Financial insights at your fingertips
Explore new ways to earn, save, and grow your money for short and long-term goals. Browse the latest analyses, tips and hacks from the MoneyHero team so you can get the most from your dollars!
Best Travel Insurance Plan in Hong Kong
MoneyHero has compared a few travel insurance products based on their characteristics for you to select the most suitable product according to your own needs.
Plan Name | Single/Annual | Major Coverage | Other Coverage | MoneyHero Exclusive Offer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allianz Travel Protector Plus - Advanced | Single |
Additional coverage for rental vehicle excess, suitable for self-driving tours
|
COVID-19 coverage, including Overseas medical expenses and Emergency Medical Assistance | 20% premium discount |
Zurich Get "Z" Go Travel Insurance Plan - Supreme Plan | Single | Each adult can enjoy one accompanied child | Zurich Care Protection covers people, pets and home contents in Hong Kong during the extended period if your trip is interrupted | 15% premium discount |
SmartTraveller Plus - Superior Plan | Single | No upper age limit provided the insured person is at least 30 days old. Automatically extend the period of insurance for a maximum of 10 days if an insured person is unavoidably delayed from returning abroad | COVID-19 coverage of additional transportation and accommodation costs up to HK$50,000 | 15% premium discount |
Generali Bravo Travel Protector (Standard Plan) (Annual) | Annual | No deductibles, you won’t need to carry any costs | Medical Expenses cover poisoning (e.g. gas or food) and infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, SARS, Bird Flu, Dengue Fever) | N/A |
MSIG i-Travel Plus (annual) Plan A | Annual | Cover Amateur Dangerous Sports | HK$500 daily cash benefit (up to 10 days) if the insured person is quarantined or hospitalized overseas as a result of being diagnosed with COVID-19 | 25% premium discount |
What does Hong Kong Travel Insurance cover?
Most Hong Kong Travel Insurance plans provide coverage for personal accidents, overseas and follow-up medical expenses, and worldwide emergency assistance services. They also protect the insured from different types of travel disruptions, such as travel delays, baggage loss, and trip cancellation. Losses of personal money and travel documents are also covered if they are caused by accidents covered under the specific insurance policy. Other Hong Kong Travel Insurance protections include compensation on rental vehicle excess, theft of mobile devices, and personal liability.
It is essential to look at the major exclusions in the terms of the policy before purchasing a Hong Kong Travel Insurance plan. If the above situations are caused by events listed under “Major Exclusions”, the insured usually won't be compensated by the Hong Kong travel insurance company. Some common major exclusions are war, civil war, acts of foreign enemies, rebellion, military or usurped power, nuclear hazards, acts of terrorism, and pre-existing, congenital and hereditary conditions.
If the insured will participate in leisure and sports activities during his/her trip, he/she should check in advance whether the activity falls into the scope of “high-risk activities” that are usually listed under “Major Exclusions” in the policy terms, such as trekking at an altitude limit greater than 5,000 meters above sea level or diving to a depth greater than 30 meters below sea level.
Normally, Hong Kong travel insurance plans require any activities in the air, unless an insured person is traveling as a fare-paying passenger in a licensed aircraft operated by a recognised airline, or participating in an activity of which the maneuver or navigation is managed and controlled by another licensed person and the provider of such activity, to be authorized by the relevant local authority.
How to claim travel insurance online?
Step 1: Check the time limit for submitting claim form
-
Travel insurance companies usually require you to make the claim within a specific time limit, usually within 21 to 30 days of the occurrence.
Step 2: Prepare original documents / proofs / reports
-
Here are some common documents that are needed for claiming travel insurance online. Each insurance company may have their own list of required documents, please checkout their official website for specific requirements. Click here to find the contact information of the insurance companies.
-
Documents required for medical claims: Boarding pass (shows the travel period), official medical receipt (with detailed medical expanse), medical report and detailed diagnostic report / referral letter / discharge certificate from a registered doctor.
-
Documents required for flight delay / baggage delay: Flight tickets and boarding pass with the actual boarding time, delay confirmation report issued by the airline, official receipt of the additional expense due to the delay (e.g. hotel).
-
Documents required for lost / damage of personal belongings: Clear photo of the lost / damaged item, purchase receipt, repair receipt, boarding pass.
Step 3: Download and fill in the claim form
Step 4: Upload the claim form and related documents to the insurance company’s official website
How to compare travel insurance?
An all-rounded travel insurance that is suitable for you can save you from a lot of trouble from handling travel incidents, so you can devote more time to enjoying your vacation or business trip. Employers should also select travel insurance that is catered for employees who travel for business consistently to protect the interests of both parties.
Please keep in mind that insurance companies may have some exclusions in the travel insurance policies. Therefore, price should not be your only concern when selecting a suitable travel insurance. You should also pay attention to items that are not covered in your policies so you can plan ahead and avoid unexpected expenses. For example, you should check if the Hong Kong Government issued any Outbound Travel Alert to certain politically unstable countries and if the travel insurance policy covers any accidents that occur in countries under Outbound Travel Alert.
There are 2 major things you need to consider when comparing travel insurance, your travel destination and your travel activities.
Outbound Travel Alert / Terrorist Attack
The Hong Kong Government introduced The Outbound Travel Alert System to help people better understand the risk or threat to personal safety in traveling to popular travel destinations. It classified countries / territories into 3 alert levels, Amber, Red and Black, based on the severity of the threat in a place that may affect personal safety.
Some travel insurance plans cover countries that are under Outbound Travel Alert, normally there will be compensation for the expenses from trip cancellations due to the issue of Travel Alert before departure, and the accommodation charges and additional expenses from curtailment of trip. However, you should pay attention to the terms and conditions of reimbursement, as some travel insurance only covers Black Outbound Alert. Not all travel insurance policies cover the acts of terrorism, and even if it does, it is not applicable under certain circumstances.
The definition of acts of terrorism
Each travel insurance company may have their own definition of acts of terrorism. Some of them may see whether war, military power, nuclear weapons etc. are involved. War is generally not covered, only Allied World covers war that occurs during the journey, while AXA, Blue Cross, FWD, MSIG, STARR and Zurich do not cover any acts of terrorism related to nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or radioactive contamination. However, as long as the government in your destination declared the event as acts of terrorism, even though the event only involves common terrorist attacks like guns and bombs, there is still a high possibility of a successful claim.
Self-driving tours
Excluded in third-party liability insurance
Most insurance companies will offer third-party liability insurance but not covering self-driving tours with rental cars as the medical and personal accident benefits are only applicable to the insured person. Overseas car rental companies would usually purchase car insurance for their rental cars, which already covers personal accidents, traffic accidents and third-party assets.
Rental Vehicle Excess
In case of traffic accidents, part of the repair cost may be self-financed, those are usually referred to as “Collision Damage Waiver Excess” or “Rental Vehicle Excess”, which is determined by the car rental company and the rest are compensated by the insurance company. For example, if you purchased an insurance policy with HK$3,000 excess and the car rental company has a HK$5,000 excess, you will be responsible for HK$2,000 and you can claim the remaining HK$3,000 from the insurance company after you return to Hong Kong. STARR’s “Essential” and “Extra” Travel Insurance plans do not cover Rental Vehicle Excess.
Medical Coverage
If there is any serious injury that leads to hospitalization, you will have to pay attention to the medical expenses coverage, and check the details of medical treatment overseas hospital cash allowance and worldwide emergency assistance service.
Keep the traffic accident record
Travel insurance companies normally require the insured person to provide car rental receipt, car rental insurance proof, traffic accident record and NOC (Non-Operation Charge) receipt etc. Please ensure that the report number, police station information, accident description, car rental company reference number and car rental company corporate seal is included in the traffic accident record.
What should I do if I get injured during the trip?
Call for prior approval
Prior approval from some insurance company may be required before any assistance or hospital admission deposit is guaranteed. The insured person or his/her representative should call the corresponding emergency hotline to provide the insurance certificate number or the policy number, the name and HKID card or passport number of the insured person, and the nature and the location of the emergency for validation.
