- What are the best long term travel insurance plans?
- What is long term travel insurance?
- The price of long term travel insurance
- What long term travel insurance covers
- The conditions of long term travel insurance
- Why take out long term travel insurance?
- How to Choose the Right long term Travel Insurance
- Do your current insurance policies cover long term travel insurance?
- FAQ
long term travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Long-term insurance is for trips over 90 days, offering continuous cover for extended work or travel.
2. Price: A six-month policy for Europe can cost from S$800, varying by destination and your age.
3. Coverage: It typically covers major medical emergencies and evacuation but often excludes pre-existing conditions and routine check-ups.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Credit cards and MediShield Life offer limited overseas cover, insufficient for long stays abroad.
5. Tips: Verify if the policy meets visa requirements and allows for easy extensions if your plans change.
6. Other useful info: Some policies include coverage for brief trips back to Singapore without cancelling your entire policy.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travelers every month. After analysing 41 travel insurance policies available in Singapore, our experts share everything you need to know to help you choose the best long-term travel insurance.
What are the best long term travel insurance plans?
Here is a selection of the best long term travel insurance plans available for residents of Singapore in 2025. These contracts stand out due to their high medical coverage, low deductibles and clear, flexible terms designed for extended stays abroad.
| Contract we recommend | Medical reimbursement | Deductible | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloTravel Premium | $1,000,000 | $100 | • No duration limit for single trip • Worldwide medical evacuation • Includes sports and work abroad • 24/7 multilingual assistance |
| Cap Assistance 24/24 | $200,000 | $100 | • Online claims system • Sports and study coverage • Pregnancy included • Global hospital network |
| Tourist Card | $500,000 | $150 | • Extended trip duration (up to 2 years) • Direct payment to hospitals • Covers volunteering abroad • 24/7 medical hotline |
| World Travel | $1,000,000 | $200 | • Very high benefit limits • Professional activities covered • Emergency evacuation • Family policy options |
| Globe Partner | $300,000 | $100 | • Student and working holiday cover • Quick reimbursement • Multilingual platform • Repatriation guarantee |
| Globe Traveller | $500,000 | $100 | • Covers trips up to 24 months • No upper age limit • Mental health support • Renewal flexibility |
• Worldwide medical evacuation
• Includes sports and work abroad
• 24/7 multilingual assistance
• Sports and study coverage
• Pregnancy included
• Global hospital network
• Direct payment to hospitals
• Covers volunteering abroad
• 24/7 medical hotline
• Professional activities covered
• Emergency evacuation
• Family policy options
• Quick reimbursement
• Multilingual platform
• Repatriation guarantee
• No upper age limit
• Mental health support
• Renewal flexibility
The best long term travel insurance depends on your individual needs. Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to identify and subscribe to the plan best suited for you online.
Compare the best travel insurance for freeI compareWhat is long term travel insurance?
Long term travel insurance is a specialised policy that covers travellers from Singapore on journeys longer than 90 days, often up to several years.
It offers broad protection for extended stays abroad, including medical emergencies, trip interruption, personal liability, and lost belongings.
This coverage is essential for gap years, work assignments, studying, or digital nomad lifestyles, when Singapore health plans do not apply.
Long term insurance is sometimes confused with multi-trip plans, but only long term insurance provides continuous cover for a single extended period.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out long term travel insurance is especially recommended if you live in Singapore:
- For an overseas work assignment or long-term secondment.
- When pursuing higher education or a student exchange program abroad.
- If you are taking a gap year or career sabbatical.
- To meet mandatory long-stay visa requirements for your destination.
- When your local SG health plan has limited overseas coverage.
- For a working holiday visa or as a digital nomad.
- During extended leisure travel or long-term retirement trips.
The price of long term travel insurance
On average, long term travel insurance costs between 3% and 8% of your total trip budget.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months studying in Australia | $18,000 | $700 to $1,200 |
| 1 year travelling across Europe | $28,000 | $1,200 to $2,200 |
| 18 months digital nomad journey worldwide | $39,000 | $1,800 to $3,200 |
| 2 years working holiday in Canada | $52,000 | $2,400 to $4,200 |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your long term travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: longer trips result in higher premiums.
- destination: travel to countries with high healthcare costs leads to increased price.
- age: older travellers generally pay higher rates.
- benefit limits: higher coverage for medical care, belongings, and personal liability increases the premium.
- health status: pre-existing conditions and special coverage, such as risky activities or work, affect the cost.
What long term travel insurance covers
Long term travel insurance is designed for Singaporeans who travel or live abroad for extended periods ranging from several months to a few years.
