Has anyone been impacted by the Coronavirus? Will travel insurance cover the costs if we wanted to cancel? Especially if the flights are with points.

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Has anyone been impacted by the Coronavirus? Will travel insurance cover the costs if we wanted to cancel? Especially if the flights are with points.

 

[theblank]

You need to ask the travel insurance company. Generally they will make statements on their website regarding current issues, but my guess is probably not.
The corona virus issue would need to force you to cancel in order for you to have a valid claim.

The approach you need to take is first with your Airlines and Accomadation etc, and ask them if you can cancel. in situations like this you often find that they are happy to accomadate.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I doubt you'll be able to claim insurance on choosing to cancel a flight yourself.

 

[p--and--t]

....and I saw somewhere a while back, some insurances don't cover points bookings anyway, need to read PDS.

 

[theblank]

well as the flights were with points, the points will be refunded! Less a small fee that will be much less than the Insurance claim excess.

 

[I love to travel]

Unless your flight is in the near future I wouldn't panic yet. So far does not seem to have rapidly spread within China so whist that status is maintained it is contained. I think this is being a little overhyped compared to how quickly SARS spread in 2002/3.

 

[cqtiger]

Most travel insurance does not cover pandemics but if you have "cancel for any reason" insurance you should be ok. Just dont use the reason for cancelling as being the corona virus(if that makes sense)

 

[SeatBackForward]

....and I saw somewhere a while back, some insurances don't cover points bookings anyway, need to read PDS.

Points are usually treated as cash, unless of course specified in the policy, I've had points redeemed flights covered by delays due to weather etc.. Unfortunately the devil is very much in the details when it comes to each different type of travel insurance.

 

[Pushka]

....and I saw somewhere a while back, some insurances don't cover points bookings anyway, need to read PDS.

But you do get points back and taxes and I’m sure if it’s directly related to a risk area the penalties would be waived.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Now that said, if the Australian Government issued a "Do not Travel" warning to the destination you've booked flights for, this would be reasonable grounds for a claim.

I have been in a tricky situation once before, where there was a travel warning/advisory issued to a destination I was travelling to. As it was just a warning, the insurer I had at that time wouldn't consider it acceptable for a refund. Yet, they would not cover anything that may happen while I was there, because a warning had also been in issued. Needless to say I haven't taken insurance with them ever again.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Actually I am yet to get my travel insurance, just wondering if anyone has had a good experience or any personal preferences for a travel insurance?

At this stage I am about 3 months away from travelling and i am actually only just passing through China. So I know it is not a big deal, I am using China Air and passing through PEK but i was just interested in anyone's experience with this sort of thing.

Given the big media coverage at the moment i would have thought some us would be or could be impacted by this

 

[serfty]

@whole-lotta-moxie - the following thread may be of assistance to you.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Respiratory illness - Effect on Travel

A virus similar to SARS has broken out in China (Wuhan province). The disease has also been detected in some SEA countries Theory is that virus is animal origin and has made an animal to human jump and is being propagated by human to human transmission. SIN, HKG and LAX are commencing...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Princess Fiona]

Actually I am yet to get my travel insurance, just wondering if anyone has had a good experience or any personal preferences for a travel insurance?

At this stage I am about 3 months away from travelling and i am actually only just passing through China. So I know it is not a big deal, I am using China Air and passing through PEK but i was just interested in anyone's experience with this sort of thing.

Given the big media coverage at the moment i would have thought some us would be or could be impacted by this

If you don’t already have TI then it’s highly unlikely that you could purchase it now and use it in the event you need to cancel due to Corona Virus.

 

[Pushka]

If you don’t already have TI then it’s highly unlikely that you could purchase it now and use it in the event you need to cancel due to Corona Virus.

Agree. Every company I’ve looked at over the weekend has now stated the date at which they will no longer provide cover as it is now a Known Event. However if travel is purchased prior with a credit card then that might be the only cover for this situation.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Especially if the flights are with points.

Possibly. But you'll need to try and recover any loss yourself first before making the claim. Cancelling a points based fare usually results in a refund of the points, less a small penalty. This then likely means not worth claiming on insurance.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Agree. Every company I’ve looked at over the weekend has now stated the date at which they will no longer provide cover as it is now a Known Event. However if travel is purchased prior with a credit card then that might be the only cover for this situation.

Oh, good point... This was a flight through Avianca and i did purchase some of the points at the time with a credit card ... oh i forgot all about it

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh, good point... This was a flight through Avianca and i did purchase some of the points at the time with a credit card ... oh i forgot all about it

Yeah, with Lifemiles you might be up for the USD200 cancellation fee. TI is probably too late now to cover that. If the airline cancels, you get free cancellation anyway.

 

[Pushka]

Yeah, with Lifemiles you might be up for the USD200 cancellation fee. TI is probably too late now to cover that. If the airline cancels, you get free cancellation anyway.

Recoverable likely from the credit card.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Recoverable likely from the credit card.

Potentially - but not sure on which basis the claim would fit under?

 

[I love to travel]

Has anyone been impacted by the Coronavirus? Will travel insurance cover the costs if we wanted to cancel? Especially if the flights are with points.

When are your flights?