Pros
- Budget-friendly plans
- Includes COVID-19 coverage
- Customisable policies
- Unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation
Cons
- Bronze plan does not get coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellations or curtailment
- Baggage cover must be purchased separately
- Limited add-on options
- Low coverage for COVID-related medical expenses
Starr Cruise to Nowhere Travel Insurance promises flexible and affordable coverage that can be tailored to travellers’ needs. As the name suggests, it’s designed for those going on a cruise that stops only at Singapore.
While some may think that a short trip like this wouldn’t require the hassle of travel insurance, the recent cancellations of Royal Caribbean cruises over the COVID-19 outbreak suggest otherwise.
To help you decide whether the Starr Cruise to Nowhere Travel Insurance is right for you, let’s take a look at:
- Plan types and pricing
- Coverage and features
- Notable exclusions
- How the plans compare to others
- Ease of claims
- Whom the travel insurance is best for
Plan Types and Pricing
Starr Cruise to Nowhere Travel Insurance comprises three types of plans: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
All plans include COVID-19 coverage and can be customised to include additional protection based on individual needs.
The estimated premiums for a 5-day Cruise to Nowhere are as follows:
| Plan Type | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | S$26 | S$34 | S$42 |
| Family (Based on 4 pax) | S$52 | S$68 | S$84 |
| Group (Based on 4 pax) | S$104 | S$136 | S$168 |
If you’re planning to travel as a family, opting for a family plan saves you a lot. The premium for a family of four is only double the single traveller’s rate.
Cruise to Nowhere Travel Insurance Add-ons
Even though all plans include medical and trip coverage, Starr Insurance leaves out baggage coverage from the basic packages. You’ll have to purchase these as add-ons instead:
| Add-Ons | Individual | Family (Based on 4 pax) | Group (Based on 4 pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baggage cover | S$1 to S$4 | S$2 to S$8 | S$4 to S$16 |
| Golf protection | S$1.50 | S$3 | S$6 |
| Scuba diving protection | S$4.00 | S$8 | S$16 |
Coverage and Features
Here’s a brief rundown of each tier:
| Coverage | Bronze Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas medical expenses | S$200,000 | S$500,000 | S$1,000,000 |
| COVID-related overseas medical expenses | S$25,000 | S$50,000 | S$100,000 |
| Accidental death and disablement | S$150,000 | S$300,000 | S$500,000 |
| Trip cancellation or curtailment | S$5,000 | S$10,000 | S$15,000 |
| COVID-related trip cancellation or curtailment | – | S$600 | S$1,000 |
| Loss/damage of baggage (only with add-on) | S$3,000 | S$5,000 | S$7,500 |
| Add-ons |
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The main point of note here is that the Bronze plan doesn’t cover trip cancellations or curtailment because of COVID-19 – one of the biggest reasons to purchase travel insurance in the first place. You’re best going with at least the Silver or Gold plan at minimum.
Before taking out either of these policies, take note of the following conditions:
- Your cruise trip must depart from and return to Singapore
- If you’re an individual applicant, you must be 18 years old or above
- If you’re taking out a Family plan, the group must comprise at least one parent from a legal couple and legitimate child(ren) aged below 18
- The maximum trip duration for a single trip is 180 days
- Insurance cover will automatically be extended up to a maximum of 7 days if the trip is delayed for any reasons outside of your control
Notable Exclusions
Starr Travel Insurance has the usual general exclusions you’ll see with other providers, namely:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Acts of war and participation in strikes or terrorism
- Prohibitions by any government
- Suicide and self-inflicted injuries
- Participation in professional sports
- Losses as a result of drug or alcohol influence
- Cosmetic or elective surgeries
- Trips taken to receive medical treatments (i.e. medical tourism)
The full list of exclusions can be found on Starr Insurance’s website.
How the Plans Compare to Others
Starr Insurance’s pricing may look attractive at first glance, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find their coverage lacking in certain areas. Here’s a quick comparison across four mid-tier plans:
| Features | Starr Cruise to Nowhere – Silver | DBS TravellerShield Plus Travel Insurance – Premier | NTUC Income – Deluxe | Aviva – Travel Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiums (based on a 5-day trip) | S$34.00 | S$30.60 | S$36.00 | S$48.41 |
| Overseas Medical Expenses | S$500,000 | S$500,000 | S$500,000 | S$2,000,000 |
| Accidental Death and Disablement | S$300,000 | S$200,000 | S$250,000 | S$100,000 |
| Trip Cancellation | S$10,000 | S$10,000 | S$10,000 | S$15,000 |
| Personal Liability | S$800,000 | S$1,000,000 | S$1,000,000 | S$1,000,000 |
| Loss/Damage of Baggage | – | S$5,000 | S$5,000 | S$5,000 |
COVID-19 Cover
| S$50,000 S$600 | S$100,000 S$5,000 | S$150,000 S$2,000 | S$100,000 S$1,500 |
You’ll see that:
- Aviva charges the highest premiums but offers four times higher overseas medical coverage than Starr Insurance, NTUC Income, and DBS.
- The best value for money is the DBS TravellerShield Plus Premier Plan. At S$30.60, you get very competitive overseas medical, personal liability, and COVID-19 coverage. It also beats down Starr’s Silver Plan with S$5,000 baggage cover.
With COVID-19 still a big concern for travellers these days, Starr’s Silver Plan does not offer peace of mind especially compared to other policies. Sadly, its COVID-19 coverage is only a fraction of what others offer, and there are no other offerings in its overall package to compensate for the shortfall. To top it off, the need to top up for baggage cover is another eyesore that makes the plan the least favoured.
Ease of Claims
Starr Insurance’s customer service track record doesn’t seem to be any better than its coverage. Reviewers report a myriad of problems ranging from delayed reimbursements to no response for over two months after submitting their claims.
Out of 62 reviews on Google to date, the overall rating for Starr Insurance is only 2.4 out of 5 stars. If you’re planning to purchase a Starr Cruise to Nowhere Travel policy soon, make sure to do your due diligence.
Whom the Travel Insurance is Best For
Starr Cruise to Nowhere Travel Insurance is affordable and offers basic coverage at a low cost. If price is your main concern, then it may be a good fit for you.
However, it may not be the best option if you perceive COVID-related cover as a top priority, or you want a smooth claims process (if it does happen to come up). There are other insurers that offer far better coverage in this area for just a few dollars more.