Does Travel Insurance Cover Coronovirus?

As the Coronovirus continues to wreak havoc around the world, with canceled flights and quarantines, travel insurance questions are increasingly taking centre stage. 

GRIB’s Personal Lines Underwriter, Melissa Crooney, provides answers to some of the most burning questions being asked by local travelers:

Q: Can I get my money back with travel insurance if I cancel my trip?
A: “It depends on a few things, including where you’re travelling, when you bought your travel insurance and what kind of policy you chose.

If you’re nervous and are considering cancelling a trip you’ve already booked, it may might be worth contacting airlines, hotels and service providers directly, as they could be offering refunds or rescheduling options.”

Q: Can I cancel my trip and rely on my credit card travel insurance to reimburse me?
A: “Covered events and insured amounts vary across the various cards that offer this benefit, but they typically don’t include the outbreak of a virus as a covered reason for cancellation. Even if your flight is canceled due to the outbreak and you have no way of traveling to your original destination, you probably won’t be reimbursed.”

Q: Will my travel insurance cover my medical bills if I contract the Coronavirus while on holiday?
A: “If you’re infected while traveling, your hospital care will probably be covered – again, depending on when you bought your insurance, the type of cover you chose and when you started your trip.

Q: “Will my travel insurance cover the cost of a medical evacuation if I get sick?”
A: “If an insurer thinks it’s necessary to evacuate you because you need specialized care, they may cover the costs of a medical evacuation. But the decision is often at their discretion and requires prior authorization before the evacuation can take place.”

Basically, if you want to call off your trip because you’re afraid you might get sick, a standard travel insurance policy probably won’t cover you. The general rule regarding travel insurance is that it covers what has happened to you, not what might happen to you.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you need to know what’s in your policy. And at the very least, you need to be aware of what your insurance will cover before you leave.

If you’re planning a trip and are worried about what kind of travel insurance to buy, please contact Melissa on 044 382 0550 for more expert advice.

* This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice.