Citi Prestige card benefits: what does the complimentary travel insurance actually cover?

The travel accident benefit (a lump sum for accidental death or permanent disablement) pays up to S$675,000 for an accident on a common carrier, meaning a scheduled flight, ferry, train or bus you paid to ride. A lower limit of up to S$202,500 applies to accidents during the rest of the insured journey, once you have left the common carrier. The cover extends to the cardholder, spouse, children and a domestic helper, with sub-limits for family members set out in the summary of cover. All figures shown are Singapore-dollar equivalents, converted from the policy's US dollar limits at about 1.35 and paid in local currency.

Break a leg in Bali or land in a Tokyo hospital with appendicitis, and this benefit pays the usual reasonable and customary charges for overseas medical treatment up to S$675,000 per person. It covers both injury and sickness, worldwide, and there is no cap on the number of trips. This is a genuine medical benefit, unlike the token evacuation-only cover on most Singapore cards. Two limits apply: pre-existing conditions are excluded, and the S$675,000 figure is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency. MediShield Life does not cover you outside Singapore, which is why a real overseas medical limit matters.

If the local hospital cannot treat you, the policy pays up to S$675,000 to move you to the nearest suitable facility or back home, and the same combined limit covers return of mortal remains if the worst happens. An air ambulance from Bali or Bangkok to Singapore can run S$50,000 to S$120,000, so this is one of the more useful benefits on the card. The evacuation must be ordered and arranged by AIG's Assistance Department, so call the 24-hour line before you move. The S$675,000 limit is shared between evacuation and return of remains, and it is the Singapore-dollar equivalent, converted from the policy's US dollar limit at about 1.35 and paid in local currency.

No overseas emergency dental cover. This benefit is not included with this card. Emergency dental treatment overseas is out of pocket.

Spend a night or more in an overseas hospital as an inpatient, and the policy pays a daily cash benefit of S$135 per day per person on top of your medical bills. It is meant for the incidentals of a hospital stay, so the amount is modest. The confinement must be recommended by a physician and must happen outside your country of residence. The S$135 figure is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency, and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Cancel a prepaid trip because you, a travelling companion or a close family member falls seriously ill, and the policy reimburses your lost, non-refundable travel and accommodation deposits up to S$10,125 per person. The same S$10,125 limit applies to trip curtailment if you have to cut a trip short, and to trip postponement if a major travel event, serious illness or damage to your home forces you to push the trip back. You must have booked and paid before the reason arose, and notify AIG as soon as reasonably possible. The policy pays under only one of cancellation, curtailment or postponement for the same event. All figures shown are Singapore-dollar equivalents, converted from the policy's US dollar limits at about 1.35 and paid in local currency.

If a family emergency or serious illness forces you home before the trip ends, trip curtailment reimburses your unused, non-refundable arrangements and the cost of getting back, up to S$10,125 per person. The return benefit is limited to a one-way economy fare on a scheduled carrier, less any credit from your unused return ticket. Notify AIG as soon as reasonably possible. The S$10,125 limit is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency, and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

No travel disruption cover. This benefit is not included with this card. Extra accommodation and transport from a trip disruption are the cardholder's responsibility.

When your scheduled flight is delayed by at least 4 consecutive hours due to bad weather, a mechanical fault, a strike or air traffic restrictions, the policy pays up to S$675 per person. A 4-hour trigger is strong for a complimentary card benefit, where 6 hours is more common. The delay cannot be one that was made public before you booked. The S$675 limit is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency, and you will need the carrier's written confirmation of the delay and its cause.

Miss a connecting flight because your incoming flight was delayed or cancelled, and the policy pays up to S$675 per person to cover the knock-on cost. It is a straightforward benefit for the meals and wait that a missed connection creates. The S$675 limit is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency. Keep your ticket, boarding pass and a letter from the carrier confirming the missed connection.

Lose your suitcase or have it damaged during a trip, and the policy pays up to S$4,050 for personal baggage, including a laptop computer. A single item, pair or set is capped at S$844, and the laptop limit is S$1,350 for one laptop per trip. Settlements allow for wear and tear and depreciation, though electronics under a year old with receipts are not depreciated. You must report the loss to the police, hotel or carrier within 24 hours. All figures shown are Singapore-dollar equivalents, converted from the policy's US dollar limits at about 1.35 and paid in local currency.

When a common carrier delays or misdirects your checked baggage for more than 4 hours after you arrive, the policy pays up to S$675 per person for the essentials you need to buy while you wait. The 4-hour trigger is faster than most complimentary cards. Baggage delay does not apply in your city of permanent residence. The S$675 limit is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency, and the carrier must certify the delay. If the baggage is later declared lost, any delay payment is deducted from the baggage loss claim.

Have your passport or travel tickets stolen abroad, and the policy pays up to S$675 to replace the documents, plus the extra travel and hotel costs of sorting it out. Lost personal money from robbery, burglary or theft is covered up to S$405 within that limit. The loss must be due to robbery, burglary, theft or a natural disaster and reported to the police within 24 hours. All figures shown are Singapore-dollar equivalents, converted from the policy's US dollar limits at about 1.35 and paid in local currency.

Personal liability (your legal responsibility if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property abroad) is covered up to S$675,000. Knock over an expensive display, or injure another guest in an accident, and this benefit meets the third-party claim and defence within the limit. It applies during the covered trip. The S$675,000 figure is the Singapore-dollar equivalent of the policy's US dollar limit, converted at about 1.35 and paid in local currency. You must not admit fault or settle without AIG's written approval.