COVID-19 travel insurance is essential to safeguard your trip investment in case the virus disrupts your plans. To ensure comprehensive coverage, it’s crucial to find a travel insurance policy that includes protection for COVID-related issues. Thankfully, all our top-rated plans meet this criterion.
One of the key aspects of the best travel insurance for COVID-19 is its extensive coverage for medical treatment abroad. In the unfortunate event that you contract COVID during your trip, the insurance will take care of the medical expenses. Additionally, if medical evacuation becomes necessary, the policy will handle the logistics and costs involved.
Apart from medical coverage, the best travel insurance plans are reasonably priced considering the level of protection they offer. Furthermore, they often provide the option to add a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade, offering greater flexibility. With CFAR, you can receive a partial refund, typically up to 75% of your covered costs, if you need to change your travel plans due to reasons not otherwise covered by the policy. For instance, this could include wanting to reschedule your trip because of a COVID outbreak at your intended destination.
Compare the best COVID travel insurance plans
| COMPANY | TOP-SCORING POLICY | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Cat 70 | Travel Plan | 4.5 stars |
| John Hancock Ins Agency | Silver | 4.5 stars |
| Seven Corners | RoundTrip Basic | 4.5 stars |
| Tin Leg | Gold | 4.5 stars |
| Travel Insured | Worldwide Trip Protector | 4.5 stars |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels First Class | 4.5 stars |
| USI Affinity | Ruby | 4.5 stars |
| AXA Assistance USA | Platinum | 4.0 stars |
| HTH Travel Insurance | TripProtector Preferred | 4.0 stars |
| Nationwide | Cruise Luxury | 4.0 stars |
| TravelSafe | Classic | 4.0 stars |
| WorldTrips | Atlas Journey Preferred | 4.0 stars |
| Generali Global Assistance | Preferred | 3.5 stars |
| Generali Global Assistance | Premium | 3.5 stars |
| IMG | iTravelInsured Travel Lite | 3.5 stars |
| IMG | iTravelInsured Travel SE | 3.5 stars |
| GoReady | Choice | 3.0 stars |
| Travelex | Travel Select | 3.0 stars |
| Arch RoamRight | Pro Plus | 2.5 stars |
| Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection | ExactCare Value | 2.0 stars |
| Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection | ExactCare | 2.0 stars |
How to get COVID-19 travel insurance
When looking for travel insurance, it’s essential to find a policy that covers various aspects, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and emergency medical transportation. According to Daniel Durazo, the director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA, a policy that offers epidemic-related coverage can also help with expenses related to trip cancellations, travel delays, mandatory quarantines, and even being denied boarding due to suspected illness. It’s crucial to review the policy to ensure it includes the necessary coverage.
One significant aspect of travel insurance plans is emergency medical coverage. While most plans do cover medical expenses for treating COVID-19, it’s always wise to carefully read through the policy to confirm this. Understanding the coverage details can help travelers feel more secure and prepared during their journey.
Average cost of COVID travel insurance‘
Our top-scoring COVID travel insurance plans have an average cost of $359. Opting for the “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade increases the average cost by $212, a 59% increase.
With CFAR coverage, you have the flexibility to cancel your travel plans for any reason, as long as it’s done at least two days before your scheduled departure. Upon cancellation, you can receive reimbursement for 50% or 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses, depending on the plan.
To avail CFAR coverage, it’s essential to purchase it within two to three weeks of making your first trip deposit. This ensures you can take advantage of the added benefits and peace of mind offered by the optional upgrade.
Average cost of adding “cancel for any reason” coverage
| COMPANY | TOP-SCORING POLICY | AVERAGE COST (NO CFAR) | AVERAGE COST WITH CFAR | COST CFAR ADDS TO PLAN | % INCREASE IN COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Corners | RoundTrip Basic | $280 | $397 | $117 | 42% |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels First Class | $294 | $500 | $206 | 70% |
| WorldTrips | Atlas Journey Preferred | $316 | $466 | $150 | 47% |
| Travel Insured | Worldwide Trip Protector | $336 | $533 | $197 | 59% |
| John Hancock Ins Agency | Silver | $346 | $520 | $174 | 50% |
| Cat 70 | Travel Plan | $360 | $541 | $181 | 50% |
| Tin Leg | Gold | $360 | $541 | $181 | 50% |
| USI Affinity | Ruby | $366 | $549 | $183 | 50% |
| TravelSafe | Classic | $384 | $712 | $328 | 87% |
| Nationwide | Cruise Luxury | $393 | $591 | $198 | 50% |
| AXA Assistance USA | Platinum | $409 | $808 | $399 | 98% |
| HTH Travel Insurance | TripProtector Preferred | $469 | $704 | $235 | 50% |
| Average | $359 | $572 | $212 | 59% | |
What travel restrictions are still in place?
