Redpoint Destinations

Malaysia

Traveling to Malaysia: What to Know Before You Go

Essential Information for Travelers to Malaysia

Malaysia tends to fly under the radar compared to many of its neighbors in Southeast Asia. But visitors to this country quickly see how much it has to offer. From its fascinating mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures and cuisine to its incredible biodiversity and capacity for adventure, it's a multi-layered destination that overdelivers. While its cultural conservatism can certainly be felt compared to other nations in the region, it also boasts modern infrastructure and English is widely spoken by locals. Don't be surprised if it's the country that you want to come back to again and again.

Like any destination, you'll want to purchase travel insurance before visiting Malaysia. Whether it's floods during the rainy season or needing urgent medical care while you're trekking in the jungle, travel insurance protects your non-refundable trip deposit as well as covers you for any unexpected events. Read on to find out more about Malaysia travel insurance and what the country has to offer.

Health & Safety in Malaysia

Medical Care and Hospitals

Malaysia has well-equipped private hospitals in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Many doctors are trained internationally, and English is commonly spoken in medical settings. While public hospitals are fairly high quality, they tend to have longer wait times, which is why most foreigners who need medical care usually opt to visit private facilities. However, medical care is not provided free to foreigners, and you’ll have to pay for any emergency medical expenses up front. That’s why it’s essential to get travel insurance to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

In addition, if you have a medical emergency while you’re doing adventure activities in one of Malaysia’s more remote or underdeveloped regions, you may require emergency evacuation. This will help you access the urgent care you need in a more advanced private facility. However, these evacuations are not free and can be extremely expensive. This is why emergency evacuation coverage is also essential for your Malaysia trip.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

While no vaccinations are required to enter Malaysia, the CDC recommends that, in addition to being up to date on all routine vaccinations, U.S. travelers are also vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and measles, which is on the rise worldwide. Mosquito borne diseases including malaria, dengue, zika, and chikungunya are present in certain parts of Malaysia, so in addition to taking reasonable precautions to prevent insect bites, the CDC suggests taking other preventative measures (vaccine or preventative anti-malarial medication) if you’re going to spend large amounts of time in affected regions.

It’s also wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions. This is especially true if you will be visiting or hiking in remote areas.

Insurance Benefits and Coverage for a Trip to Malaysia

What Does Malaysia Travel Insurance Cover?

When considering travel insurance coverage for Malaysia, you will want to make sure your travel insurance company policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:

Unexpected trip cancellation insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Malaysia is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories. Malaysia has its fair share of natural disasters, most notably intense rainfall leading to floods, and also occasional earthquakes. It’s wise for your trip to be covered in case you have to cancel due to unforeseen events like these.

Travel medical insurance:

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. Most U.S. visitors who need medical attention while in Malaysia visit private clinics, rather than public ones. These clinics provide a high standard of care, but will all require payment up front. However, if you have travel insurance, you’ll be able to make a travel insurance claim for any out-of-pocket costs you incurred. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, don’t forget to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:

Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. Malaysia has plenty of adventure travel opportunities, and if you’re traveling in remote areas and have a serious emergency or accident, you may need to be airlifted to a more advanced facility elsewhere in the region. These flights can be extremely costly, so it’s vital to have this coverage as part of your travel insurance.

Lost luggage and personal belongings insurance:

Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Malaysia, thanks to petty theft or airline error.

Trip delay insurance:

Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:

There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance, depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Malaysia. For travelers seeking adventurous activities like exploring hidden caves or scuba diving off Langkawi, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, perfect for trips to remote or rural destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban or business travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences while staying in Kuala Lumpur or at one of Malaysia’s luxury resorts. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be backpacking through Southeast Asia. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

All visitors to Malaysia must have a valid passport with six months’ validity beyond the arrival date, as well as one blank page for an entry stamp. A visa is not necessary for business or tourism-related stays of less than 90 days. In the three days before your arrival, you need to complete the online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) form, and you should bring digital or printed confirmation to show immigration officials. You may also be asked by officials for proof of onward travel, such as a return flight home or to another destination.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency in Malaysia and require assistance, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 999. In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground. The U.S. Embassy is located in Kuala Lumpur, where you can get help with passport issues, legal trouble, and other emergency assistance.

376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Telephone: +(60) (3) 2168-5000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(60) (3) 2168-5000 (press 0 at the recording)

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Malaysia

Malaysia’s cultural melting pot also offers plenty of adventure travel opportunities. From trekking through Borneo’s jungles, climbing Mount Kinabalu, exploring the Mulu and Batu Caves, or diving off the Perhentian Islands or Langkawi, adventure travelers might be surprised by how much is on offer. Despite having advanced cities and modern infrastructure that makes the country relatively easy to get around, there is an impressive amount of wild habitats with incredible biodiversity to explore if you want to get off the beaten track. Just make sure you have adequate coverage from an adventure travel insurance policy before you go.

FAQs for Malaysia Travel Insurance

1. Is travel insurance required for Malaysia?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Malaysia but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without adequate coverage. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a medical emergency or a disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed the price of a travel insurance policy.

2. What does Malaysia travel insurance cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance plans should include medical care and emergency medical coverage (at least $100,000 to cover medical emergencies and unexpected costs), emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, and baggage loss protection. You should also look for a policy with 24/7 assistance services, which all of Redpoint's policies offer.

3. Does travel insurance cover dengue or other tropical diseases?

If you have medical coverage included in your comprehensive travel insurance policy, then tropical diseases like dengue and malaria, which are both found in some parts of Malaysia, will be covered. Check the details of your policy wording to see if there are any specific exclusions.

4. How much does travel insurance cost?

Your travel insurance provider will price your policy based on a range of factors, including trip length, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs. You can also opt to buy an annual multi-trip policy if you are planning multiple trips in the year.

5. What if I get injured while diving or jungle trekking in Malaysia?

Comprehensive travel insurance policies usually include coverage for extreme and adventure like diving and jungle-trekking. Redpoint's Ripcord policy is designed with adventure travelers in mind and is a great option if you may need evacuation and/or emergency medical treatment.

6. Can I buy travel insurance for a business trip to Malaysia?

Yes. Redpoint's Harbor policy is tailored for short-term and corporate travelers who may not be doing much adventure travel on their business trip, but still want comprehensive cover for anything that might go wrong while in Malaysia.

Protect Your Trip With Redpoint Travel Insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Malaysia requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support — even if you’re trekking through the jungle — to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here, which can support backcountry adventurers and city hoppers alike

Aerial view of tropical island of Bohey Dulang Sabah Borneo, Malaysia.