In Malaysia, I use to work in insurance, ironically working in the product development department to develop and create travel insurance and other general insurance policies.
That’s the only explanation I ever need to give to anyone asking me why I quit the 9 to 5, made a 180 degree change in my career to become a travel writer and an independent CRM manager to travel more. Insurance wasn’t the career path I had in mind, but I somehow ended up working in a suit at big companies in Malaysia for close to seven years.
Despite my unexpected career in insurance, like many other consumers, I’m still faced with the challenge of looking for a travel insurance online, especially one with the right coverage that matches my travel style and the destinations I plan to visit.
For Editorial Purposes Only
I don’t particularly have a preferred travel insurance plan nor will I endorse one over the other to anyone, however I do tend to find myself coming back to several travel insurance companies more often than others to see what’s new and better.
By reading this guide, you agree to our site policies and disclaimers – in particular the disclaimer mentioning somewhere along the lines of Yasmin Uurya is not held liable for any misinformation, outdated information or harm of any kind that comes to you as a result of you reading this piece. I’ve written this guide to the best of my knowledge and understanding as a frequent traveller and someone who has worked in the travel insurance industry, but changes to the insurance policies and terms often occur. Use these information within the means of these honest reviews at your own risk and discretion as it is provided for editorial purposes only.
My search typically narrows down to the types of coverage that’s offered and as a stingy bastard, I look for the ones that can save me money with the best coverage. Of course if the experience is worth the cost and requires me to spend a little more, I’ll consider. In this post I will be sharing 6 travel insurance you can buy online before you travel in no particular order.
1. World Nomads
World Nomads offers comprehensive plans that are catered to adventurous travellers who plans to do activities such as hiking, kayaking and, canoeing, including extreme sports like rock climbing, and bungy jumping.
In today’s tech-centric world, bringing your gadgets while travelling is just as common as packing other essentials, like packing a pair of socks. Which is why World Nomads electronic cover is appealing to a lot of digital nomads. Whether you are plugging in to your social media or exploring the outdoors with you tech gear, you can expect to get sufficient protection for your laptop, smartphones and other devices.
A quick overview of World Nomads
- Emergency medical and dental coverage
- Coverage for trip interruptions such as delays and cancellation
- Baggage coverage which also includes tech gear protection
- Emergency evacuations and medical repatriations
- Adventure sports and activities cover
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Covid-19 medical cost coverage
Pros:
- Tiers for basic and premium coverage
- If you forgot to get a travel insurance and have already started travelling, you can still purchase a cover with 72 hour waiting period before your plan is activated.
- Offers COVID coverages
- Purchasing and submitting claims can be done online via their website
- Freedom to make claims from wherever you are and whenever you are so you can continue travelling.
Cons:
- The freedom to make claims from anywhere are not applicable to Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, British, Irish, and Brazilians.
Who are World Nomads?
Since 2002, World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers. They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel. Because they believe in giving back to the places we travel to, World Nomads also enables you to make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy a policy.
And they’ll help you plan your trip with free downloadable guides, travel tips, responsible travel insights and recommendations from their global community.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
2. Allianz Travel Easy
The Allianz Travel Easy is one of the travel insurance companies in Malaysia I often return to. It’s typically due to their extensive coverage and the flexibility to include cover for sports activity, high-altitude mountaineering and damaged sports equipment. The policy gave me appropriate levels of coverage for low frequency, high severity risks such as Medical Expenses and Repatriation (RM 3 million limit) and Personal Liability (RM 1 million limit).
Other elements such as the travel inconvenience benefits are also included including a Pet Hotel coverage if there is an unknown or unannounced carrier delay. I’m also able to purchase additional sports and outdoor cover on top of the basic policy to personalise the cover. This means the coverage will suit my trip and possible risks with clear breakdown of the type of cover included and the cost for each.
Here’s a quick overview of Allianz Travel Easy
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Emergency medical and dental cover
- 24 hour worldwide travel emergency assistance
- Sports cover
- Damage to sports equipment
- Pet hotel cover
- Home damage cover
Pros:
- Option to purchase an annual cover or per trip coverage
- Tiers for individual, family, and child plan
- Offers senior citizen plan
- Flexibility to add a sports cover or high altitude mountaineering cover
- Additional cost of rental car or campervan return
Cons:
- Must purchase before you leave home
- Place of residents must be Malaysia
- Any mountaineering or climbing activities in Nepal is excluded from the sports activity and high altitude mountaineering cover.
- Senior citizen plan only covers a person age 71 years old to 80 years old.
- Trip must start and end in Malaysia
3. Chubb Travel Insure
Chubb Travel Insure is another reliable option with plan options that are equally as comprehensive as Allianz Travel Insurance. In all honesty, before I opted for Allianz travel insurance in the last two years, Chubb was my go-to travel insurance, only because I use to only look to purchase at the last minute before my trip, usually one or two days before departure, not the most ideal planning. It was also quickest way for me to get the cover, which is is by purchasing on the Grab app instead of Googling to the Chubb Insurance website. Though you can still purchase on their website if you need a bigger screen.
The three main plans that are on offer, Chubb First (for individual travellers), Chubb Executive (for those who can afford a higher coverage, and Chubb Premium (if you are planning to travel with your family).
Here’s a quick overview of Chubb Travel Insure
- High medical expenses cover
- Tiers for basic and premium coverage
- COVID-19 extension
- 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance
- Available in a single and an annual plan
- Covers both leisure and business travel
- Golf benefits available for golfers
Pros:
- Medical expenses cover can be up to 1 million
- Affordable and reasonable coverage for three different plans i.e. basic, lite and pro
- Option to include a cruise cover
Cons:
- No sports activity and high altitude mountaineering cover
- No pet hotel cover
- Trip must start and end in Malaysia
4. Oyen Travel Insurance
Oyen Travel insurance is a new product offered by the famous and often talked about pet insurance company in Malaysia. Simply put, they are Malaysia’s first travel insurance that provides insurance coverage during your overseas trips all while thinking about the pets you had to leave behind. I first came across them when I was looking for a pet-friendly or pet-first insurance for my cat Eedris. I think by now, you would have probably guessed that I’m a happy subscriber of one of Oyen’s pet insurance policies. The answer is obviously yes, and I opted for the annual policy. Unfortunately after 2 months of purchasing the policy Eedris was diagnosed with a urinary tract issue. However, I’m happy to report with confidence, that their claims submission and payment process was smooth and thoughtful. I submitted a claim for Eedris’s medical and hospitalisation expenses and I’m glad that it has been approved.
Now back to the travel insurance. Oyen is a digital-first insurance agency that offers pet insurance coverages and travel insurance. They are also a registered takaful agent for Zurich Takaful Malaysia Berhad as well as MSIG (Malaysia) Insurance Berhad. Particularly, the Oyen Travel Insurance is underwritten by MSIG.
They have three types of international plan i.e. Wanderer, Traveller, and Explorer, each with the option to purchase as a single trip plan or an annual plan.
Here’s a quick overview of Oyen Travel Insurance
- High emergency and medical expenses coverage
- High personal accident coverage
- Pet boarding extension of up to RM1,000
- 24 hour travel and medical emergency assistance
- Reasonable travel inconvenience cover
- Easy online claims process
- Easy to purchase online
Pros:
- Pet benefit extensions applies to travel curtailment events and travel delays
- Travel reroute, and hijack covers is included in international plans
- Adventurous activity cover
Cons:
- No sports equipment cover
- Purchase age limit up to 69 years old and renewable up to 80 years old. This is only applicable for single-trip plans
- Trip must start and end in Malaysia
5. Generali Travel Insurance
In case you missed it, here’s a backstory of what happened to AXA Affin. Affin Bank Berhad and Generali Asia completed the share sale transaction of a majority stake in the AXA Affin joint ventures on August 30, 2022. This made Generali the major stakeholder of AXA Affin joint ventures in Malaysia. Following the share sale, Generali have now acquired a controlling majority in the AXA Affin joint ventures and has 100% purchase of the MPI Generali Insurans Berhad. On April 1, 2023, all business have integrated into a unified single brand, making them one of the largest general insurers and emerging life insurer in Malaysia.
The acquisition and full business integrations marks a significant proof of confidence in the customers and the people that works for the company.
When looking at the travel insurance on offer, I can tell that the plans are legacy plans from AXA Affin Overseas Travel insurance. Personally I’ve never purchased any travel insurance from them online but in the past year, they’ve been working on system integrations and standardisation for customers and agents as well as pouring in capital for a more seamless customer experience online. Today, you can get instant travel protection in less than 30 seconds on their website.
In terms of travel insurance plans, Generali Malaysia offers single trip plans, family and annual plans for both domestic and overseas travel.
Here’s a quick overview of Generali Overseas Travel Insurance
- High emergency and medical expenses coverage
- Premium for as low as RM 40
- Available to for purchase online, with an agent and or at any Generali Malaysia branch
- 24 hour travel assistance
Pros:
- Special coverages include terrorism, leisure (hot air ballooning, parachuting, sky diving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, winter sports), and natural disasters.
- Cruise Covers
- Optional add-on pandemic cover for both domestic and overseas travel
Cons:
- Maximum age limit is only up to 79 years old and only available for a single trip plan. Annual Plans have a maximum age limit of 69 years old
- No pet cover
- Trip must start and end in Malaysia
6. AIG Travel Insurance
AIG Travel Insurance is one other company that I’ve purchased a cover from before but it wasn’t for me. I was tasked to look for travel insurance for my parents and AIG Travel Insurance is one of the insurance companies that offers a cover for a maximum age limit of up to 85 years old under their single trip plan. I can attest to this because I had to scour the internet for insurance companies that had a high age limit for senior citizens like my parents, both ages 83 and 65 at the time. This was convenient because we did not need to write in to ask or plead if they could provide the cover for such a senior person.
Read AIG’s product disclosure sheet here.
When it comes to purchasing the travel insurance online, safe to say it was smooth, no glitches and definitely secure. Within seconds your receipt and certificate of insurance will be emailed to you.
Here’s a quick overview of AIG Travel Insurance
- High cashless admission and medical expenses coverage of up to 1 million.
- Out of the 1 million coverage, Covid-19 coverage accounts up to RM 700,000
- 24/7 worldwide travel assistance
- Easy claims submission
- Seamless online purchase
- Higher age limit for senior citizens
Pros:
- Digital-first experience
- Laptop coverage of up to RM1,000
- Special sports such as winter sports and scuba is included in the plan
- Optional add on golf cover
- New out-of-country COVID-19 diagnosis quarantine
- Emergency travel services for when you need assistance to re-book flights, hotel accommodations or car rentals in the event of emergencies
- Global cash assistance to assist you in obtaining emergency cash from your home bank or replacement of your credit card.
Cons:
- Premium can be on the high side in comparison to other travel insurance companies
- No pet cover
- Trip must start and end in Malaysia
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