Insurance may not be on the itinerary of all travellers, but those who do apply for coverage understandably expect greater peace of mind for their money.
Therefore, it was worrying to learn that most plans sold in Hong Kong provided fewer benefits to older and younger travellers, even though they paid about the same as other age groups.
The Consumer Council found the discrepancy in an alarming 92 per cent of insurance proposals available in the city.
The watchdog surveyed 27 single-trip individual travel insurance plans from 11 companies between February and March. It found only two that provided the same benefits across all age groups for similar premiums.
The council said 22 plans with similar fees across age groups had lower benefit limits for medical expenses, personal accidents or both, for the elderly or children. In its report, it also said three of the plans charged seniors higher fees.
Some insurers went as far as halving the maximum benefit limit for those aged 75 or above and those aged 17 or below. The cuts applied to areas such as medical expenses, accidents, baggage delays and cancellations.
