Comparing travel insurance in Malaysia online can be challenging, especially for first-timers who are not used to using online platforms to buy insurance. There are several steps involved in finding the right policy for your needs to ensure a smooth and worry-free trip.
Here’s a comprehensive guide from Bjak to help you navigate the complicated process. This guide features tips to buy travel insurance online, policy recommendations, must-have coverage and other essential details.
How to buy insurance online?
To compare travel insurance online, start by gathering your trip details and have the following information readily available.
- Destination: Where are you travelling to?
- Travel dates: When are you departing and returning?
- Trip duration: How long will you be travelling for?
- Number of travellers: How many people are travelling on the trip?
- Activities: What activities do you plan on doing during your trip?
Then, proceed with these steps:
Compare plans online
Visit comparison websites like Bjak to compare plans from various insurers based on your travel details and needs. Consider factors such as coverage, price, deductibles, and exclusions, especially for activities like trekking, rock climbing, or scuba diving.
Choose your plan
Select a plan that fits your budget and offers adequate coverage for your trip. Carefully read the policy terms and conditions to understand what’s covered and excluded.
Get a quote
Enter your travel details and personal information on the insurer’s website to request a quote. Online quotes are quick to view, usually within minutes or a few hours. Provide the correct email address for the quote.
Purchase the policy
If satisfied with the quote, proceed to buy travel insurance online. Payment can typically be made securely using credit/debit cards, instalments, or e-wallets if supported. Check your email for the policy documents and either print or save them for future reference when travelling.
Must-have coverage
Several components matter more than others when it comes to any insurance policy. This applies to international flight insurance as well. Remember to look out for these four essential aspects to guarantee complete coverage during your vacation.
Medical and health coverage
- Covers medical emergencies, illnesses, injuries, and hospitalization expenses during the trip.
- Includes coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
Trip cancellation and interruption
- Protects against trip cancellation, delay, and curtailment.
- Reimburses non-refundable trip costs due to unforeseen events like illness, injury, death of a family member, natural disasters, or emergencies.
Baggage and personal effects
- Covers loss, theft, or damage to baggage and personal items.
- Compensates for lost luggage, stolen belongings, or damaged electronics, clothing, and important documents.
Travel assistance services
- Offers non-medical assistance services and 24/7 emergency assistance.
- Includes travel assistance hotlines, lost passport help, legal assistance, translation services, and support for other travel-related emergencies in unfamiliar territories or unforeseen circumstances.
Recommended plans
There are many travel policies available in the market. But here are four recommendations from us with their benefits summarised. You can purchase these policies using Bjak, where you can customise your coverage to suit your travel needs and budget.
Zurich Z-Travel
This plan offers comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, medical expenses, travel delays, and baggage loss. It also includes Shariah-compliant options for those seeking alternatives.
With a cover amount of up to RM1,000,000, you will receive cover:
- Accidental Death & Permanent Disability up to RM500,000
- Unlimited Medical Expenses for Diamond Plan customers
- Unlimited Medical Evacuation and Repatriation for all plans
- Baggage & Personal Effects RM5,000
- Personal Liability up to RM1 million
- Emergency Cash up to RM5,000 and more
Why choose the Z-Travel Insurance Malaysia plan by Zurich?
- It has four different levels of cover types to choose from
- Miscellaneous benefits such as home care, pet care, wakaf and more
- COVID-19 add-on option and coverage up to RM500,000
Allianz Travel Easy
This plan is a good choice for those who want a basic level of coverage at a competitive price. It includes coverage for trip cancellation, medical expenses, and travel delays.
- Overseas and domestic travel for you and your family
- Death and permanent disablement due to accidents up to RM200,000
- Medical expenses coverage up to RM200,000
- Deposit or trip cancellation up to RM25,000
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of up to RM1 million
Why choose Allianz Travel Easy?
- Complimentary exclusive Cabin Size Luggage
- Extended COVID-19 coverage
- Coverage for sports and mountaineering activities
- Renowned and highly-rated insurer
Etiqa TripCare 360
Etiqa TripCare 360 offers a high level of coverage for medical expenses and travel delays. It also includes coverage for overseas hospitalization and emergency medical evacuation.
With an Aggregate Limit of Liability up to RM5,000,000 per certificate, it covers:
- Accidental death or permanent disability up to RM500,000
- Medical-related expenses up to RM500,000
- Loss or damage to your baggage up to RM5,000
- Flight delays of up to RM5,000
- Loss of travel documents up to RM1,500
- Alternative treatment expenses up to RM1,000 and more
Why choose Etiqa’s Takaful TripCare 360 plan?
- Cashless Medical Care – Letter of Guarantee for accident or illness during overseas trips. Admission to the hospital is free of charge (Coverage does not include pre-existing diseases).
- Loss of Baggage – Baggage claims of up to RM1000 based on the covered amount.
- Travel Delay – Get RM100 when your flight is delayed for 2 hours without submitting any claim.
- Covid-19 Add-on Coverage – Unexpected trip cancellations due to Covid-19 or being infected with Covid-19 while travelling
Tokio Marine Explorer
This plan offers comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, medical expenses, travel delays, baggage loss, and lifestyle cover. It also includes coverage for hospitalisation and inconveniences caused by COVID-19.
The plan provides compensation of up to RM1,000,000, including:
- Personal Accident up to RM500,000
- Medical and Related Expenses up to RM1,000,000
- Personal luggage and effects up to RM8,000
- Hospitalisation due to Covid-19 up to RM500,000
- Emergency evacuation as charged or up to RM1,000,000 and more
Why choose Tokio Marine’s Explorer Insurance plan?
- High sum insured up to RM1,000,000 for medical expenses
- Coverage for trip cancellation and travel delay
- Cashless admission for accidental injury
- Emergency travel assistance 24/7
Mistake to avoid
A lot of travellers tend to run into some common blunders when purchasing their annual flight insurance, which can result in problems later. So, be sure to avoid these mistakes while keeping the tips shared above in mind to get the right coverage at all times.
Not reading policy details carefully
Rushing through policy documentation without understanding coverage, exclusions, limitations, cancellation policies, and deductibles can lead to inadequate protection. Thoroughly review policies to ensure they align with your travel needs, and cover destinations, activities, and potential risks.
Assuming comprehensive coverage
Not all annual trip insurance plans offer the same coverage and benefits. Compare multiple plans to find the best fit based on coverage limits, trip duration, medical coverage, trip cancellation/interruption, and other specifics. Check if the plan covers your destination, considering restrictions in certain areas like war zones or disaster-affected places.
Underestimating your coverage needs
Avoid buying insufficient coverage to save money initially. Assess travel habits, trip value, potential risks, and medical costs at the destination. Opt for comprehensive coverage that safeguards against trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and travel delays.
Ignoring pre-existing medical conditions
Pay attention to pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance in Malaysia. Some policies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, while others may include them or offer waivers. Choose a policy accordingly.
Selecting the cheapest option
Consider more than just cost; the cheapest plan might not provide adequate coverage. Evaluate travel habits, typical trip costs, and potential risks before choosing a plan. A slightly higher premium could offer better peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected events compared to a cheaper alternative.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
Read more:
