Passport? Check. Power bank? Packed. Travel insurance? Just grab the cheapest one and go.
That’s how it usually goes. In the rush of booking flights and planning itineraries, insurance feels like a formality—a digital tick-box we breeze past in checkout. It promises peace of mind for a small fee. But when something goes wrong, that illusion can vanish faster than your boarding gate updates.
Based on estimates from Wise, a doctor’s visit in Japan could cost up to $135. A hospital stay in Australia can cost over $4,500 according to Compare Club Australia. If it’s linked to a chronic condition which you knew beforehand—say, asthma or diabetes—many regular travel insurance may not cover a thing. What seemed like good coverage starts to feel more like a product with many disclaimers.
Here’s what your travel insurance would usually cover, and more importantly, what tends to fall outside your standard coverage.
What most plans won’t tell you
| You land in Tokyo, settle in, and a few days later, your asthma flares up. It’s nothing serious—you’ve had it for years, it’s well-managed, and you brought your medication. Still, you should get it checked for peace of mind. A few hours later, you’re handed a medical bill for over $100—and when you file a claim, your insurer declines it. This is more common than most travellers realise. |
Many travel insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, even if the condition is stable and treated regularly with medication. Asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other chronic illnesses often fall into this category. Unless you’ve paid for a specific add-on, any related hospital or clinic visits may not be reimbursed.
These clauses are typically listed under terms like “pre-existing condition exclusion” within the detailed pages of the policy wording. Most travellers skip over them, only to discover the limits of their coverage when it matters most—at the hospital, with the bill in hand.
Breaking down the numbers
You’ve had high blood pressure for years. It’s well-managed, your medication hasn’t changed, and there haven't been any recent flare-ups. In other words, your condition is stable. A “stable condition” may feel under control, but that does not guarantee coverage. For most travel insurers, any related incurrence still counts under pre-existing conditions.
If a complication arises during your trip, the financial impact can be immediate. Unlike delays or baggage claims, medical costs are uncapped and escalate fast.
Below is a snapshot of what you could be paying out of pocket:
| Medical Scenario | Estimated Cost (SGD) | Remarks |
| Emergency Room Visit – Taiwan | $195–320 | Basic consultation. Does not include scans or blood tests. |
| Private Cardiac Check – South Korea | $587–714+ | Common for chest discomfort or breathing difficulty. |
| Overnight Asthma Admission – UK | ~$2,580–$4,300+ per night |
Charges vary by hospital and severity of symptoms. |
Sources: Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Medijump, NHS England
Costs are based on standard care without complications. Additional tests, medications, or hospital stays may push these amounts higher.
Even more expensive is medical evacuation—a process that involves:
- ICU-grade transport and onboard medical staff
- Life-support systems such as oxygen and ventilators
- Ground ambulance transfers at both ends
- Airport medical clearances and logistics support
These services can exceed $50,000 to $100,000 SGD according to Emergency Assistance Plus depending on the location and complexity.
Regular travel insurance generally doesn't cover this. Many policies either exclude evacuation for pre-existing conditions or require an additional rider to activate that protection.
That’s why some insurers, like Income Insurance, have developed specialised plans such as Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance—designed to provide broader protection for travellers with pre-existing conditions. Beyond covering overseas treatment, it also considers the often-excluded costs of medical evacuation and emergency support overseas.
Source: Emergency Assistance Plus
Why your corporate plan or credit card coverage may fail you
By now, the financial risks of falling ill abroad are clear—and for many, the assumption is: “I’m already covered.” Whether it is through a company-issued travel policy or a complimentary perk from your credit card, the default coverage can create a false sense of security.
In practice, these plans may not address medical complexity, especially when it involves pre-existing conditions. Even when some coverage is included, the fine print often reveals strict limits, exclusions, or activation conditions that may catch you off guard.
