Travel insurance promise not honoured

NTUC Income promises to "pay even before your trip starts", but it failed to honour its promise even though I met the conditions of our contract.

My husband and I bought a 14-day travel insurance for our Europe vacation in June.

However, on the day of departure, I developed breathing difficulties on the plane despite having no pre-existing conditions.

Medics on board deemed me unfit to travel and told me to visit a clinic in Changi Airport.

The doctor there issued me a medical certificate, clearing me for travel. I was charged about $200.

Our flight was delayed by 41/2 hours.

I filed a claim for the medical bill after we returned, but it was rejected. I was told that medical expenses had to be incurred while we were overseas, not at the start of the flight.

It is absurd that the insurer rejected my $200 claim - this expense was made on the first day of my holiday and was necessary for me to board my flight.

Members of the public should beware of how some insurers may not honour claims filed, even if the expenses were incurred on the day of departure.

Tang Wen Fang (Ms)

This article was first published on Sept 29, 2014.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.