tsb travel insurance covid 19

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The 5 Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Options

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

Generali Global Assistance »

IMG Travel Insurance »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best COVID Travel Insurance Options.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Even though COVID-19 is no longer considered a global emergency, concerns around illness-related costs remain for many travelers. If you're looking for travel insurance that covers COVID – as well as other potential disruptions like flight delays and lost luggage – these are your best options.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Optional Coverage Add-ons
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Multitrip and Annual Plans
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Active Travelers
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• IMG Travel Insurance: Best for Travel Medical Insurance

Plans include coverage for COVID-19

Optional CFAR coverage is available with Travel Select plan

Some coverages require an upgrade, including rental car collision, accidental death and dismemberment, and more

Not all add-ons are available with every plan

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Allianz offers some travel insurance plans that come with an epidemic coverage endorsement

Single-trip, multitrip and annual plans available

COVID-19 benefits don't apply to every plan

Low coverage limits with some plans (e.g., only $10,000 in emergency medical coverage with OneTrip Basic plan)

24-hour travel assistance services included

More than 200 sports and activities covered in every plan

Low trip cancellation benefits ($2,500 maximum) with Standard plan

No CFAR option is offered

Free 10-day trial period

Some coverage limits may be insufficient

Rental car damage coverage only included in top-tier Premium plan

Offers travel medical insurance, international travel health insurance and general travel insurance plans

Some plans include robust coverage for testing and quarantine due to COVID-19

Not all plans from IMG offer coverage for COVID-19

Cancel for any reason coverage not available with every plan

Frequently Asked Questions

When comparing COVID-19 travel insurance options, you'll want to make sure you fully understand the coverages included in each plan. For example, you should know the policy inclusions and limits for COVID-related claims, including coverage for testing, treatments, trip cancellation or COVID-related interruptions that can occur. Meanwhile, you should understand how your coverage will work if you contract some other illness while away from home.

Also ensure your travel insurance coverage will kick in for other mishaps that occur, and that limits are sufficient for your needs. If you're planning a trip to a remote area in a country like Costa Rica or Peru , you'll want to have emergency evacuation and transportation coverage with generous limits that can pay for emergency transportation to a hospital if you need treatment.

You can also invest in a travel insurance policy that offers cancel for any reason coverage. This type of travel insurance plan lets you cancel and get a percentage of your prepaid travel expenses back for any reason, even if you just decide you're better off staying home.

It depends on your private health insurance provider and/or travel insurance policy. As of May 11, 2023, private health insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing. Out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 test kits at local drugstores and on Amazon are relatively affordable, however.

As you search for plans that will provide sufficient coverage for your next trip, you'll find travel insurance that covers COVID-19 quarantine both inside and outside the United States. However, you'll typically need to have your condition certified by a physician in order for this coverage to apply. Also make sure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for travel claims related to COVID-19 in the first place.

Many travel insurance plans do cover trip cancellation as a result of COVID-19, although the terms vary widely. You typically need to be certified by a physician in order to prove your condition. Disinclination to travel because of COVID-19 – such as fear of exposure to illness – will generally not be covered. This means you will actually have to test positive for coronavirus for benefits to apply; simply not wanting to travel is not a sufficient reason to make a claim.

If you want more flexibility in your COVID-19 travel insurance, ensuring you have a cancel for any reason policy may be your best bet, but be sure to check with your chosen travel insurance provider to assess your options.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning writer who has been covering travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched the best travel insurance options for her own trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. Over the years, Johnson has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations. Johnson also works alongside her travel agent partner, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

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Packaged Bank Account Travel Insurance

Have peace of mind when you're on holiday with travel insurance that covers you.

About Travel Insurance as part of Packaged Bank Accounts

Travel Insurance, administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd (trading as Allianz Assistance) and underwritten by AWP P&C SA, is just one of the insurance benefits that come with our Packaged Bank Accounts . Our Silver & Platinum Accounts are packed with benefits including Family travel insurance, AA Breakdown Family Cover and mobile phone insurance for a monthly fee to maintain the account.

Travel Insurance is also a benefit on the Premier , and  Gold  accounts however these are no longer available to new customers.

If you’re a Platinum, Premier, Gold or Silver account customer, please read our FAQs (PDF, 145KB) for more information about the travel insurance which comes with your account and COVID-19. You can also visit our payment disputes page , for help if your travel has been disrupted.

Compare accounts

How do I make a claim?

You can log your claim online using the Allianz Assistance Hub that can be securely accessed through your mobile banking app or by using Internet Banking. You can also make a claim by calling Allianz Assistance on  +44 (0)345 850 5300 .

Eligibility for each account

I have a silver account expandable section.

If you have a Silver Account the account comes with European Travel Insurance for you and your family (if eligible) including Winter Sports. This insurance policy is administered by AWP Assitance UK Ltd (trading as Allianz Assitance) and underwritten by AWP P&C SA.

Am I eligible for cover?

• All cover under the policy stops on the account holders 65th birthday - as long as the account holder is under 65, their spouse, civil partner or partner will be covered until they reach 65 years of age.
• Children must be 18 or under, or 24 or under if they're in full time education and must travel with the account holder, their spouse, partner, civil partner or a responsible adult. There's cover for a dependent child where they are staying with a responsible adult even if they were not accompanied during their travel to the destination.
• Subject to continued eligibility, you and your family are covered for travel within Europe as long as your Silver account is open.
• Keep in mind the cover is provided only if you will be living in the United Kingdom for at least six months during each 12 month period where all trips must start and end.

Medical conditions that you or your family have (or have had), which are not all on the ‘No Screen Conditions’ list in your policy document are not covered by this policy. To see if these can be covered you must call the insurer declaring all medical conditions, including those on the list and an extra cost may apply.  Before you book a trip you also need to let the insurer know of any new conditions or changes to existing ones. Please refer to the Silver welcome pack (PDF, 1.7MB) for full details of any exclusions.

Once your account has been opened should you wish to notify the insurer of any medical conditions please call the number below.

• Silver Account:  0345 603 1839

Lines are open 24/7.

Not all Telephone Banking services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please speak to an advisor for more information.

I have a Gold, Platinum or Premier Account expandable section

If you have a Gold, Platinum or Premier Account,  the account comes with Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family (if eligible) including Winter Sports. This insurance policy is administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd (trading as Allianz Assistance) and underwritten by AWP P&C SA.

• All cover under the policy stops on the account holders 80th birthday - as long as the account holder is under 80, their spouse, civil partner or partner will be covered until they reach 80 years of age.
• Subject to continued eligibility, you and your family are covered for worldwide travel as long as your Lloyds Bank Gold, Platinum or Premier account is open.
• Keep in mind there is only cover for losses suffered whilst you are a UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man resident and are registered with a Doctor in the UK where all trips must start and end.

Medical conditions that you or your family have (or have had), which are not all on the ‘No Screen Conditions’ list in your policy document are not covered by this policy. To see if these can be covered you must call the insurer declaring all medical conditions, including those on the list and an extra cost may apply. Before you book a trip you also need to let the insurer know of any new conditions or changes to existing ones. Please refer to the relevant policy document for full details of any exclusions.

Once your account has been opened should you wish to notify the insurer of any medical conditions please call the appropriate number below.

• Gold Account:  0345 850 5056
• Platinum Account:  0345 850 5300
• Premier Account:  0345 604 0440

What does my insurance come with?

• Multi-trip  European  travel cover for you and your family (includes, if eligible, your spouse, civil partner or partner and children)
• Includes golf cover and cover for certain sports and leisure activities
• Covers UK leisure travel when two or more nights' accommodation is pre-booked (five nights for business trips)
• There's cover for you or someone covered under the policy if a booked trip needs to be cancelled because either you or they, or a companion you are travelling with is asked to quarantine on an individual basis because of exposure to a contagious disease
• Emergency medical cover (up to £10,000,000)
• Cancellation or curtailment cover (up to £5,000)
• Personal accident cover (up to £30,000)
• Baggage cover (up to £2,500, £500 of which for valuables)
• Travel disruption cover (up to £5,000)

Important note :

• The standard maximum trip duration is 31 consecutive days
• For Winter Sports maximum 31 days cover in any calendar year
• £75 excess per adult per incident may apply
• Other exclusions apply, see policy documents

Gold, Platinum and Premier Accounts

• Multi-trip  Worldwide  travel cover for you and your family (includes, if eligible, your spouse, civil partner or partner and children)
• The standard maximum trip duration is 31 consecutive days - unless you are a Premier account holder, which is 62 consecutive days
• Gold and Premier accounts unavailable to new customers

Policy documents expandable section

• Silver Account Welcome Pack opens in a new window (pdf, 2.1 MB)
• Gold Account Welcome Pack opens in a new window (pdf, 1.3 MB)
• Platinum Account Welcome Pack opens in a new window (pdf, 2.6 MB)
• Premier Account Welcome Pack opens in a new window (pdf, 1.4 MB)

Important and emergency telephone numbers expandable section

You can find out more information about your travel insurance, or make a claim using the appropriate membership numbers below.

• Silver Account: 0345 603 1839
• Gold Account: 0345 850 5056
• Platinum Account: 0345 850 5300
• Premier Account: 0345 604 0440

Lines are open 24/7. Not all Telephone Banking services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please speak to an advisor for more information.

24-hour assistance helpline (outside the UK):   +44 (0)208 239 4010 .

