Best Travel Insurance With Natural Disaster Coverage In 2024

Travel insurance with natural diaster coverage offers protection against injury, loss, damage or cancelled travel plans due to unexpected natural events. Discover how travel insurance can protect you against natural disasters, and find out what your policy can (and cannot) do if your holiday plans are affected by unexpected events.

While the likelihood of encountering a natural disaster during travel is low, it’s a risk that shouldn’t be ignored. The rise in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and wildfires in various parts of the world, highlights the growing impact of climate change. In fact, studies suggest that climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme weather events by 50%. This uptick has practical implications for travellers in the form of cancellations and shorter vacations. According to one analysis, the travel industry witnessed an 18% increase in holiday refund requests during 2023.

Encountering a natural disaster while being a visitor in a foreign country can be a stressful affair. Imagine being at the mercy of the emergency services available in your host country during a catastrophic event, with no ability to speak the language or knowledge about medical costs. 

That’s why you should make a travel insurance plan part of your essential travel checklist. Buying one is convenient, affordable, and can give peace of mind should you encounter a catastrophe during your trip. And yes, most travel insurance cover natural disasters as part of their plan, making it even more compelling to get one for your holiday.

Let’s take a closer look at how these travel insurance plans work, and what is the best travel insurance for natural disasters.

Related to this topic: Revenge Travel 2022: Get Even With These 16 Smart Travel Tips

Table of Contents

• Top Travel Insurance Including Natural Disasters
  • FWD
  • NTUC
  • MSIG
  • Bubblegum
  • AIG
  • AIA
  • Citibank
  • DBS
• What Happens When a Natural Disaster Happens Before Your Trip
• What Happens When a Natural Disaster Happens During Your Trip
• What Travel Insurance May Not Cover
  • Nuclear radiation
  • War or riots
  • Some other things to note
• Adhere to the Following to Ensure Your Travel Coverage Remains Intact
  • Heed travel advisories
  • Purchase your travel insurance early
  • Minimise your exposure to risks
• How Do I Make a Travel Insurance Claim If a Natural Disaster Strikes?
• Insure Yourself with the Best Travel Insurance Policies for Natural Disasters

Top Travel Insurance Including Natural Disasters

FWD

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $300 to $1,000 for travel delay
• $7,500 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $500 to $1,500 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$30 to $60/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

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NTUC

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $1,000 to $2,000 for travel delay
• $5,000 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $500 to $3,000 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$66 to $109/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

MSIG

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Flight Diversion
• Travel Cancellation 
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $500 to $1,500 for travel delay/flight diversion
• $5,000 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $750 to $2,000 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$67 to $125/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

Bubblegum

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $400 for travel delay
• $5,000 for travel cancellation
• $5,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$29/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

AIG

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $1,000 to $3,000 for travel delay
• $5,000 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $500 to $2,000 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$48 to $108/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

AIA

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $1,000 for travel delay
• $5,000 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $500 to $2,000 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $10,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

Enquire with an AIA Appointed Representative

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

Citibank

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $1,500 to $2,000 for travel delay
• $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$57 to $69/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

DBS

What events due to natural disasters does it cover?

• Travel Delay
• Travel Cancellation
• Travel Postponement
• Trip Curtailment

How much is the payout per event?

• $1,200 to $2,000 for travel delay
• $5,000 to $15,000 for travel cancellation
• $750 to $2,000 for travel postponement
• $5,000 to $15,000 for trip curtailment

What is the premium?

$88 to $127/week

What type of SingSaver promo is available?

What Happens When a Natural Disaster Happens Before Your Trip

Travel insurance can help if a natural disaster occurs before your trip that creates disruptions to your travel plans.

One example would be a wildfire damaging the hotel you have booked for your Australian holiday, rendering it inhospitable. You can make a claim under trip disruption or curtailment benefits to offset your hotel booking.

Similarly, if a snowstorm forces airports in your destination to be shut down, forcing you to cancel your trip, you can claim against your travel policy for the cost of non-refundable plane tickets or accommodations.

What Happens When a Natural Disaster Happens During Your Trip

Should a natural disaster take place in the middle of your trip, your travel insurance plan can offer some protection.

In this case, it is the personal accident and overseas medical benefits that will come into play. If you suffer smoke inhalation because the volcano in your villa’s backyard erupted and requires medical treatment, you will be able to claim your medical bill against your travel policy.

