Singapore is a tourist favorite because of its modernity, cultural variety, safety, and local and international attractions. Whether sightseeing at Marina Bay Sands, shopping at Orchard Road, or eating all your calories at one of the city’s diverse food courts, travel insurance is one item you can’t leave off your travelling checklist.
Here’s a roundup of what travel insurance Singapore offers visitors, why you need it, what you should look for in coverage, and how to choose the right policy — especially for foreigners in Singapore.
The reason why foreign tourists should buy travel insurance in Singapore
While Singapore is famous for its top-notch healthcare and low crime, the cost of treatment can be high for tourists. Even the most minor health problem can become an expensive one without insurance.
Top reasons for foreigners in Singapore to invest in travel insurance might come in very handy to you:
- Medical emergencies: Are also unpredictable because you may be involved in an accident or take ill at any time. Travel insurance will cover your hospitalization and emergency treatments and also cover you for evacuation when necessary.
- Trip Cancellations or Delays: When you need to cancel or delay your travels because of an unforeseen event (natural disaster, illness, strikes), insurance can cover your expenses.
- Baggage Lost Or Delayed: It helps retrieve the price of belongings that have been lost, stolen, or delayed.
- Liability Coverage: Many policies also include liability coverage for cases where someone is injured, or property is damaged by accident.
Pandemic Coverage: Multiple insurers cover COVID-19 issues, so policies may include coverage for quarantine, testing, or travel deferment costs if a traveler’s test results are positive. This is particularly important for Foreigners in Singapore who may be subject to quarantine or travel restrictions.
Do I Need Travel Insurance to Visit Singapore?
As of the beginning of 2025, Singapore does not require short-term tourists to purchase travel insurance during their stay. However, the government strongly advises that those not covered by reciprocal healthcare agreements, especially foreigners in Singapore do so.
The Ministry of Manpower or Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) may then require insurance for visitors with specific long-term passes such as Student Passes or Work Permits. Foreigners in Singapore staying for education or employment purposes should ensure their plans meet those requirements.
What is covered for foreigners in Singapore who buy Singapore travel insurance?
The basic coverages included by most Singapore travel insurers include:
1. Medical and Hospitalization Care
This includes:
- COVID-19-related treatment
- Medical treatments have been done at home and in the hospital
- Hospital room and board
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
2. Trip Cancellations/Interruption
Insurance can reimburse non-refundable expenses, such as if your trip is cancelled because you fall ill, have a family emergency, or for some other covered reason. This can be especially useful for foreigners in Singapore.
- Tour packages
- Flights
- Hotel bookings
3. Baggage Loss or Delay
Reimbursement for:
- Purchases made in an emergency because of baggage delays
- Acquisition of individuals goods (electronics, passport, clothes, etc.)
4. Personal Liability
- The policy includes liability insurance for injuries or damages caused by the insured or others while traveling and covers the cost of legal fees for foreigners in Singapore.
5. 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- While most providers offer a 24-hour emergency helpline, which includes translation services, hospital referrals, etc.
Additional Optional Coverages
On all insurances, there are some add-ons allowed by some insurers these are:
- House (or apartment) sit coverage while you’re out
- Adventure sports coverage (like scuba diving, zip-lining)
- Terrorism coverage
- Rental car excess waiver
Common Insurance Companies for Visitors to Singapore
Some insurance companies that provide travel insurance suitable for foreign travelers are:
1. Allianz Travel Insurance
- Provides global support on its complete plans.
- COVID-19 coverage included.
2. AXA SmartTraveller
- Customised single-trip or annual trip plans
- High medical expense limits.
3. FWD Travel Insurance
- The process of purchasing online and claiming is straightforward.
- Coverage for adventure activities.
4. MSIG TravelEasy
- It has plans that cover pre-existing diseases.
- Additional child protection is included at no cost.
5. Etiqa Insurance
- Budget-friendly options.
- Global emergency assistance with 24/7 support.
Select Travel Insurance for Your Journey
As you pick travel insurance for your Singapore trip, keep these points in mind:
- Coverage Limit: The policy must provide at least SGD 100,000 to cover medical costs.
- Protection against COVID-19: Verify that quarantine and testing are covered
- Know how the claims process works: A reputation for being quick and transparent in settling claims should be considered when choosing an insurer.
- Check for the exclusions in the policy: Read the fine print to see what is and is not covered. Some policies will not cover any of these situations, such as pre-existing conditions, and you may find that certain high-risk activities aren’t covered either for foreigners in Singapore.
How long do you need it for? Is the policy in line with your travel dates? If you plan to travel to numerous countries, a multi-trip plan may be your best bet.
How Foreigners Can Purchase Travel Insurance
Overseas visitors can purchase Singapore travel insurance from:
- Websites of actual insurance providers
- Online travel aggregator sites such as GoBear, CompareFirst, or SingSaver
- Through travel agencies or airline relationships
- From top insurer mobile apps
You can purchase a policy online within a few minutes. Hard copies are emailed within seconds. Therefore, you should have both digital a
Conclusion
Foreign visitors do not just buy travel insurance in SG as a formality. They do this to guarantee peace of mind. The right policy protects you from unplanned medical expenses, interruptions of your trip, and so much more. If you are visiting Singapore on business, for pleasure, or just a layover for a few hours – getting good travel insurance will help you have a relaxed trip in 2025, especially for foreigners in Singapore.
