Best Travel Insurance for Philippines

Heading to Philippines for your next trip? Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just prefer a relaxing holiday, check out the best travel insurance plans when travelling to Philippines from Singapore.

Best Travel Insurance: TIQ Travel Insurance | MSIG TravelEasy | Allianz Travel Insurance | Ergo TravelProtect | Singlife Travel Insurance | Sompo Travel Insurance | Tokio Marine Travel Insurance | Allied World Travel Insurance | Starr Travel Insurance | FWD Travel Insurance | AIG Travel Guard

Travel insurance is only important once you really need it, the same goes for other insurance plans like personal accident, critical illness and whole life. But once that happens, it’s too late to purchase one.

So whether you’re scuba diving in Boracay, hitting waterfalls in Cebu, island-hopping in Coron or going on underground river tours in Puerto Princesa, you can have a peace of mind knowing that you’re protected if you purchase a good travel insurance.

Not sure what travel insurance plans there are? Here are your options.

Table of contents:

• Best travel insurance plans for Philippines
  • Best value-for-money: FWD
  • Best for comprehensive coverage: Singlife
  • Best for COVID-19 coverage and adventure sports cover: Tiq
• Important travel insurance coverage for Philippines
  • Medical expenses for adventure sports
  • Loss of baggage
  • COVID-19 medical expenses
  • Flight delay
• FAQs

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Best scuba diving travel insurance plans for Philippines

Product							Apply
Tiq Travel Luxury Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Opt for COVID-19 add-on Up to S$500,000	Up to S$10,000	Up to S$200 S$100/6h	Yes	From S$39	Apply Now
FWD Business - Asia (Annual) Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Available as a rider Up to S$200,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$900 S$150/6h	Yes	From S$30	Apply Now
Starr TraveLead Gold Plan - Worldwide (Annual) Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Up to S$100,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,200 S$100/6h	Optional add-on for scuba diving	From S$40.80	Apply Now
Allianz Travel Insurance Platinum Plan Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Opt for COVID-19 add-on Same coverage with medical expenses	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,400	Yes	From S$53	Apply Now
MSIG Premier Plan Apply Now	Up to S$1,000,000	Up to S$250,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,500 S$250/6h	Yes	From S$62	Apply Now
Singlife Travel Prestige Apply Now	Up to unlimited coverage	Up to S$200,000	Up to S$20,000 Up to S$5,000 for any reason	Up to S$2,000 S$200/6h	Yes (up to 30m without qualification)	From S$43.51	Apply Now
AIG Travel Guard® Direct - Supreme Apply Now	Up to S$2,500,000	Up to S$250,000	Up to S$15,000	Up to S$1,400	Yes (up to 40m) Up to S$1,500 add-on scuba diving equipment hire	From S$34	Apply Now

*Based on a 7-day trip to Philippines

Best value-for-money: FWD travel insurance

If you’re looking for a travel insurance policy that’s affordable yet provides very decent coverage, you can get FWD travel insurance. From just S$30 for a 7-day trip to Philippines, FWD travel insurance offers highly competitive premiums compared to the rest.

You’ll also get up to S$1,000,000 in medical expenses coverage and S$150 per every 6 hours of baggage delay, up to S$900.

The only downside is that the plan doesn’t come with COVID-19 coverage, and you’ll have to opt for Protector as an add-on rider at S$11.59 (for a 7-day trip to Philippines). It offers up to S$200,000 for medical expenses due to COVID-19, an overseas quarantine allowance of S$50 per day for up to 14 days, and trip disruption up to S$5,000.

With regards to claims, it has a seamless claim system and efficient customer service where you can easily submit your claims on the FWD SG App and request for assistance if you need any help. 

Also, FWD just added coverage for trip cancellation, postponement or curtailment for any reason, up to S$6,000. This is only applicable if you purchase the add-on within 7 days from the initial trip deposit for your trip.

Best for comprehensive coverage: Singlife Travel Insurance

Singlife is known for its all-rounded travel insurance that offers high coverage. They also offer unique coverage such as loss of bridal accessories, rainfall and trip cancellation for any reason.

If you opt for their Travel Prestige plan, you have unlimited coverage for medical expenses — which is one of teh highest coverage out there across all travel insurance plans. If you wish to cancel your trip for a valid reason, you’re reimbursed up to S$15,000, while cancellations for any reason cover you up to S$5,000 for the Travel Plus and Travel Prestige Plans. 

This means that you can easily cancel because of a conflicting event, have changed your travel plans or simply don’t feel like going anymore. However, you have to purchase your policy within 7 days of your flight purchases or hotel bookings for them to qualify for a claim.

Planning your trip during the monsoon season? Not to worry as Singlife offers rainfall coverage of up to S$150 if the rain is more than 6.4mm over a 24-hour period. On top of that, you’re also covered for adventurous activities like diving, white water rafting, jetski-ing and kayaking.