Over the past three years, COVID-19-related travel restrictions have been lifted in many countries. However, the possibility of reinstating restrictions remains if a new, more dangerous variant of the virus emerges or if there is a serious concern about another infectious disease. These measures may include mandatory negative virological tests or proof of vaccination for entry into the country. It’s important to note that state and territorial governments may have their own specific requirements that differ from national guidelines.
Given the ever-changing nature of the situation, it is strongly advised to check the official government website of the country you plan to visit. Additionally, refer to Travel.State.gov for the most up-to-date entry requirements and travel recommendations before making any travel arrangements. Regularly monitoring these websites as your travel date approaches will help you stay informed about any changes that might affect your ability to enter and leave your destination, as well as re-enter the United States.
Quarantine reimbursement from travel insurance
When making a travel insurance claim, it is crucial to provide the necessary supporting documents to get reimbursed. Your insurance policy should clearly outline the specific documents required for your claim. Ignoring this step can lead to significant delays in claim processing, as emphasized by Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. It’s essential not to assume that your insurance company will accept anything less than what they have specified. If you have any uncertainties about the required documentation, don’t hesitate to reach out to your insurance provider for clarification.
When it comes to COVID-19 diagnosis for travel insurance coverage, it must come from a licensed physician who determines that you are unfit to travel. A self-administered at-home COVID test will not be sufficient to pursue a claim under a travel insurance policy, according to Stan Sandberg, co-founder and CEO of TravelInsurance.com. It is important to be aware of this distinction when seeking coverage for COVID-related situations.
What does COVID-19 travel insurance cover?
Many travel insurance providers treat COVID like any other unforeseen illness, meaning it can be covered under your policy. If your plan doesn’t exclude COVID-related costs, you may receive reimbursement for various expenses. These could include additional hotel stays, transportation, meals, medical care, flight changes, and more. Let’s explore how different aspects of travel insurance policies apply to COVID situations.
- Extension of Coverage: If you fall sick during your trip and need to quarantine or if new travel restrictions emerge, this coverage can apply if you have to stay at your destination longer than planned.
- Travel Delay: In case you or your travel companion gets sick or injured while traveling, or if an airline denies boarding due to suspicion of illness, this coverage comes into play.
- Trip Cancellation: If you get sick before your trip and have to cancel the entire journey, this coverage can be useful. Ensure you have a diagnosis from a licensed physician.
- “Cancel for Any Reason” Upgrade: When you decide not to travel due to a spike in COVID cases or changes in entry and exit requirements, this upgrade can be beneficial, though not all plans offer it.
- Trip Interruption: If you need to cut short your trip after arriving at your destination because of sickness or other reasons, this coverage can help.
- “Interruption for Any Reason” Upgrade: For situations not covered by your policy, such as quarantine without a COVID diagnosis, this upgrade may provide additional support.
- Emergency Medical Treatment: If you contract COVID during your trip and require medical care, this coverage applies, but keep in mind that pre-existing conditions are typically excluded.
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: In the unfortunate event of needing transportation to the nearest medical facility for COVID treatment, or in the event of death due to COVID during the trip, this coverage would handle associated costs.
It’s essential to review your travel insurance policy carefully to understand the specific coverage and any potential upgrades available to protect yourself against unforeseen COVID-related incidents during your travels.
What does COVID-19 travel insurance not cover?
Most travel insurance providers offering comprehensive policies have been quite accommodating when it comes to COVID-related disruptions. They have been providing reimbursements for events like quarantines and hospital stays, as stated by James Clark, a spokesperson for Squaremouth, a travel-insurance comparison site that is also behind Tin Leg and Cat 70 travel insurance.
However, it’s essential to note that there are certain events that travel insurance does not cover. During the peak of the pandemic, when countries closed their borders due to the coronavirus outbreak, standard trip cancellation policies did not include coverage for such border closures, leaving many customers dissatisfied.
Negative test and face mask requirements also posed challenges for policyholders who no longer wanted to travel. Standard policies did not offer reimbursement in such scenarios, requiring customers to opt for the “cancel for any reason” upgrade to be eligible for reimbursement.
Interestingly, this upgrade not only covers cancellations due to COVID-related issues but also includes “fear of travel,” a clause that is usually excluded from most travel insurance policies. This means that canceling a trip out of fear of COVID infection or any virus-related disruptions can only be covered through the CFAR upgrade, as explained by Clark.
