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After 18 months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, you may be itching to break out of your itching wanderlust, but circumstances and rules are still evolving. That’s why before you go anywhere, it’s a good idea to take out a travel insurance plan to protect the investment you made on your long-awaited trip.
A robust travel insurance plan provides prepaid travel expenses if you cancel or interrupt your trip, encounter a travel delay, lose your baggage, or need medical care or medical evacuation. and refund the non-refundable security deposit. Your policy also covers “covered reasons” for your plans, such as death, illness or injury, serious family emergency, unscheduled jury duty, military deployment, acts of terrorism, or the bankruptcy of your travel provider. To do.
However, COVID-19 has added an extra checklist to your usual insurance needs—Make sure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses and illness-related losses It is important to If you must self-isolate after testing positive for the virus, your policy should also cover quarantine costs.
What is required for COVID-19 insurance coverage?
When purchasing a travel insurance plan that covers COVID-19, you should do your research and read the plan details.
Look for a travel insurance product that protects non-refundable up-front costs if you have to cancel your trip due to illness due to COVID-19. Your policy should also cover emergency medical care and emergency medical transportation. For COVID-19 coverage, make sure your insurance covers medical, medication, hospital and quarantine costs.
“The type of insurance you should look for depends on your needs, travel dates, and type of trip,” says Sasha Gainerin, CEO of travel insurance company Battleface. He said some travel insurance companies are currently excluding COVID-19 coverage because COVID-19 is labeled as a “known/foreseeable event,” while other travel insurance The company may have ruled out the pandemic entirely.
“It’s important to look for a plan that includes medical and quarantine costs—this is important if you get sick while traveling and need to be treated,” continues Gainullin.
Another tip is to make sure there are no exclusions based on your travel destination. This could occur in countries under government-issued travel warnings, Gainullin said.
“If travelers have concerns, we encourage them to speak directly to their travel insurance company. Review your insurance details, answer all questions, and ensure all required coverage options are included.” ,” he adds.
Is insurance coverage dependent on vaccination?
Getting adequate vaccinations before traveling is a good idea, but vaccinations are not required to purchase travel insurance.
What medical expenses are covered by overseas travel insurance?
Travel insurance can cover the cost of both medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. U.S. health insurance plans and Medicare generally do not cover medical expenses abroad, so it’s a good idea to check with your personal health insurance company to see if global coverage is available.
“Losing travel costs through unplanned cancellations is painful, but paying for expensive emergency treatment and emergency medical transport can be financially devastating,” Durazo says.
Under a travel insurance plan, medical costs can range from covering doctor visits, pharmacy costs, imaging costs, and hospitalization if necessary. Other costs that can be covered are transportation to medical facilities and medicines.
Read more: Will my health insurance cover getting COVID-19 while traveling in the US or abroad?
How about covering an unexpected quarantine due to COVID-19?
Many destinations abroad now require visitors to take out travel insurance in case of an unexpected quarantine. Allianz Travel Insurance has added coverage to many of its products, including reimbursement for quarantine-related accommodations, if you or your travel companions are individually ordered to quarantine while traveling, Durazo says.
This coverage usually covers additional food, lodging and transportation costs during quarantine. In addition, certain Allianz Plan Trip Interruption and Trip Delay Benefits also provide coverage if you are denied boarding by your travel agent due to suspected illness.
The benefits of quarantine coverage vary by carrier. For example, some Trawick International plans offer a $2,000 quarantine benefit plus surcharge, which can be increased up to $7,000.
What about pre-flight COVID-19 testing?
Plans may provide flight compensation if you are denied at the border for failing a health inspection. Foster says his Trawick travel insurance plan, which covers COVID-19, will cover the cost of failing a medical examination. The plan also covers the costs of PCR testing not returning to the US, such as having to quarantine abroad.

It is important to note that the actual cost of PCR testing is not covered by insurance, only losses associated with negative tests.
Read more: PCR testing for travel: everything you need to know
Some destinations require COVID-specific insurance—how do I comply with these restrictions?
Before traveling internationally, check the country you are traveling to to make sure it meets the insurance coverage requirements. Countries such as Spain, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Thailand are among the countries that have mandated COVID-19 insurance coverage.
“First, we need to check each country’s specific COVID regulations regarding immigration. ,” Foster explains. It is important to provide proof coverage. So travelers should ensure they receive documentation from their insurers to show customs officials that they cover COVID-19-related costs, she said.
If you arrive in a country that requires proof of insurance to cover medical and quarantine costs for COVID-19 and you do not have insurance, you will not be allowed to enter.
For more information on COVID-19 and travel, visit Lonely Planet’s Health Hub.
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