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Travel Insurance for Malaysia

Travelling to Malaysia for a much-needed getaway? Compare your travel insurance options with Savvy.

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, updated on May 1st, 2024       

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Whether you want to gaze up at the Petronas Towers or take a peek inside the Batu Caves, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to Malaysia. If you’re searching for the right travel insurance cover for your next international journey, Savvy can point you in the right direction.

By comparing with us, you can find a policy which offers you the right protection, whether your flights are delayed, your luggage goes missing or you fall ill while overseas. We provide instant quotes from our partners, so you can consider their pros and cons and compare the cost of each policy. Before you take off overseas, compare your travel insurance options with Savvy today.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to Malaysia?

You don't necessarily ‘need' international travel insurance if you're taking a trip to Malaysia. However, it's strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your international holiday, whether you want to embrace your inner child and visit Legoland or lounge on the sandy beaches of Manukan Island.

Malaysia is home to thriving metropolises, delectable cuisine, stunning beaches, charming islands and national parks with wildlife-rich jungles. However, there are still dangers for tourists and visitors to look out for, so it's paramount you compare with Savvy and get the best travel insurance before leaving.

If you’re eager to travel to the Southeast Asian region and experience all of what Malaysia has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch for include:

  • Border tensions: Malaysia has designated Eastern Sabah as a Special Security Area. While there has been a security improvement, the shoreline from Kudat in northern Sabah down to Tawau near the Indonesian border remains dangerous due to the presence of Philippine terrorists. Resort islands and their surrounding waterways, especially those near Sipadan, as well as tourist resorts, restaurants, and boats are all fair game.
  • Crime: violence towards tourists is uncommon. Unfortunately, tourist hotspots like airports are magnets for small crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching. In addition, thieves on motorbikes often target pedestrians, grabbing their bags and belongings while riding dangerously close to them.
  • Taxis: travellers using either the KLIA1 or KLIA2 terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport may be approached by touts trying to get them to take their “taxi” into the city. There have been several cases of robbery, violence, and extreme overcharging by these persons. Only use airport-approved taxis; pick up a voucher at the airport taxi and stand beside the exit from the customs and arrivals area.
  • Pirates: in the Strait of Malacca and the waterways between Sabah and the southern Philippines, pirate assaults and armed robbery against ships are common. To be safe at sea, follow local advice and take adequate precautions.
  • Scams: men travelling alone have been targeted in public locations and invited to play card games with the promise of significant cash prizes. Before recognising they were being scammed, victims have lost thousands of dollars.
  • Diseases: infectious illnesses transmitted by water, food, parasites and other vectors are prevalent throughout Malaysia. Hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid and cholera all fall within this category. Only drink water which has been boiled or purchased in a bottle and stay away from foods which aren't fully cooked.

What’s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to Malaysia?

One of the reasons you need travel insurance is to protect you if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer flight cancellations or delays. The best international travel insurance policies offer the following benefits:

  1. Overseas medical bills: It’s a good idea to take out travel insurance in case you’re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention while in Malaysia. Hospitals are of a high standard in Malaysia, though they may require you to make payment upfront.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: You may need medical evacuation to Australia if you are in a critical condition due to illness or injury. Luckily, your insurer can pay for your evacuation and repatriation, including if you need to disembark a cruise ship, which may cost up to $100,000 without insurance.
  3. Cancellation: many travel insurance carriers may refund pre-paid deposits on hotels, flights, or excursions if you cancel your trip due to a covered occurrence. Illness, injury, or a sick or dying family member are among the valid reasons for cancelling a trip.
  4. Lost, stolen or damaged bags: most insurance providers will compensate or replace lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to an agreed claim amount, which can reach up to $15,000.
  5. Individual items: taking a mobile phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items.
  6. Travel delays: most travel insurance cover hotel, food, and other expenses if your flight is delayed longer than 24 hours. This includes delayed luggage owing to a delayed airliner. Most insurers have limits on how much you can claim if your travel arrangements are delayed.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, your insurance company may pay up to $5 million.
  8. Accidental death: if you die overseas in a covered accident, your insurance company can repatriate your remains. They may pay up to $25,000 for funeral or cremation fees.
  9. Optional extras: planning to rock climb in Taman Negara National Park or motorcycle through George Town? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically but they do offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.

However, most travel insurance companies won’t cover you for the following incidentals:

  1. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
  2. Lost personal items left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  5. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice
  6. Travelling for medical tourism

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to Malaysia?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to Malaysia. However, by comparing with Savvy, you may be able to make the experience of searching for the perfect policy a whole lot easier.

