Travel Insurance which covers COVID-19?

[JB expat]

I just spoke to AmEx re: the Chubb policy that attaches when you purchase a flight with your AMEX. The rider available on the American Express cc website is the official rider and document - one that can be relied on. I'm satisfied that it provides me with the COVID coverage I need for my personal circumstances. Whether they would pay out if I have a claim is another question - but that exists re: every travel insurer.

 

[andye]

For the salaried medics on here, ASMOF has updated its Chubb-backed policy in a similar manner to Amex

 

[dannylowau]

We are both seniors travelling most of the time domestically and international pre Covid At least 8 to 10 international trips generally duration less than 30 days

Took our first flight Nov 2021 Syd to Sin using VTL Bought Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance with zero excess and cover travel within Australia and international excluding Antartica and sports -dangerous sports ,cruises etc Cost A$ 2,000 Expensive hooefulky peace of mind and safety

Several countries will require incoming passengers or tourist to have travel insurance

 

[Ktan89]

Anyone checked out www.scti.com.au? Thoughts?

 

[jdt]

Anyone checked out www.scti.com.au? Thoughts?

It looks like they only cover the 2 lower levels of travel advice from smartraveller.gov.au ("Exercise normal safety precautions" and "Exercise a high degree of caution") and won't cover you for "Reconsider your need to travel".

Given the current reaction to Omicron, I guess it's possible that they might change some countries' ratings, so it might be best to look at options that will cover you for a "Reconsider your need to travel" rating.

 

[Ktan89]

It looks like they only cover the 2 lower levels of travel advice from smartraveller.gov.au ("Exercise normal safety precautions" and "Exercise a high degree of caution") and won't cover you for "Reconsider your need to travel".

Given the current reaction to Omicron, I guess it's possible that they might change some countries' ratings, so it might be best to look at options that will cover you for a "Reconsider your need to travel" rating.

I saw that, but if the travel advice changes and we don't go on the trip, they cover the cancellations right?

Any other travel insurance people can recommend besides covermore.?

 

[andye]

A!a a1

I saw that, but if the travel advice changes and we don't go on the trip, they cover the cancellations right?

Any other travel insurance people can recommend besides covermore.?

Unfortunately not. Even the better policies only cover you for cancellation if you get catch covid or are a contact which prevents you travelling

 

[Jenya]

Because travel policies will not cover you for any flight cancellations, quarantines due to government directions if you NOT actually diagnosed with COVID, wouldn't be better if you just buy Visitor insurance for the country you going to instead of Travel one?
I am not too much concern of costs of tickets etc. they are a fraction of possible costs of COVID treatment overseas.
So say a week long trip to US is 30$ compare 200$ for same period from Covermore.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Because travel policies will not cover you for any flight cancellations, quarantines due to government directions if you NOT actually diagnosed with COVID, wouldn't be better if you just buy Visitor insurance for the country you going to instead of Travel one?
I am not too much concern of costs of tickets etc. they are a fraction of possible costs of COVID treatment overseas.
So say a week long trip to US is 30$ compare 200$ for same period from Covermore.

In theory yes, as long as you check that it is valid for visitors, etc. Somewhere up the thread we looked at Heymondo which is half the price of the Aussie-based insurance retailers. That also covers a range of other travel related matters, not just medical. But as always, the PDS is key to see whether it meets your needs.

 

[Mattg]

For those concerned about the latest developments with DFAT upgrading (or should it be downgrading?) its travel advice for 9 African countries, there are a couple of insurers you may want to look into.

Go Insurance does not generally cover destinations with travel advice to "reconsider your need to travel" or "do not travel", but their PDS says that (my bolding):

It is hereby noted and agreed that the three policy exclusions noted below are waived if:

1. the Insured Person has obtained a travel exemption from the Australian government or is otherwise travelling legally; and
2. there is a Do not travel or Reconsider your need to travel advisory in force on the www.smartraveller.gov.au website for the proposed destination(s) in respect of the health risks from COVID-19 pandemic and significant disruptions to global travel. If the Do not travel or Reconsider your need to travel advisory is for any other reason in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exclusions are not waived.

In other words, this exclusion doesn't apply if COVID-19 & related disruptions is the only reason for the level 3/4 travel advice. So I believe you would still be covered.

Sure enough, this is what Smartraveller currently says about South Africa:

We now advise:

Do not travel to South Africa due to COVID-19 health risks and disruptions to global travel.

Also worth noting the wording from the Medibank PDS:

We Will Not Pay For Claims Caused By:
• or arising from You travelling to a country or part of a
country, which was subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time You entered the country or part of the country. (This exclusion only applies if the (or one of the) reason(s) for the advice was the presence of COVID-19). This exclusion will not apply if Your trip destination is Australia or New Zealand

This seems to indicate that if you were already in a country when the government slaps on a "Do not travel" warning, you would still be covered for some things. That could make a difference if the government gets trigger-happy with adding more countries to its "do not travel" list.

 

[andye]

For those concerned about the latest developments with DFAT upgrading (or should it be downgrading?) its travel advice for 9 African countries, there are a couple of insurers you may want to look into.