Packaged Bank Account benefits

Explore the other benefits of a Packaged Bank Account. Our Silver & Platinum Accounts include Family travel insurance, AA Breakdown Family Cover and mobile phone insurance for a monthly fee to maintain the account.

Mobile phone insurance

AA Breakdown Family Cover

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The best Covid-19 travel insurance companies to protect yourself against the uptick in cases

Travel insurance can help if you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to covid..

Though the height of the pandemic may have passed, Covid-19 continues to be a consideration in everyday life. And that's especially true for those who are traveling or booking a trip.  

Getting sick on the road or having to cancel your vacation because of illness is a common concern. However, travel insurance can help you ensure you're covered. Many travel insurance policies consider Covid like they would any other illness, but not all. So, you'll still want to carefully read any travel insurance policy you're considering to make sure Covid isn't excluded. For the most comprehensive coverage, you'll want to opt for a plan with cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

To find the travel insurance policies best suited to handle Covid-related issues, CNBC Select looked at Covid coverage and limits for medical coverage and evacuation, among other factors. We found four standouts for the best Covid travel insurance policies. (See our methodology to learn more about how we created this list.)

Best Covid-19 travel insurance   

• Best for high coverage limits : AXA Travel Insurance  
• Best for cruises: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for luxury travel : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  
• Best for cancel for any reason coverage : Allianz Travel Insurance  

Best for high coverage limits  

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

24/7 assistance available

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who's this for?  AXA Travel Insurance is ideal for those seeking high coverage limits for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses, as well as emergency evacuations.

Standout benefits:  AXA's silver plan offers up to $25,000 of medical emergency accident and illness coverage and $100,000 of emergency evacuation coverage, higher than many of the base travel plans we compared. The company's gold and platinum plans offer higher limits, up to $250,000 of medical emergency coverage and $1 million of evacuation coverage. When comparing AXA policies, make sure you have the "Epidemic Coverage Endorsement" included.

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for cruises

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who's this for?  Nationwide's travel insurance offers higher limits than many other base plans we reviewed, with limits of $75,000 for medical coverage and $250,000 of emergency evacuation coverage in its essential plan.  

Standout benefits:  Nationwide offers several plans tailored to different needs, including a cruise-specific travel insurance plan and an annual plan for frequent travelers.  

Best for luxury travel 

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

• Wide variety of policies available
• Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
• Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for? Those considering expensive travel can find sufficient coverage with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection that meets a variety of needs, including coverage for Covid if needed. 

Standout benefits:  Berkshire Hathaway's top-tier LuxuryCare Travel Insurance includes coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost for trip interruption coverage and $100,000 of medical expense coverage.  

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Allianz travel insurance.

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

• Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
• Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for?  For those wanting the option to cancel for any reason (CFAR), Allianz Travel Insurance plans offer lots of different options, including CFAR add-ons.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's Cancel Anytime upgrade can reimburse up to 80% of non-refundable trip costs for almost any unforeseeable reason not already covered by the policy. That's higher than most other CFAR coverage, which generally covers 70% to 75% of non-refundable trip costs. It's only available on the brand's OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier policies.  

More on our top Covid travel insurance companies 

Axa travel insurance  .

AXA offers three travel insurance plans starting at $16. Its silver plan, the lowest tier of coverage, offers high limits for emergency medical expenses at $25,000 and up to 100% of trip costs for trip interruption coverage. Many policies now include epidemic-related covered reasons.

CFAR coverage available?    

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?   

[ Return to summary ]

Nationwide Travel Insurance 

Nationwide offers travel insurance plans for single trips, multi-trips and cruise-specific plans. The company has an A+ rating for financial strength from rating agency AM Best, and its most basic single trip and cruise plans offer a high limit of $75,000 of medical coverage.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Berkshire Hathaway's travel coverage can be tailored towards the specific needs of cruise and luxury travelers, with options for higher coverage limits for medical coverage and trip interruption benefits.  

Yes, up to 50% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs 

Allianz Travel Insurance 

Allianz Travel Insurance stands out for those who want cancel for any reason coverage, as the percentage reimbursed is higher than other travel insurance providers we reviewed. For traveling families, the company's OneTrip Prime plan also offers free coverage for children ages 17 and younger with a parent's coverage.  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs through the optional Cancel Anytime upgrade 

Does travel insurance cover Covid?  

Travel insurance generally covers Covid-19 as it would any other illness. While fear of catching an illness isn't a cause for cancellation under most policies without a cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-on, being diagnosed with Covid-19 right before or during your trip could qualify you for cancellation, interruption or travel delay coverage.

As with any insurance coverage you're considering, read your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what it does and doesn't cover.  

What does travel insurance cover?  

Travel insurance can cover your trip expenses if you're unable to go due to an unforeseen, covered reason or face an illness or injury during your trip. It can also help in the event that you lose your bags or face delays in your itinerary. 

Bottom line  

If you find yourself coming down with Covid before or during a trip, travel insurance could help you recoup funds from a lost trip or cover medical bills while you're abroad. Look for a travel insurance plan with strong medical coverage and flexible cancellation options. 

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance.

Our methodology  

To determine the best Covid-19 travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on their Covid policies, and medical and evacuation coverage limits. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on Covid-19 coverage, availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and the limits of emergency medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage. We also considered factors like whether 24-hour assistance was available, Better Business Bureau ratings, and financial strength ratings from AM Best .

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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How do you choose travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Oct 26, 2021 • 5 min read

COVID-19 has made it more important to check the health coverage on your travel insurance © Maskot/Getty Images

After 18 months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, you may be itching to act on your pent-up wanderlust⁠⁠—but the situation and the rules are still continuously evolving. So before you go anywhere, it’s best to have a travel insurance plan that protects the investment you’ve made in a long-awaited trip.

A robust travel insurance plan will reimburse pre-paid trip costs and non-refundable deposits if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip, encounter trip delays, experience baggage loss or require medical expense and medical evacuation. Your policy will also reimburse “covered reasons” in your plan, such as death, illness or injury, serious family emergencies, unplanned jury duty, military deployment, acts of terrorism, or your travel supplier going out of business.

But COVID-19 has added an additional checklist to your usual insurance needs⁠—it’s now important to check to ensure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses, and losses related to illness. Your policy should also cover quarantine costs if you need to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.

What do I look for in COVID-19 insurance coverage?

When you’re shopping for a travel insurance plan that covers COVID-19, you need to do your research and read the fine print of your plan. 

Look for a travel insurance product that will protect your non-refundable, prepaid expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to illness caused by COVID-19. Your policy should also cover emergency medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. With regard to COVID-19 coverage, be sure your policy covers medical care, medicine, hospitalization and quarantine expenses.

“The type of coverage you should look for depends on you, your needs, travel dates, and the type of trip you’re taking,” says Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface , a travel insurance carrier. He says some travel insurance companies have now excluded COVID-19 coverage because it has been labeled a “known/foreseeable event”, while others may exclude pandemics altogether.

“It’s important to search for plans that include medical and quarantine expenses as well⁠—this will be critical in the event you become ill and need to receive treatment while traveling,” continues Gainullin. 

One additional tip is to confirm there are no exclusions based on the destinations you’re traveling to⁠—this can happen with countries under government-issued travel warnings, Gainullin says.

“If a traveler feels uncertain, I recommend speaking with the travel insurance company directly. They can review the policy details with you, answer all of your questions, and confirm all of your required coverage options are included,” he adds.

Is getting coverage dependent on vaccination?

While it’s a good idea to be fully vaccinated before traveling, vaccination is not required to purchase a travel insurance policy, says Daniel Durazo, spokesperson with Allianz Partners USA.

What are the medical costs that are covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance can cover the cost of both medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. A US health insurance plan, as well as Medicare, generally will not cover overseas medical expenses, so it’s best to check with your personal health insurance provider if any global coverage is available. 

“While losing the cost of a trip due to an unexpected cancellation would be painful, paying for expensive emergency medical treatment or emergency medical transportation can be financially devastating,” Durazo says.  

Under a travel insurance plan, medical costs could range doctor visits, pharmacy expenses, imaging costs and covering a hospital stay if required. Other expenses that can be covered are transportation to medical care and medicine.

Read more:  Will my health insurance cover getting COVID-19 while traveling in the US⁠⁠—or abroad?

What about covering an unexpected quarantine due to COVID-19?

Many international destinations are now requiring that visitors purchase travel insurance coverage for an unexpected quarantine. Allianz Travel Insurance has added coverage to many of its products that includes reimbursement for quarantine-related accommodations if you or a traveling companion is individually-ordered to quarantine while on their trip, says Durazo. 

This coverage typically covers the cost of additional food, lodging and transportation while quarantined. In addition, trip interruption and travel delay benefits on certain Allianz plans also provide coverage if you or your travel companion is denied boarding by your travel carrier due to suspicion of illness.

The benefits for quarantine coverage vary from carrier to carrier. For example, on select Trawick International plans, they offer $2,000 in quarantine benefits and for an additional charge, and you can increase it up to $7,000. 

What about pre-flight COVID-19 testing?

Your plan may provide coverage for flights if you are turned away at a border for not passing a health inspection. Foster says Trawick’s travel insurance plans that cover COVID-19 would cover the expenses if you could not pass your pre-health inspection.  Also, the plan would cover the costs of the failure of your PCR test to return to the United States, such as having to quarantine abroad. 

It’s important to note that the actual cost of the PCR test is not covered by your policy, just the loss associated with the negative test.

