Two travellers can book the same flight and still pay different insurance premiums. For a trip to Qatar, for example, you might check visa and health insurance requirements through official sources or travel guides like philnews.ph before comparing policies. What you end up paying depends on your age, length of stay, level of cover and the value of any prepaid bookings.
Why do travel insurance premiums vary?
Insurers look at how likely you are to claim and how expensive that claim could be. A weekend away and a month overseas carry different risks. Even similar policies can have different limits and exclusions.
Your age
Medical claims tend to get more common and costly with age. That often means higher premiums for older travellers.
Some plans set age limits or reduce medical benefits. Ask what changes after a certain birthday, especially on a family trip. Santam offers senior travel cover up to age 85, but with different medical limits and exclusions.
Your destination
Healthcare costs vary widely by country. A hospital stay in the US, for example, can cost much more than treatment closer to home. Remote locations may also make medical evacuation harder and more expensive. Travel advisories may change what’s covered.
Applying for a Schengen visa? You generally need at least €30,000 in travel medical cover, including repatriation. The policy must be valid across the Schengen area. Check that every country on your itinerary is covered.
Length of your trip
More days away mean more time for something to go wrong. A week-long holiday usually costs less to insure than a six-week trip. And while you’re sorting out the details, whether that’s checking travel tips for Filipinos going to Qatar or researching entry rules elsewhere, it’s worth making sure your insurance covers your entire stay.
Check the policy’s maximum trip duration before you buy. If your return date changes, arrange an extension before your cover expires. Frequent flyers can compare single-trip and annual multi-trip cover, but even annual policies limit how long each journey can last.
Type and level of cover
Medical-only cover usually costs less, but may not protect your prepaid holiday if you have to cancel.
Mid-range plans may add baggage and cancellation benefits. Comprehensive plans often have higher limits and may cover delays or personal liability. Protecting more prepaid, non-refundable costs can raise the premium.
Check the payout limits and excess, not just the price. Also look at the reasons for cancellation that a policy will actually accept.
Optional add-ons and upgrades
Skiing, scuba diving and other activities deserve a closer look. Some insurers charge extra for certain sports. Others include them, but only under specific conditions.
Santam includes skiing in its travel policies, including black runs and guided off-piste skiing, subject to the policy rules. For other activities, ask before you buy. Cancellation upgrades and higher baggage limits can also raise the cost.
Your health and medical history
A pre-existing condition doesn’t always mean a huge premium. It can, however, affect eligibility, exclusions or the type of cover available.
Declare conditions when asked and check how emergency treatment is handled. Santam offers certain emergency hospital benefits for pre-existing conditions up to age 69, subject to policy terms. Senior plans have different exclusions.
Solo, family or group travel
Covering several people on one policy may work out cheaper per person, though group discounts aren’t guaranteed. The ages of everyone travelling still affect the quote.
With eligible Santam family policies, dependent children under 21 can share a parent’s cover at no extra cost. They must follow the same itinerary and share the benefit limits. A family of five might need more cover than a couple.
Is comprehensive cover worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you stand to lose. If your flights and hotel are fully refundable, you may not need much cancellation cover. But if you’ve prepaid for a big overseas trip, a bare-bones policy could leave you exposed.
Before choosing, check these four things: emergency medical and repatriation limits, cancellation and baggage benefits, exclusions, and the excess you would pay on a claim.
The best policy is the one that fits your trip, not simply the cheapest.
