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What you need to know about travel insurance and coronavirus
People are starting to travel again but things are a little different compared to the last trip they took before the global pandemic. Many travel destinations have new rules in place for health and safety measures. Travel insurance has also changed and it is important to understand these changes before your next trip. Here are a few things to check as you start planning a travel adventure.
1. Trip cancellation and interruption
Dealing with COVID-19 is dynamic and constantly changing in response to things like infection rates, hospitalizations, and variants of concern. When booking a trip, whether for immediate departure or in advance, make sure you understand the criteria for trip cancellation and interruption insurance as it relates to COVID. Coverage may be exempt if your local government is advising against non-essential travel or if there is a travel ban in place for your destination. If you have to cancel for reasons other than COVID, be sure you confirm what paperwork or proof of reasons is required to be covered for trip interruption or cancellation.
2. Eligible expenses
The amount of daily or trip-related expenses that you are eligible for may also be impacted by COVID-19. Insurers have begun to limit per diem and lump sum payments for travellers who have contracted the coronavirus while travelling and incurred related expenses. You will need to confirm if you are covered for mandatory COVID testing upon arrival and departure of your destination. If not, be sure to research these costs and factor them into your travel budget.
3. Impact of vaccination status
Now that the coronavirus vaccine is widely available across Canada, many insurance companies are offering higher expense payouts for fully vaccinated travellers. Having completed an approved vaccination protocol may provide you with additional coverage for COVID-19 related expenses such as testing, quarantining, or costs incurred due to border closures. It is important to note that some areas have different criteria to be considered fully vaccinated. For example, if you received one dose of AstraZeneca and one dose of an mRNA vaccine, you may not be considered fully vaccinated and will not meet the requirements for the higher coverage amounts.
Even though things are different, travel can still be fun, safe, and covered by insurance. The best advice we can give is two-fold. First, be sure you understand your policy and exclusions before your book your next trip. Second, work with a qualified travel insurance broker, like us, to ensure you are purchasing the right policy for your individual circumstances.
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