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Policy test: Premium nearly twice as high, yet lower coverage
Embedded insurance: limited choice behind the convenience
Less impact on convenience, while enhancing protection and value for money
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Adding TravelCare when buying a flight ticket: higher premium but less cover?
As the Easter travel peak approaches, demand among Hong Kong residents for overseas travel is rising. The increasingly popular “embedded insurance”, namely purchasing TravelCare directly during the flight booking process, has become a common choice for many travellers. When passengers purchase their air tickets, airlines often recommend related TravelCare products at the same time, making it possible to complete the insurance purchase with virtually “just one click”.
However, does this convenience necessarily mean a better choice? The latest policy test conducted by 10Life found that, in some cases, the premium for TravelCare purchased through an airline’s “one-click add-on” could be nearly twice that of market options, while the coverage showed no corresponding improvement. In some instances, the premium was even higher while the coverage was lower.
Policy test: Premium nearly twice as high, yet lower coverage
According to the 10Life test, based on a 5-day trip to Tokyo, Japan by a 35-year-old Hong Kong traveller:
- Adding TravelCare on the airline’s platform: premium of approximately HK$356
- Taking out the MSIG iTravel Go Plan A * through 10Life: premium of approximately HK$177
This represents savings of approximately HK$179, with a premium difference of around 50%.
Further comparison of the coverage details shows that, despite the lower premium, the MSIG iTravel Go Plan A offers superior coverage in several key areas:
Airline-recommended add-on insurance VS high-cover TravelCare (purchased online via 10Life)
| Benefits | Airline-recommended add-on insurance （Chubb） | MSIG iTravel Go Plan A (purchased online via 10Life) | Difference |
| Premium after discount (if applicable) | HK$356 | HK$177 | The airline product is HK$179 more expensive (approximately 50% higher, based on the discounted premium) |
| Total medical coverage | HK$1,000,000 | HK$2,000,000 | The airline product provides half the coverage |
| Follow-up medical consultation in Hong Kong | HK$75,000 | Accident: HK$2,000,000 Illness: HK$200,000 | The maximum coverage of the airline product is more than 25 times lower |
| Trip cancellation | HK$20,000 | HK$50,000 | The airline product provides approximately 60% less coverage |
| Personal belongings／baggage | HK$10,000 | HK$20,000 | The airline product provides half the coverage |
| Hospital cash | HK$5,000 | HK$12,000 | The airline product provides more than 50% less coverage |
| Personal accident | HK$500,000 (with additional cover for members) | HK$1,000,000 | The airline product provides half the coverage |
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Overall, the MSIG iTravel Go Plan A offers more than double the coverage for almost all benefits at nearly half the premium. The most significant difference is in the cover for follow-up medical consultations in Hong Kong, with the accident cover exceeding it by more than 25 times. This is followed by trip cancellation and hospital cash benefits, making it worthwhile to compare carefully before purchasing.
In addition to basic coverage, the product also includes several less commonly available options among add-on plans, including cover for amateur hazardous sports, airport lounge access for flight delays, mobile phone damage cover and the “Cancel for Any Reason” add-on, providing a relatively comprehensive scope of cover.
Regarding the threshold for travel alert activation, the airline’s TravelCare generally only takes effect under a Black Outbound Travel Alert, whereas this product with higher coverage extends to Yellow and higher alert levels, providing travellers with earlier protection and support.
In addition, the insurer recommended by the airline also offers similar products on the 10Life platform, but it is apparent that the premium is higher while the coverage is lower.
