The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated a closer look at travel insurance plans and carriers—specifically what they cover and what they don’t. It’s important to consider plans that meet high benefit and coverage standards that travelers are seeking right now.
Considerations for travel insurance coverage include:
No Pandemic Exclusion
Travelers are now learning that some carriers and plans that have a pandemic exclusion and are limited in coverage. For example, with this exclusion in place, Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverage might not be effective for any reason related to the pandemic (for example, if you or your traveling companion became ill with Covid-19). Additionally, Emergency Medical Expenses and Emergency Medical Evacuation might not provide coverage for Covid-19 illness.
Cancel For Any Reason Optional Upgrade
A desirable upgrade option frequently called Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) may be available when you buy travel insurance within 21 days of the date when you make your initial trip deposit i A CFAR option allows you to cancel your trip for literally any reason at all and still recoup up to 75% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. CFAR is especially important now because travel insurance plans generally don’t cover any of the following reasons for cancellation: fear of travel, including due to the pandemic, government-imposed travel bans to other countries, new outbreaks in your destination, and CDC or WHO warnings. To protect your trip payment in the event of any of these cancellation reasons that fall outside of what’s covered in travel insurance plans, it may be prudent to consider a CFAR upgrade, which may cost an additional 50% – 55% of the base insurance premium, depending on the plan purchased.
Covid-19 Related Trip Disruptions
There are other considerations regarding Covid-19 trip disruptions in the case that you or your traveling companion – or even a family member or business partner – contract the virus. It is important to investigate coverage and benefits for:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Emergency Medical Evacuation.
For more information about trip insurance and travel assistance, please visit www.theaiatrust.com/insurance/travel-assistance/ and contact the plan providers for details.