DO you buy travel insurance before you travel? According to Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Ngiam Foon, not many Malaysians buy additional insurance protection when they travel.

Many mistakenly assume that their existing long-term insurance policies will protect them when they are overseas.

He said there have been many cases of Malaysian travellers, not covered by insurance, facing difficulties when they were injured or involved in accidents overseas. Ngiam Foon urged Malaysians to invest in suitable travel insurance products when going on vacations. Such travel insurance is vital in ensuring that Malaysians get proper coverage in case of travel emergencies.

He said that many Malaysians also mistakenly assume that credit card purchases of airline tickets will automatically provide complete insurance protection for them. Many insurance companies offer inexpensive add-ons, which provide a wide range of services that can protect travellers in case of medical emergencies, robberies and accidents.

“In some countries, it is vital that we have the option of getting access to evacuation services, for instance, in the event of a medical emergency. There are many products in the market for such protection. It is just that many Malaysians are unaware of such services which are available at a low cost.” With just a minimal payment, travellers have access to 24-hour emergency services in many parts of the world.

Ngiam Foon said medical services are expensive, especially in developed countries, and there have been many cases of Malaysian travellers facing great trauma, distress and financial difficulties due to high costs as a result of not having adequate insurance protection when overseas.

Ngiam advised travellers to check with their licensed travel and tour agents for more information on travel insurance products. “It is also important that prospective buyers ensure that they are dealing with licensed travel and tour agencies which have access to pertinent information to help customers make informed choices,” Ngiam Foon said.

Matta has some 2,100 members in the country and is the country’s largest travel and tour association. While industry statistics on the purchase of travel insurance by Malaysians over the last several years are unavailable, Ngiam Foon said, from Matta’s perspective and experience, the adoption rate of travel insurance products among Malaysians was still very low and needed to be boosted.

Ngiam Foon said Matta had been in discussions with several insurance companies to provide “cashless” insurance coverage to travellers. Under such coverage, when there is a need for medical services, a person needs only show evidence of the insurance coverage without footing the bill upfront. These cashless insurance products are expected to be available to travellers soon.