Read more:  PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

Some destinations require COVID-specific insurance coverage⁠—how do I comply with those restrictions? 

Before any international travel, you should check the country where you are headed to make sure you comply with insurance coverage requirements. Countries like Spain, Turks and Caicos and Thailand are among the nations that mandate COVID-19 insurance coverage.

“You first must check the countries’ specific COVID regulations for entry into the country. Some countries require travelers to provide proof of travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses purchased from a third party,” explains Foster. Providing proof coverage is key; so travelers need to ensure they receive documentation from their insurance provider that their policy covers COVID-19 related expenses to show customs officials, she says.

Should you arrive in a country that requires proof of insurance to cover COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs, and you don’t hold a policy, you will not be granted entry.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You may also like:  What happens if I'm denied entry to a country on arrival? What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel?

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Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Companies (2024)

COVID-19 is often included in travel insurance coverage

from our partner, travelinsurance.com

Sarah Horvath is a finance writer and researcher based in New York City. She specializes in writing about home warranties, insurance and home financial protection.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

According to our research, the best travel insurance companies offering COVID-19 coverage are Faye and Travelex. While some travel insurance policies now classify COVID-19 as a standard inclusion under medical expense and evacuation coverage, others include varying terms.

As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels, airlines and other hospitality-related businesses have seen a surge in travelers . However, the concern of a new variant is consistent —  experts have identified new strains of COVID-19 as recently as Dec. 2023, which could cause some travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance.

Compare Top Travel Insurance Companies with COVID-19 Coverage

Use the table below to compare COVID-19 coverage inclusions and details of travel insurance companies:

9 Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Companies

• Faye: Our top pick
• Seven Corners: Our pick for international travelers
• Tin Leg: Our pick for customizable coverage
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Our pick for concierge services
• TravelSafe: Our pick for equipment coverage
• Generali: Our pick for emergency assistance
• John Hancock Travel Insurance: Our pick for delay coverage
• Trawick: Our pick for well-rounded coverage
• HTH Travel Insurance: Our pick for group travel

We pulled price quotes for four vacations outlined in our methodology at the bottom of this page. The costs in this article reflect the premium for each of those four trips for each provider averaged together.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Why We Picked It

Faye is our top choice for COVID-19 travel insurance because it includes a robust set of protection to support policyholders both before and after diagnosis. The company classifies COVID-19 as a standard illness under its medical insurance policies, which means you can use any medical and evacuation coverages deemed necessary by local health professionals.

Since Faye classifies its travel medical insurance as primary coverage, it goes into effect before your domestic health coverage. This is especially beneficial for COVID-19, which could lead to hospitalization in some cases and include higher diagnosis, evacuation and treatment costs.

Pros and Cons

Coverage and cost.

Add-On Options

Faye currently offers the following add-ons for international excursions:

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage
• Adventure and extreme sports protections
• Rental car coverage
• Vacation rental damage protection
• Pet care protection

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Faye’s average trip cost is $298.

Another top option for COVID-related travel concerns, Seven Corners offers a wide range of medical policies, all of which include coverage for coronavirus as a standard illness. Seven Corners policies indicate that both trip interruption and cancellation coverage extends to COVID-19-related reasons, including quarantines. Missed connection coverage may even extend to your travel plans if COVID causes you to miss a portion of your trip, specifically while on a cruise . Overall, Seven Corners offers COVID-friendly policies and includes generous cancellation and interruption benefits to give you peace of mind while traveling.

Below are add-on options you may be able to include in your Seven Corners policy:

• Cancel for any reason coverage
• Trip interruption for any reason coverage
• Rental car damage coverage
• Sports and gold equipment coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Seven Corners’s average trip cost is $206.25.

Tin Leg’s Silver and Gold policies include COVID-19 hospitalization and diagnosis as a standard inclusion under trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Like competitors, Tin Leg’s policies include stipulations that allow you to use travel delay benefits for ordered quarantine periods, offering between $500 and $2,000 depending on your chosen coverage level. However, you will need to receive a documented diagnosis from a licensed medical professional to use your trip benefits — a home rapid test is not sufficient proof.

Below are add-on options for Tin Leg travel insurance:

• Rental car damage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Tin Leg’s average trip cost is $166.50.

Both of TravelSafe’s insurance policies for international travel include comprehensive coverages and protections for COVID-19 , with identical medical coverage and evacuation limits no matter the condition. Trip delay benefits — available up to $2,000 on the TravelSafe Classic policy — include coverage for mandatory quarantines if required by a licensed medical professional. Policyholders can also apply mandatory quarantine benefits to missed connections coverage, which adds another layer of protection if you have multi-leg trips planned.

Below are add-on options you may include to your TravelSafe policy:

• Accidental death and dismemberment (air only)
• Extended personal property coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, TravelSafe’s average trip cost is $241.

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance offers a policy endorsement to cover concerns related to COVID-19. Referred to as the “ Epidemic Coverage Endorsement ,” this benefit extends medical expense, emergency evacuation and trip delay coverage to include COVID-related situations. Like most other competitors, you will need a documented diagnosis of COVID-19 and a written order from a local government figure or medical authority requiring you to quarantine before you can use benefits.

When we requested a quote, all three available policies included the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement free-of-charge with standard pricing. However, it’s important to note that coverage for COVID-19 is not specifically written into the terms of Allianz’s policies in the same way as other illnesses, which is the standard verbiage in the industry. Be sure your policy includes this endorsement to maintain COVID-related coverage.

Below are add-ons to consider for your Allianz Travel Insurance policy:

• Rental car protection
• Required to work coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Allianz’s average trip cost is $265

In addition to including COVID as a standard coverage under medical, cancellation and interruption benefits, Generali Global Assistance includes the added peace of mind that comes with around-the-clock assistance. All policies include 24/7 emergency travel assistance with a multi-lingual support team, which can help policyholders communicate with medical staff. This is especially useful if you’re visiting an area where you do not speak the primary language.

However, as of Jan. 2020, newly issued policies include an exclusion that prevents you from using trip delay benefits to cover a quarantine period unless officially diagnosed with COVID-19. This exclusion does not apply if you are sick and quarantined with the virus, in which you can access your benefits to cover the cost of related expenses. This exclusion remains in effect even if a local government mandates your quarantine due to exposure — so we recommend researching the quarantine procedures for the country you’re visiting beforehand if you choose Generali.

Below are coverages you may be able to add to your Generali policy:

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Generali’s average trip cost is $255. 

Under most travel insurance verbiage, COVID-19 is now considered a known threat, and the announcement of a new variant is considered a risk you accept when booking. This means that travel insurance may not allow reimbursement for trip cancellation due to concerns about the emergence of a new variant.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage extends your cancellation benefits to include fear of traveling due to COVID-19 or a new variant. In addition to classifying COVID-19 as a standard medical condition, John Hancock allows you to add CFAR coverage to a wider selection of policy choices, including its lower-cost Bronze package. Comparatively, most travel insurance providers limit your ability to add CFAR coverage to the most expensive plan.

Add-on options for John Hancock travel insurance:

• Rental car collision coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, John Hancock’s average trip cost is $225.

Trawick International offers one policy with coverage for COVID-19: Safe Travels International . This plan includes up to $1 million in medical coverage, up to $2,000 in trip delay benefits for potential quarantines and up to $2 million in medical evacuation coverage. This general range of coverage combined with CFAR add-on availability can make Trawick a customizable choice for travelers looking to add protections that cover COVID-19 without reviewing multiple plans.

Below are Trawick International add-on options:

• 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment
• Additional accident and sickness medical coverage
• Interruption for any reason coverage
• Upgradable trip delay coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Trawick’s average trip cost is $212.

While HTH’s policy details do not outline special benefits specifically for COVID-19 , its plans include standard medical interruption language allowing the use of benefits if you’re hospitalized. HTH’s policies include generous medical coverage and evacuation limits of $500,000 and $1 million respectively. The company also offers higher-than-average trip interruption benefits with a maximum benefit of 200% in reimbursements.

Below are additional options that may be available through HTH Travel Insurance:

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, HTH’s average trip cost is $221.

HTH also offers discounted pricing for group travel insurance policies.

What To Look for in Pandemic Travel Insurance

Once you understand how travel insurance can benefit you in the event of a COVID-19 diagnosis or emergency, you can get into the details of each coverage option. We’ve compiled a few essential features to consider when shopping for travel insurance with a focus on COVID-19 coverage.

Medical Expense Coverage

If you’re traveling to an area where you think you might be at risk of catching COVID-19, consider choosing a travel insurance policy with higher medical coverage limits. Travel medical insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatments you receive outside the U.S. if you become sick or injured. Most travel insurance policy providers now classify COVID-19 as a standard illness, meaning you can qualify for reimbursement if hospitalized with coronavirus abroad. 

Trip Delay Coverage

If you contract COVID abroad, depending on the country’s requirements, you may have to undergo a mandatory quarantine period before you can leave or enter another country. In these circumstances, your trip delay benefits could help cover the cost of expenses like meals, additional hotel stays and any toiletries you might need. To qualify to use trip delay benefits, most policies state a licensed medical professional must order a quarantine for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until expiration. 

