Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance After Booking or Departure in Singapore?

Whether it’s a short escape to Bali or a long-haul trip to Europe, travel insurance is your financial safety net—protecting you from costly surprises like flight delays, lost luggage, or unexpected medical bills overseas.

But what if you’ve already booked your trip and only now realised, “Wait—I forgot to get travel insurance. Is it too late?” You’re not alone.

The good news–it’s not.

But here’s the catch: the earlier you buy, the better. Buying your policy right after booking ensures you’re covered from the get-go, not just the moment you step on the plane. This covers you for flight delays, trip cancellations, and other unexpected events.

Say you’re flying to Japan next month and fall sick before your trip—if you bought insurance early, you could get reimbursed. Wait too long, and that protection might no longer apply. And for Singaporeans travelling abroad, where you’re no longer well covered like you are in your home country, having international medical coverage is key to preventing unexpected crazy high medical expenses.

Once something happens though, say your flight gets cancelled or you fall ill—it’s too late to insure against it. Pre-existing conditions may also not be covered unless you buy early and meet specific criteria.

So yes, you can add travel insurance after booking—but for full protection and peace of mind, it’s smarter to buy early, not last-minute.

A hospital visit in Japan or the US can set you back thousands, while even a short trip to Bali could go sideways with a missed ferry or lost passport.

For just a small upfront cost, travel insurance gives you peace of mind and financial protection against various unfortunate situations, ranging from falling sick or trip delays to losing your entire luggage or even trip cancellations.

Buying travel insurance before booking your flight isn’t a smart move—especially if you're counting on trip cancellation coverage. Why? Because without a confirmed itinerary, you won’t know your total trip cost, which is key to getting the right protection.

Say you’re flying from Singapore to Tokyo and haven’t booked yet—your policy can’t accurately cover a trip that it has zero information about. Always finalise your flights and accommodations first, then get your insurance right after for the best balance of coverage and cost.

Once you’ve booked your flight—whether it’s to Seoul for cherry blossom season or to KL for a quick getaway—that’s the perfect time to buy travel insurance. Getting it right after booking means you’ll be eligible for fuller protection, including options like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which gives you the flexibility to back out for reasons not normally covered.

In Singapore, insurers like FWD and AXA offer CFAR as an add-on, making it a useful option for travellers who like to keep their plans flexible, especially for long-haul or big-budget trips.

It’s definitely possible to buy travel insurance up until the day before you fly, but waiting comes with trade-offs. Some local insurers may impose cut-off times for certain benefits, and you could miss out on trip cancellation or interruption coverage, which only kicks in if you bought the policy early.

In short, while last-minute purchases are allowed, they’re rarely ideal. For the best coverage and peace of mind, buy your travel insurance right after booking, and if you want to save time and money, compare plans on platforms like SingSaver to find what fits your trip best.

» Learn more: Comparing the best travel insurance plans

If you’re wondering “when should I buy travel insurance?”, well, the best time to buy travel insurance is actually right after you book your trip. That’s when you unlock the most benefits, like trip cancellation coverage and pre-existing health conditions.

Many Singaporeans assume they can buy insurance later, but by waiting, they risk missing out on critical coverage that could save them thousands. Here are two examples:

• Pre-existing medical condition coverage: Many Singapore insurers, like Tiq and MSIG, offer coverage for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or asthma, but only if you purchase your policy within 10 to 21 days of booking.

• CFAR insurance: This 10 to 21-day window also applies to CFAR insurance, a flexible add-on from providers like FWD and AIG that lets you back out of a trip and still recoup part of your costs.

Remember that you can’t buy travel insurance after something has already happened; it’s too late at that point. So if you injure yourself just before your trip or a family emergency pops up, purchasing insurance at that point won’t help—you can’t insure what’s already gone wrong.

For example, if a Singaporean traveller books a flight to Melbourne but delays buying insurance, they may lose out on coverage if they sprain their ankle just days before departure.

Buying early doesn’t just give you more coverage, but it also unlocks extras like car rental excess protection. You won’t have to worry about buying too early either since many providers offer a free-look period, where you can cancel the policy for a refund if your plans change.

In short: don’t wait. For those wondering when to buy travel insurance exactly, there’s no exact time, but the earlier you act, the more you’re protected, which means the best time to buy is usually right after booking.

If you’re unsure where to start, compare travel insurance plans on platforms like SingSaver to find the one that best fits your trip—and your budget.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained

If you’re already packed and heading to Changi tomorrow, it’s technically still possible to buy travel insurance, but don’t count on full coverage.

However, most Singapore insurers won’t cover trip cancellations, interruptions, or pre-existing medical conditions if you buy after these events occur.