This policy offers continuous protection, tailored for trips that go beyond standard short term coverage periods.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Refunds your prepaid trip costs if you cancel for a valid covered reason before departure. | For long trips, a $10,000 minimum is recommended and deductibles should not exceed $100. Trips cancelled for personal choice or work reasons are excluded. |
| 🏥 Medical expenses abroad | Key guarantee. Covers emergency medical costs if you fall ill or get injured while overseas. | At least $500,000 is vital for Europe or USA. Deductibles should not exceed $100. Pre-existing conditions and routine care are excluded. |
| 🚑 Medical evacuation and repatriation | Key guarantee. Pays for medically required evacuation and your return home if needed. | Choose $1,000,000 minimum with no or max $200 deductible. Non-emergency evacuations and repatriation for personal preference are not covered. |
| 🎒 Personal belongings | Covers lost, stolen, or damaged personal items and baggage during the trip. | At least $5,000 coverage and deductibles under $100 are safe. Unattended or undeclared high-value items are regularly excluded. |
| 🕒 Travel delay | Compensation for delays in flights or other transport, usually after a set number of hours. | Minimum of $100 per 4h delay, no deductible. Delays shorter than minimum or without proof are excluded. |
| ⚖️ Legal assistance abroad | Covers legal expenses such as attorney fees after an incident abroad. | At least $5,000 for legal fees and $10,000 for bail are advised. Excludes costs linked to drinking, criminal acts, or professional disputes. |
| 💔 Trip interruption | Refunds the cost of unused services if you must shorten your trip for a covered cause. | A $10,000 minimum is reasonable; avoid high deductibles. Voluntary return or minor inconvenience reasons are excluded. |
| 🦷 Emergency dental treatment | Pays for urgent dental treatment needed during your trip. | $2,000 minimum and deductibles under $50 are ideal. Cosmetic dental or pre-planned care is excluded from coverage. |
| 🧍♂️ Personal accident | Lump sum payout for permanent disability or death caused by accident during the trip. | $100,000 is a sensible baseline with minimal deductible. High-risk activities and self-inflicted injury are typically excluded. |
| 🪪 Personal liability abroad | Covers costs if you unintentionally injure someone or damage their property abroad. | Look for at least $2,000,000 in coverage, with deductibles under $200. Intentional or motor vehicle-related incidents are not included. |
Trips cancelled for personal choice or work reasons are excluded.
Pre-existing conditions and routine care are excluded.
Non-emergency evacuations and repatriation for personal preference are not covered.
Unattended or undeclared high-value items are regularly excluded.
Delays shorter than minimum or without proof are excluded.
Excludes costs linked to drinking, criminal acts, or professional disputes.
Voluntary return or minor inconvenience reasons are excluded.
Cosmetic dental or pre-planned care is excluded from coverage.
High-risk activities and self-inflicted injury are typically excluded.
Intentional or motor vehicle-related incidents are not included.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To find the long term travel insurance best suited to your profile and your trip, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
The conditions of long term travel insurance
To activate and maintain your long term travel insurance, specific conditions must be met.
- Residency requirement: you must be a permanent resident or citizen of Singapore at the time of application.
- Purchase timing: the policy must be bought before leaving Singapore for your long term journey.
- Trip duration compliance: each trip must not exceed the maximum covered period, usually between 180 days and 2 years.
- No ongoing travel: you must not already be abroad when starting the insurance, unless permitted by the insurer.
- Continuous payment: premiums must be paid throughout the policy to keep coverage active.
- Status notifications: you must promptly inform the insurer of changes in health status, country of residence, or travel plans.
- Destination restriction: travel to destinations under Singapore MFA's "Do Not Travel" advisory may not be covered.
- Supporting documentation: claims require submission of official documents, such as receipts and medical certificates.
Watch out!
A critical misunderstanding is assuming you can buy or extend long-term insurance while already overseas. Most Singaporean policies must be purchased *before* you depart. Waiting until you're abroad often makes you ineligible, leaving you completely uninsured for the remainder of your extended trip.
Why take out long term travel insurance?
