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Travel Insurance for the Philippines

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

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, updated on September 4th, 2023       

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Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

Whether you’re just wanting to spend a few days chilling in Boracay or witness the beauty of the Banaue Rice Terraces, it’s always important to have peace of mind when you’re travelling to the Philippines. 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 the Philippines?

You don't necessarily ‘need' travel insurance if you're taking a trip to the Philippines. However, it's strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your holiday, whether you're planning to marvel at the San Agustin Church in Manila or go to see the Mayon Volcano on the small island of Luzon.

There are more than 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines, so you’re spoilt for choice in what you do and see on your tropical getaway. However, it’s not all historic forts and delicious local cuisine. There are dangers for tourists exploring the exotic location to keep in mind, so it's paramount you compare with Savvy and get the right travel insurance before leaving for your Southeast Asian holiday.

If you’re eager to experience all of what the Philippines has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch out for include:

  • Severe weather events: natural disasters including typhoons, floods, storms, landslides and earthquakes are common across much of the Philippines. Essential services may be breached if you’re embroiled in a serious weather event, so it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your accommodation’s evacuation procedure in the event the situation turns dangerous.
  • Crime: robberies and other forms of street crime, including those that involve weapons, are at high levels in the Philippines. Reasonable safety measures should be taken. Make sure you use a hotel that offers a transfer service or an official airport cab if neither of those options is available to you.
  • Kidnapping: kidnapping is a problem around the nation, but mainly in the southern islands. Terrorist and rebel organisations both engage in kidnapping and regularly target tourists.
  • Protests: it’s against the law to partake in a protest if you aren’t Filipino, so make sure you aren’t caught up in any demonstrations by keeping an eye on the news and any local warnings.
  • Regional areas: there are many parts of the Philippines which aren't safe to travel to. Avoid travelling to provinces such as Mindanao Island or the Sulu archipelago, as these areas are prone to crime and violent clashes.
  • Spiked drinks: if you’re taking in some of the Filipino nightlife, make sure you keep a close eye on your drink and never accept drinks from strangers. Drink spiking is rampant across much of the Philippines club and bar scene, so be on guard when you’re out after hours.

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

Depending on the policy and level of protection, travel insurance can help if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Some comprehensive travel insurance benefits may include:

  1. Overseas medical bills: having travel insurance can be a lifesaver if you’re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention in the Philippines. If you don’t have travel insurance to protect you, the cost of receiving treatment at a public or private health centre can be eye-watering.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: the Philippines’ medical facilities are below the standards of those in Australia outside of the bigger cities, so if you’re in a critical condition, you may need to be evacuated back to Australia.
  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 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.  For example, you may be able to claim up to $300 per day if your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours. 
  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: skydiving in Cebu or scuba diving through one of the Luzon region’s pristine reefs? 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 possessions left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Travelling for medical tourism
  5. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  6. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice

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

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to Southeast Asia. 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 60 and planning a trip to the Philippines, 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 the Philippines but also taking a holiday to another region in Asia across the year, an annual 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 the Philippines

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 do a hike or Mt Pulag in Benguet or wakeboarding in Camarines Sur, 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.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to the Philippines, 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

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to the Philippines

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 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 the 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 the Philippines

Does travel insurance for the Philippines 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 the Philippines 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 and you won’t be covered for cancellation due to border closures. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if you’re travelling to the Philippines as of September 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 the Philippines?

Yes – you can buy travel insurance if you’re already wheels up and headed to the Philippines for your holiday. 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 the Philippines?

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 the Philippines?

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 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 the Philippines cost?

If you’re wondering what the average cost of your travel insurance will be for a trip to the Philippines, no ballpark figure is the same. How much your travel insurance costs for a trip 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 insurer you’ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of the Philippines you’re visiting (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if you’re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster or terrorist attack)

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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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