The situation in Iran is unstable, leading to flights being rerouted or canceled; local insurance providers interviewed have reported an increasing trend in inquiries related to travel insurance due to sudden flight changes, and more travelers are inclined to purchase travel insurance early, although premiums have not yet risen.
The situation in the Middle East remains unclear, with some airlines including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa temporarily suspending flights to and from Dubai until the end of May.
Regarding whether there have been more inquiries and claims recently, a Singlife spokesperson responded to a query from Lianhe Zaobao, saying, &#34;The company is currently closely monitoring the claims application situation. There is indeed an increasing trend in inquiries related to flight cancellations, but claims must be assessed individually based on the specific policy terms and the reasons for flight cancellations.&#34;
Etiqa's Chief Marketing Officer, Chen Xueli, mentioned in an interview that although the volume of customer inquiries has increased, formal claims applications remain stable, and there has not yet been a significant rise in claims directly related to the conflict.
During this &#34;sensitive period,&#34; it has actually helped to strengthen consumers' risk awareness. According to Chen Xueli's observations, more travelers are choosing insurance plans with broader coverage and are inclined to purchase travel insurance early.
Although the situation in the Middle East is not expected to ease in the short term, both Singlife and Etiqa spokespersons stated that the companies have no plans to raise any travel insurance premiums.
<h3>Situations Caused by War Generally Not Covered</h3>
It is worth mentioning that travel insurance on the market typically excludes war situations from coverage (exclusion); any loss of property or health injuries caused by military actions, civil wars, rebellions, or government-imposed airspace closures are generally not covered by insurance companies.
<h4>Extended Reading</h4>
Singapore Airlines suspends flights to Dubai until the end of May; Scoot's Jeddah route suspended until mid-April

 [Flight chaos brings warmth; Changi Airport team celebrates birthdays for stranded travelers and helps them return home 
 
![](https://dss0.zbstatic5.com/s3fs-public/styles/article_small_crop/public/articles/2026/03/30/Birthday20celebration20for20Mr20Miguel_0.jpg?
Chen Xueli reminds that the policy terms of different insurance companies and different products may vary, and travelers should refer to the specific policy documents and coverage to carefully choose a policy that suits their situation.
If travelers are only transiting through the Middle East, does a flight cancellation also fall under the category of war-related risks?
Chen Xueli responded, &#34;If the transit itinerary is affected by the closure of airspace, flight cancellations, or route changes due to ongoing conflicts, insurance companies will typically assess whether the situation falls under the direct exclusion of war-related liabilities or is within the normal coverage for disrupted travel itineraries.&#34;
She gave an example that the handling of flight delays or cancellations caused by airline operational decisions may differ from situations triggered by conflicts.
<h3>Coverage for Overseas Medical or Emergency Evacuation is Crucial</h3>
A spokesperson for the Singapore General Insurance Association reminded that costs for overseas medical care or emergency evacuation can reach five to six figures. When purchasing travel insurance, it is essential to ensure that the policy covers appropriate protections, such as emergency medical assistance, trip cancellation, extension or shortening, flight delays or rerouting, and personal accidents.
AIG also advises travelers to comply with all travel advisories from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to fully understand the latest developments at their destination before confirming their itinerary.
&#34;We also recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance as early as possible. The current situation is unpredictable and may change at any time, so it is crucial to have coverage in place before any sudden changes occur.&#34;

JETS

DLAKY

00293

The turmoil in the Middle East has led to flight diversions or cancellations, resulting in an increase in travel insurance inquiries, but premiums have not risen. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa have suspended flights to and from Dubai. Insurance companies stated that while the volume of inquiries has increased, claims applications remain stable and have not seen a significant rise. Consumer risk awareness has heightened, with more travelers opting for more comprehensive insurance plans and purchasing them in advance. Insurance companies have not yet planned to raise travel insurance premiums

Zaobao

Middle East conflict disrupts flights; operators report increased inquiries for travel insurance, but premiums have not yet risen | Lianhe Zaobao