Keep official documents
All the original copies of the related medical documents must be properly preserved, so it can be used to claim the medical expense after returning to Hong Kong. Those medical documents must be able to show the disease or injury the insured person suffered, like medical certificate, receipts or bills, doctor’s certificate, medical report etc. You should also keep the proof of traveling, like boarding pass and statement of travel records, to submit them along with the claim form.
Some travel insurance plans may not cover all injuries or medical expenses during your trip. For example, most insurance companies cover leisure and amateur sports activities during the journey including winter sports, bungee jumping, hiking, rock climbing, horse riding, scuba diving and other water sports etc., but exclude any dangerous sports with altitude limit not over 5,000 meters above sea level or depth not greater than 30 meters below sea-level. So any injuries that are caused by sports activities excluded from the plan will not be covered.
What should I do if I lost digital gadget during the trip?
If you lost your digital gadget during the trip, you should report it to the police station within 24 hours and keep all the related documents and official receipts for filing the travel insurance claim. Please keep in mind that if there is evidence of the insured person not taking proper care of the said property, travel insurance companies have the right to not cover the loss.
Check if your digital gadget is covered
Most travel insurance companies will list out the digital gadgets that are covered (and not covered) in their policy wordings. For example, FWD covers for loss of mobile phone but excludes the loss of pager, handheld portable telecommunication equipment and computer equipment. Blue Cross stated that only one mobile phone for each insured person will be covered in the same period of insurance.
Also, not all plans under the same travel insurance cover the same amount of items. You may require to purchase a high level plan to get both of your mobile phone and laptop computers covered.
Report to the police and take pictures of the digital gadget
Proof is required to claim for lost digital gadget and police report is one of the important documents that would facilitate your claiming process. You may also want to take a clear picture of your digital gadgets before starting your journey, so it can be a proof for the insurance company. If your digital gadgets are damaged, you would also need to take a picture as a record of its condition.
FAQ
1. Which travel insurance offers Covid-19 Coverage?
MoneyHero has sorted out a few Covid-19-covered travel insurance products for your easy comparison. Please click here to learn more details on our Covid-19 Travel Insurance Comparison page.
2. When should I buy travel insurance?
You should buy travel insurance BEFORE starting your journey. The insurance plan is activated at the moment you purchase it, so the earlier you buy the better. You are suggested to purchase travel insurance right after you purchased your flight ticket, so even the unexpected changes before your departure may be covered. For example, FWD provides reimbursement of irrecoverable prepaid costs due to cancellation of trip in the event of the Insured Person being diagnosed with COVID-19 30 days before the start of the journey.
If your flight is canceled or delayed due to adverse weather conditions, you may be covered if you have already purchased travel insurance before any weather warnings are issued.
Also, if unfortunately a Black Outbound Alert is issued to your destination, you will be covered if you have already purchased travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to Black Outbound Alert before it is issued. However, if you purchase the travel insurance after the Black Outbound Alert is issued, you may not be covered.
3. Can I buy travel insurance during my trip?
No. Since travel insurance policies are normally only valid for travel originating from and returning to Hong Kong, any purchase of travel insurance after departure will not be accepted. There will be no compensation even if you have encountered any accidents during the trip. So please do not leave everything until the last minute and buy travel insurance as soon as your departure and return date is confirmed.
4. What is the difference between Single Trip and Annual Travel Insurance? Is annual travel insurance cheaper?
Annual travel insurance is best for frequent travelers and business travelers as annual travel insurance covers unlimited trips per year. Employers should purchase travel insurance for employees who travel business trips frequently to protect mutual interests.
Single-trip travel insurance is best for people who do not travel frequently and prefer short trips or short-distance travel. As the price is generally lower than the annual one, you can purchase single-trip travel insurance at a lower cost while bringing you peace of mind during your trip.
5. Which travel insurance cover flight delay and trip cancellation? What are the claim procedures?
Normally a travel insurance company covers flight delays resulting from adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, closure of airport, hi-jack, technical or other mechanical derangement.
Trip cancellation will be covered if it is due to death, serious sickness or injury of the Insured Person, adverse weather conditions, natural disaster or unexpected outbreak of infectious diseases, riot at the destination that prevents the Insured Person from continuing the journey or Black Outbound Alert for the destination is in effect during the journey.