When travelling for a long period, you can face unexpected events and healthcare needs which can become expensive without financial protection.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs abroad:
| Type of treatment | Average cost | Covered by insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Foot sprain (X-ray and consultation) |
| Up to $2,000,000 SGD, depending on the plan |
| Medical repatriation |
| Up to $5,000,000 SGD |
| Appendicitis surgery and hospital |
| Up to $2,000,000 SGD |
| Stitches after a fall |
| Up to $2,000,000 SGD |
| Consultation for an intestinal infection |
| Up to $2,000,000 SGD |
- Europe: $800 SGD
- North America: $2,500 SGD
- Asia: $400 SGD
- Europe: $150,000 SGD
- North America: $200,000 SGD
- Asia: $80,000 SGD
- Europe: $25,000 SGD
- North America: $80,000 SGD
- Asia: $12,000 SGD
- Europe: $1,200 SGD
- North America: $3,000 SGD
- Asia: $600 SGD
- Europe: $600 SGD
- North America: $1,800 SGD
- Asia: $300 SGD
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
In addition to medical expenses, long term travel insurance can also include trip cancellation or interruption, loss or theft of luggage, personal liability, repatriation, emergency dental care and 24/7 assistance. These guarantees can make a crucial difference if problems arise during a long stay abroad.
Good to know
Planning a working holiday or long-term study abroad? An accident could cost you S$25,000+ in Europe. Standard policies won't cover extended stays. A dedicated plan, like those from Chapka, provides the high-limit medical and liability protection you need for true peace of mind.
How to Choose the Right long term Travel Insurance
Not all long term travel insurance policies are the same. Coverage limits, reimbursement rules, and policy features can differ greatly. That is why it is essential to compare key criteria to ensure your selected plan truly matches your needs for extended trips from Singapore.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Reimbursement limits | Extended trips increase exposure to high-cost accidents or illness. | Select coverage of at least $500,000 SGD for medical expenses to protect against costly emergencies. |
| 📉 Deductible | Higher deductibles mean higher out-of-pocket costs for frequent claims. | Aim for a deductible below $200 SGD to prevent unexpected expenses on repeated medical events. |
| 📋 Policy conditions | Some plans restrict extensions or only cover certain trip types. | Read conditions on extensions, returns to Singapore, and claim timing to avoid loss of coverage. |
| 👵 Traveller’s age | Age can affect eligibility, pricing, or exclusions for seniors. | Check for age limits or senior surcharges and secure coverage before turning 65 for better rates. |
| 👨👩👧 Traveller profile | Students, digital nomads, families, and workers need different benefits. | Pick a plan that matches your reason for travel and covers work, study, or family situations. |
| 📆 Trip duration | Some policies have strict duration caps or limited renewal options. | Ensure the maximum trip length matches your full stay and allows extensions if plans change. |
| 🌍 Geographic area | Coverage can exclude certain countries or regions. | Choose worldwide or region-specific coverage if visiting multiple destinations during a single trip. |
| 🛡️ Existing coverage | Bank card or local policies may not cover extended periods abroad. | Review your current insurance for trip length and abroad coverage before purchasing extra plans. |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Riskier activities often require extra coverage or are excluded. | Declare volunteering, work, or adventure sports to ensure no claims are rejected due to exclusions. |
Do your current insurance policies cover long term travel insurance?
It is understandable to wonder if your existing insurance such as credit card insurance or the public health system can cover you for long term travel, but unfortunately this is often insufficient.
Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Long term travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why travel insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance (MediShield Life) | Never | Emergency treatment overseas, up to $15,000 annually, no non-emergency or extended stay support. No coverage for repatriation, trip interruption, lost baggage or legal expenses. | Travel insurance offers up to $2,000,000 for emergencies, plus cancellation, repatriation and lost property. |
| Private health insurance (Great Eastern, AIA Singapore) | Almost Never | Emergency medical abroad, limits from $50,000 to $100,000 per incident, limited to trips under 90-183 days. No extended trip, travel delay, baggage or liability coverage. | Travel insurance gives worldwide protection up to $1,000,000, covering trip delay and high-value personal liability. |
| Classic credit card (DBS Visa, OCBC Classic) | Almost Never | Limited emergency medical for trips under 60-90 days, baggage cover up to $3,000, no evacuation. Long trip, repatriation and trip cancellation are always excluded. | Travel insurance insures trip extension, professional activities, unlimited extension and high-value baggage globally. |
| Premium credit card (Citibank Prestige, HSBC Premier) | Limited coverage | Medical coverage up to $1,000,000, short-term trip cancellation, delay and some personal liability, limited to 6-12 months. No coverage for multi-year trips, full adventure sports or home protection. | Travel insurance covers trips of up to several years, including home burglary and pre-existing illness management abroad. |
No coverage for repatriation, trip interruption, lost baggage or legal expenses.
No extended trip, travel delay, baggage or liability coverage.
Long trip, repatriation and trip cancellation are always excluded.
No coverage for multi-year trips, full adventure sports or home protection.
Expert advice
Bank card and health insurance policies often exclude critical situations like trip interruption due to a relative’s illness. Read the conditions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises abroad. In all cases, it is safer and more reassuring to subscribe a dedicated travel insurance tailored to the trip.