Trip Interruption Coverage

If you’re leaving dependents or older loved ones at home and concerned about the effect COVID-19 could have on their care, consider a policy with higher trip interruption coverages. Trip interruption insurance compensates you for things like the cost of an early return flight home and unused trip expenses if you must leave your trip ahead of schedule due to a covered reason. Some travel insurance providers like Seven Corners and Travelex include the illness of a family member and hospitalization with COVID-19 as a valid reason to use interruption benefits. Other providers only consider the health status of the insured traveler.  

CFAR Coverage

CFAR coverage is an optional add-on that allows you to receive a partial trip reimbursement if you cancel your trip for a reason not covered by insurance. For all providers on our list, this includes fear of a new variant of COVID-19 emerging at home or your destination. If this is a concern for you, consider a provider like John Hancock, which offers more options for policyholders to buy CFAR-level benefits. 

Does Travel Insurance Cover COVID-19 Directly?

Most travel insurance policies now classify COVID-19 as a standard inclusion under medical expense and evacuation coverage. This means coronavirus is usually treated the same way as any other illness or injury you might sustain abroad or before your trip. While this offers protection for your travel plans if you’re hospitalized due to COVID-19, fear of new variants and minor illnesses will usually not qualify you for a reimbursement . 

Let’s take a look at sample situations when you might need to use COVID-19 coverage as a part of your travel insurance. First, say you fall sick before traveling and are diagnosed with a serious case of COVID-19. Your physician determines you require hospitalization a day before you’re supposed to travel. If you purchased travel insurance, you could file a claim to reimburse nonrefundable trip costs, such as airfare and lodging, because you’re medically unable to travel. 

Now, let’s imagine you have a trip planned to Germany. A few days before your travel, information on a new Covid variant becomes available and officials advise the public to avoid travel if possible. While you may be hesitant to travel due to the new strain, you would not be entitled to reimbursement with travel insurance unless specifically outlined in your policy. However, if you opted for CFAR coverage during enrollment, you could cancel your trip and get a refund for nonrefundable expenses regardless. 

Does Travel Insurance Cover Quarantine?

Your travel insurance policy might cover the COVID-19 quarantines if ordered by a medical professional, which includes expenses related to additional lodging. If you’re diagnosed with a new variant of the virus before your trip and forced to quarantine at home, you will usually qualify for trip cancellation benefits under your policy’s illness cancellation clause. However, travel insurance will not compensate you for additional domestic quarantine-related expenses like food and rent. 

If you’re advised to quarantine abroad after being diagnosed with COVID-19, you could also qualify for coverage under your insurance’s travel delay benefits. While travel delay benefits are designed to help cover hotel rooms and alternate airfare if you’re forced to miss a connection, you can also use coverage for mandatory quarantine orders. To qualify, you will usually need to provide documentation of both your illness and a quarantine recommendation from a local medical professional. 

If you’re concerned about the cost and possibility of an international quarantine, it’s important to look at the travel delay benefits included with your insurance coverage. Policies with higher total travel delay benefits will cover more quarantine-related expenses, which can make these policies more valuable. Be sure to note both overall and daily limits on trip delay benefits, which can also influence policy value.

How Much Does COVID-19 Travel Insurance Cost?

In our comprehensive review of travel insurance policies, we found the average cost of a plan with COVID-19 coverage is about $220 per trip. However, the price of your premium will vary depending on the level of benefits included with your policy. Browse the table below to compare how some of our top travel insurance providers compare in terms of average price and included benefits. 

Factors That Impact Cost

Factors that affect the cost of your travel insurance include your age, where you’re traveling to, the cost of your trip and the length of your trip. Adding various custom riders, like protection for a rental car or cancellation for any reason coverage, will also increase the cost.

Is Pandemic Travel Insurance Worth It?

While almost all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in the U.S., the virus is still a global health threat. Even if travel insurance isn’t required for a trip, purchasing insurance that includes COVID-19 protections can help you avoid a financial burden if you contract the virus before or during the trip.

You might not need the pandemic travel coverage if you’re taking a low-cost trip and not crossing international borders. Your health insurance may cover medical costs within the country, and the money you lose from canceling an affordable trip could be too low to justify shopping for and buying coverage. It’s different if you pay a lot of money upfront for a long, expensive vacation.

Another option is looking at the travel protections that your credit card company provides. Some cards offer trip protection for emergencies that could include coverage if you call off a trip or end a trip early after contracting COVID-19. But travel costs usually have to be paid for with the card for them to qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance

What are the cheapest ways to get travel insurance for a pandemic.

The best way to find cheap travel insurance with pandemic coverage is by shopping around with different providers. Many offer free quotes online, and it takes minutes to check rates.

What are the advantages of purchasing pandemic travel insurance?

The advantage of pandemic travel insurance is that it reimburses prepaid travel costs if you cancel or cut short a trip because of getting COVID-19 before or during the trip. And if a family member contracts COVID-19 while you’re away, pandemic travel insurance may reimburse you for expenses related to returning home early to care for a loved one.

Can you cancel your flight if you have COVID?

Many travel insurance policies now include coverage for trip cancellations due to COVID-19. However, coverage is usually included under standard medical inclusions, which means you must be medically unable to travel at the time of your scheduled departure to claim a reimbursement. Review your specific travel insurance coverage to learn more about flight cancellation benefits.

What does travel insurance not cover?

Travel insurance usually does not cover cancellations due to fear of travel, government restrictions or pre-existing medical conditions. You generally cannot cancel your trip and claim any reimbursements unless it’s for a covered reason such as the illness or death of a family member or natural disasters. Carefully read your policy to understand the exclusions and limitations unique to your coverage.

Methodology: Our System for Rating the Best Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

More Travel Insurance Guides

• Best cruise insurance plans
• Best travel insurance companies
• Cheapest travel insurance
• Best group travel insurance companies
• Health insurance for visitors to USA
• Best senior travel insurance
• Best travel insurance for families
• Best student travel insurance plans
• Travel insurance for parents visiting USA
• Best travel medical insurance plans
• How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

More Travel Insurance Resources

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What You Need to Know Now About Travel Insurance

A spate of new travel insurance policies have begun covering Covid-19, just as many international destinations begin to require it. Here’s what to look for.

• Share full article

By Elaine Glusac

When the pandemic struck, many travel insurance policies failed to cover Covid-19-related trip interruptions and cancellations, often because they excluded pandemics. But in the intervening months, the travel insurance industry has introduced a spate of new policies covering the disease just as many foreign destinations begin to require them.

“We’ve seen progress in that many plans will now treat Covid like any other unexpected sickness or illness,” said Stan Sandberg, a co-founder of the comparison website Travelinsurance.com . “If you have a trip and travel insurance and came down with Covid-19, which made it impossible to travel, that would fall under cancellation coverage as an unexpected illness that prevents you from traveling.”

Likewise, policies now including Covid-19 would cover holders in the event that a doctor diagnosed them with the virus while traveling under the trip interruption benefit.

Not all travel insurance excluded pandemics when the coronavirus began to spread early this year; Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection was one exception. But the broader change partially arises from consumer demand, a better understanding of the virus — including mortality rates and hospital costs — and the industry’s eagerness for travel to resume.

“People who are traveling are more conscious of their risks and thinking about protecting themselves and their investment,” said Jeremy Murchland, the president of the travel insurer Seven Corners. The company launched policies that included Covid-19 coverage in June; they now account for more than 80 percent of sales.

But, like all insurance, the devil is in the details when it comes to understanding travel insurance, including what’s covered, destinations where it’s required, and the inevitable caveats, as follows.

How travel insurance covers Covid-19

The new Covid-inclusive insurance generally covers travelers from the day after purchase until their return home. During that period, if you become sick and a doctor determines you cannot travel (because of the virus or another illness), trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits would kick in.

These benefits vary by policy, but a search to insure a $2,000 weeklong trip to Costa Rica in December on Travelinsurance.com turned up a $69.75 Generali Global Assistance Standard policy with Covid-19 benefits that would be triggered if you, your host at your destination, a travel companion or a family member tested positive for the virus.

If this happened before your departure, the policy would cover your prepaid travel expenses. If you or your travel companion contracted Covid-19 during the trip and were diagnosed by a physician, it would reimburse prepaid arrangements, such as lodgings, and cover additional airfare to return home — once a doctor deems it safe to travel — up to $2,500. Should you be required to quarantine and can’t travel, travel delay coverage for lodging, meals and local transportation would pay up to $1,000. The policy also covers medical expenses for up to one year, even after you return home, up to $50,000 — though the policy also states that a holder would have to exhaust their own health insurance benefits before seeking coverage under the travel insurance plan.

Travelers should read these policies carefully to understand the benefits (for example, some rules vary by your state of residence), but brokers like TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth are making them easier to find through filters, F.A.Q.s and flags.

The new more comprehensive policies don’t necessarily cost more. On a Squaremouth search for insurance for two 40-year-olds on a two-week trip costing $5,000, the site turned up a variety of policies with or without coronavirus exclusions from $130 to $300, with no apparent premium for Covid-19 coverage.

Not every Covid-19-related expense is covered by many of these policies, including tests for the virus that many destinations require before arrival (those may be covered by private insurance).

Many policies include medical evacuation to a nearby facility, but won’t necessarily transport you home. For those concerned about treatment abroad, Medjet , a medical evacuation specialist, now offers Covid-19-related evacuations in the 48 contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean that will transport you to the hospital of your choice in your home country (trip coverage starts at $99; annual memberships start at $189).

“Covid-19 requires special transport pods to protect the crew and others, which adds logistical issues,” said John Gobbels, the vice president and chief operating officer for Medjet.

