DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance Review: Alluring Combination Of High Coverage, Flexibility And Low Premiums

DBS TravellerShield Plus stands as one of the best travel insurance plans on the market, with the uncanny ability to fit almost any type of itinerary. But unfortunately, this plan stumbles when addressing the needs of those with pre-existing conditions. 

Underwritten by Chubb, DBS TravellerShield Plus makes good use of synergies in the insurer’s well-established network of insurance products. The result is an attractive combination of high coverage, wide range of benefits, and competitive premiums. 

This is an alluring package for sure, but does it mean DBS TravellerShield Plus is the ideal travel insurance plan? In many instances, yes, but not if you happen to have pre-existing conditions. 

Let’s take a closer look to find out what this travel plan does well, and where it falls short.

Table of contents

• Product summary
• Why choose DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance?
• DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance – what does this plan exclude?
• Benefits, plans and pricing
• DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance: what are the conditions of cover for pre-existing conditions?
• How much does DBS TravellerShield Plus Insurance cost?
• Should you choose DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance? Pros and cons
• How to claim?

Product summary

Why choose DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance?

DBS TravellerShield Plus is a well-rounded and comprehensive travel insurance plan that features some of the highest coverage where it matters – especially with public conveyance double indemnity, a benefit not commonly offered. 

This policy is also highly flexible, covering COVID-19, cruise-to-nowhere, adventurous activities and golfers’ benefits all in its base plan. Its utility is further boosted with several other useful benefits, including automatic extension of cover, home contents coverage and benefits for rental vehicle additional costs, including excess.

Coverage for pre-existing conditions is also provided, albeit it comes with an extra fee and certain restrictions to be aware of (more on this later). 

In any case, DBS TravellerShield Plus ranks among the most fully featured travel plans on the market, making it a shoo-in for anyone who wants a plan that covers more than most. 

DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance – what does this plan exclude?

We’ve highlighted some general exclusions in DBS TravellerShield Plus. Be sure to check the policy wording for the full list of exclusions. 

DBS TravellerShield Plus does not cover:

• Self-inflicted injury or suicide
• Complication of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage (except accidental miscarriage) or abortion
• Activities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Professional sports or competitions with expectation of prizes
• White water rafting Grade 4 and above
• Scuba diving unless PADI certified
• Mountaineering, or trekking above 3,000 metres
• Travelling against the advice of a Physician, or for the purposes of seeking medical attention
• Loss or damages with respect to Cuba (this policy does not cover travel to Cuba)
• War, whether declared or undeclared

Benefits, plans and pricing

Key benefits of DBS TravellerShield Plus 

Overseas medical and hospitalisation benefits

DBS TravellerShield Plus offers among the highest coverage levels for overseas medical expenses, topping out at S$1 million. But what would be likely more useful is the benefits for follow-up medical treatment in Singapore, which will help you preserve your Medisave funds for later use.

Another plus point is the hospital confinement benefits, providing an additional buffer for you and your family to cope with extra expenses. While overseas, you will be entitled to cash benefits of S$200/day, and double that for ICU stays. When hospitalised in SIngapore, or due to COVID-19, you will receive S$100/day instead. 

Emergency evacuation and personal accident benefits

Another area where DBS TravellerShield Plus shines is the personal accident benefits. In case of death or permanent disablement, you will receive a lump-sum payout of S$150,00, S$300,000 or S$500,000, depending on the plan tier you choose. 

Should the accident happen on public conveyance, these payouts are doubled, which means a payout of up to S$1 million is possible. 

When emergency medical evacuation is required, you are protected with up to S$ 1 million in benefits (all tiers); this puts the widest range of options at your fingertips. For repatriation back home, the limit is up to S$50,000 per insured person, while for mortal remains, up to S$100,000 coverage is provided (Premier and Platinum).

However, if emergency evacuation and repatriation is required due to COVID-19, the coverage limits are lowered to S$50,000, S$100,000 or S$200,000, depending on plan tier.

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Travel inconvenience 

DBS TravellerShield Plus continues the theme of higher-than-average coverage for travel cancellations and curtailment, and also for damage or loss of luggage and personal items. 

Should your trip be cancelled or cut short, you can receive up to S$5,000, S$10,000 or S$15,000 in benefits. These are reduced by half in the event of COVID-19, though.

As for loss or damage to luggage and belonging, you are protected for up to S$3,000, S$5,000 or S$8,000. There is also a separate benefit for travel documents, which leaves more coverage of the rest of your travel stuff. 

DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance: what are the conditions of cover for pre-existing conditions?

While it is a good thing that DBS TravellerShield Plus offers coverage for pre-existing conditions, what’s rather disconcerting is the severe restrictions applied. 

The maximum coverage in total across overseas medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation is limited to S$100,000, S$125,000 or S$150,000, according to the tier you choose. 

This is made all the more disappointing considering you have to pay an additional sum for pre-existing condition cover. 

Also, the add-on for pre-existing conditions can only be applied to single-trip plans, with each trip not lasting more than 30 days. For fairness,iIt should be noted that this condition is rather common among insurers. 

Still, given the large difference between the regular benefits and those for under pre-existing conditions, travellers with health conditions may want to weigh their options carefully instead of rushing in. 

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How much does DBS TravellerShield Plus Insurance cost?

We’ve gotten some quotes for 7-day trips to various destinations for a quick gauge of how much DBS TravellerShield Plus costs. The premiums for base coverage are quite competitive, but the add-on for pre-existing conditions are quite costly. 

In summary, here’s how much you can expect to pay for DBS TravellerShield Plus. 

• For a 7-day trip in Southeast Asia, the premiums range from S$30.00 to S$48.80, and a further S$47,60 to S$89.03 for the pre-ex add-on.
• For a 7-day trip in the Asia-Pacific region, the premiums range from S$40.00 to S$60.80. The pre-ex add-on will cost between S$59.37 to S$108.52 extra.
• For a 7-day trip in Europe, premiums cost between S$60.80 to S$86.00. Pre-ex coverage is available at an additional S$93.51 to S$156.48.
  
  

Should you choose DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance? Pros and cons

If high coverage matters to you, DBS TravellerShield Plus would make a great choice on account of its competitive premiums. 

Another advantage is how flexible this plan is, with a wide-ranging scope of coverage including cruise-to-nowhere, adventurous activities and rental car excess and benefits, making this a plan that fits into almost any type of travel itinerary.

One sticking point, though, is the high cost of pre-existing conditions cover, as well as low coverage levels offered, compared to the plan’s regular benefits.

But besides that, there’s plenty to like here, and travellers shouldn’t overlook DBS TravellerShield Plus when choosing a travel insurance plan.

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How to claim?

Follow these steps when making a claim against your DBS TravellerShield Plus Insurance policy. For further details, refer to the claims guide page.. 

• Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents, including:
  • Claims from
  • Travel itinerary
  • Police report
  • Receipts and invoices
  • Hospital reports and medical bills
  • Personal details

• Step 2: Submit your claims online at the DBS Claims Submission portal. 
  • Your claims will be processed within 7 working days.
  • You may choose to receive approved claim payouts via FAST or PayNow.

• For emergencies or further enquiries:
  • Overseas emergency assistance: Call 24-hr Chubb Assistance at +65 6322 2132
  • Claims enquiries: Contact Chubb Customer Service
    • Call +65 6398 8797 (Mondays to Fridays, 9.00am to 5.00pm, excluding Public Holidays)
    • Email to dbscs.sg@chubb.com