Most insurance companies have policies that cover flight delay and trip cancellation, including Allianz, STARR, Allied World, FWD, Zurich and AXA. You may refer to this article for more information.
6. Can I specifically require coverages on top of my current travel insurance plans?
Apart from the regular benefits included in the travel insurance plans, some travel insurance companies allow insured person to add extra benefit items. So you can partially customize your insurance plan to fit your needs even better. For example, AVO offers winter sports extra benefits, water sports extra benefits and pre-wedding photoshoot and wedding extra benefits. These optional add-ons let you choose your own travel insurance coverage based on your travel purpose.
Need some help?
No worries, we've got you covered!
How to find the right financial products for you?
MoneyHero has partnered with the most trusted banks and financial institutions in Hong Kong to help you find the right financial products for you. Through our comparison engine, you can compare credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, medical insurance, travel insurance, HK stock accounts, US stock accounts, payroll accounts and other financial products. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and an unbiased overview of financial products in Hong Kong so that you can make the best choice, saving your time and money.
Benefits Of Comparing Travel Insurance Plans
You should buy travel insurance before every trip. However, most people have a question: Which is the best travel insurance plan in Hong Kong? You could consider below points when you choose the plan that suits you:
-
Buy a suitable travel insurance plan based on your destination.
Example︰In recent years, there were many terrorist attacks in Europe. If you plan to spend your holiday in Paris, you should pay attention to the terms related to terrorism coverage.
-
Choose the best plan to fit your journey and transportation means.
Example: The chance of flight delay is high if you plan to go to Japan in April (peak cherry season) by budget flight, you should be focusing on the delay coverage.
-
Apply for a cheaper plan with basic coverage.
Example: Travel insurance companies in HK often offer discounts, you can even apply for a 5-day basic plan with less than HK$100.
MoneyHero.com.hk provides a one-stop platform for you to:
- Choose the travel insurance plan based on your special needs and journey.
- Compare plans from more than 10 travel insurance companies and complete the purchasing process in one platform.
- Find out the latest offers provided by travel insurance companies in HK.
What are not covered in a travel insurance?
Travel insurance is insurance that provides coverage for accidents and other losses incurred while travelling. However, the insurance company might add the exclusion clauses, which remove the insurance coverage for the specified events and choose not to insure the events. The relevant reasons include: such coverage is available under another class of insurance, the risks are not suitable to be taken up, or some special conditions are required, etc. There are numbers of categories included in the exclusion clauses of a travel insurance policy, including:
General Exclusions |
Example(s) |
War |
War, Civil War, invasion, insurrection, revolution, use of military power or usurpation of government or military power, direct participation in strike, riot and civil commotion |
Intentional Acts |
An Insured Person not taking all reasonable efforts to avoid Injury or to minimize any claim under this Policy; suicide or attempted suicide or intentional self-injury, or self-exposure to needless peril; |
Unforeseen Circumstances |
Any prohibition or regulations by any government; any breach of government regulation or any failure by the Insured Person to take reasonable precautions to avoid a claim under this insurance following the warning of any intended strike by the employees of a Common Carrier, riot or civil commotion, inclement weather, natural disasters, or epidemic * If the government issues Black OTA to designated countries/territories after an Insured Person buys the travel insurance, which includes Black OTA as a part of the insurance coverage, the Insured Person can be compensated. If an Insured Person buys the travel insurance after the issuance, the insurance company would not compensate. |
Illegal Acts |
Any prohibition or regulations by any government; confiscation, detention, destruction by customs or other authorities; an Insured Person who is a Terrorist or a Member of a Terrorist Organization; any illegal or unlawful act by the Insured Person; |
High-Risk Activities |
Riding in any aircraft except as a passenger; mountain trekking above 5,000 metres or diving below 30 metres |
Specific Occupation(s) |
Being as a crew member of an operator of any air carrier; testing of any kind of conveyance; engaging in any kind of labour work; engaging in offshore activities like commercial diving, oil rigging, mining or aerial photography; handling of explosives; performing as actor/actress; being a site worker, fisherman, cook or kitchen worker; tour guide or tour escort |
Dangerous Countries |
Loss, injury, damage or legal liability arising directly or indirectly from planned or actual travel in, to, or through Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, or the Crimea region |
Medication |
Any loss which relates to the effects of alcohol or drugs other than those prescribed by a Physician or Doctor; |
Pregnancy |
Pregnancy, miscarriage or childbirth; or any injury or sickness associated with pregnancy, miscarriage or childbirth; |
Pre-existing Medical Conditions |
Any Pre-existing Condition |
Specific Medical Conditions |
AIDS or any Injury or Sickness commencing in the presence of a seropositive test for HIV and related diseases and/or sexually transmitted disease; Psychosis, sleep disturbance disorder, mental or nervous disorders |
Nuclear Disaster |
Nuclear risks of any nature; radioactive, nuclear pollution or contamination |
Others |
Any medical treatment received in the course of a Trip which was made for the purpose of receiving medical treatment (need not be the sole purpose); or the Trip was undertaken while the Insured Person was unfit to travel or against the advice of a Physician or Doctor |
Useful Tips for Choosing Travel Coverage
When you apply for any insurance plan, disclose all relevant information to the insurer.
