A Smarter Way to Compare Travel Insurance

For many Hongkongers, short-haul destinations like Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan remain travel favorites. But no matter where you go, travel insurance is more than a formality. Illness, trip cancellations, or even lost luggage can quickly turn a holiday into a financial headache. A suitable policy gives peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying the journey.

Travel insurance products can look similar at first glance, but the details vary a lot. To make comparison easier, 10Life has developed a rating system that breaks down protection into four key categories, each assigned a weighting to reflect its importance:

• Medical and Emergency Assistance (35%) 
  Covers medical expenses abroad, follow-up treatment back home, and emergency evacuation or repatriation.
• Trip Disruptions (30%) 
  Includes cancellations, curtailments, and delays caused by events such as severe weather or illness.
• Personal Belongings (25%)
  Protection for baggage, electronics, travel documents, or cash if lost or damaged.
• Personal Accident (10%)
   Compensation for accidental death, permanent disability, or severe injury during the trip.

The overall score of each plan is calculated by combining these weighted categories. This gives travelers a clearer picture of how well-rounded a policy is — rather than relying on price alone.

A higher premium doesn’t always mean better protection. Some moderately priced plans achieve strong overall scores because they perform consistently across categories. Others may excel in one area (for example, cancellation cover) but fall behind in another (such as belongings protection). The key is to choose based on your personal travel needs, not just the headline cost.

• Medical coverage limits differ widely — the highest caps can be double those of other plans.
• Cancellation claims usually require proof — such as a doctor’s certificate if illness prevents travel.
• Not all belongings are covered — mobile phones or laptops may be excluded unless specifically listed.
• Car rental excess isn’t standard — some policies include it, others leave you uncovered.

These details often matter more than the price tag when it comes to real-life claims.

Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. A family holiday, a business trip, or an adventure getaway all come with different risks. Instead of guessing, compare policies side by side and see how they score across the categories that matter most. 

Curious how different travel insurance plans perform? Explore the 10Life Travel Insurance Decoder to see independent scores and comparisons at a glance.