United Overseas Bank UOB Travel Insurance, UOB travel insurance is something of a hidden gem. When you buy travel insurance, the usual names that come to mind are NTUC, MSIG, FWD and so on.
But in my opinion, UOB travel insurance is one of the best travel insurance in Singapore – and I’m saying this as someone who is not a fan of UOB at all. This is a pleasant surprise because local banks usually don’t try very hard with their insurance products.
Let’s take a closer look so you can decide if it’s worth your money.
UOB travel insurance at a glance
UOB travel insurance is sold under the brand UOB Insure & Travel. It’s actually provided by UOI (United Overseas Insurance) which is UOB’s insurance arm.
Unlike most insurers, who sell insurance in 3 tiers, UOB travel insurance comes in just 2 tiers: Essential and Preferred. In terms of coverage, the cheaper Essential tier is quite comparable to other insurers’ mid-tier plans.
Here’s how the Essential and Preferred plans stack up.
| Travel insurance plan | Essential | Preferred |
| Price for 1 week (ASEAN) | $32 | $42 |
| Price for 1 week (Asia) | $45 | $57 |
| Price for 1 week (worldwide) | $68 | $80 |
| Promotion | 50% off single trip plans until 7 Feb 2019 | |
| Medical expenses (overseas) | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Personal accident (death & TPD) | $250,000 | $300,000 |
| Travel delay ($100 every 6 hours) | $1,000 | $1,200 |
| Trip cancellation | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Baggage delay ($200 every 6 hours) | 6 hours while overseas ($200 after 6 hours while overseas, $200 after 6 hours in Singapore) | $2,000 ($250 every 6 hours while overseas, $200 after 6 hours in Singpore) |
| Baggage loss/damage | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Adventure activities covered? | Yes (but not airborne activities) |
UOB promotion for travel insurance
I don’t know about you, but I really hate buying stuff at full price, especially when I just know there’s going to be a sale just around the corner.
UOB travel insurance is kind of like that. It’s super not worth it to buy when there’s no promotion, even though the usual prices are not exorbitant (though they are rather on the high side).
When there’s a promotion, like the current 50% off, UOB travel insurance can be downright cheap. After discount, a week’s worth of coverage in ASEAN is a mere $16, one of the best prices you can get in Singapore.
You can check for the latest promotions on the UOB travel insurancepage. Snap it up while the promo lasts!
By the way, you can also get free travel insurance with the UOB PRVI Miles Card when you charge your travel fare to the card.
But the coverage is extremely limited compared to the normal (paid) UOB travel insurance. It mainly covers death or disability resulting from a travel accident e.g. plane crash, but not other items like medical expenses.
What does UOB travel insurance cover?
In terms of coverage, UOB travel insurance is actually legit. Medical coverage is excellent, travel inconvenience benefits are higher than normal, and if you’re using a UOB credit card you also get bonus fraud protection. Even with an Essential plan, the claim limits are high.
However, UOI isn’t the most lenient of insurers when it comes to adventure activities, so UOB travel insurance is not for thrill-seekers who really want to test fate.
Here’s a list of outdoor activities that are covered, taken from the UOI policy wording document which is rather hidden from view. The notable exceptions are activities in which you’re airborne – bungee jumping, skydiving and so on.
| Outdoor activity | Covered by UOB Insure & Travel? |
| Hot air balloon | No |
| Scuba diving | Yes (with diving instructor) |
| Skiing and other ice/snow sports | Yes |
| Hiking or trekking | Yes (except in remote areas without guide) |
| Mountaineering or outdoor rock climbing | No |
| Marathons or other competitions | Yes (but not racing, motor rallies etc.) |
| Jet skiing | Yes |
| White water rafting | Yes |
| Skydiving | No |
| Paragliding, hang gliding or parachuting | No |
| Bungee jumping | No |
UOB travel insurance claims procedure
Emergency assistance hotline: +65 6337 9126
UOB travel insurance claims: Download the claim form from the UOB travel insurance page and mail with supporting documents to United Overseas Insurance Ltd, 3 Anson Road, #28-01 Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909
It’s unfortunate that UOB travel insurance claims can only be done by mail, because loads of insurers allow you to file claims online and even through Whatsapp.
Claims are handled by a third party company, Broadspire by Crawford & Company, and there’s no word on how long the lead time is.
Conclusion: should you buy UOB travel insurance?
It depends on whether there’s a good promotion going on. If there is one, then UOB travel insurance is one of the most bang-for-buck ones out there – even the cheaper Essential plan has excellent coverage.
If there’s no promotion, UOB travel insurance can be a bit pricey at full price. Travel insurers are always discounting their plans, so you’re almost certain to be able to find a better deal out there (insert shameless plug for MoneySmart’s Travel Insurance Wizard here).
It doesn’t make sense to overpay for your travel insurance unless this is some high-stakes trip, like the picture-perfect Maldives wedding you’ve been planning for the last 3 years.
Overall, UOB travel insurance offers very good travel insurance benefits all around, from medical coverage to coverage of travel inconveniences. and its medical coverage is particularly high. It also covers a decent range of outdoor activities (but not airborne ones). Its biggest drawback is probably the fact that its claims process is rather outdated.