- Read the exclusions and terms of the policy thoroughly
- Bring a copy of your policy when you travel, and leave a copy with someone back home so they know who to call if you get into an accident during your trip.
Types Of Travel Insurance
Most travel insurance companies in Hong Kong provide different type of plans for different travelers. They include:
- Single Trip Plan
- Annual Plan
- China Plan
- Cruise Plan
What are the differences between annual and single travel insurance plan?
Annual travel insurance plan is suitable for travel lovers and business travellers.
Unlike single travel insurance plan, annual travel insurance plan covers for an unlimited number of trips within a year (the insurance period). The Insured Person does not need to buy insurance for every single trip if they already purchase annual travel insurance. It can help customers to save time and money. Each Journey, which is under the coverage of annual travel insurance, lasts no longer than 90 days. A trip, which is covered by single travel insurance, can last no longer than 180 days. There is no big difference in benefits between annual and single plan.
Travel Insurance Offers
To attract customers, many companies provide discount promotion. For example, you can enjoy 30% off exclusive discount if you buy CHUBB / Allied World / STARR / FWD/ Zurich and Falcon single trip plan in Moneyhero.com.hk platform. MSIG is also providing 45% discount now. Let’s take a 5-day Japan trip as an example, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive plan can up to $220:
Insurance Companies(Plan) | Original Price | Discount Price |
---|---|---|
Allied World(I / II) | $154 / 225 | $107.8 / 157.5 |
AXA(Classic / VIP) | $160 / 225 | - |
Blue Cross(Premier) | $278 | - |
CHUBB(3/2/1) | $152 / 249 / 340 | $106.4 / 174.3 / 238 |
FWD(B / A) | $155 / 215 | $108.5 / 150.5 |
Liberty(Asia/ Worldwide) | $148 / $321 | - |
MSIG(B / A) | $268 / 364 | $147.46 / 200.28 |
STARR(Essential / Extra / Supreme) | $95 / 135 / 193 | $66.5 / 94.5 / 135.1 |
Main Coverage Of Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a contract between you and the insurer, where you are entitled to compensation for any loss related to an adverse event during travel. You, as the policyholder, are covered when you incur losses during domestic or international travel.
Most travel insurance plans provide the following coverage:
- Personal Accident Benefit
- Medical Expenses Benefit
- 24-hour Worldwide Emergency Aid
- Travel Delay Benefit
- Baggage Delay Benefit
- Trip Cancellation Benefit
- Baggage Benefit
- Personal Money Benefit
- Loss of Travel Documents Benefit
- Rental Vehicle Excess Protection Benefit
- Credit Card Protection Benefit
- Personal Liability Benefit
Some plans provide special coverage:
- Loss of Mobile Phone Benefit
- Terrorism
- Trauma Counselling
- Delay Due to Over-selling Tickets
- Delay Due to Airline Collapse
Compare & Buy Plans in Hong Kong
Different insurance plans have their own set of rules and specific coverage terms. Our comparison tool helps you set them apart so you can choose one that fits your requirements.
