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Malaysia is a fun and exciting travel destination—and, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, it is the 9th most-visited country in Southeast Asia. With cosmopolitan cities such as Kuala Lumpur, ancient temples, and natural beauty, offering something for everyone.
If you are traveling to Malaysia, an important factor for your trip should be your travel insurance. For longer stays in Malaysia and more extensive coverage, you are advised to purchase Malaysia health insurance for expats.
Do I Need Travel Health Insurance for Malaysia?
As of 2022, it is not mandatory to get travel health insurance when visiting Malaysia. Nonetheless, we still recommend that you always travel with travel insurance—this way you know you have financial support for any medical emergencies and other unexpected events.
It will also give you peace of mind, without adding any large expenses to your trip since the cost of a travel insurance policy for Malaysia is usually around $30.
To find the most suitable plan for your trip to Malaysia you can head on to Insubuy and compare different plans for free.
Why Buy Medical Insurance Before Traveling to Malaysia?
You should buy medical insurance before traveling to Malaysia in order to be financially covered for unexpected events, such as:
- Medical emergency treatment.
- Emergency medical evacuation.
- Delayed or lost luggage.
- Cancelation or interrupt trip.
- Any other unexpected disruption to your trip.
What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Malaysia Trips?
Trips and travelers to Malaysia are different from one another, and whether you find one travel insurance plan the best depends on each individual trip. You can consider the following:
- Bubblegum – starting from $34*
- Singlelife – starting from $36
- Allianz – starting from $36
- Starr – starting from $34
- AIG – starting from $38
- FWD – starting from $22
In addition, there are a few companies that offer global coverage, such as:
- AXA
- IMG Travel
- World Nomads
If you cannot decide for yourself, Insubuy offers an opportunity to compare different travel health insurance policies with international coverage that also include Malaysia. You’ll see the benefits of different policies from different providers, making your selection decision much more accessible.
*The cost is a premium rate for a four-day trip.
How to Get Travel Health Insurance for Malaysia?
Keep in mind the following steps while you purchase your travel insurance to Malaysia:
- See visa requirements. It’s always a good idea to check whether you need a visa to Malaysia first, as sometimes visa applications may have specific requirements for travel health insurance.
- Find a provider. You need to find a reputable insurance provider who has experience with travel health insurance. You can buy your insurance from a provider in your home country or from an international insurance company.
- Select a policy. Then, finally, select an insurance policy which suits you. Remember that some providers may allow you to customize your policy with benefits as you see fit. For example, you can omit trip cancellation coverage and include some other benefit you require— it all depends on your policy and provider.
- Purchase your insurance. The final step is to purchase your travel insurance policy which you can usually do online or via phone. Then, you must carry proof of insurance when travelling to Malaysia.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Travel Insurance for Malaysia?
The cost of a travel insurance plan for Malaysia trips can be as low as $22 for a four-day single trip—but it averages to $30. The exact cost varies depending on the insurance company and on your requirements and conditions. For example:
- Length of stay: If you stay longer, the cost is higher.
- Age: If you are older, the price will be higher.
- Pre-existing conditions: If you have chronic diseases, you will pay more.
- Coverage: If the insurance policy covers more risks, or you add additional supplements, it will cost more.
FAQs
When Should I Buy Travel Health Insurance for Malaysia?
You should buy travel insurance when you book the trip or when you make the first payment for your trip. You can also buy it later, but if you do it after you enter Malaysia, the insurance will not cover any trip issues that happened before.
What Is the Standard of Healthcare in Malaysia?
The standard of healthcare in Malaysia is generally good and you will be taken care of with modern medical facilities. There are also government and private hospitals, but you can’t access free medical treatment, and private hospitals are expensive. This means that if you are sick during your stay in Malaysia you might face some costly bills.
Am I Covered for Outdoor Activities in Malaysia?
Whether you are covered for outdoor activities in Malaysia or not depends on your travel insurance plan. If you are not covered, you can add an extreme sports policy, and then your travel insurance will cover you for adventurous activities.
Will My Domestic Health Insurance Cover Me in Malaysia?
Whether your domestic health insurance covers you in Malaysia depends on what type of domestic health insurance policy you have. But in general, domestic health insurance does not cover international trips. If it happens that domestic health insurance covers international trips, its coverage might be limited. In order to be sure, we recommend that you check with your home insurance and see their options.
Health Risks in Malaysia
When traveling in Malaysia, you might encounter health risks. Some of the most common risks include:
- Mosquito-borne diseases – such as malaria and dengue fever. You should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
- Food and waterborne diseases – avoid drinking contaminated water and raw, uncooked food.
- Rabies – the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Sarawak are contaminated with rabies. If you are bitten by an animal you should get it checked immediately.
- Air pollution – avoid areas where air pollution is more prominent, such as areas prone to forest fires.
Emergency Services in Malaysia
The numbers for emergency services you can call in Malaysia are:
- +999 – for ambulance and police services
- +994 – fire department
- +112 – an alternative emergency service for mobile phone users
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