52.560% Off
S$21

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Get over S$80 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$45 via PayNow OR 1 x Apple AirTag (worth S$45.40) with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
 
Score exciting gifts on top of existing rewards:
• Apple iPad 10.9-inch 64GB (10th Gen). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 18 Dec 2024

Best Travel Insurance For Your Trips

MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Trip Cancellation Add-on
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Trip Cancellation Add-on

FWD Business

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$395.8230% Off
S$277.07

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
    
Get over S$35 worth of rewards including:
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
     
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most efficient claims for flight delay
MoneySmart Exclusive
Most efficient claims for flight delay

Tiq Savvy

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Travel Cancelation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$2,000
Total Premium
S$293

[GIVEAWAY | FLASH SALE]
  
Enjoy 50% off Single Trip and 80% off COVID-19 add-on Annual Trip. Discounts valid till 31 Dec 2024. T&Cs apply
   
Get S$30 Revolut cash reward with every policy purchased. T&Cs apply.
   
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Best Value Plan
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Best Value Plan

Starr TraveLead Comprehensive Bronze

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$200,000
Trip Cancellation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$3,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$445.935% Off
S$289.84

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
   
Enjoy 60% off your Single Trip policy premium.
   
Get over S$115 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$50 via PayNow OR an Apple AirTag (worth S$45) with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• S$30 Trip.com Hotel Coupon*
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
   
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Medical Coverage
MoneySmart Exclusive
Best Medical Coverage

Allianz Travel Silver

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$5,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$3,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$54753% Off
S$257.09

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Get over S$80 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$45 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
 
PLUS, score S$100 Revolut cash reward in our giveaway on top of existing rewards. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Most Comprehensive
MoneySmart Exclusive
ROLEX GRAND DRAW | Most Comprehensive

MSIG TravelEasy Elite

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$500,000
Trip Cancellation
S$10,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$5,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$52.560% Off
S$21

[GIVEAWAY | MoneySmart Exclusive]
 
Get over S$80 worth of rewards including:
Up to S$45 via PayNow OR 1 x Apple AirTag (worth S$45.40) with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
• Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
 
Score exciting gifts on top of existing rewards:
• Apple iPad 10.9-inch 64GB (10th Gen). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 18 Dec 2024
MoneySmart Exclusive
Pre-existing medical condition coverage available
MoneySmart Exclusive
Pre-existing medical condition coverage available

INCOME Enhanced PreX Prestige

Med. Coverage (Overseas)
S$1,000,000
Trip Cancellation
S$15,000
Loss/Damage of Baggage
S$8,000
Total Premium
Total PremiumS$9525% Off
S$71.25

[Prizes worth over S$13,500 | MoneySmart Exclusive]
  
Get over S$45 worth of rewards including:
• S$10 via PayNow with eligible premiums spent. T&Cs apply.
• S$30 Revolut cash reward
Eskimo Global 1GB eSIM (worth S$9.50) with every policy purchased.
  
Ready to Travel ANYWHERE for FREE?
Score a Holiday (worth up to S$5,000)
Apple AirTag (worth S$45). T&Cs apply.
S$100 Revolut cash reward. T&Cs apply.

Valid until 31 Dec 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get travel insurance coverage against natural disasters?

There is no one “best” way to get covered against natural disasters for your overseas trips, but there are several ways you can do it, such as through your preferred travel insurance mobile app, purchasing your travel insurance via an airline or travel insurance company’s website or by contacting your insurance agent. If you prefer to do it yourself via a comparison platform like MoneySmart, you’ll be able to do a quick comparison of the best plans with suitable coverage against specific natural disasters, which are available for you.

Does my travel insurance cover unexpected expenses incurred which are related to natural disasters?

You’ll need to check with your travel insurance agent and confirm the aspects of your insurance coverage for events related to natural disasters, as such coverage can vary depending on the insurance plan. Some benefits which are typically covered in most plans include emergency medical and dental coverage, travel cancellation and postponement, travel delay or curtailment, emergency evacuation and repatriation, accommodation coverage, and 24/7 assistance services.