That’s why savvy Singaporean travellers lock in their policy well before take-off, not at the airport check-in counter.

Yes, you can buy travel insurance right before departure—but you’ll miss out on the good stuff if you wait too long. Most insurers in Singapore let you purchase a policy up to the day before your flight, which is helpful for last-minute travellers heading to nearby spots like Bangkok or Bali.

However, time-sensitive benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and pre-existing medical condition coverage—offered by insurers like FWD, Tiq, and MSIG—must be bought within 10 to 21 days after booking. Miss that window, and you won’t be able to claim for things like sudden illness or trip cancellations. So while last-minute insurance is better than none, buying early gives you the most value and flexibility.

Yes you can, but it’s not advisable.

While it's possible to purchase travel insurance at the airport in Singapore, this approach comes with notable limitations. Travel insurance should be purchased before your trip officially begins—that means before you check in or take your first flight. After that, you won’t be covered for missed connections, delays, or emergencies that happen mid-journey.

Airport options often provide only basic coverage, potentially excluding critical benefits like protection for pre-existing medical conditions or comprehensive trip cancellations.

On top of that, last-minute policies may carry higher premiums. To ensure comprehensive protection and better value, it's advisable to secure your travel insurance well before departure. This proactive approach not only offers peace of mind but also safeguards against unforeseen expenses during your travels.

As such, always buy your policy in advance—ideally right after booking—to avoid getting caught off guard when it matters most.

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover? 

Yes, you can buy travel insurance after leaving Singapore—but it’s far from ideal. A few local insurers, like Tiq by Etiqa, offer post-departure travel insurance, but keep in mind that the coverage is often more expensive and much more limited.

For example, if you’re already in Thailand and decide to get insured, you likely won’t be covered for any trip cancellations, travel delays, or pre-existing medical conditions—only basic emergency medical or accident coverage moving forward.

That’s why the best practice is to secure your policy before you fly—ideally at least 14 days of booking, to unlock benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or coverage for chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, or cancer.

Local insurers like Tiq and MSIG offer these benefits, but only if you act fast. Wait too long, and these options disappear, and you’ll end up paying more for less.

For Singaporean travellers, locking in your policy early isn’t just about better protection, it’s about maximising value.

Local providers like Tiq and MSIG offer time-sensitive benefits that disappear if you wait too long, so don’t wait. Explore your insurance options well in advance—not just to find the best deal, but to make sure it suits your specific travel needs.

Whenever you’re going overseas, wherever you’re going, there’s always the risk of unexpected disruptions, like medical emergencies, trip delays, or lost luggage. That’s why travel insurance is so important.

For Singaporeans heading to destinations like Japan, Europe, or the U.S., where healthcare can be extremely expensive, having coverage is even more essential, especially for trips that aren’t cheap or fully refundable.

The good news? After you book your flight, you can buy most types of travel insurance up to one day before departure. Policies from providers like Tiq, FWD, and AIG offer coverage for common travel mishaps even if you forgot to buy insurance at the time of booking.

Benefits like CFAR and pre-existing medical condition coverage, however, won’t be available if you wait too long.

Buying soon after booking unlocks wider protection and helps cover non-refundable costs like flights and hotels. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing you’re covered for the most common and costly travel hiccups before they happen. For Singaporean travellers who value flexibility, it’s an easy way to avoid unnecessary last-minute stress.

So yes, you can buy travel insurance anytime after booking, before your trip officially begins—but the sooner you do it, the better your coverage.

Singapore-based insurers offer competitive plans for different needs, so take the time to compare your options early and choose a policy that matches your destination, budget, and health needs.

>> Ready to go? Compare travel insurance options now.

In summary, to get the most out of your travel insurance, it’s best to buy it at least 14 days before you fly. That early window opens up key benefits—like coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost baggage—that may not be available if you wait.

Delaying your purchase can also mean higher premiums and fewer options, especially if you need protection for pre-existing conditions. And remember: once something goes wrong—whether it’s a cancelled flight or a health scare—it’s too late to get insured for it.

So if you’ve just booked a trip, don’t put insurance on the back burner. Buying early means better coverage, more peace of mind, and one less thing to worry about before take-off.

The best travel credit card is one that matches your lifestyle and spending habits, whether you’re after miles, lounge access, or travel perks. Here are some of the top travel credit cards in Singapore for 2025:

• Flat-rate rewards: Citi Cash Back+ Card

• Max flexibility and big bonus: UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

• Best portal benefits: DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card

• Cashback on travel bookings: Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card

• Direct travel bookings: American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

• Luxury travel perks: Citi Prestige Card