Coronavirus and your Travel Plans

Since the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), there has been considerable travel interruption.  Many are wondering what their rights are if they decide to cancel their flight.

If your travel insurance policy includes “cancel for any reason” then you should expect to be refunded if you cancel your travel because of the virus. Those who purchase standard travel insurance policies are covered for “unexpected events”.

Insurers have stated that if an event turns out to be common knowledge it is then excluded from coverage. In this case, around the 21st of January, the coronavirus was no longer considered to be an unexpected event as it has since spread worldwide. 

Therefore, any travel insurance policies purchased after this date would not cover the outbreak. All is not lost, however, as a few airlines are currently waiving their fees if you cancel or change your flight because of fear of infection.

Travel insurers are expecting an increase in the purchase of travel insurance policies that cover “cancel for any reason”. If you decide to purchase this insurance for your travel you would be able to get back 75% of your travel cost if you cancel.

Generally, you have around 14 to 21 days after you have deposited a fee for your trip to purchase this travel insurance policy. Take note that you will have to insure the full cost of your trip and would need to cancel 48 hours before your planned departure.

If you are traveling overseas you might want to think about getting medical coverage which may include the options of being treated at a local health center, emergency medical treatment, and evacuation should you become ill. Make sure to read your policy keenly so you are clear about what you are covered for.

Finally, you need to have a plan in place should you become ill while traveling. Arrange a daily schedule to check in with a friend or family member. Also, be sure to make contact if something goes wrong.

Travel Insurance for your Vacation

Planning a vacation? Have you considered getting travel insurance?

You might have considered it, but don't think it is a priority. You may even think of it as an unnecessary expense as there are other things in your budget that you would rather spend your money on such as shopping, eating out, even activities you might want to try. Consider this though, what if you have an unfortunate accident or incident while you are on your holiday. Do you know how you are going to pay for any medical emergency or other expenses you might incur? You might not be in the best place financially to handle these expenses. This is why it is so essential that you are prepared, as the saying goes' it is better to be prepared than to be sorry.' Yes, we all hope that when we travel we do not encounter any natural disasters, become ill or have any accidents, but I am sure you will feel better knowing you are covered if anything should happen.

Travel insurance provides you coverage in several ways. For example, if you get the comprehensive coverage, you would be compensated should your flight get canceled or delayed, if your baggage gets lost, any of your costly items get stolen,  if you are treated in a hospital, for emergency evacuation and public liability. There are different types of travel insurance quotes available to choose from depending on your situation such as; the length of your vacation, your age, who is traveling with you, and what activities you plan on doing.

Think carefully about your requirements before you start searching for quotes. As it would save you a lot of time and help you to choose the travel insurance that is right for you. Do not wait until the last minute, as you want to make sure that you read through each one properly and examine what they cover, their benefits and what they exclude.  There are options for all budgets. So, if you are limited on money, there are also affordable insurance available to cover your needs. Comparison websites are an ideal place to start as you are shown quotes from different insurance providers, with good discounts available. 

Don't delay, get your travel insurance today, so you can travel with peace of mind.