Here’s how common sources of “built-in” travel insurance typically fall short:
| Type of Coverage | Common Limitations |
| Corporate Travel Insurance | Often excludes pre-existing conditions coverage. |
| Credit Card Travel Insurance | Coverage is often limited to accidents, travel delays, or basic medical costs. It only activates if you charge the trip to the card, and pre-existing conditions are typically not covered. Always check the fine print before relying on it for serious emergencies. |
| Travel Insurance Add-ons | Some include pre-existing conditions coverage, but typically with caps which may not be sufficient for serious complications. |
These policies may work for general travel mishaps. However, when it comes to complex medical needs, especially those involving chronic conditions, they often lack the depth of protection required.
What makes Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance different?
If your corporate or credit card insurance isn’t built to handle pre-existing conditions, where does that leave you? For many travellers, the answer is either under-protected or completely uncovered.
Instead of side-stepping chronic illnesses, Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance allows travellers to cover their pre-existing conditions.
Here’s how it works:
1. No health questions asked—pre-existing conditions covered
Yes, all chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, eczema, heart diseases (even cancer) are covered as long as they’re stable and non-terminal. No medical exam or health declarations are needed when you apply.
2. Up to $300,000 for overseas medical expenses & emergency medical evacuation coverage, due to pre-existing conditions
Includes both hospitalisation abroad and emergency medical evacuation (e.g. air ambulance, repatriation) arising from a pre-existing condition.
For Prestige plan. Policy terms and conditions apply.
3. Complimentary overseas teleconsultation, for non-urgent medical assistance
Access online medical consultations while travelling for issues like flu, mild allergies, or skin flare-ups—without visiting a clinic. Especially useful for seniors or immunocompromised travellers.
Terms and conditions apply. You can find the full terms and conditions at www.income.com.sg/travel-telemed.
4. Singapore’s lowest co-payment for PreX travel inconvenience claims
Income Insurance stands out with the lowest co-payment rates in Singapore for travel inconvenience claims related to pre-existing conditions.
If your trip is cancelled, disrupted, or postponed due to a pre-existing condition, only a 25% co-payment applies—significantly lower than the industry standard. Normally in regular travel insurance plans, such claims are often rejected outright. For other insurers’ pre-existing plans, such claims come with higher out-of-pocket payments.
For trip cancellation, postponement, shortening and disruption under Income’s Enhanced PreX Superior and Prestige plans. A 25% co-payment will apply for claims due to pre-existing conditions.
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Important Note:
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Peace of mind, not panic math
Travel often reminds us how far from home we really are, especially when health issues arise. In those moments, access to care, clarity of coverage, and the ability to act quickly can make all the difference.
For travellers with pre-existing conditions, planning is not just about prevention—it’s about preparation. With prices starting from $64^, Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance offers an option worth considering.
^Based on a 1 day ASEAN trip for an adult under the Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance Prestige plan, after a 25% discount. Rounded to the nearest dollar.
“Can you afford not to be covered?”
For travellers with a medical history—even a minor or well-managed one—Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance provides a level of assurance that is not provided by many regular plans. It also helps lighten the burden on those travelling with you, offering clarity and financial support should an unexpected situation arise.
As an added precaution, it’s worth carrying a brief medical summary when you travel. A simple document listing your conditions, medications, and emergency contacts can be invaluable in helping overseas providers deliver appropriate care—and may also help speed up claims processing later.
Policy terms and conditions apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
All opinions expressed in this article are those of MoneySmart and not of Income Insurance Limited (“Income Insurance”).
MoneySmart has full responsibility and control over the accuracy and completeness of all information provided and intellectual property used in this article. Income Insurance does not have control over and is not responsible nor liable to any party for the content of this article and intellectual property used in this article. 
The information provided in this article is for general information only and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advice to buy any product(s). You should seek personalised financial advice before you purchase any insurance product. Purchasing an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future insurance needs. Precise terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance plan mentioned in this article are found in the policy contract which can be found at this link. This plan is underwritten and issued by Income Insurance.
Information is correct as of 28 Nov 2025.
This post was written in collaboration with Income Insurance. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence.
About the author
Caleb Leong is passionate about travelling the world and getting involved in cross-cultural works. Freelance digital marketing and content writing is a way for him to express himself creatively while earning his keep. He unwinds by diving into a variety of music genres. Living in a digitally disrupted world, he’d like to offer a different perspective on finances to show people the possibilities of what goes beyond a typical “Singaporean life”.
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