While being evacuated away from the volcano, you were forced to leave behind your laptop and other personal belongings. Travel insurance plans include benefits for lost baggage or belongings, which can be used to cover your losses.

Related to this topic: Money Confessions: Have You Ever Submitted a Travel Claim? 

What Travel Insurance May Not Cover

Nuclear radiation

Travel insurance policies specifically exclude damage or injury caused by nuclear radiation, and may do so even if the exposure was a result of a natural disaster.

For instance, if an earthquake damages a nearby nuclear power plant, exposing you to nuclear contamination, your policy may not cover your claims.

War or riots

The personal accident benefits in your travel plan may not apply if your injury came about as a result of a war, riot or civil disorder.

However, there is usually some wiggle room, in the sense that if you are an innocent bystander that happened to get caught up in a clash between rioters and security forces, your insurance coverage is likely to remain intact.

Still, you should actively avoid going near any areas where such events are taking place, or try your best to seek shelter and stay out of the way.

Some other things to note

It bears repeating that just because your travel policy offers coverage against natural disasters and other catastrophes doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the (hurricane-force) wind.

As with all insurance policies, your claims may be voided if your injuries or losses came about because you were negligent or reckless – such as by, uh, standing behind a jet plane as it takes off. 

Adhere to the Following to Ensure Your Travel Coverage Remains Intact

Heed travel advisories

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes travel advisories in situations that would pose danger or hazards to travellers, such as this latest one, warning against travelling to Ukraine and Russia.

If a travel advisory has been issued for the country you are planning to visit, and you go ahead with your trip, your insurer has the right to void your coverage and reject all your claims.

Hence, you should always keep tabs on any such travel advisories, and if one has been issued, weigh carefully if you want to roll the dice with your insurer.

Purchase your travel insurance early

Remember when COVID-19 first started rampaging around the world, and airlines refused to issue refunds for tickets that could no longer be used?

While that was an unexpected event that caught many by surprise, it illustrates the importance of purchasing your travel insurance early.

Be aware that your insurer may not accept your claims if your policy was bought after the natural disaster was made known.

So, for example, say, a volcano erupted in Bali, forcing flights to be suspended. You purchase a travel plan after the eruption to claim for the cost of your air tickets. Nice try, but it won’t work – your insurer will simply void your claims.

You will only be able to make a claim if your travel plan had been bought before the event, so if your trip is confirmed, it’s better to get your travel plan earlier rather than later. 

Minimise your exposure to risks

A holiday is the perfect opportunity to cut loose and let your hair down, but you’ll still want to keep a lid on things.

If your insurer deems you as having failed to take reasonable steps to protect yourself and minimise risks, your claims will be voided.

So for example, if you get smacked by a flying door because you insisted on filming the hurricane up close, your insurer can – and likely will – deny your medical claims.

Same goes for injuries or losses suffered because you were too drunk or high to take reasonable steps to protect yourself or avoid harm, so don’t party too hard, kids.

How Do I Make a Travel Insurance Claim if a Natural Disaster Strikes?

To make a travel insurance claim in case of a natural disaster, follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact the Insurance Company

Do this as soon as possible. Most policies require you to notify the insurance provider within a specific time frame, often 30 days.

Step 2: Download Claim Forms

Download the appropriate claim form from your insurer’s website. Select the correct form based on your claim type (medical, delay, cancellation, etc.).

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

Prepare necessary documents like your policy, passport, itinerary, medical bills, police reports, and receipts. The type of documents you need to prepare depends on your claim. Your claim form will often indicate what sort of documents you need.

Step 4: Complete Claim Forms

Fill out the claim forms carefully, providing accurate details of the incident and attaching the required supporting documents.

Step 5: Submit Claim

Submit your completed claim forms and supporting documents to your insurance company. You can usually file claims online, by mail, or in person. Ensure you have all required documentation to avoid delays.

Remember, that the claims process may vary slightly depending on your insurance provider. Always refer to your policy for specific instructions and consult your insurer for detailed guidance.

Insure Yourself with the Best Travel Insurance for Natural Disasters

For your next holiday, be sure to get travel insurance against natural disasters. This will not only provide you with financial protection but also offer peace of mind, knowing that you're covered in the event of trip cancellations, postponements or unforeseen events during your trip.

To help you find the best travel insurance with natural disaster cover, try using SingSaver’s travel insurance comparison tool. It simplifies the process of comparing various plans with natural disaster coverage, helping you find the most affordable travel insurance for your needs.