OCBC Travel Insurance Review 2024

OCBC Explorer travel insurance offers high coverage for medical expenses and hospitalisation, trip curtailment or cancellation, and personal belongings, too. How can travellers make the best use of this plan, and what are the drawbacks to watch out for?

OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance is an upper-tier plan that offers some of the highest claims limits for important benefits. This also means it falls on the costlier side of things, but the inclusion of three tiers of benefits provides some leeway in balancing between budget and protection.

In this article, we review what OCBC Explorer travel insurance offers travellers, what it does well, and who might find the best use of it. 

Summary

OCBC Explorer travel insurance review

Product information

With this travel insurance plan from OCBC, you can gain the following:

• Up to S$700,000 on overseas medical expenses and a maximum of S$35,000 when you receive follow-up treatment in Singapore
• Up to S$40,000 for daily hospital cash, meaning you get S$200 per day overseas
• Get S$1 million for emergency evacuation and repatriation for all tiers
• Up to S$15,000 for travel cancellation and curtailment
• Loss and damage to baggage coverage for up to S$7,500 

Exceptions

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Travelling for medical treatment or against a doctor's advice
• Self-inflicted injuries or suicide
• Pregnancy (excluding medical emergencies in the first 20 weeks) and childbirth abroad
• Activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Communicable diseases or the threat thereof
• Riding a motorcycle without a licence and without wearing a helmet

Table of contents

• Comparing OCBC travel insurance to other plans
• OCBC travel insurance plans review
• OCBC travel insurance plans and pricing
• Benefits: is ocbc travel insurance good?
• List of OCBC travel insurance exclusions
• OCBC travel insurance pros & cons
• OCBC travel insurance claim
• Detailed review of best travel insurance in OCBC
• Other travel insurance provider reviews

Comparing OCBC travel insurance to other plans

The OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance stands out as a great option for many travellers due to its extensive coverage, high claims limits, and overall flexibility compared to other travel insurance plans. One of its key strengths is the significant coverage it provides even at the Basic tier, making it a comprehensive choice for a wide range of travellers.

At its Basic tier, OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance offers substantial coverage with up to S$300,000 for overseas medical expenses. If you are seeking even higher protection, the highest tier provides up to S$700,000 in coverage for medical expenses. This robust medical coverage ensures that you are well-protected in case of health emergencies abroad. 

Additionally, the plan addresses common travel mishaps such as cancellations and curtailments, offering up to S$15,000 for such incidents at the highest tier. This can be particularly beneficial if you are facing unexpected changes to their itineraries, providing financial relief and support.

However, it is important to note that adventurous sports are not covered under the Starter and Essential tiers of the OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance. If you plan on engaging in high-risk activities, you will need to opt for the Ultimate tier, which includes coverage for adventurous sports. Moreover, the travel insurance plans’ COVID-19 coverage is only available in the Essential and Ultimate tiers. 

Another stand out for this travel insurance is that you can choose whether you can get a single trip or annual plan travel insurance. That way, you can have the flexibility to only pay what you need and make the most of your coverage during your travels. Also, the option to select individual or group travel insurance provides peace of mind for solo travellers and families alike, catering to different travel dynamics and preferences.

Whether you are travelling solo or with family members, OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance is a great safety net to help you have a more worry-free trip. 

To determine the best fit for your travel needs, compare the best travel insurance in Singapore at SingSaver today.

OCBC travel insurance plans review

The OCBC Explorer gives you the option to choose whether you get a single trip or an annual travel insurance. You also get to choose whether you should get an individual or a family travel insurance. Review its coverage, benefits, and add-ons to determine if it's the right fit for you.

OCBC travel insurance plans and pricing

We’ve mapped out how much OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance costs for a single adult traveller. Here’s what we found out. 

• For a 7-day trip in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific, premiums are between S$54 and S$103.
• For a 7-day trip in Europe, premiums cost between S$78 to S$138.

While the OCBC Explorer Starter plan is more affordable than the other two plans, it also offers the lowest coverage levels, in places differing by a large amount. Also, the Starter plan does not include COVID-19 benefits, so travellers still concerned about the pandemic should strongly consider the Essential or Ultimate plan. 