In addition to the Medjet plan, travelers would need separate travel insurance with medical benefits to cover treatment costs and trip interruption.

Destination insurance requirements

Travelers aren’t the only ones worried about health. A growing list of countries are mandating medical coverage for Covid-19 as a prerequisite for visiting, often along with other measures like pre-trip virus testing and health screenings for symptoms on arrival.

Many Caribbean islands are among those requiring travel medical insurance, including Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas . St. Maarten requires health insurance coverage and strongly recommends additional travel insurance covering Covid-19.

Farther-flung countries also require policies that cover Covid-19, including French Polynesia and the Maldives .

Some destinations specify the required plan as a way to ensure travelers have the correct coverage and to expedite treatment. Aruba requires visitors to buy its Aruba Visitors Insurance, regardless of any other plans you may have.

“Insurance through a destination typically only covers Covid and infection while you’re there,” said Kasara Barto, a spokeswoman for Squaremouth.com. “If you catch Covid before, they don’t offer cancellation coverage. If you break a leg, the policy may only cover Covid medication. It varies by country.”

Costa Rica also requires insurance that includes an unusual benefit stipulating a policy cover up to $2,000 in expenses for a potential Covid-19 quarantine while in the country.

In response to the new requirement, which Costa Rica announced in October, insurers, including Trawick International , have begun introducing policies that meet the standard.

“It was a pretty quick and nimble reaction,” Mr. Sandberg of TravelInsurance.com said.

Normally, travel insurance varies by factors including the age of the traveler, destination, trip length and cost (most range from 4 to 10 percent of the trip cost). But some destinations are providing it at a flat fee, with most policies spelling out coverage limits and terms for emergency medical services, evacuation and costs associated with quarantines.

Jamaica, which will require insurance, but has not said when the new rule will go into effect, plans to charge $40 for each traveler. The Bahamas will include the insurance in the cost of its Travel Health Visa, an application that requires negative Covid-19 test results, which runs $40 to $60 depending on length of stay (free for children 10 and younger). The Turks and Caicos is offering a policy for $9.80 a day, and Costa Rica ’s policies, if purchased locally, cost roughly $10 a day.

Expect this list of destinations to grow. In January, the Spanish region of Andalusia plans to require travel medical insurance and is working on finding a provider to make it easy for travelers to buy it.

Gaps in travel insurance

Policies that cover Covid-19 as a medical event that may cause trip cancellation or disruption, or those that provide coverage for medical treatment and evacuation still don’t necessarily cover travelers who have a change of heart when they learn they will have to quarantine upon arrival, even if they don’t have the virus. Nor are policies necessarily tied to conditions on the ground, like a spike in infections, State Department travel warnings, a government travel ban or the cessation of flights to and from a destination.

For those events, there’s Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR, an upgrade to plans that generally only returns 50 to 75 percent of your nonrefundable trip costs.

“Prior to the pandemic, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend CFAR because most of travelers’ concerns were covered by standard plans,” Ms. Barto of Squaremouth.com said. “It’s about 40 percent more expensive and we didn’t want travelers to pay for additional coverage.” Now, she added, there’s been a surge in interest in the upgrade, including in 22 percent of policies sold at the site since mid-March.

Industry experts predict some of these outstanding issues may work their way into policies of the future as they adapt to enduring realities, much as they did after 9/11 in covering travelers in case of terrorist events, which was not the norm before.

The pandemic “was unprecedented, but once it happened, the industry has been pretty quick to react and create coverage, and that’s in the spirit of how this industry is trying to define itself, to be one of those subtle but valuable assets,” Mr. Sandberg said. “Once the world opens back up, we expect travel insurance to be much more top of mind with travelers.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

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Will My Travel Insurance Cover Coronavirus?

Since he was a boy, Jon has always been an entrepreneur. At No Mas Coach he focuses on luxury travel experiences around the world. Good luck finding him, though, as he and his husband travel about 250,000 miles a year.

Elina Geller is a former NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Meghan Coyle started as a web producer and writer at NerdWallet in 2018. She covers travel rewards, including industry news, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. She is based in Los Angeles.

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If you have upcoming travel plans and are considering a travel insurance policy, check if it covers COVID. Not all providers do, and it's important to know for sure. So, does your travel insurance cover COVID? How can you tell?

As with many things in life, the short answer is: "It depends." And the long answer is: You can only start to determine if your insurance covers COVID when you understand what type of coverage you have, which provider you bought it from and what the exact reason is for your trip cancellation.

While we can give general guidance as to most travel insurance plans, it is in your best interest to give your insurance provider a call to verify whether a given policy will cover coronavirus-related interruptions.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance policies that include COVID coverage

Reasons travel insurance typically covers

While not a comprehensive list (and remember all insurance policies are different), here are some standard reasons when a comprehensive travel insurance policy will kick in:

Sickness, injury or death.

Common carrier cancellations or delays.

Labor strike.

Car accident.

Hijacking or quarantine.

Home uninhabitable.

Destination uninhabitable.

Travel document theft.

Medical evacuation.

Military duty.

Military leave revoked.

Terrorist act.

New vaccination requirements.

Civil disorder.

Some of those reasons might apply to your specific coronavirus situation, such as if you are already ill or under quarantine by a doctor's orders. If you (or your travel companion) contract COVID-19, your travel insurance provider may cover cancellation for a medical reason. You will likely be required to submit a medical diagnosis from a physician.

Nonetheless, we recommend giving your travel insurance provider a call before your trip to verify coverage. And, since many airlines and hotels have loosened change and cancellation policies due to COVID-19, first try to get a refund from the travel supplier. It may be an easier process than dealing with the insurance provider.

Is coronavirus a foreseen event?

If you purchased travel insurance after the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, 2020, then COVID-19 might be viewed by your insurance company as a foreseen event and it may not be covered.

In other words, the company says that you should have known about the potential risks but still chose to travel, so the cost of travel and its consequences are on you. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about the "known" or "foreseeable" status dates of the coronavirus outbreak and how this may affect your specific coverage.

Claims due to known, foreseeable or expected events, epidemics or fear of travel are generally not covered, and coverage can vary by state. However, until further notice, although not covered under most plans, some underwriters are currently accommodating claims for:

Under Emergency Medical Care and Emergency Medical Transportation Benefits: Emergency medical care and emergency medical transportation for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip.

Under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits: Trip cancellation and trip interruption if a customer becomes ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip.

Under Trip Cancellation Benefit: Nonrefundable, nontransferable trip cancellation expenses for customers who purchased their plan prior to January 22, 2020, for trip components in Mainland China, South Korea or the Lombardy or Veneto regions of Italy and departing prior to April 1, 2020.”

However, due to the evolving pandemic over the last few years, many providers have updated their policies to include coronavirus coverage. For example, in May 2021, Allianz announced the addition of epidemic-related covered reasons to its popular insurance plans. Plans are now offering accommodations for COVID-19.

» Learn more: Where U.S. citizens can travel right now

Is "I’m afraid to travel" a legit reason?

Almost all travel insurance policies have a "fear of travel" clause. According to AIG , one of the world’s largest travel insurance providers, "Trip cancellation for concern or fear of travel associated with sickness, epidemic, or pandemic, including Coronavirus, is not covered."

If you bought a ticket, then become afraid to travel because of any sickness, that is probably not a covered reason. If you want ultimate flexibility in canceling your trip for any reason, you’ll want to consider "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) travel insurance coverage.

Consider Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance

"Cancel For Any Reason" coverage allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and receive a partial refund (up to 75%) of your nonrefundable trip costs as long as the trip is canceled at least two days in advance. You cannot purchase CFAR coverage on its own; it is an optional upgrade that is sometimes available when you buy travel insurance. Not all providers offer it, so if you’re looking for the CFAR supplement, you’ll have to ask your travel insurance provider about it or filter your online search accordingly.

» Learn more: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance explained

Use your credit card's built-in travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies offer the highest levels of trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. Some premium travel credit cards include trip insurance as a complimentary benefit. Although the coverage limits may be below those offered by travel insurance companies on comprehensive plans, the limits may be sufficient for you. As with paid travel insurance, check with the provider to confirm if known conditions such as the coronavirus are covered.

» Learn more: Travel insurance benefits on American Express credit cards

As an example, we took a look at the policy for one of the popular travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . There are some notable bullet points that are common across many programs.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Similarly, this insurance will not cover a "disinclination to travel based on a pandemic." If you decide that you don’t want to travel because you might get sick or you are afraid to go, you won’t be covered.

The insurance does clearly state, however, that if you are sick or hospitalized before or during your trip, you may be covered by the plan:

Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness experienced by you or your traveling companion which prevents you or your traveling companion from traveling on the trip.

Accidental bodily injury, loss of life, or sickness experienced by an immediate family member of you or your traveling companion when the accidental bodily injury or sickness is considered life-threatening, requires hospitalization or such immediate family member requires care by you or your traveling companion.

If either you or your traveling companion becomes sick and you are prevented from traveling, you may be covered. Also note that if a family member of either you or your traveling companion requires hospitalization and you are needed to care for them, that may be covered as well.

As with all things insurance-related, if you have specific questions about your policy or your credit card’s coverage, it’s always best to give the company a call beforehand. Still, the general consensus is that if you’re afraid you might contract COVID-19, your insurance won't cover you.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's trip cancellation and travel insurance

How travel medical insurance differs

If your trip doesn't include nonrefundable trip costs paid to a travel provider or the trip insurance coverage you have from your credit cards is sufficient, purchasing a standalone travel health insurance policy may be your best bet for an upcoming trip.

