Travel Insurance During the Pandemic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, travelers realize there is a gap in their travel insurance policies. Many policies covering travel failed to cover pandemic related interruptions and other cancellations. As we have gathered more information about COVID-19, how it affects people and how we typically treat the virus, more insurance companies have started to add COVID-19 to their unexpected illness clause to their policies. If you have any plans to travel outside of the United States, you may be required to have travel insurance from the airline or other travel service. Here is what you need to know for purchasing a policy.
Buying Travel Insurance
When you are looking for travel insurance, typically, you are limited to the company that your airline, cruise, or travel service has a working partnership. However, it would be best to closely read your policy to determine what it covers, specifically detailing COVID-19 related expenses. You may need to add a separate policy for your travel based on your destination, research travel insurance brokers like Travelinsurance.com, InsureMyTrip, and Squaremouth to find the best insurance for your needs.
Travel insurance could vary based on specific factors such as age, destination, cost of the trip, and trip length. Most travel insurance starts coverage the day after you purchase your insurance and ends when you return home. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a test, and a doctor states that you should not travel, your travel insurance should take effect.
When looking for a travel policy, find one triggered if your host at your destination, a travel companion, a family member, or yourself tests positive for the COVID-19 virus. Due to the spread of the virus, if any of the above people contract COVID-19, your exposure could put others at risk. While you are traveling, if you or a travel friend is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a physician, your insurance should cover any prepaid arrangement such as hotel stays and additional airfare, up to a specific amount.
Some travelers are concerned about medical treatment and the state of medical care when they travel abroad. When you look at your travel insurance policy, ensure that it has coverage for medical evacuation. Most policies will provide a medical evacuation to the nearest capable facility; however, if you wish to return home, you may want to get an insurance policy from Medjet, specializing in medical evacuations.
Designations that Require Travel Insurance
The number of countries that are requiring travel insurance is growing longer by the day. Before you book your tickets or other travel arrangements, check with that country’s government website for specific requirements. Some of the conditions currently in place include COVID-19 test 48 hours before travel, $2,000 deposit upon arrival to cover testing and potential treatment, proof of health insurance, and medical services fee when applying for a visa. Current countries with COVID specific travel insurance requirements include:
- Anguilla
- Aruba
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Costa Rica
- Jamaica
- Lebanon
- Maarten
- Thailand
- The Bahamas
- Turks and Caicos
- Ukraine
As the pandemic reaches its second year, more countries are responding to the virus with more rules for travel and tourism. Do your research before travel to have a safe and smooth travel experience.