FAQs
Q1. Who is eligible to buy Insure & Travel?
The applicant must be a Singaporean or Permanent Resident of Singapore. A foreigner who is holding a valid Employment Pass or Work Permit or has a Dependent Pass or Long Term Visit Pass can also apply.
The eligible applicant must be domiciled in Singapore and the Trip must start and end in Singapore within the period of insurance.
Q2. What is the definition of ‘Family Plan’ in Insure & Travel?
Family Plan consists of you and/or your spouse with any number of your children travelling together for the entire Trip.
For the Annual Multi-Trip Family Plan, the Child must be accompanied by at least one of the Insured adult for any Trip during the Period of Insurance.
- Child means a fully dependent child under the Age of eighteen (18) years or up to twenty-three (23) years who is studying full-time in a recognised institution of higher learning and is not married nor in employment on the start date of the Period of Insurance stated in the Certificate of Insurance and/or Policy.
Q3. Is there any age limit?
There is no maximum enrolment age for an applicant to purchase a Single Trip policy. However an Insured Person age seventy (70) years old and above is not eligible to purchase Preferred Plan, and certain benefit limits will be reduced for Essential Plan.
For the Annual Multi-Trip Plan, the maximum enrolment age is sixty-five (65) years old on the date of purchase of this insurance and is renewable up to 70 years old subject to satisfactory underwriting at each policy renewal. Insurance policy renewal is not guaranteed.
Q4. Can I purchase Insure & Travel for my family or friends?
Yes, you may if you have their authorisation.
Q5. Can Insure & Travel be offered for one-way journey?
No, Insure & Travel does not cover one-way journey.
Q6. When does Insure & Travel cover commence?
For Single Trip Plan, the insurance will commence when the Insured Person leaves his/her place of residence or business in Singapore (whichever is later) to commence the Trip until the time of return to his/her place of residence or business in Singapore or the expiry of the Certificate of Insurance and/or Policy (whichever is the earlier) on completion of the Trip.
As for the coverage for Loss of Deposit or Cancellation (stated in Section 1 of the Policy), it is effective immediately upon issuance of the Certificate of Insurance and/or Policy and terminates on commencement of the Trip from Singapore.
Incorrect Period of Insurance will affect the validity of your insurance policy.
Q7. Who should enroll for an Annual Multi-Trip policy?
We highly recommend that a frequent traveler takes up an Annual Multi-Trip Policy as it’s more cost effective and convenient. The policy is issued for one (1) year where an individual can make unlimited number of Trips to the selected region of travel and the duration for each Trip must not exceed ninety (90) days.
Q8. I am travelling to a few countries in the same trip, how do I choose my geographical area?
If the same trip involves travel to multiple countries and to different geographical zones, you must choose the furthest country and/or zone.
Q9. If I cancel my insurance policy after the online activation for Insure & Travel, can I get a premium refund?
For Single Trip Plan, we will refund the premium paid less a minimum premium of $25 per insured person for Individual Plan and $25 per Family Plan. No refund of premium will be made if the Trip has commenced, or any claim is made under the policy issued.
For Annual Multi-Trip Plan, at least thirty (30) days written notice must be provided to UOI and the refund of premium is based on the short period rates stated in the policy, provided no claim is made prior to the policy cancellation.
Any refund of insurance premium will be made to the same card that was used to pay for the insurance premium at the time of purchase.
Q10. What is the mode of payment for online purchase of Insure & Travel?
We accept Mastercard and Visa credit or debit cards.
Q11. When do I know if my online application has been successfully made?
Upon completion of the premium payment, a copy of the Certificate of Insurance will be sent to your registered email. If you have provided your mobile phone number during the application, you will also receive a Short Message Service (SMS) text to inform you that your online application is successful.
Q12. When will I receive my insurance documents after the online application is made?
You will receive the insurance documents within five (5) business days from the date of your confirmed application. If you opt for ‘Go Green’, your policy documents will be sent to your registered email.
Q13. How do I file a claim for Insure & Travel?
Please contact our appointed claims handling agent, Broadspire by Crawford & Company, at 6632 8639 during their business hours. All claims must be notified not later than thirty- one (31) days after expiry of the insurance policy.
Q14. Who can I contact if I wish to make an amendment after the online activation?
You can contact us at 6222 7737 from Monday to Thursday, 8.45am to 5.45pm and Friday, 8.45am to 4.45pm. Alternatively, you may email your enquiry to [email protected].
Insure & Travel Promotion Terms and Conditions
View terms and conditions for plan discounts
Important Notice and Disclaimers
The above is provided for general information only and is not a contract of insurance. Full details of the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance are provided in the policy and will be sent to you upon acceptance of your application by United Overseas Insurance Limited (“UOI”). You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before making a commitment to purchase the product. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider carefully whether this product is suitable for you. United Overseas Bank Limited (“UOB”) does not hold itself out to be an insurer, insurance broker or insurance agent. The insurance products and services stated herein are provided by UOI.
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact your insurer or visit the GIA/ LIA or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
United Overseas Bank Limited Co. Reg. No.193500026Z
United Overseas Insurance Limited Co. Reg. No. 197100152R