Covid-19 has penetrated every aspect of our lives, although travelling has become a fantasy now, there are unavoidable circumstances when travel becomes inevitable. The onset of Covid-19 has only re-iterated the importance of availing of travel insurance; to cover the medical costs in the unfortunate event of illness and the possible lockdown. Even flight cancellations and other such unforeseen scenarios need consideration. So does your travel insurance policy cover Covid-19?
Insurers were quick to respond to the changing environment by including Covid-19 coverage as part of the travel insurance cover. Thus, it is important to know the extent to which covid-19 is covered under a travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance coverage:
Travel insurance comes in handy for many aspects including medical emergencies, loss of baggage, trip cancellation etc. It is important to read the fine print to ascertain the coverage and evaluate whether it matches your requirement.
The insurer can be reached for any queries, there are instances when you may tailor-make the insurance plans for the inclusion of any specific items as well. Another important aspect to check is whether the destination is covered under travel insurance. Since many plans may not cover the loss of baggage or documents, it is important to check these aspects.
Similarly, for covid too there are multiple aspects that need to be considered about coverage. These are some of the common covers which are available for covid. However, not all plans cover all of these, hence making it important to ascertain the policy which aligns well with your requirement.
Additional Read: Buying travel insurance plan? Here’s a checklist
Coverage under travel insurance policy related to medical situations
Covid positive detection:
You may contract the infection when you are at a foreign destination, an appropriate travel insurance cover can help you in such a situation by providing you with medical expense related coverage and other expenses related to your food, isolation, stay etc.
Medical test and treatment cost:
You may at times incur costs related to medical tests about covid, if the infection is severe you may be advised to undergo a CT scan. Depending on the oxygen levels and other parameters you may require the assistance of equipment or hospitalisation. So, it is important to ascertain to what extent covid related coverage is available.
Since most travel insurance plans offer up to 30 days of coverage towards medical treatment in the destination country; it is applicable to covid as well.
Hospitalisation and related expenses:
Travel insurance plans do cover covid-related hospitalisation. The coverage includes emergency health issues and availing of air-way or ambulance to get to the nearest hospital and related medical expenses. However, there are some insurance plans which offer additional coverage towards translators, guides who may aid get the right medical treatment.
Another covid-19 related cover in travel insurance
Lockdown or curfew:
Countries have been announcing immediate lockdowns and curtailment of travel on an ad-hoc basis with immediate effect. This has become essential to limit the spread of the infection; however, this has caused immense problems to travellers.
Thus, they have to fend flight cancellations, extended stay at the destination, etc. Travel insurance has revised its plans to accommodate these risks.Flight delay and cancellation:
Covid has led to uncertainty around flight schedules, there are many times when flight delays and cancellations arise, these lead to financial loss. Travel insurance provides compensation to enable one to change plans.
Travelling during a pandemic can be quite stressful. However, with appropriate travel insurance, you would have hedged a major part of the risk. All this while you will have to exercise caution by constantly wearing masks, washing or sanitising your hands frequently and practising social distancing.
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About The Author
Vijay
MBA Insurance and Risk
With seven years of experience in the insurance industry, Vijay is a recognized expert in travel insurance. As a dedicated writer for SecureNow, he crafts insightful blogs and articles that clarify the intricacies of travel insurance policies. He is passionate about educating travelers on the importance of comprehensive coverage and making technical details accessible and practical. His deep understanding of travel insurance regulations and best practices ensures that readers receive up-to-date and valuable information, establishing Vijay as a trusted voice in the insurance community.