Travel Insurance During a Pandemic

The question of whether to purchase travel insurance can be tricky at the best of times. Add a pandemic into the mix and the decision becomes doubly confusing due to the wide range of requirements, restrictions, and coverage options for COVID-19.

Coverage

Prior to COVID-19, travel insurance policies specifically didn’t cover health issues or cancelations as a result of a pandemic. Most policies have now been updated to reflect COVID-19. Anyone planning overseas travel still needs to read the COVID-related portion of travel insurance carefully to ascertain coverage.

It may come as a surprise, but many U.S. health insurance policies don’t provide any coverage when traveling overseas – that includes Medicare. Without travel insurance, individuals could be liable for thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.

Restrictions and Requirements

There are currently 26 countries that require proof of travel insurance to gain entry. Many countries are mandating that visitors have travel insurance that covers COVID-19. Still others require that individuals have a regular medical insurance policy that specifically covers illness, testing and quarantine due to COVID-19. Costa Rico, for example, sets the minimum coverage at $50,000. Read over COVID coverage carefully to determine if it meets the requirements for the destination country.

Policy Protection

Not all insurers offer the same coverage under travel insurance. Coverage may include reimbursement for covered medical treatment due to COVID-19 or if an individual contracts COVID and must cancel the trip by a doctor’s orders. The policy might also include protection if a doctor requires an individual to quarantine prior to leaving on the trip, or lost a job during the pandemic through no fault of their own.

Due Diligence

As with anything, travelers must practice due diligence and review the COVID-19 coverage and exclusions of their travel insurance policy. As part of the process, individuals will also need to know the conditions and prerequisites of their destination country to ensure their travel insurance complies with any requirements.

For more information about how The Sena Group can help you with any

of your insurance needs, please contact us at 561-391-4661.

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

The Sena Group
6501 Congress Ave., Ste. 100
Boca Raton, FL 33487