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.

[MEL_Traveller]

Has anyone had experience or thoughts on buying medical insurance once in Japan as I've read here on the Japan.Travel website?

''The following two companies offer insurance that foreign visitors can apply after arriving in Japan. Both insurances introduce medical facilities, interpret between you and the doctor, and have cashless medical services. You can apply for insurance on their websites. For details, please check the following pages.
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. ''

While you (likely) won't be covered for coronavirus if you buy an insurance policy now, you will be covered for any other medical events while you are away... so get hit by a car or fall down some stairs and no worries about cover. Just buy a policy now here in Oz

 

[drron]

4 weeks ago people were making the same statements but saying that the date for clarity was April.

I suspect that this will be an issue all year long.

2 separate issues.It is quite possible that by April we will have a lot clearer knowledge of the virus itself and possible targets for vaccine.
That however doesn't mean that travel bans will be lifted them.
My point is that it is likely by August that we will know if the virus has spread world wide.The case for mandatory travel bans will be a lot less necessary and so may very well be known what travel can be undertaken without threats of quarantine etc.But many will be still be very careful about travel plans so the travel industry getting back to normal will obviously take a lot longer.

 

[suze2000]

When people say "won't be covered for Coronavirus", do you mean: won't be covered for cancellations/trip delays/changes due to covid-19, or do you mean: won't be covered if you catch it and need medical treatment?

 

[I love to travel]

When people say "won't be covered for Coronavirus", do you mean: won't be covered for cancellations/trip delays/changes due to covid-19, or do you mean: won't be covered if you catch it and need medical treatment?

Both I think

 

[suze2000]

But the Coronavirus didn't even exist when I took out my insurance? Surely that makes it an "unforeseen event"?

Plus, it has not been declared a pandemic yet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But the Coronavirus didn't even exist when I took out my insurance? Surely that makes it an "unforeseen event"?

Plus, it has not been declared a pandemic yet.

You're spot on. For those who purchased their insurance before the outbreak of the virus... full cover for cancellations, or if you get sick from the virus, etc... provided your insurance didn't exclude things like 'epidemic'.

If you purchased your insurance after the outbreak became known, most if not all insurances will exclude anything related to the virus... flights, hotels or you yourself getting sick. Anything else, unrelated to the virus should be covered.

It all comes down to when you purchased your insurance (and even then, any exclusions)

 

[Pushka]

But the Coronavirus didn't even exist when I took out my insurance? Surely that makes it an "unforeseen event"?

Plus, it has not been declared a pandemic yet.

Yes it does if you purchased before likely 31st January - date can vary a little - and the policy covers epidemics and pandemics. Some don’t.

 

[marksound]

Turns out I have full coverage as the taxes+fees on a points booking were paid for with an Amex which makes it eligible for insurance. Booked back in July before all this happened so any coronavirus related medical issues will be covered too.

Still planning on going to Japan on Saturday stocked up with lots of masks and sanitiser!

 

[Ktan89]

I normally buy extra insurance (through SCTI) but this time i thought it'll be fine with two credit card insurances... how I am so wrong.
The two complimentary insurance i have does not cover cancellations or claim caused by epidemic/pandemic events.
Are there any insurance companies out there where i can still be covered if purchase a policy now?
I know if a flight gets cancelled due to Corona, the airline will normally work with you change or refund the flight but what do i do with the other flights, accommodation, car rental and prebooked activities.
Leaving end of March and I wasn't worried until now - scared that i will need to be quarantined somewhere and will make me miss my next connection.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I normally buy extra insurance (through SCTI) but this time i thought it'll be fine with two credit card insurances... how I am so wrong.
The two complimentary insurance i have does not cover cancellations or claim caused by epidemic/pandemic events.
Are there any insurance companies out there where i can still be covered if purchase a policy now?
I know if a flight gets cancelled due to Corona, the airline will normally work with you change or refund the flight but what do i do with the other flights, accommodation, car rental and prebooked activities.
Leaving end of March and I wasn't worried until now - scared that i will need to be quarantined somewhere and will make me miss my next connection.

There's probably no cost effective travel insurance that would now cover you for the corona virus.

If it's any consolation, SCTI looks like they wouldn't have covered you anyway - even if you'd bought the policy before corona virus became well known... from their PDS under the section 'Other losses we do not cover' it states:

'We will not reimburse you for any claims, costs or losses directly or indirectly arising from, related to or associated with:

• (l) an epidemic illness or pandemic illness, or the threat or perceived threat of any such epidemic illness or pandemic illness

https://www.scti.com.au/media/1038/scti-australia-pds.pdf

 

[suze2000]

Yes I booked my trip using my ANZ FF Black card, and I can't find anywhere in the PDS where there's an exclusion for epidemics or pandemics?

https://www.anz.com.au/content/dam/anzcomau/documents/pdf/premium-cards-insurances.pdf

If I decide not to travel purely based on this, I THINK I will be covered, but I'm too afraid to ask the insurer directly.