FAQ
Is long term travel insurance mandatory?
Long term travel insurance is mandatory for certain countries, especially when applying for long-stay visas or residence permits. European student or working holiday visas, for example, usually require proof of coverage. While travel insurance is not strictly required for all long trips, it is highly recommended. If you’re spending months overseas, even a minor medical emergency can cost several thousand SGD and disrupt your plans if uninsured.
When is it recommended to purchase long term travel insurance?
It is best to buy long term travel insurance as soon as you confirm your extended travel plans and start making bookings. Early purchase maximises cancellation and pre-departure benefits and ensures you are covered in case something happens before you leave. Purchasing before your actual departure also gives you financial protection against trip disruptions or emergencies from day one.
How do I purchase long term travel insurance?
First, compare multiple policies on HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find one that matches your needs and trip duration. Check carefully for coverage limits, exclusions, and specific provisions for long term coverage. Complete your application and payment securely online. The insurance certificate will be sent to your email soon after for use in visa applications and as proof while abroad.
Can I purchase long term travel insurance after my trip has started?
Some insurers allow purchasing or extending long term travel insurance after you’ve left Singapore, but many require coverage to begin before departure. It’s safer and more comprehensive to arrange your insurance before leaving. If you’re already abroad, contact providers directly about eligibility, as coverage for incidents before policy start may not apply.
How do I make a claim with my long term travel insurance?
If an incident occurs, contact your insurer’s emergency assistance line immediately. Submit all documentation, such as receipts, medical reports or police statements, as required. Most major Singapore-based insurers now offer online or app-based claims for faster processing. Reimbursements are typically paid in SGD, with claim times averaging one to three weeks.
Does long term travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most long term policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions, but some offer optional coverage for an extra premium. It’s crucial to disclose your medical history when applying. Coverage and limits for pre-existing conditions vary, so always read the policy wording carefully to avoid denied claims, and consider a specialised plan if needed.
Is COVID-19 disruption included in long term travel insurance?
Since the pandemic, many insurers have included COVID-19 medical costs, quarantine allowances, and trip disruption coverage as standard for long term policies. Still, coverage amounts and included benefits vary widely; always check for COVID-19 and quarantine cover and maximum benefit limits when choosing your policy to ensure complete protection.
Is long term travel insurance mandatory?
Long term travel insurance is mandatory for certain countries, especially when applying for long-stay visas or residence permits. European student or working holiday visas, for example, usually require proof of coverage. While travel insurance is not strictly required for all long trips, it is highly recommended. If you’re spending months overseas, even a minor medical emergency can cost several thousand SGD and disrupt your plans if uninsured.
When is it recommended to purchase long term travel insurance?
It is best to buy long term travel insurance as soon as you confirm your extended travel plans and start making bookings. Early purchase maximises cancellation and pre-departure benefits and ensures you are covered in case something happens before you leave. Purchasing before your actual departure also gives you financial protection against trip disruptions or emergencies from day one.
How do I purchase long term travel insurance?
First, compare multiple policies on HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison tool to find one that matches your needs and trip duration. Check carefully for coverage limits, exclusions, and specific provisions for long term coverage. Complete your application and payment securely online. The insurance certificate will be sent to your email soon after for use in visa applications and as proof while abroad.
Can I purchase long term travel insurance after my trip has started?
Some insurers allow purchasing or extending long term travel insurance after you’ve left Singapore, but many require coverage to begin before departure. It’s safer and more comprehensive to arrange your insurance before leaving. If you’re already abroad, contact providers directly about eligibility, as coverage for incidents before policy start may not apply.
How do I make a claim with my long term travel insurance?
If an incident occurs, contact your insurer’s emergency assistance line immediately. Submit all documentation, such as receipts, medical reports or police statements, as required. Most major Singapore-based insurers now offer online or app-based claims for faster processing. Reimbursements are typically paid in SGD, with claim times averaging one to three weeks.
Does long term travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most long term policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions, but some offer optional coverage for an extra premium. It’s crucial to disclose your medical history when applying. Coverage and limits for pre-existing conditions vary, so always read the policy wording carefully to avoid denied claims, and consider a specialised plan if needed.
Is COVID-19 disruption included in long term travel insurance?
Since the pandemic, many insurers have included COVID-19 medical costs, quarantine allowances, and trip disruption coverage as standard for long term policies. Still, coverage amounts and included benefits vary widely; always check for COVID-19 and quarantine cover and maximum benefit limits when choosing your policy to ensure complete protection.
