Travel cancellation concerns

As a growing number of people are changing overseas travel plans or canceling trips in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak, many are wondering if they’ll get their money back.

It’s a complicated question, travel professionals say, and for most, it will depend on if they bought travel insurance, what their policy covers and which companies booked their trips.

The virus, named COVID-19, can spread easily through communities mainly from direct personto-person contact.

So far, there have been 11 cases confirmed in Pennsylvania, including eight in Montgomery County, but no known deaths. All those people are believed to have contracted it by traveling outside the state or outside the country, increasing fears about taking trips.

In most cases, those with tickets for flights that are canceled will get refunds.

But some are opting out of flights not only due to concerns of catching the virus in other countries, but also of getting sick on the plane because of the high number of passengers and closed quarters, an environment in which germs can spread more easily from person to person.

Those who decline to take flights or cruises and don’t have travel insurance will likely not be reimbursed, said Michael Axman, vice president of AAA Reading-Berks.

And if you didn’t buy insurance at the time you bought your tickets, it’s typically too late to try to do so afterward, he said.

While the effect of the outbreak on travel shows the value of trip insurance, consumers should be sure to understand exactly what their policy covers.

“Unfortunately, when we are excited about going somewhere, we’re not necessarily reading the fine print,” he said. “When you’re thinking of booking, it’s important to know all of the rules.”

Different policies have different exclusions, so some won’t cover travelers changing their minds about going on a trip even with an outbreak occurring, Axman said.

Some airlines and travel companies are loosening rules to allow customers a credit for trips canceled due to coronavirus concerns, but others aren’t permitting such changes without the customer losing what they paid, he said.

The US Travel Insurance Association said while canceling a trip out of fear of traveling or because of travel advisories is not typically a covered reason, those whose policies include “cancel for any reason” coverage may still be covered.

For those continuing to travel, a comprehensive travel insurance policy may cover emergency medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip, the association said.

Those trying to get credit or reimbursement for lodging or rental cars they booked also may get varying results depending on which company they booked with, Axman said.

“It’s really all over the board right now,” he said.

If you book through a travel agent, he or she can help you figure out how to navigate in the midst of changed plans, he said.

“They can help you understand your rights as a consumer,” he said.

Otherwise, you’ll need to make those contacts yourself to find out your options.

Overseas travel

Axman said AAA’s recommendation for those deciding whether to travel overseas is to think carefully if they or a loved one is in a group considered by medical experts to be especially high risk for serious complications or death from coronavirus, such as the elderly, the very young and those with chronic medical conditions.

And traveling to a country considered a hot spot for the virus, as Italy currently is, brings the risk of getting stuck there should flights back be temporarily halted, he said.

Although it’s a personal decision, most people should be able to travel with confidence otherwise, as long as they take precautions such as regularly washing their hands, he said.

Those looking for bargains on flights later this year probably won’t find them, at least not yet because airlines are likely going to take a wait-and-see approach and hope the outbreak ends quickly rather than reduce prices too early, he said.

In the meantime, those who are sick should not travel, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned those with underlying health conditions not to fly or take cruises as the outbreak continues.

And the CDC recommends travelers avoid nonessential trips to China, Italy, South Korea and Iran, while those considered high risk avoid travel to Japan.

An article on the World Travel and Tourism Council website said that while the concern about coronavirus is understandable it urged governments not to close borders, issue blanket travel bans or other extreme policies, saying choking travel won’t stop the spread of the virus.

“Past experience shows that taking such extreme action has been ineffective at best,” said Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC and former tourism minister of Mexico. “We urge governments to explore fact-based measures which don’t affect the vast majority of people and businesses for whom travel is essential.

“It’s important to remember that fatality rates remain very low and the chances of contracting the virus, for the vast majority of people, are very remote if they travel responsibly and observe simple hygiene measures.”