These policies provide reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, including evacuations, while you’re traveling. Again, it's important to check if the policy you’re considering has any clauses related to pandemics or exclusions for travel to countries that have current travel advisories to ensure you don't nullify your medical coverage.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: emergency coverage while you travel internationally

It depends. Fear of travel generally isn't an allowable reason, so you won't benefit from trip cancellation coverage for nonrefundable payments made to a trip supplier. The reason for cancellation has to fall into one of the unforeseen events listed in the policy. However, if you’ve purchased a CFAR add-on and want to cancel, you will be covered for up to 75% of your nonrefundable deposit as long as you cancel at least two days before the departure date.

Although staying home is the best way to safeguard yourself and others from catching coronavirus, there are some general precautions you can take to reduce the spread. According to the CDC, a few ways include: Checking if the destination you’re going to has increasing cases in the past seven days, knowing whether you’re at an increased risk for severe illness from coronavirus and staying up to date with the airline’s and destination’s requirements/restrictions for travelers (such as wearing masks, enforcing quarantine, etc.). If you choose to travel, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy or a standalone emergency medical insurance plan just in case.

Although staying home is the best way to safeguard yourself and others from catching coronavirus, there are some general precautions you can take to reduce the spread. According to the CDC, a few ways include: Checking if the destination you’re going to has increasing cases in the past seven days, knowing whether you’re at an increased risk for severe illness from coronavirus and staying up to date with the airline’s and destination’s

requirements/restrictions for travelers

(such as wearing masks, enforcing quarantine, etc.). If you choose to travel, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy or a standalone emergency medical insurance plan just in case.

How can I be sure if my travel insurance covers COVID?

Deciding whether to travel during the coronavirus pandemic is a personal decision. Get familiarized with the different insurance protections and airline change/cancellation policies that may be applicable for your trip, as they could help you get your money back in the event of a trip cancellation.

When considering the health implications of travel, keep in mind that travel medical insurance is an option, especially if you don’t need the trip cancellation coverage provided by comprehensive policies. Regardless of which policy you choose, confirm that coronavirus-related losses are covered by insurance before purchasing coverage.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Do I still need Covid travel insurance cover? What you need to know and how to find the best deal

• Most travel insurance policies offer cover for Covid medical expenses 
• Over 90% of policies cover cancellations due to a positive Covid test
• But how much money travellers get back will depend on policy small print   
• Some policies also have exemptions for non-vaccinated customers 
• This is Money explains what to look out for when booking holiday cover 

By Emilia Shovelin For Thisismoney.Co.Uk

Updated: 09:36 EDT, 27 April 2022

View comments

It has been more than two years since the the UK was first put under Covid travel restrictions in March 2020. 

The years that followed were torrid one for the travel industry, with holidays abroad dropping around 75 per cent in the 12 months afterwards.

But with most restrictions now having ended for those living in the UK, many are looking forward to taking their first trip away in some time. 

But unfortunately, Covid continues to disrupt holiday plans and sometimes even cancel them altogether. That means that getting the right insurance is still important. We explain more below.

Travel experts are advising holidaymakers to read the fine print when it comes to your Covid protection to ensure you don't get caught out by positive tests or isolations abroad

Though self-isolating is no longer a legal requirement for those with Covid in the UK, it is still recommended by the NHS. 

What's more, some countries around the world still require a negative Covid test on entry. 

With cases now on the rise in some places, there is also the risk that holidaymakers could catch Covid while abroad and need treatment, or to be taken home. 

How to compare travel insurance

The quickest and easiest way to save money on travel insurance and compare the best policies is to use a comparison site.

While results will broadly be the same across most comparison sites, they may slightly differ, so it is worth checking a couple. 

However, those with pre-existing medical conditions may struggle to get appropriate travel insurance at a reasonable price using price comparison websites.

People in this situation can find travel cover using the 'find a broker' tool from the British Insurance Brokers' Association or call 03709501790.

For comparison websites, we suggest: 

MoneySupermarket

Compare deals from 35 leading providers

Confused.com

See how much you can save from a few days to an annual policy  

Also check insurers such as Direct Line that does not appear on comparison sites and if you have previous serious medical issues consider a specialist insurer or broker.

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence. 

What should travel insurance cover? 

According to Which?, those booking a holiday at the moment should look out for three key things in their travel insurance policy, if they want to be covered for all possible Covid-related scenarios: 

• Coronavirus medical and repatriation cover: To cover them if they are infected when they are abroad
• Coronavirus cancellation cover:  So they can claim a refund if Covid stops them travelling for any reason
• Scheduled airline failure insurance:  To cover them if their airline goes bust. This has become more common as operators struggled during the pandemic   

Looking at travel policies more generally, it recommends that holidaymakers have the following levels of cover for the typical trip: 

• Emergency medical cover  - £5million worldwide 
• Cancellation, curtailment and missed departure  - £2,000 or the total value of the holiday 
• Personal belongings and money  - £1,500 
• Personal liability  - £1million 

99 per cent of travel insurance providers currently offer cover for Covid medical expenses as standard, with 93 per cent covering cancellations due to a positive Covid test

According to Matt Sanders of comparison site Go Compare, 99 per cent of travel insurance providers  offer cover Covid medical expenses as standard, with 93 per cent covering cancellations due to a positive Covid test as standard.

 However, different providers will have different small print, and different limits when it comes to how much travellers can claim.

'Each travel insurer will have different levels of Covid cover, so it’s important to check the medical, cancellation and Covid cover parts of your policy to make sure you have the right cover in place,' says Sanders. 

'It’s important to check whether your policy allows you to cancel due to Covid-19 illness or isolation; covers your medical expenses and flight home if you are ill; extend your stay if necessary; or covers you for airline or tour operator failure. 

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Does vaccination status affect travel insurance  .

It is also worth checking what coverage you have depending on your vaccination status.

Go Compare has found that, out of the 826 annual travel insurance policies currently available, 16 per cent have a vaccination exclusion – meaning that those who aren’t vaccinated will be excluded from certain parts of the Covid cover.

Around 12 per cent of insurance policies exclude both medical and cancellation cover for those who have not had a vaccine, while 3 per cent exclude them from medical cover only and 1 per cent exclude them from cancellation cover only.   

It is also essential that travellers consult the latest Foreign Office travel guidelines to find out whether it is safe to travel to their destination. 

Says Sanders: 'If you decide to travel against their advice, it’s very likely that you won’t be covered by your travel insurance at all.'

Most countries now only require proof of full vaccination, instead of a PCR test

Do I need specific protection for Covid lockdowns? 

While we would like to hope that lockdowns are a thing of the past, travel experts suggest that holidaymakers protect themselves against the worst-case-scenario.

So they do advise getting cover for a situation where a lockdown, either in the UK or abroad, stops them from travelling.  

If lockdown restrictions in the UK don't allow travel, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says that customers should get a full refund from the company they booked with. 

This is in the case of a package holiday, however, and those booking their own flights and hotels will need to check the refund policies of the companies concerned.  

Those whose travel plans are thwarted by a lockdown is in the country they are travelling to will need to claim on their travel insurance - and whether a refund will be issued depends on the policy's fine print. 

Sanders says: 'If your travel insurance policy includes cancellation cover, and you booked your trip before a lockdown was announced or the Foreign Office issued its travel advice, then you should be covered.

'However, travel insurance won’t cover you for cancellation if you booked your trip after the Foreign Office advised against travelling, or if you cancel it yourself because you decide you don’t want to go.'

Customers should ensure their travel insurance covers the full cost of their trip, as some have limits on how much they are willing to pay back if it is cancelled. 

Many Britons are looking forward to heading off on holiday - but even though the legal requirement to self-isolate has been scrapped, a positive Covid test could still scupper plans

Will my insurance cover me if I test positive for Covid before travelling, now I don't legally have to isolate?

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to take Covid tests before departing from, or after arriving in, the UK. 

But even with this rule relaxation, a positive Covid test could still wreck their holiday plans. 

Many of those who test positive will still decide to self-isolate, and even if they decided to attend their holiday anyway, they could be denied entry. 

When booking travel insurance, customer should look out for 'coronavirus cancellation cover' to see what scenarios they are covered for. 

Most should cover cancellation as standard if someone tests positive, but they may need to opt in to an additional charge to ensure they are completely protected.

If someone tests positive while on holiday, they need to follow the advice of the local authorities when it comes to leaving the country. 

Travel insurance may cover extending their stay until they have a negative test result, but again this is something to look out for in the policy fine print.   

Will events in Ukraine affect the insurance I need?

With the unfortunate events occurring in Ukraine, it is conceivable that those heading to Eastern Europe or destinations close to it could find their plans disrupted. 

Travellers should ensure they you are covered against unpredictable circumstances where possible, including flights being cancelled or holidays needing to be abandoned. 

Sanders said: 'The invasion of Ukraine could have an effect on travel. 

'It is an unpredictable situation and could impact anything from flights being grounded if your destination is close to conflict areas, as well as the possibility of any civil unrest that could possibly spill over into acts of terrorism in other countries. 

'Pay close attention to your travel insurance policy wording to assess the level of cancellation cover you have and also again, check the Foreign Office advice before you travel.'

