Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

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Now, more than ever, it’s really important to know the in’s-and-out’s of your travel insurance policy. Contact your policy provider to clarify whether you are covered for illness or cancellation because of COVID-19 as part of your travel preparations. Before travel, you should be properly insured, know the local entry requirements and get any necessary COVID-19 testing.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 if I get sick?

Some travel insurance policies may cover cancellations to trips if you become sick with coronavirus. Check with your policy provider as policies can vary greatly and you may not be covered if you get sick.

Below are some key points to consider when reviewing policies and to confirm with your policy provider:

• Is there a minimum cancellation period if you have COVID-19 before travel?
• Will you receive cancellation and repatriation cover if you are denied boarding with a positive test for COVID-19?
• Does your policy provide additional accommodation and transport and daily benefit if you are ordered to self-isolate in your holiday accommodation if your have COVID-19?
• Does your policy provide Cancelling or cutting your trip short after death in the family from COVID-19?
• Who is covered by your policy, does it include your family, travelling companions, people you are staying with when diagnosed with Covid-19 within 14 days of travel?
• Have you declared all of your pre-existing conditions, to be covered by any insurance?

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 if I can’t travel due to restrictions?

Many insurers will not cover you if you are unable to travel due to local or national lockdowns, check with your policy provider to find out about their COVID-19 cancellation cover.

If you do have cancellation cover and you booked a trip prior to tighter lockdown restrictions, which is now cancelled, your airline or travel agent should provide a refund. Don’t cancel bookings yourself as you risk being ineligible for a payout from your insurer should you fail to get refunded. If your airline/agent does not cancel your trip due to the tightened lockdown, get in touch with your insurer to get advice on your COVID-19 cover.

When making travel arrangements, keep in mind that travel insurance providers will assess the risk against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) standards. Consider the following when making your travel arrangements:

• If the FCO say it’s safe to travel to your destination – it is important you check your destination is safe to visit regularly as advice can change
• If the FCO has advised against all but essential travel to your destination in Europe and you need travel insurance against FCO advice then you may be able to add a European FCO Travel Advice Extension to your policy
• Travelling against FCO advice usually means you will not be covered if you need to make a claim

Travel Insurance for COVID-19

We recommend our travel insurance partner battleface for comprehensive travel insurance for even the most challenging of trips & destinations. battleface now offer COVID-19 cover for medical expenses caused by or resulting from COVID-19.  Find out more about battleface here.