Imagine this: You’ve been planning your dream vacation for months, everything’s perfect, and then… disaster strikes.
It could be a medical emergency that ends up costing you thousands of dollars, or worse, a situation that leaves you stranded, struggling to get the care you need.
For many travelers, the importance of travel health insurance becomes painfully clear only after it’s too late. Let’s take a look at some real stories from travelers who learned the hard way, and why having travel health insurance could have prevented it all 👇
A Singaporean's Nightmare in South Korea
In December 2022, a Singaporean woman, Madam Raha Rahmat, set off on what was supposed to be a joyful trip to South Korea with her daughter.
However, on the very first night, she collapsed and was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage. Without travel insurance, the family was faced with a significant financial burden.
The hospital bills, emergency medical evacuation, and additional costs piled up, forcing them to raise funds through an online platform. In the end, they raised around $37,000 to cover the costs—an expense that could have been avoided with comprehensive travel health insurance.
Madam Raha Rahmat on her first day of holiday in Seoul, South Korea on Dec 5, 2022 (left), and in Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage (right). (Photos: Nur Amiliya Arba’a)
Breaking a Foot in Lombok, Indonesia
Sarah, a frequent traveler, was excited about a hiking trip to Lombok, Indonesia. But during her stay, she missed a step while descending a steep staircase and ended up breaking her foot and ankle.
Since she was far from home, Sarah wasn’t sure where to go for help. Despite the injury being severe, she initially avoided seeking medical attention due to the fear of high medical costs. However, after much pain and realization, she sought care at a nearby hospital.
The Singapore Airlines Turbulence Incident
In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight experienced severe turbulence while en route from London to Singapore. The sudden drop during meal service sent passengers and crew members crashing into the cabin, leaving 30 people injured, some seriously.
One passenger even died from a suspected heart attack. The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.
Travel insurance policies typically cover emergency medical treatments and, in some instances, repatriation or an alternative flight back home. Had the passengers involved been covered, the financial burden of hospital bills and medical repatriation would have been alleviated​.
🚨 Why Travel Health Insurance Matters
In all the cases shared above, the absence of travel health insurance meant that travelers were forced to deal with not only the emotional strain of a medical crisis but also the financial strain of paying out-of-pocket for emergency care and medical evacuation.
What if these travelers had been covered?
Travel insurance, especially when it comes to health emergencies abroad, would have taken care of their hospital bills, emergency evacuations, and even follow-up treatments back home.
The peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to beg for donations just to pay for basic medical care is priceless.
These real stories remind us that the unexpected can happen anytime...
...and when it comes to your health, being prepared is the only way to truly travel with peace of mind.
Whether it's something as simple as a sudden illness or as serious as needing emergency evacuation back to Singapore, travel health insurance ensures that you don’t have to worry about how you'll pay for medical care.
How IPG Travel Insurance Can Help
At IPG, our travel health insurance covers you in cases like the ones mentioned above. We offer comprehensive travel health insurance plans that include coverage for emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation, helping to alleviate the financial strain of any unexpected health issues while traveling.
Don’t take unnecessary risks—invest in your peace of mind today, knowing that you'll be covered no matter where life takes you: https://ipg.sg/travel
If you're reading this article, you may have searched for...
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