Compare home insurance, car insurance, travel and pet insurance

Beat the renewal blues and compare the best deals for home, car and travel insurance.

Every year, these bills can creep up and the best way to save is to shop around to make sure your loyalty doesn't cost you.

Prices tend to be similar across most comparison sites but may vary enough to make it worthwhile to check a couple. 

Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence.

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Also check Direct Line and Aviva that do not appear on comparison sites.

CAR INSURANCE 

New Financial Conduct Authority rules are meant to stop insurers bumping up renewal quotes, but it still makes sense to check for better deals on the comparison sites. We suggest:

Mail Finance  

Plus  Direct Line and Aviva  that do not appear on comparison sites.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It's a foolish traveller who departs without insurance, even if it only covers medical emergencies. Compare before you buy with:

Also try  Direct Line  that does not appear on comparison sites and if you have previous serious medical issues consider a specialist insurer or broker.

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Our sister company Mail Finance has teamed up with Quotezone.co.uk to provide readers with a £10 Amazon voucher with every policy purchased

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Should you get travel insurance for vacations during COVID-19? Here's what to consider.

Someday in the not-too-distant future, you’ll once again be able to make your family vacation ideas a reality and head out to the best family vacation spots in the U.S. –maybe even to Europe , Asia or the Caribbean. And once you make the decision to travel again, you should pay special attention to your COVID-19 travel insurance options.

Even before COVID-19 added new risks to travel plans, it would have been wise to consider four main financial risks that family travel insurance can help you avoid:

• Loss of nonrefundable prepayments or cancellation penalties if you, another member of your family travel group – or a close family member remaining at home – encounters unexpected sickness or accident. This risk is covered by trip-cancellation insurance (TCI).
• Extra expenses of an early return if you have to curtail a trip you’ve already started for one of the same reasons you might cancel (trip interruption insurance, or TII). Travel insurance policies almost always combine TCI and TII.
• Expenses for medical treatment or emergency evacuation if you become sick or suffer an accident in a destination where your regular health insurance doesn’t provide full coverage.
• Expenses of unforeseen delays at any time during your trip.

But COVID-19 has changed the ground rules. Travel insurance designed for normal times may not cover all your family’s risks in this pandemic.

Travel insurance and COVID-19: What you need to know

Almost all family travel insurance provides financial coverage only for unforeseen risks. These days, COVID-19 is a foreseeable risk just about anywhere. Also, most travel insurance is “named peril” insurance: If a contingency is not specifically included in the fine print as a “covered reason,” the policy doesn’t cover it. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

COVID-19 also poses three unique risks that are covered by some policies, but not all. 

• Catching COVID-19 at your destination. Standard travel medical policies cover medical costs of getting sick at your destination, but some insurers can deny coverage because contracting COVID-19 is not an unforeseen risk. At least one new policy, from Seven Corners, explicitly lists “catching COVID-19” as a covered reason, and some other policies are also specifically covering it. But it would be a mistake to assume it is a covered risk. 
• Getting quarantined at your destination. An unexpected extension of your trip can pose a big financial burden. Some TII policies include “quarantine” as a covered reason; others do not.
• Canceling a trip because of a surge of coronavirus cases at your destination. Many policies don’t cover destination epidemics/pandemics at all as a covered reason to cancel. Some don’t even cover prepaid arrangements when your airline, hotel or cruise line cancels before you do. “Cancel for any reason” policies , typically available as extra-cost options, let you, rather than an insurance company bean-counter, decide whether you want to continue or cancel a trip. But those policies generally recover no more than 50% to 75% of your prepayments.

COVID-19 travel insurance coverage: Read the fine print

A basic problem with COVID-19 risks is that some insurance fine print hasn’t caught up with the coronavirus, so you can’t rely on an online comparison table to give you the answers.

Instead, this is one of those times when you need to buy your insurance through a specialized travel insurance agency and to go over exactly what you need with a qualified agent. Quotewright.com , Squaremouth.com , InsureMyTrip.com , G1G , Global Travel Insurance  and TravelersMed.com would be appropriate in this case. 

Bottom line: If you’re planning a trip in the pandemic era and you can’t afford to risk your entire vacation budget in the event of an unexpected emergency, you’ll want to consider travel insurance. But not just any off-the-shelf travel insurance. Work with a qualified agent at a specialized insurance company to the exact level of coverage you need.

More from FamilyVacationist : 

• Kids sail free: cruise lines that are letting kids cruise for free in 2021 and beyond
• The four best all-inclusive Hawaii resorts for families 
• 17 best flight booking sites for cheap airfares

FamilyVacationist.com covers family vacation ideas ; family travel destinations ; all-inclusive resorts ; and must-have travel accessories for families of all shapes, sizes and orientations.

How to get proof of travel insurance

We have made it easy for you to get your personalised proof of travel insurance (also known as a “confirmation of cover”). You will first need to select the type of AVA you hold with us and then with a few simple steps you will receive your proof of your travel insurance by email. On occasions you may require this proof for Visa appointments, Cruise holidays or even to provide to your tour operator.

Click  here  to get your letter.

Once you have submitted the form you should receive an email containing proof of travel insurance within a few minutes. If we are unable to process your request, for some reason e.g. mismatched data, we will contact you. To prevent this from happening, please carefully check the details you input.

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The Best Travel Insurance Policies Right Now — and How to Choose One During the Pandemic

With new variants coming and going during the pandemic, there’s renewed interest in being protected while making travel plans.

When COVID-19 first brought travel to an abrupt halt in 2020, travelers were shocked to learn that their insurance didn't cover changes due to an epidemic or pandemic, even one on a global scale. Many who were in the midst of their travels ended up having to shell out their own money, while those with future plans suddenly lost out on non-refundable bookings. Nearly two years into the new reality with variants spreading and ebbing, travel bookings are being made with more caution — with a major uptick in protecting those plans with travel insurance.

"We can't predict every new variant that arises, so for the foreseeable future, you have to expect some sort of COVID-related effect on your travel plans," NerdWallet 's credit card and travel expert Sara Rathner tells Travel + Leisure . "Not every vacation needs travel insurance — refundable flights and hotel bookings you can easily back out of can be enough for you. But for very expensive trips, especially if you're going abroad, you'll want to think of additional ways to protect your investment."

Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer of insurance comparison company Squaremouth , says news of the omicron variant in recent weeks has already resulted in a shift in insurance purchases. "With news of a new highly transmittable variant, and in light of some countries already closing their borders, travelers may have less confidence about the likelihood of their borders remaining open and their travel being possible," she tells T+L. "Likewise, new and evolving requirements may complicate international travel more than travelers are willing to coordinate."

Those factors make travel insurance a more important consideration now. But navigating various offerings can be a challenge, especially when there may already be embedded coverage when booking through certain companies or certain credit cards. "We caution travelers to make sure they aren't overspending on a policy that doesn't cover their concerns, or if they can have adequate coverage elsewhere," Moncrief adds. "Due to the very specific nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related concerns, we urge travelers to do their due diligence to understand what type of refunds are available to them elsewhere, and then do some research before investing in a travel insurance policy."

Here, we outline the major types of travel insurance — but no matter the policy you choose, make sure to read the fine print carefully and speak with your provider about any concerns.

1. Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance

If you're worried about losing money on your trip, CFAR insurance is likely the best plan for you. "With it, you can recoup most of what you paid no matter the reason you back out of your trip," Rathner says. "If standard policies don't offer the level of coverage you want, this could be an option."

While the policy can typically be added 14 to 21 days after the initial trip deposit date, the major downside of CFAR insurance is that it's expensive and doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll get all your money back. Moncrief says that CFAR plans are typically 40 to 50% more expensive than standard travel insurance policies, and they often only cover up to a 75% reimbursement of non-refundable trip costs, with others only covering 50%. But if border closures or last-minute cancellations due to variants or new travel requirements are a concern, this may be the way to go. Bottom line: This kind of policy might only be worth it if you're taking a really expensive trip.

2. Pandemic-specific Insurance

While many insurance providers have kept their policies pretty much the same (i.e. they still exclude the pandemic as a reason for coverage), a select few are offering new plans designed specifically for pandemic-concurrent travel. Seven Corners, for instance, has an option that includes COVID-19 medical coverage , which is valid for up to $100,000 in coronavirus-related medical expenses. Meanwhile, Allianz has added a special COVID-19 provision into some of its policies that cover cancellations, interruptions, and emergency medical expenses arising from contracting the virus before or during a trip. Again, reading the fine print is key.

"The biggest mistake we are seeing now is travelers simply assuming a policy can cover any inconvenience or change related to the pandemic," Moncrief says. "In reality, an insurance policy will only cover a very specific list of 'perils.' While this is typically a comprehensive list, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront concerns that had never before been considered a threat to travel." She reiterates that border closures are one of the big examples that have come to light over the last two years with pandemic travel.

There are also travel insurance policies that have been developed specifically for the new ways in which people are traveling — namely, domestic road trips. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection launched its ExactCare Lite policy for that reason. Also, if you are traveling domestically, keep in mind that your health insurance will likely cover you during your trip.

3. Provider-offered Travel Insurance

In order to win back travelers, a number of airlines, hotels, and cruise lines started offering specific COVID-19 travel insurance policies, which might even be free. Cathay Pacific includes free COVID-19 travel insurance with every booking through the end of the year; Japan Airlines through Jan. 10, 2022; and Etihad through March 31, 2022. Hotel groups like Club Med , Iberostar , and Shangri-La are also providing similar programs. Cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages has also implemented emergency evacuation and return-to-home insurance policies for all guests.

But again, not all provider-offered insurance plans are equal, which is why reading the fine print is crucial. "Most travel insurance policies offered through a travel supplier are mainly designed to provide benefits related to that supplier, meaning other concerns, like illness at the destination, may not be covered," Moncrief says. "Oftentimes, these policies leave off common benefits of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to be competitively priced."

4. Credit Card Travel Insurance

You're probably aware that many credit cards have travel insurance policies built into them. Those often provide enough trip cancellation, travel delays, rental cars, and baggage benefits. "Just remember that you need to use that card to make your bookings in order to get that coverage," Rathner says. "Simply carrying the card while paying with another one isn't enough."

If you're traveling with expensive items that you want covered, the maximum coverage on credit card benefits can help cover them. But in other cases, it may not fit your needs. "These policies rarely include medical coverage, which is a leading driver of travel insurance purchases, and in some cases, may require the trip to be entirely booked on that card for coverage to apply," Moncrief adds.

5. Standard Travel Insurance

Even though standard travel insurance typically excludes coverage for reasons related to a pandemic, many providers like airlines, hotels, and cruises are still offering flexible policies on rebooking and cancellation — which is just the kind of reassurance you need to book your trip. Just note that anything you've paid for outside of your flight, hotel, or cruise will likely not be covered, so you'd still be on the hook for those expenses. Additionally, some providers have very specific time frames for cancellation, while others only offer a credit toward future travels rather than a full refund.

"The worst thing a traveler can do is assume they are covered for anything that could happen," Moncrief says. "Especially now, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel, it's more important than ever to do some extra research to truly understand your policy's coverage. We never want a traveler to pay the additional expense on an insurance policy on top of their other trip costs if it won't provide the protection they are looking for. Coverage does vary by plan, as does the maximum payout limits per benefit. Policies are also priced differently per demographic. Travelers can use an aggregator, like Squaremouth , to compare coverage and prices to find the best policy for their trip."

Related Articles

Here Are The Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Plans

These are the best travel insurance plans that cover Covid-related problems for your next trip, according to Forbes. Details here.

Brunno Braga • Dec 3, 2021

Anyone planning to travel abroad in the coming months should be aware of the restrictions in each country. Even in domestic destinations, it is advisable to have travel Insurance, as it is a protection that provides a safety net for any unforeseen events.

To choose the most suitable plan , three factors should be considered:

The type of trip. It is important to evaluate if the destination is busy, if you’ll be participating in adventurous activities, or if there will be people going with you.

You’ll also want to evaluate if the plan is cost-effective. Travel Insurance generally provides a more affordable cost in cases of unforeseen events, being essential for those planning international travel. Therefore, it is worth checking all the coverage and assistance offered by the insurer.

Pay attention to plan incentives. Does the insurance offer additional assistance, such as hospitalization, dental expenses and surgical interventions. Consider all options to find the most suitable product for your needs.

Now that you know, here are some options for travel insurance that cover COVID-related problems for your next trip. Here are the seven best COVID-19 travel insurance, according Forbes.

Cat 70’s plan was among the top scorers because it provides the best coverage levels across all of our measurements.

The plan’s COVID medical coverage is primary, so travelers don’t have to use their own health plan first, says the magazine.

“The highest medical coverage limit among the plans we reviewed. With top-notch benefits, this plan doesn’t have weak points for COVID coverage.”

For more information, visit the website.

2. HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide has top-notch COVID-related benefits across the board.

Forbes points that the greatest advantage of HTH Worldwide’s plan is its medical coverage is primary, with the highest medical coverage limit among the plans we reviewed.

Tin Leg’s Gold plan has superior COVID-related travel insurance benefits.

With its top-notch benefits, this plan doesn’t have a disadvantage for COVID-related coverage.

Official website.

4. USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

USI’s Diamond plan has received good reviews. However, if you’re looking for superior COVID coverage, this plan has no downsides.

Official website

5. AXA Assistance USA

AXA Assistance USA scored highly due to its solid pandemic-related coverage.

The plan’s COVID medical coverage is primary, so you don’t have to use your own health plan first.

Also, while the medical coverage of $250,000 isn’t the highest available, it’s generous and more than most other plans.

6. John Hancock’s Gold

John Hancock’s Gold plan offers excellent coverage levels for pandemic-related problems. While the medical coverage of $250,000 isn’t the highest available, it’s generous and more than most other plans.

7. Trawick International

Trawick International offers 21 days after your trip deposit to cancel for any reason coverage.

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Traveling in the covid-19 era: what you need to know about travel insurance.

This blog post can also be found on our  Coronavirus Resource Center .

Travel is one of the many aspects of our lives that have been altered by the pandemic . In recent months, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, we have had to cancel or postpone everything from business meetings to family reunions and transatlantic flights to summer road trips.

A study by Temple University found that 58% of Americans feel that travel insurance is "more necessary" than it was before COVID-19. The travel insurance industry is adapting to meet the changing needs of travelers. New coverages exist, and new exclusions and deletions are popping up. In this insight, we will examine what travel insurance covers, and, even more importantly, what it may not cover.

Here are some of the common risks that can be mitigated by purchasing specialty travel related insurance. These coverages can be structured in various ways to protect the entire family, or an individual, at reasonable prices.

Medical Care or Evacuation While Traveling

Medical emergencies can arise at any time, whether due to a prior condition, sudden illness, or injury. Some statistics show that nearly one in 30 trips results in some sort of medical emergency. However, having access to quality medical care while traveling abroad requires prior planning.

Consider this scenario: While exploring in a remote area of the Mexican Baja on a once-in-a-lifetime excursion, your spouse experiences a rapid onset of severe chest pain and develops a high fever. The closest medical facility is a one-room clinic, and there is a severe language barrier between you and the staff. How can you be certain you will be afforded a high level of care? Is there an alternative that will allow you to see a specialized physician back home?

Depending on your specific situation, there are policies that can provide round-the-clock medical assistance and evacuation services, transitioning your emergency care to state-of-the-art equipment and doctors back in the US. There are also medical transport and travel security membership programs for travelers who are frequently abroad.

If Your Trip Is Canceled or Interrupted by Coronavirus

Weather, terrorism, employment, medical emergency, and an uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are all reasons that trips may be postponed or cancelled.

A hypothetical scenario could be that to celebrate your mother's 75th birthday, you plan a long-postponed tour of Italy. Three days before the planned departure, you become ill and must be quarantined in the US. You must cancel the trip. How can you recoup the nonrefundable costs you have incurred?

With the right trip interruption coverage, you can rest assured that your travel costs will be reimbursed. In this line of insurance, many options exist. As always, make sure you have a good understanding of what is and what is not covered. You may purchase trip cancelation insurance as a separate policy, or you may have coverage as part of your credit card or another membership-related plan.

Coronavirus Spreads the Unexpected: Trip Delay/Baggage Issues

Flight delays cause many travelers to miss connecting flights, cruise departures, and lost or delayed baggage can create unanticipated expenses and heartache.

For example: You arrive in Hawaii for a second honeymoon, but your luggage does not. What are some solutions to cover your immediate expenses if the luggage is delayed for a day or two, missing for an extended period, or stolen?

Rather than relying on the airlines to reimburse you, purchasing a trip delay and baggage insurance policy is a simple choice. Specialty policies offer the most robust coverage options, but some credit card companies also provide a basic level of reimbursement for lost baggage. Keep in mind that most credit card provisions do not reimburse for baggage delays when you are returning to your primary destination.

Credit Card Travel Insurance Versus Stand-Alone Policies

While travel-related insurance services are a perk of some credit card memberships, be sure to check your terms and conditions prior to your trip. Many credit card companies have eliminated some of their travel coverage provisions due to the pandemic.

You will gain the most robust coverage with stand-alone policies from reputable carriers. Stand-alone travel insurance policies are traditionally primary, making your credit card trip cancellation and interruption coverage secondary. That means your credit card will cover whatever costs your independent travel insurance does not cover

Prior to 2020, most travelers did not consider infectious outbreaks when they made their plans. The pandemic has changed that. Be sure to read the fine-print of your policy carefully.

In 2018, consumers spent almost $3.8 billion on travel insurance, according to the US Travel Insurance Association , up 40% from 2016. Those policies covered more than 65 million people, and 90% of them included trip interruption and cancellation coverage.

The typical travel insurance policy costs between 4–10% of the cost of your trip, according to InsureMyTrip.com . If you are going to be traveling frequently, you may be better served by an annual policy that can be structured for families and based on the estimated number of trips in a year. Cancel-for-any reason policies, which typically allow you to cancel your trip up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure, are typically more expensive.

How will the travel industry continue to respond to the new COVID-19 reality? Providers are developing policies to offer coverage for some of the impacts of a future pandemic. However, it is too early to know what these policies will look like or how much they might cost. Having a seasoned expert on your side can also help you reduce and insure your risk.

Woodruff Sawyer's dedicated private client practice will continue to keep you updated on this evolving pandemic situation. Whether you are anxious to reschedule that vacation or needing to travel for business again, we always wish you safe travels.

COVID-19 continues to evolve quickly, impacting businesses and personal lives alike. Woodruff Sawyer has established the Coronavirus Resource Center to provide guidance and answer your pressing questions related to risk mitigation and insurance.

Jim Tolliver

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Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance. Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not  travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

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