As coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic, many people have questions related to their travel plans. Here are some answers from the Travel Health Insurance Association.

Will travel insurance cover me if I’m affected by the COVID-19 corona virus?

Generally, travel insurance is of two main types: medical and trip cancellation/interruption. Medical will provide coverage should you unexpectedly get injured or sick while travelling.  Benefits will include payment for medical costs associated with the emergency along with monitoring of your condition.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption generally provides protection for the investment you have made for your trip.  This includes protection if you need to cancel your trip before you go, due to a covered risk.  This could mean a sudden and unexpected sickness or injury preventing you from travelling or any number of other reasons for not being able to go on that trip.

At this point, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been categorized as a recognized global health issue. As such, some insurers have deemed that it is no longer considered sudden and unexpected and therefore may not be a covered reason for reimbursement for policies recently purchased. As always, it is important to know your travel insurance policy and what it covers when you purchase.

Under Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance, if I am denied boarding my flight due to a “fever” detected at the airport, will I be able to claim?

All policies differ, but the general rule is that if you are prevented from going on a trip due to a medical condition, your trip cancellation/interruption travel insurance will provide cover for the non-refundable costs associated with the cancellation.  Naturally, this would be subject to you not being sick when you purchased the coverage (or within the stability period of the policy)and when you purchased the insurance in relation to the coronavirus outbreak’s spread. Insurance purchased right now may not be eligible for a future claim because coronavirus is a known risk. As always, it is important to know your travel insurance policy and what it covers when you purchase.

If I am quarantined, will travel insurance help?

That depends. If you purchased trip cancellation/interruption insurance and your trip meets your insurer’s criteria for coverage (e.g. your travel began prior to the ability to foresee the likelihood of quarantine), you may be covered.  If you are covered, travel insurance canhelp with any non-refundable and unused portions of your trip when you were placed in quarantine, as long as a quarantine was listed as a covered risk. It would also give you access to a team of people able to relay messages to family members, and it will be able to help if you have missed your flight when released and need to get home. As with any policy, it is important to read the coverage and make sure you understand the coverage that you have.

If I am booked to go to a country that has an “Avoid All Travel” or “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” travel advisory from the Canadian Government, can I cancel?

Normally if you have purchased trip cancellation coverage, you should be able to cancel your trip, as long as the travel advisory is active on your departure date and you purchased the coverage prior to the travel advisory being issued. In the case of COVID-19, some insurers are no longer viewing it as unexpected and as a result, there may not be coverage. Again, it is critical to read and understand your policy. It is also important to note that some airlines and other travel providers are providing exceptions to their penalties as COVID-19 cases increase globally.  The travel insurance policy only covers non-refundable costs associated with the cancellation of your travel plans.

Should I just get “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance for my trip?

As the name implies, “Cancel for Any Reason” is a premium insurance option offered by some insurers that provides the greatest flexibility when it comes to changing your travel plans and receiving reimbursement as per the policy’s stipulations. Typically 50-75% of costs are reimbursed. Insurance policies with the “Cancel For Any Reason” options are still available in the market, but insurers are watching this situation closely. Travellers who want additional protection for a simple change of mind are advised to purchase this type of policy as soon as possible as some insurance providers are withdrawing this option.

It is important to note, however, that airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers are providing more open cancellation and rebooking provisions.  As a result, there may be flexibility that, when combined with a standard policy, may provide the comfort and assurance the traveller wants.  As always, shop around and make sure that COVID-19 will be covered, since some insurers have already indicated they will not consider this a covered risk for new policy purchases.

If I am booked to go to a country that has an “Avoid All Travel” or “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” travel advisory from the Canadian Government, can I cancel?

If you have purchased trip cancellation coverage, you should be able to cancel your trip, as long as the travel advisory is active on your departure date and you purchased the coverage prior to the travel advisory being issued. It is also important to note that some airlines and other travel providers are providing exceptions to their penalties as COVID-19 cases increase globally.  The travel insurance policy only covers non-refundable costs associated with the cancellation of your travel plans.

Should I just get “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance for my trip?

As the name implies, “Cancel for Any Reason” is a premium insurance option offered by some insurers that provides the greatest flexibility when it comes to changing your travel plans and receiving reimbursement as per the policy’s stipulations. Insurance policies with the “Cancel For Any Reason” options are still available in the market, but insurers are watching this situation closely.  Travellers who want additional protection for a simple change of mind are advised to purchase this type of policy as soon as possible as some insurance providers are withdrawing this option. 

It is important to note, however, that airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers are providing more open cancellation and rebooking provisions.  As a result, there may be flexibility that, when combined with a standard policy, may provide the comfort and assurance the traveller wants.  As always, shop around and make sure that COVID-19 will be covered, since some insurers have already indicated they will not consider this a covered risk for new policy purchases.

I have March Break travel plans, should I cancel?

All travellers should be aware that there are health risks when you travel. It is important to check your destination before you leave to know the risks and to be prepared. The Government of Canada has advised that Canadians avoid all cruise ship travel due to COVID-19. If you choose to travel, the government advises that while you are away, and when you return, it is important to monitor your health. If you become sick while travelling, call ahead to a health professional to explain your symptoms. If you become sick upon your return, call your local Public Health Authority for further instructions before going to a medical office or an emergency department. This will allow healthcare providers to prepare for your visit and protect other patients. For more information from the Government of Canada, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html

I am not sure 100% about my coverage, what should I do?

Understanding your coverage is prior to travelling is the best defense against a surprise when something goes wrong.  Now, perhaps more than ever, coverage certainty is important. If you are uncertain about your trip coverage, contact the insurer directly. Their contact information should be in the confirmation you receive (via email or in the mail) of your policy. Bear in mind, with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, customer care lines at insurance companies are receiving a much higher than usual call volume, so be patient!

Whenever you travel, it’s important to have travel health insurance and to always remember our Golden Rules for travel insurance:

• Know your Health – Ensure you know any medical conditions before you purchase insurance and ask your doctor for any clarifications.
• Know your Policy – Make sure that any conditions you have will be covered…and specifically, that if you do contract COVID-19, how the policy will respond.
• Know Your Trip – Do you plan on going to a destination that is on the Advisory list from the Government of Canada stating to Avoid all Travel or Avoid all Non-Essential Travel?  Are you planning any other high-risk activities while you’re away? Then making sure the policy will cover these activities and your needs.
• And Know Your Rights – Our 4-minute video [LINK TO BORR VIDEO] on your rights and responsibilities as a travel insurance consumer clearly explains what you can expect and what is expected of you when you purchase insurance for your next trip.