As the world begins to open up after two years of Due to Covid restrictions, many people will be looking forward to their first summer vacation since 2019.
But with Covid still causing travel chaos, many people may be wondering: what if my trip is affected?
While you should always get travel insurance to make sure you’re covered if things go wrong, it could be even more crucial with Covid in the mix.
Alex Hasty, director of comparethemarket.com, told Metro.co.uk: “Travel insurance can help ease worries about traveling in a post-pandemic world, with a third of Britons (33%) more likely to take out a travel insurance in the aftermath of the pandemic.
“It’s important to consider booking insurance when you book your trip, so you’re immediately covered for unforeseen events, which could force you to cancel your trip before your scheduled departure date.”
Is Covid covered by travel insurance?
There are travel insurance providers that still offer Covid travel insurance that includes emergency medical care and repatriation.
However, for most insurance policies to be valid, you must travel in accordance with the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
This advice will vary depending on where you are traveling and can change frequently and suddenly.
Also, vaccination requirements vary by country and this could affect the type of insurance you need before you travel.
So make sure you know the most up-to-date rules and advice when buying your insurance.
Comparethemarket.com director Alex Hasty said: “Many insurance policies are designed to protect against the risks of Covid, reimbursing the cost of cancellations, medical treatment and even repatriation.”
“It’s a good idea to compare policies carefully, making sure you’re getting all the protection you need at a reasonable price.”
Which providers offer Covid travel insurance?
holiday extras
CAR
RAC includes Covid protection in its travel insurance policy at no additional cost, which includes cancellation coverage within 14 days of departure, emergency medical coverage and repatriation.
RAC also offers enhanced Covid protection, including coverage if you travel when the FCDO advises against all but essential (Covid-related) travel. The enhanced policy also covers cancellation due to an adverse reaction to a covid vaccine and missing a vaccine due to illness.
Sainsbury’s Bank
Sainsbury’s Bank offers Covid protection as standard in its travel insurance policy, including cancellation cover and medical treatment.
Like RAC, Sainsbury’s Bank has an enhanced Covid add-on, which also covers you if you have a bad reaction to a vaccine or miss a dose of vaccine due to illness, as well as if you’re traveling against FCDO advice. .
Admiral
SAGA
Covid is covered in SAGA travel insurance. You will be covered if someone you were planning to travel or stay with gets Covid, or if you are unwell with Covid to travel. You will also be covered for repatriation costs and emergency medical travel.
post office money
All new Post Office Money travel insurance policies include Covid-related medical and cancellation expenses under certain circumstances.
But there’s also the option of adding additional coverage for other Covid-related situations, such as an opportunity in testing or isolation rules, or cutting a trip short if someone you’re traveling with contracts Covid.
Can you get a refund if your flight or trip is canceled due to Covid?
If an airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund and you will not need to claim your travel insurance.
Dozens of flights have been canceled in recent weeks, due to staff shortages caused by Covid cases.
Is Long Covid covered by Covid travel insurance?
Compare the Market says: ‘Most travel insurers still don’t mention Long Covid and according to Defaqto, the statisticians, it hasn’t been mentioned in any policies so far.
“That means insurers are probably looking at Long Covid on a case-by-case basis.”
It is recommended that you ask your specific travel insurance provider about their Long Covid policy if you are concerned.
Is covid covered by travel insurance if traveling within the country?
Domestic travel insurance policies vary by provider, so if you’re planning to travel within the UK, check to see if you’ll be covered if Covid affects your trip.
Some travel providers may only cover Covid-related circumstances for overseas travel, but others will also cover domestic travel.
How to make a claim on your Covid travel insurance
Contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible and tell them you need to make a claim.
They will give you a claim form and explain the documents you will need to help with your claim.
Make sure you understand your policy so you know when you will and won’t be covered.
PLUS : How to prove your Covid vaccine status for international travel
MORE: Where can you travel without vaccinating? 64 destinations you can visit
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