The plan includes COVID-19 coverage, offering up to S$200,000 for overseas medical expenses.

Best for COVID-19 coverage and adventure sports cover: Tiq Travel Insurance

TIQ stands out for its high COVID-19 coverage and adventure sports cover. However, do note that COVID-19 coverage is only available if you add on the rider, from S$18 (for a 7-day trip to Philippines). 

It offers up to S$500,000 coverage for COVID-19-related medical expenses, so you’ll be able to have a peace of mind knowing that you’re sufficiently covered. It also covers up to $5,000 on non-refundable costs for cancelling or postponing your trip 14 days before your departure date. With such decent coverage, the add-on is definitely worth the top-up.

It also offers high coverage for sports equipment coverage, that’s available as an add-on as well. It covers up to S$4,000 for equipment like golf clubs, diving gear, fishing equipment, bicycle(s), ski equipment, snowboards and climbing gear.

See also:
Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans (2023)
Is Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage Still Necessary?

Important travel insurance coverage for Philippines

Here are some key coverage you should take note of when purchasing travel insurance to Philippines.

Medical expenses (water sports and adventurous activities)

Medical expenses coverage is one of the most important aspects of travel insurance, as accidents do happen so it’s best knowing that you are sufficiently covered for. 

If you’re an adventure junkie, there’s a high chance that you might participate in some sports or adventurous activities while you’re in Philippines. Places like Boracay boast of their crystal clear waters, so you might want to go recreational scuba diving or snorkelling there. This is why purchasing travel insurance that covers these activities is important.

Be sure to check the policy wording carefully, as certain policies and insurers specifically exclude such adventurous sports from their coverage. 

On top of that, certain travel insurance policies also offer sports equipment coverage for bicycles, golf clubs, skis, scuba diving equipment etc, great for those who are bringing their own valuable equipment overseas.

Pro tip: If you’re going scuba-diving, most insurers only allow up to 30 or 40m deep and at all times be accompanied by a qualified dive instructor or dive master. Otherwise, it’s up to the depth allowed if you have the PADI Certification or similar recognised diving qualification.

See also: Best Travel Insurance Singapore for Adventure Seekers

Loss of belongings

Depending on which area of Philippines you’re travelling to, many of these places are known for their high cases of pickpocketing. Whether your phone got stolen, you misplaced your belongings, or they are damaged, being covered for loss of baggage will give you the peace of mind of knowing that if you can’t locate them, you can at least offset some of these costs through travel insurance claims. 

This is especially important for those bringing their laptops for work or cameras and equipment for professional photography, as travel insurance plans cover these too!

Do note that most travel insurance providers require you to make a police report if your belongings are lost or stolen and attach the report to your travel insurance claim for them to be successful.

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COVID-19 medical expenses

Though almost the entire world is learning to live with COVID-19, it is still advisable be covered for COVID-19 as the virus is still prevalent in certain places.

By opting for COVID-19 coverage, you’ll be able to postpone or cancel your trip if you or your travel buddy contracts COVID-19 before your trip. You’ll also be able to purchase off-the-counter medication or get treated at a clinic if you’re down with COVID-19 during your trip.

If you end up being seriously ill due to COVID-19 or medical complications arising from COVID-19, you’ll be covered for your hospital stay and even receive hospital benefits under certain travel insurance policies. If the worst happens, you can also receive emergency evacuation back to Singapore for treatment if need be.

See also: Is Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage Still Necessary?

Flight delay or cancellation

I’m sure you’ve heard of several instances of your friends, family members or even you being stranded at the airport because of an unexpected flight delay or flight cancellation. Regardless of how long the delay is, spending that few hours in the airport and ruin your plans can be highly frustrating.

That is why being able to be compensated for flight delays or cancellations is important to at least be reimbursed for any travel disruptions. Usually, insurers give you a payout for every 4 to 6 hours, up to a limit. 

This gives you the extra budget to book a nearby hotel or cover any missed activities due to your flight delay, if need be.

See also:
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Why Buying Travel Insurance is Necessary

FAQs

Must I buy travel insurance when travelling to Philippines from Singapore?

It is not mandatory to purchase travel insurance when travelling to the Philippines, but it’s highly recommended and encouraged to safeguard yourself against any unfortunate circumstances abroad. 

It also gives you a peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for medical expenses, baggage loss, flight delay, trip cancellations, emergency services and even COVID-19 medical expenses.

Are there any travel requirements or advisories for travelling to Philippines?

If you’re fully vaccinated with a recognised COVID-19 vaccine and have received at least one booster shot, you do not require any documents to enter Phillippines.

However, if you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll have to present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or an administered ART test taken 24 hours before you depart from the country of origin.

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