Go Insurance does not generally cover destinations with travel advice to "reconsider your need to travel" or "do not travel", but their PDS says that (my bolding):



In other words, this exclusion doesn't apply if COVID-19 & related disruptions is the only reason for the level 3/4 travel advice. So I believe you would still be covered.

Sure enough, this is what Smartraveller currently says about South Africa:




Also worth noting the wording from the Medibank PDS:



This seems to indicate that if you were already in a country when the government slaps on a "Do not travel" warning, you would still be covered for some things. That could make a difference if the government gets trigger-happy with adding more countries to its "do not travel" list.

That is a better wording than some but would need some careful reading to see if you were covered for disruption caused by closed borders in the absence of a personal covid infection. I imagine you would not be covered for a reinstitution of closed borders or mandatory HQ for all returning travellers

 

[Mattg]

That is a better wording than some but would need some careful reading to see if you were covered for disruption caused by closed borders in the absence of a personal covid infection. I imagine you would not be covered for a reinstitution of closed borders or mandatory HQ for all returning travellers

Correct, but no insurer is covering border closures/hotel quarantine anyway. All these insurers are doing is not automatically excluding the same cover anyone else would get, if you travel to a "do not travel" destination (Go) or are already in a destination when it becomes "do not travel" (Medibank).

 

[k_sheep]

For the salaried medics on here, ASMOF has updated its Chubb-backed policy in a similar manner to Amex

And for those with the previously-excellent Avant annual insurance, it is now specifically excluding COVID, and nearly doubling in price!

I'm certainly giving them the flick - stuck with them the last 2 years in the hope they would cover my $8k Antarctica cruise deposit when the company finally went bust - hasn't happened YET but will have to take my chances I think.

 

[MARTINE]

And for those with the previously-excellent Avant annual insurance, it is now specifically excluding COVID, and nearly doubling in price!

I'm certainly giving them the flick - stuck with them the last 2 years in the hope they would cover my $8k Antarctica cruise deposit when the company finally went bust - hasn't happened YET but will have to take my chances I think.

I too have AVANT - fortunately did cover all my pre March 2020 paid cancellations etc . However you’re right they have never reinstated Covid coverage and doubt they will. I stuck with them thinking they may revive the product 21/22 and I’ll travel but sayonara to that . I will reassess in June 22 (A lifetime away).
If I travel FY23 and they improve the insurance may reconsider - otherwise not worth it

 

[Ktan89]

Does any insurance companies cover cruise at the moment?
Will be going on RCL Bahamas cruise in January.

 

[blacksultan]

I am currently in Bangkok enroute to India .
My original flight was a qantas classic award BKK - KUL -BOM .(MAS)
My MAS departure flight from BKK was changed to later one requiring me to cancel and rebook my onward Indian domestic flight as I would arrive at a later time in BOM .
This entire flight was then cancelled by MAS -so I rebooked another qantas classic award BKK -KUL -CMB -BOM for which I never received the ticket nut the points had taxes were deducted . This booking seems to have been cancelled as well as per qf manage your booking link but I have received no notification and I have been on hold to qantas for an hour yesterday .
I have now rebooked on TG -Sq - BKK -SIN -BOM.
I now have to stay overnight in BOM.

My question is can I claim any of these expenses From my travel insurance provider ? I am unsure as I have never has TI before .would this be covered under amendment /cancellation .?
I have a policy with cover more and have activated my Allianz insurance policy through anz credit cards .

Thanks In advance .

 

[DC3]

... My question is can I claim any of these expenses From my travel insurance provider ? I am unsure as I have never has TI before .would this be covered under amendment /cancellation .?
I have a policy with cover more and have activated my Allianz insurance policy through anz credit cards …

Definitely an unfortunate situation for you. These things are often policy-specific, so maybe need to contact the insurer at some point, or else just make a claim, depending upon the excess.

Is there also a COVID-related issue here, as it’s in the COVID travel insurance thread?

 

[blacksultan]

Definitely an unfortunate situation for you. These things are often policy-specific, so maybe need to contact the insurer at some point, or else just make a claim, depending upon the excess.

Is there also a COVID-related issue here, as it’s in the COVID travel insurance thread?

Thanks . I believe the flights were cancelled because of changes in regulations due to the Covid pandemic .

 

[Ktan89]

Correct me if I am wrong. All the travel insurance companies do not cover you if the government imposes a quarantine/isolation order unless you are actually deemed a close contact or caught covid yourself a member of your travel party caught covid.

I'm going SYD - America - Canada - America - SYD next week. If the America changes their entry requirements while I am in Canada and say they impose 3 day quarantine.. I can't claim Insurance for the disruption and extra costs right?

 

[JB expat]

Just received a hard copy letter today from Latitude Financial (issuer of my 28 degrees credit card which I think was recommended years ago on AFF as having good FX rates for a cc). Seems they are offering insurance for "covered medical expenses up to $700k inclusive of COVID related medical expenses. Haven't looked at the actual policy re: flight changes due to COVID but I thought this was interesting. Unfortunately, I've already booked a big trip with another CC....

Edit - doesn't look too bad - wish I had been able to use this card to book my upcoming trip. https://latitudefs.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/4411109979793