Unsure which travel insurance plan is worth the investment for your trip? Review and compare the best travel insurance promotions for your unique vacation needs below.

Benefits: Is OCBC travel insurance good?

Here’s a more detailed review of the main benefits you get when you opt to get an OCBC Explorer for your individual or family travel insurance.

Overseas medical and hospitalisation benefits

OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance offers between S$300,000 to S$700,000 for overseas medical expenses, which should be sufficient to cover all but the most dire of circumstances. This is further boosted by daily hospital cash of up to S$40,000. 

Your medical benefits continue during follow-up treatment in Singapore, albeit to a lesser degree, as is customary. You’ll be covered for up to S$35,000 for follow-up treatment in Singapore, and receive S$100 per day of hospitalisation, up to a maximum of $7,000. This comprehensive coverage ensures that you receive necessary medical care both during your travels and upon your return home, offering peace of mind and financial protection.

If you’re planning to engage in extreme sports during your trip, it’s best to opt for the Ultimate tier, which is the travel insurance with adventure activity coverage.

Emergency evacuation and personal accident benefits

This plan also offers impressive coverage for emergency evacuation, with up to S$1 million available in case such a service is required. This high coverage amount ensures that you can receive prompt and appropriate medical care, no matter where you are in the world. Meanwhile, personal accident coverage ranges from S$150,000 to S$500,000, with double payouts if the accident took place via public conveyance. 

Not to be too morbid or anything but personal accident benefits can go a long way in shielding surviving family members from financial hardship. Hence, having sufficient coverage in this area should not be overlooked, especially if you’re still in the process of building family wealth. 

Travel inconvenience 

This is another area where this plan shines. Policyholders can enjoy up to S$15,000 coverage for trip cancellation or curtailment, and up to S$7,500 for lost baggage or travel documents.

This high coverage level makes OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance a suitable choice for protecting expensive holidays or trips with long durations.

Optional add-ons 

OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance offers four optional add-ons to enhance your coverage further. These include sports equipment cover, international car insurance, home contents protection while you’re away, and top-up coverage for laptops and tablets. These add-ons provide tailored protection for specific needs and circumstances.

List of OCBC travel insurance exclusions

We’ve highlighted some general exclusions in OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance. Be sure to review the policy wording for the full list of exclusions. 

OCBC Explorer travel insurance does not cover:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Travelling for medical treatment, or against the advice of a doctor
• Self-inflicted injury or suicide
• Pregnancy (except for medical emergencies in the first 20 weeks) and childbirth overseas
• Activities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Communicable diseases or the threat of it
• Riding a motorcycle without licence and use of a helmet

OCBC travel insurance pros & cons

To help you further determine whether you should get the OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance for your next or succeeding trips, we’ve given you a list of its pros and cons.

On the plus side, OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance offers a high level of coverage, which some travellers may find appealing or comforting. But the question remains whether it’s the right travel insurance for a Thailand trip or other short-term getaways close to Singapore.

After all, there’s simply no point paying for more coverage than you need. 

However if you’re planning a long holiday or looking to splurge on a much-awaited trip, this plan should prove to be a suitable option. 

And if you still want to shop around for more travel insurance deals, look no further! You can find discount promo codes and travel deals by comparing the best travel insurance plans at SingSaver.

OCBC travel insurance claim

Make sure to review your policy and follow these steps when making a claim to your OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance policy. 

• Step 1: Prepare the necessary documents, including:
  • Claims from
  • Travel itinerary
  • Police report
  • Receipts and invoices
  • Hospital and medical bills
  • Personal details
  • Policy number
• Step 2: Submit your claims online at the Great Eastern Travel Claims portal. Your claims will be processed and you will be informed of the outcome in due course. Alternatively, you can mail in your claim forms, including supporting documents:
  
  Attention: Claims Department
  Great Eastern General Insurance Limited
  1 Pickering Street, #01-01
  Great Eastern Centre, Singapore 048659
  
  
• Step 3: For further assistance, reach out to Great Eastern via:
  Phone: +65 6856 8548
  Email: gicare-sg@greateasterngeneral.com

Detailed review of best travel insurance in OCBC Explorer travel insurance

If you’re still deciding whether to get the OCBC Explorer Travel Insurance or not, we give you a comprehensive review of each policy tier. That way, you can discern if any of their offerings are the best fit for your travel needs.