Remember, you can use our comparison tool for free! Filter your search results according to provider, insurance benefits, price range, and other features. All you have to do is to click the Apply Now button and you're one step closer to full protection on your next trip.
What are the benefits of buying travel insurance online?
More people choose to buy travel insurance online because of convenience and efficiency these days.
There are four benefits of buying travel insurance online:
1. You can buy travel insurance wherever you areMany insurance companies sell their insurance plans online. The Insured Person can compare and buy travel insurance online via desktop and/or mobile devices anywhere. It is no longer necessary to spend extra time to somewhere else for signing up for a travel insurance policy with the insurance agent.
2. You can buy travel insurance whenever you areThe Insured Person can buy travel insurance online 24/7. Some insurance companies allow their customers to buy the plan a few hours before the start date of the trip.
3. Efficient and EffectiveYou can fill the form and buy the plan within minutes. Then, spend more time planning a travel itinerary.
4. Reasonable priceSince there is no insurance agent involved during the time of purchase, the operating cost is relatively lower. Therefore, the premium of online travel insurances is cheaper than the traditional ones.
Does travel insurance cover mobile phones?
Many of us take electronic devices like mobile phones along with our trips. However, most travel insurances do not cover us for mobile phones. Only Allied World, AXA, and CHUBB provide mobile phone coverage:
Travel Insurance Companies | Mobile Phone Coverage | Tablet Coverage | Laptop Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Allied World | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2000 |
AXA | $2,000-3,000 | $2,000-3,000 | $5,000-7,500 |
Blue Cross | X | $2,000-3,000 | $2,000-3,000 |
CHUBB | $3,000-5,000 | $3,000-5,000 | $3,000-5,000 |
FWD | X | X | $3,000 |
Liberty | X | X | $2,000 |
MSIG | X | X | $2,000 |
STARR | $0-2,000 | $0-2,000 | $0-8,000 |
What should I do if my phone is lost while traveling?
If you lost your personal items during the trip, you should report to local police after the incidence within 24 hours and keep all supporting documents and original receipts for an insurance claim. You should also pay attention that your insurer may refuse your claim if you have not looked after your properties properly.
Does travel insurance cover countries with outbound travel alerts?
The government of Hong Kong launched the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) System to help Hong Kong people understand the risk to personal safety in traveling overseas, and there are three colors, namely Amber, Red and Black to indicate the alert level. Many travel insurance plans cover countries with OTA and they usually cover trip cancellation and trip curtailment, but applicants should keep in mind that the actual compensation depends on the policy's maximum limit, while some insurance plans only cover countries with a Black Alert. In addition, not all insurance plans cover terrorist attacks, you should check the exclusions even if they have a terrorism cover.
Does travel insurance cover rental cars?
Does travel insurance cover rental cars?As rental cars are not classified as a way of public transportation, a rental car accident is not covered under the personal accident benefits. Rental charges usually include basic protection with third-party liability; if you want more protection, you could choose a comprehensive coverage plan. Now that many travel insurance plans offer a Rental Vehicle Protection which normally compensates for the motor insurance policy excess incurred by you only, excluding other expenses due to the accident. Applicants should read the policy's terms carefully.
How to claim compensation when my flight is delayed?
Travel delay coverage varies by the insurance policy. You will probably get a compensation of about HK$300 if you experienced a delay of more than 6 hours. Some insurance plans also reimburse the extra costs for accommodations. Applicants should keep all relevant receipts and ask the airlines or transportation agencies to provide a written proof as a clear evidence, or the insurer may refuse the claim.
When should I buy my travel insurance?
Basically you should buy travel insurance as early as possible. It is recommended that you buy your travel insurance once you have booked your air tickets and hotels to get better coverage. Travel insurance cover usually starts once you have bought the policy; if you buy the insurance and the government issues a Black OTA for your travel destination while it covers a Black Alert, you may make a claim. But if you buy an insurance after the Black Alert has been issued, you would not be compensated for that.
Let's find out the travel insurance plan that fit you the best now!