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Lifestyle

Four Things That Can Go Wrong Overseas and How Travel Insurance Can Help

CIMB ❘ 30 Oct 2026

5 min(s) read

A delayed flight. A stolen wallet. A flood back home. These are situations Malaysian travellers may face abroad, and each can disrupt a carefully planned trip.

We plan our flights, hotels and itineraries, but unexpected situations can still happen. Here are four travel situations, what to do next and how travel insurance can help with eligible financial losses and assistance needs. Benefits depend on the selected plan and the circumstances of the event.

1. The Delay That Unravels Everything

It's the sight every traveller dread: your flight number on the departure screen, followed by the word Delayed. A delay can affect connecting flights, pre-paid tours and accommodation, while leaving you to arrange food or somewhere to rest.¹

Why flight delays happen

Flight delays can result from aircraft or crew issues, ground-handling delays, severe weather, air-traffic congestion, airport strikes, security checks or slower border processing.¹

What to do when you're stranded

Speak to your airline. Get the latest information and discuss rescheduling.
Check your policy. Review the applicable delay benefit, conditions and documents required.
Stay safe and keep records. Retain your boarding pass, airline confirmation and relevant receipts.

How travel insurance can help

Travel delay compensation pays RM200 for every six full consecutive hours of delay, giving you practical financial support while you wait. If the disruption results in other losses, such as irrecoverable deposits and advance payments, check whether these are covered under the relevant policy benefit.^1,7

Depending on your selected plan, you may also receive complimentary airport lounge access through Smart Delay when your registered flight meets the applicable delay criteria.⁵

2. The Missing Wallet

You've seen the videos on social media: travellers being pickpocketed or having bags snatched in broad daylight. It happens more than we’d like to think.²

The panic is immediate: you are stranded in a foreign city with no money or identification and no idea who to call first. Here's what to do next.²

What to do immediately

Move to a safe place and block your cards through your banking app or emergency hotline.
Report the theft to the local police within 24 hours. List every stolen item and retain a copy of the report.
Record where and when the theft occurred. Your hotel may assist with CCTV footage, printing or contacting local authorities.
If you need emergency funds, contact your bank, family or friends to explore an available banking or regulated money-transfer service.²

How travel insurance can help

Travel insurance covers both money and travel documents. Under Elite A and Elite B, you're protected for loss of travel documents such as passports and travel tickets, and for loss of money (cash, travellers’ cheques or banknotes) up to RM800, provided the money was kept on you or in a hotel safe.^2,7

These benefits apply where the loss is caused by robbery, burglary or theft during your trip.²

💡Pro tip: Use digital payments, carry only the cash you need and keep valuables secure.

3. The Emergency That Brings You Home Early

One traveller’s trip was cut short after a flood severely damaged the family home in Malaysia. Returning early meant paying for a last-minute flight and giving up the remaining hotel nights and prepaid activities.³

What travel curtailment benefit actually does

Travel curtailment provides coverage when you need to end your trip early because of an event covered by the policy. It may reimburse eligible unused travel expenses and the additional cost of returning home early.^3,7

💡Pro tip: Travel insurance isn't only for emergencies at your destination. Sometimes the emergency is back home.

4. The One Thing You Never Expect

The death of a loved one while abroad can leave a family managing complex arrangements in a foreign country.

The costs are significant. Bringing someone home across borders involves local funeral services and international repatriation coordination; a series of expenses arriving at the worst possible moment. Beyond money, there are cultural and legal complexities: paperwork, permits, and arrangements that must comply with both local and international requirements.⁴

How travel insurance can help

Repatriation coverage can provide financial support and professional assistance with necessary paperwork, permits and arrangements, helping to simplify a complex process for the family.⁴

Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation and repatriation of mortal remains each provide unlimited coverage per individual. For insured persons above 70, the combined maximum payable for these two benefits is RM150,000.^4,7

For eligible cases, approved repatriation expenses may be handled directly on the family's behalf, subject to the insurer’s assessment.⁴

Making a Claim: Documents You’ll Need

Having the right documents ready can help avoid claim-assessment delays.

Theft. Obtain a police report within 24 hours and list all stolen items.

Flight delay. Retain your boarding pass, travel itinerary, airline communications and relevant receipts.

Trip curtailment. Keep documents relating to the reason for returning early and any changes to your travel arrangements.

Evacuation or repatriation. Contact the insurer’s assistance team promptly for guidance.

All claims. Check the policy and insurer’s claims guidance for required documents.

Why Does Travel Insurance Matter?

These four situations show that even a carefully planned trip can be disrupted. Travel insurance can help reduce the financial and practical impact when a covered event occurs.

What happened	How travel insurance can help
Flight delayed	RM200 for every six full consecutive hours delay, under Elite A and Elite B, up to the applicable benefit limit.⁷
Money or travel documents stolen	Loss of travel documents and loss of money up to RM800 under Elite A and Elite B; a police report within 24 hours is required.^2,7
Trip cut short by an emergency at home	Travel curtailment may cover eligible unused travel expenses and the additional cost of returning home early.^3,7
Emergency evacuation or repatriation required	Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, and repatriation of mortal remains: unlimited per individual, with a combined maximum of RM150,000 for insured persons above 70.^4,7

Before You Book Your Next Trip

Consider purchasing your cover when you make your travel bookings so that applicable cancellation coverage is in place for subsequent covered events.

Match the plan to your destination, trip duration and activities, and compare annual and single-trip plans if you travel regularly.

Review the policy’s limits, exclusions and treatment of pre-existing medical conditions before applying.⁷

Travel Confidently with the Right Protection

Travel insurance can help reduce the financial and practical impact when a covered event disrupts your trip. Explore CIMB Travel Insurance through the CIMB OCTO app and get 10% cashback when you purchase by 31 March 2027. Terms and conditions apply.

CIMB Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berjaya Sompo Insurance Berhad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance for domestic travel within Malaysia?

A domestic plan is also available, providing medical, hospitalisation, and other expense coverage, together with selected travel inconvenience benefits at different limits from overseas plans. It may be worth considering for domestic trips involving flights, pre-paid bookings or activities with particular risks.^5,7

Is my travel insurance protected by PIDM?

The benefit(s) payable under eligible certificate/policy/contract is(are) protected by PIDM up to limits. Please refer to PIDM’s Takaful and Insurance Benefits Protection System (TIPS) Brochure or contact BSIB or PIDM (visit www.pidm.gov.my).⁶

References:

This article is for informational purposes only and CIMB does not make any representation and warranty as to the accuracy, completeness and fairness of any information contained in this article. As this article is general in nature, it is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. You are advised to consult a financial advisor or investment professional before making any decisions based on the information contained in this article. CIMB assumes no liability for any consequences arising from your reliance on the information presented here.