Ultimate

Frequent travellers, whether for business or leisure, will definitely benefit from the comprehensive coverage offered by the OCBC Explorer Ultimate plan. This plan’s overseas medical coverage of up to S$700,000 provides a significant safety net for any health crisis that may arise while abroad. In addition to the substantial medical coverage, the plan also offers robust personal accident protection, including double payouts for accidents occurring while using public transportation.

The Ultimate plan includes noteworthy COVID-19 coverage, providing up to S$35,000 for follow-up treatment in Singapore and daily hospital cash benefits. This coverage is particularly beneficial if you are concerned about contracting COVID-19 during extended trips abroad, as it helps cover recovery expenses.

Another highlight of the Ultimate plan is its comprehensive coverage for adventurous sports, which is not available in the lower tiers. This makes it an ideal choice for thrill-seekers planning activities such as skiing, scuba diving, or bungee jumping. 

You can also expect high coverage for travel inconveniences, including up to S$15,000 for trip cancellations or curtailments and up to S$7,500 for lost baggage or travel documents. 

These extensive benefits make the Ultimate plan a well-rounded option if you are seeking maximum protection and peace of mind.

Essential 

If you want the same comprehensive coverage as the Ultimate tier but at a lower cost, the Essential tier is an excellent option. This plan provides robust coverage for overseas medical expenses, offering up to S$500,000. While the coverage limit is slightly lower than the Ultimate plan, it still provides ample protection for most health emergencies that could occur during your travels.

The Essential tier also includes substantial personal accident coverage of up to S$300,000 with a double payout on public conveyance. This ensures financial protection in the unfortunate event of a serious accident, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Additionally, the plan offers emergency evacuation coverage of up to S$1 million, ensuring you can receive the necessary medical attention and transportation in case of a severe injury or illness.

COVID-19 coverage is another key feature of the Essential tier. It provides up to S$50,000 in overseas medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. This coverage can help offset the costs associated with hospitalisation and recovery if you contract the virus while abroad.

Furthermore, the Essential plan addresses various travel inconveniences, offering up to S$10,000 for trip cancellations or curtailments and up to S$5,000 for lost baggage or travel documents. These benefits can significantly reduce the financial impact of unexpected disruptions to your travel plans. 

Although it does not cover adventurous sports like the Ultimate tier, the Essential plan still provides comprehensive coverage that caters to a wide range of travel needs. Overall, it strikes a great balance between cost and coverage, making it a popular choice among savvy travellers.

Starter

When you want a more basic coverage for your travels, then the Starter tier is an excellent choice. While it does not offer as much coverage as the Essential and Ultimate tiers, it still provides substantial protection for policyholders, making it a solid option for budget-conscious travellers.

The Starter tier covers up to S$300,000 for overseas medical expenses, which is still a good amount and should be sufficient for most medical emergencies you might encounter while travelling. This basic plan also includes personal accident coverage of up to S$150,000, providing financial support in the event of an accident resulting in injury or disability.

In terms of travel inconveniences, the Starter plan offers up to S$5,000 for flight cancellation insurance or curtailments and up to S$3,000 for lost baggage or travel documents. While these limits are lower than those of the higher-tier plans, they still provide a safety net that can help mitigate the financial impact of unexpected travel disruptions.

The Starter tier does not cover adventurous sports or provide COVID-19 coverage, making it more suitable for travellers who have relatively straightforward travel plans and are less likely to engage in high-risk activities. However, it does include basic emergency evacuation coverage, ensuring that you can receive necessary medical assistance and transportation in case of serious illness or injury.

All in all, this type of OCBC Explorer travel insurance plan is ideal for those who prefer a straightforward, no-frills travel insurance policy. It allows you to enjoy peace of mind without paying for additional coverage that you may not need. For solo travellers, families on a budget, or those planning shorter trips with less risky itineraries, the Starter tier provides a balanced blend of essential coverage and affordability.

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