Malaysia has passed a new legislation for the travellers to buy travel insurance whenever they travel out of Malaysia, either by air, land or sea, from 1 March 2012.
The legislation will be applied to the travellers who book their tickets through Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) members.
MATTA president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun told New Straits Times that the travel act includes that it is mandatory for travellers to obtain travel insurance.
Six insurance companies have appointed official travel insurance service providers following the launch of the travel insurance coverage.
Ace Jerneh Insurance Berhad has named Amir Ghaffar, Chartis Malaysia Insurance Berhad appointed Ganeswaran Subramaniam and Hong Leong MSIG Takaful Berhad named Hong Leong as official travel insurance service providers.
Kurnia Insurance appointed Dave Loo Teong Wah, Lonpac Insurance Berhad appointed Chuang Chee Hing and RHB Insurance Berhad named Raymond Lew Yung Chow.
The insurance coverage includes medical, hospitalisation and travel expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, reimbursement of deposits or full payment of air tickets or tour packages, repatriation of mortal remains, compassionate visitation benefits, accidental death, permanent disability.