Same insurer, vastly different cover: breaking down the differences between airline insurance and Superior Plan.
| Coverage item | Airline-recommended add-on insurance （Chubb） | Chubb Premier Plan（purchased online via 10Life） | Difference |
| Premium after discount (if applicable) | HK$356 | HK$ 263.7 | Airline product costs approximately HK$92 more (approximately 35% higher) |
| Total medical coverage | HK$1,000,000 | HK$1,200,000 | Airline product provides approximately 17% less coverage |
| Coverage for follow-up medical consultations in Hong Kong | HK$75,000 | HK$1,200,000 | Airline product provides approximately 94% less coverage (more than 15 times lower) |
| Trip cancellation | HK$20,000 | HK$30,000 | Airline product provides approximately 33% less coverage |
| Personal belongings／baggage | HK$10,000 | HK$20,000 | Airline product provides half the coverage |
| Hospital cash | HK$5,000 | HK$12,000 | Airline product provides half the coverage |
| Personal accident | HK$500,000（additional member benefits apply） | HK$1,000,000 | Airline product provides half the coverage |
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Overall, purchasing a product from the same insurer through an airline channel not only entails a higher premium, but also provides lower levels of several core benefits. The difference is particularly pronounced for cover for follow-up medical treatment upon returning to Hong Kong (more than 15 times lower), while medical, trip cancellation and baggage cover are also generally lower. This shows that the distribution channel can directly affect a product’s overall value for money.
Although embedded insurance is convenient, it does not necessarily represent the most suitable choice. Travellers should proactively compare the prices and coverage details of different products before departure, ensuring that they receive adequate and comprehensive protection for a reasonable premium, rather than accepting a single option for the sake of convenience.
Embedded insurance: limited choice behind the convenience
“Embedded insurance” refers to insurance products integrated into the consumer purchasing journey, such as providing a TravelCare add-on option when purchasing an air ticket. Such products are generally pre-selected and recommended by airlines or platforms, meaning that consumers have relatively limited options and may not be able to comprehensively compare different products.
Foreign industry research indicates that such TravelCare currently accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of airlines’ total revenue and can increase revenue per ticket by approximately 10% to 30%. In Europe, more than 90% of airlines have integrated insurance into the booking process. Under this “embedded insurance” model, the industry commonly adopts a commission-sharing mechanism, with an average commission rate of approximately 24%, and in some cases exceeding 50%.1,2
As these products are mostly pre-selected by platforms and the insurance decision is closely tied to the ticket-purchasing process, consumers may not be able to comprehensively compare the coverage and prices of different plans, thereby affecting the value for money of their choice.
Less impact on convenience, while enhancing protection and value for money
The application process and experience on comparison platforms are now highly convenient. Users only need to enter their destination and departure date to instantly compare multiple TravelCare plans and complete their application, without having to browse different websites one by one. By applying for selected plans through 10Life, users can currently enjoy a limited-time 50% discount, enhancing their coverage and saving on premiums without compromising convenience. Spending a few extra minutes comparing plans before departure could sometimes halve the premium, while providing double the coverage. Compare multiple TravelCare plans now.
Data Sources and Notes:
- Premium figures are based on actual testing, conducted and updated on 27 March 2026.
- The relevant premiums are based on a five-day individual plan for Japan.
- Coverage comparison data is taken from the relevant policy terms and conditions, official policy documents and publicly available information.
- Premiums and coverage may vary depending on the time of purchase, distribution channel and individual policy terms. They are provided for comparison purposes only, and are subject to the relevant policy terms and conditions and the insurance company's final approval.
Industry Research Sources:
- battleface, "Embedded insurance is broken. Here's how to fix it": https://www.battleface.com/en-gb/partner-insights/embedded-insurance-is-broken-here-is-how-to-fix-it/
- KASKO, "Embedded Travel Insurance for Airlines: Untapped Potential" (2025): https://www.kasko.io/post/embedded-travel-insurance-airlines
This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.
Wendy L
Senior Content Specialist
10+ years in editing & copywriting. I love solving puzzles — now my goal is making insurance jargon simple. Let's decode policies and learn together.
Wendy L
Senior Content Specialist
10+ years in editing & copywriting. I love solving puzzles — now my goal is making insurance jargon simple. Let's decode policies and learn together.
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