Premium cost

It is, of course, in your best interest to keep your insurance premium costs to a minimum. To avoid overpaying for your travel insurance, it is crucial to shop around and get the best possible policy at a price that works for you. If you’re over 65 and planning a trip to Malaysia, you’ll likely be paying a higher premium based on your age, so it will be worth shopping around to find the best seniors' travel insurance policy.

The type of policy you need

Numerous options exist for travel insurance, whether you're looking for single-trip, annual or one-way cover, so it’s important to consider your travel requirements. For example, if you’re travelling to Malaysia but also taking a holiday to Japan within the year, it might be good to find a multi-trip policy may be more suited to you than single-trip. Take a look at your itinerary, think about how often you’ll be flying and compare it with Savvy so you can get the best insurance for your trip.

What you’re doing in Malaysia

Carefully consider which insurance company provides the greatest value and level of protection if you’re looking to partake in high-risk pursuits before signing up. If you’re planning to bungee jump off a suspension bridge in Kuala Lumpur or scuba dive through the crystal-clear waters of Selangor, make sure you get a policy that covers you.

Claim limits

In most cases, the amount you may claim from your overseas travel insurance policy will be capped. Check if these limits are enough for your trip and the items you want to take with you by doing a side-by-side comparison of several brands with Savvy. For example, some travel insurers allow you to claim up to $7,500 if you lose your luggage or have it damaged while on holiday, compared to some other providers who only let you claim $3,000.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Malaysia, make sure you opt for a policy that best suits your needs. Before settling on one choice, do your homework and weigh what's included and what isn't. For example, a pre-existing condition you suffer from may not be automatically included under one policy, while it could be covered by a competitor.

Types of travel insurance

International

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

Domestic

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

One-way

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

Cruise

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Seniors

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Ski

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Families

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

Couples

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

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Reputable insurance partners

We’re partnered with some of Australia’s most trusted travel insurance providers, enabling you to compare quality offers.
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Fast and convenient online process

You can complete the quote, comparison and purchase process online through Savvy quickly and easily.

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Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Malaysia

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most providers allow you to include up to 25 people under the same policies, which, if the costs are divided among the travellers, can save you money.

Consider increasing your excess

You can pay less for your travel insurance by increasing the excess you're willing to pay if you need to file a claim. A higher excess can help you save money in the long term, but it shouldn't be so high that it causes you financial hardship to pay it.

Only pay for what you need

There's no point paying for cover you're not going to use on your holiday. Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, read the PDS and make sure you aren’t paying extra for add-ons such as rental car hire or cruise coverage if you don't have any intentions of either hiring a car or sailing across international seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which provider gives you the best travel insurance coverage for the lowest price. You can compare policies side by side so you can weigh what's included, what's not included, the price of your premium, and any other essential factors.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Malaysia

Does travel insurance for Malaysia cover me for COVID-19-related costs?

Yes – most travel insurance policies cover any COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment while you’re in Malaysia and the need to cancel your holiday if you test positive before you leave. However, cancellation due to COVID-19 isn’t usually available on basic policies. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if you’re travelling to Malaysia as of October 2022, so it’s best to wear a mask when possible if you’re worried about contracting the disease.

Can I take out travel insurance if I’m already in Malaysia?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to Malaysia for your holiday through a broker or online. You won’t need much to take out travel insurance, only the details of your trip and some other important information. You’ll be afforded the exact coverage you would usually get if you purchased before departure. However, these policies have waiting periods of between 48 and 96 hours. This means that if you suffer a claimable incident inside this period, you won’t be able to make a claim.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance for Malaysia?

Most people in the know will tell you the best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you know your travel dates. That allows you to be covered for the maximum amount of pre-paid bookings, such as those for hotels or tours if something unforeseen happens and you need to call off your holiday. There are also often sales on around holiday periods, such as Easter, Christmas and the End of the Financial Year, which means you could snap up a policy at a discount.

How do I make a claim on my travel insurance if I’m in Malaysia?

When you do it online, claiming on your travel insurance is a pretty easy process. When you go to your insurance company's website, enter your policy number and the email address that goes with it. From there, you can do the following:

  • Fill out your claim form with plenty of detail
  • Attach any documents, such as receipts, medical evidence, or proof of purchase
  • Submit your claim

 
The majority of the time, you should hear back from your travel insurance company within about ten business days. It's best to quickly answer any requests for more information to avoid slowing down the process.

How much will my travel insurance to Malaysia cost?

How much travel insurance costs for a trip to Malaysia will be determined by a range of interchangeable variables, including:

  • Your age
  • The length of your trip and destinations
  • Whether you suffer any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need optional extras, such as adventure sports cover
  • The insurance company you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of Malaysia you’re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a terrorism event or outbreak of infectious disease)

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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1300 974 066

Sign up to our newsletter

Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

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