Is Covid-19 covered on travel insurance policies? TRICIA PHILLIPS
FIONA MACRAE, head of consumer awareness initiative at the website travelinsuranceexplained. co.uk, answers your questions around Covid-19...
ATHERE are policies available that will allow you to cancel your trip if you catch Covid-19 before you’re due to depart. Double check if you have an existing policy, and make sure any new cover you take out includes this.
Those who contract the virus before their trip will need to submit a cancellation claim to their travel insurer, with evidence of their test result, showing the time and date the result was received.
If anyone travels knowing they have Covid-19, not only will they be putting many people at risk of infection, but they will also not be covered for any emergency medical expenses incurred.
ASOME policies have cover for this. It will be worded something like “denied boarding – if the insured is refused boarding by an airline due to having or suspected case of Covid-19”.
You will need evidence from the airline confirming you were refused boarding.
Get this at the time as trying to get it retrospectively will be difficult. you are hospitalised or not, you won’t be able to come home straightaway.
You’ll need to follow the quarantine guidelines of the country you are in.
Some policies include cover for any additional out-ofpocket expenses due to quarantine requirements, such as extending your stay.
Some also cover for curtailment of the holiday.
ATHOSE already on holiday when the FCO advice changes should continue to be covered by their insurer until they return home.
But any additional costs you incur due to quarantine requirements when you return to the UK won’t be covered. For example, loss of earnings if you are unable to go to work.