 

[Ktan89]

There's probably no cost effective travel insurance that would now cover you for the corona virus.

yeah, i know. but i wouldn't mind looking at the pricing because this trip is a big one for me.

BTW. Thanks, i kinda feel happier reading that SCTI pdf.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes I booked my trip using my ANZ FF Black card, and I can't find anywhere in the PDS where there's an exclusion for epidemics or pandemics?

https://www.anz.com.au/content/dam/anzcomau/documents/pdf/premium-cards-insurances.pdf

If I decide not to travel purely based on this, I THINK I will be covered, but I'm too afraid to ask the insurer directly.

do a word search in the PDS for 'epidemic' you'll find the following:

• natural disaster means any event or force of nature that has catastrophic consequences, such as avalanche, earthquake, flood, bush fire, hurricane, tornado, cyclone, tsunami and volcanic eruption, but not epidemics or pandemics.

This applies in conjunction with the section for 'additional travel and accommodation expenses', which covers natural disasters (but would exclude epidemics and pandemics).

So you might be covered for medical expenses (tick), or perhaps cancelled flights or hotels (which would be refunded by the airline/hotel anyway) due to an epidemic, but if you were stuck mid holiday because you airline cancelled your onward flight... the cost of accommodation etc and alternative arrangements would not be covered if due to an epidemic.

 

[Scr77]

So, are people cancelling trips or going without being covered for medial costs associated with Covid19?

We were off to the States, but I can‘t ignore the huge medical costs that would be incurred - if they would even provide treatment!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So, are people cancelling trips or going without being covered for medial costs associated with Covid19?

We were off to the States, but I can‘t ignore the huge medical costs that would be incurred - if they would even provide treatment!

Going without being covered. Although I'll only be in the states for about 9 days. So I guess 'safe' from that perspective in that I'll be in the UK after that and covered by reciprocal health agreements.

 

[Julesmac]

I'm feeling a wee bit glum tonight as I've cancelled my planned trip to the UK in May. I feel it's going to be one heck of a rocky ride. Prudence wins out

 

[Pushka]

I'm feeling a wee bit glum tonight as I've cancelled my planned trip to the UK in May. I feel it's going to be one heck of a rocky ride. Prudence wins out

Im feeling the same. I'm thinking late March that was Bali then maybe Fiji and July that covers Italy are goners too. Just cant get interested in them anymore.

 

[OATEK]

Because we have daughter/granddaughter in UK we will push on with our trip in next few weeks. Even if cruise portion is cancelled, we want to spend the time with the girls, as it will likely be around Christmas/January before we can travel there again.

 

[Pushka]

Because we have daughter/granddaughter in UK we will push on with our trip in next few weeks. Even if cruise portion is cancelled, we want to spend the time with the girls, as it will likely be around Christmas/January before we can travel there again.

That trip would be fine and I'd expect son and DIL and their baby will visit UK as usual to see the other grandies. They are supposed to go to a wedding in Spain. I suspect that is now questionable. They are the ones whose trip was impacted by the downfall of fly365.

 

[Ktan89]

I cant find any policies that will cover cancellations now - it's way too late.

Now im looking for one that will atleast cover medical bills in countries like America incase i need hospital cover due to the virus. I have found travelinsuranz and on the main page it says they cover pandemics.

Reading more into their FAQ the below wording makes me thing they will still cover medical expenses as long as i am not in China. Is this how you guys read it too? Correct me if i am wrong.

All FAQs and comparing of travel insurance - Travel Insuranz

Travel Insuranz has pulled together all the questions we are normally asked about travel insurance on our FAQs. If you have anything else, ask us online now.

www.travelinsuranz.com.au

Section 2 - Overseas Medical Expenses:
If you are overseas and need medical assistance, please call our 24 hour emergency assistance team immediately on +61 (0) 2 8907 5953 or by email at[email protected]

Claims Information
In the event of a claim covered by your policy, you must do everything you can to minimise and reduce the cost of the claim (including seeking compensation from any travel service providers), and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred.

Policies purchased on or after 9:00am AEST Thursday 23 January 2020

Travel insurance provides cover for unforeseen events only and therefore, there is no cover for amendment or cancellation costs for policies issued on or after 23 January 2020 for travel to the Hubei Province in China as the outbreak of the Coronavirus is no longer deemed an unforeseen event. Effective 02 February 2020 (9:00am AEST), there is no cover for amendment or cancellation costs for travel to China as the outbreak of the Coronavirus is no longer deemed an unforeseen event.

If you decide to change your travel plans, we suggest you talk with your travel agent or transport provider as soon as possible to minimise your out of pocket expenses. If you travel to a country affected by the Coronavirus (China) and contract the virus, there is no cover for overseas medical expenses.