Guide to Buying the Best Travel Insurance for Covid-19
Cancellation Coverage for COVID-19
Most travel insurance providers on Squaremouth.com include Cancellation coverage under their standard Trip Cancellation policies for travelers who contract the Coronavirus, have a doctor-ordered quarantine, or whose family member contracts the Coronavirus and require their care.
This coverage is part of the Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and can provide reimbursem*nt for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is canceled or interrupted due to a traveler contracting the virus. Most of these policies are comprehensive, and will also include Medical and Medical Evacuation benefits, among others.
In order for Cancellation coverage for contracting the Coronavirus to be available, the traveler must be healthy when they purchase their policy.
When you create a travel insurance quote on Squaremouth.com, you will see a benefit labeled “Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness”. This will indicate each policy’s cancellation coverage for contracting Covid-19.
Travelers can search for a policy with Cancellation coverage for contracting Covid-19 here.
Search for a policy with Covid-19 coverage
*This quote will include Squaremouth’s “Coronavirus Pandemic” filter, and will only show policies which include Cancellation coverage for contracting Covid-19.
Cancel For Any Reason Coverage
Many of the Covid-related travel impacts are not covered under a standard Trip Cancellation policy, including border closures, quarantine restrictions, negative test requirements, and general fear of traveling.
For these and most other situations related to Covid-19, the only applicable coverage falls under the Cancel For Any Reason benefit.
Cancel For Any Reason is an upgrade that reimburses up to 75% of the insured trip cost, and typically increases the premium by roughly 40-50%. This is a time-sensitive upgrade, and is usually only available within 14-21 days of the first trip payment.
In order to be eligible for the Cancel For Any Reason benefit, you must also insure 100% of your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, and must cancel your trip at least 2 days prior to your departure.
Travelers can search for a policy with Cancel For Any Reason coverage here.
Search for a policy with Cancel For Any Reason coverage
*This quote will include Squaremouth’s “Cancel For Any Reason” filter, and will only show policies which include this coverage.
Medical Coverage for Covid-19
Most providers on Squaremouth.com offer medical travel insurance for travelers who contract Covid-19 during their trip and require medical attention, including Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage. Squaremouth recommends a minimum of $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage to account for Covid-19 related medical care.
Medical Evacuation coverage can provide transportation to the nearest adequate hospital if a traveler contracts Covid-19 during their trip. If the treating physician determines they should return home to receive further medical attention, this benefit can also cover those transportation expenses. Squaremouth recommends a minimum of $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage to account for potentially high evacuation expenses.
Some travel suppliers and cruise lines require a specific amount of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage. This trip insurance requirement varies depending on the trip, but is most common on cruise lines departing from Florida, cruises stopping at countries with travel insurance requirements, or cruises through cruise lines with specific requirements. Most policies on Squaremouth.com meet these limits, however we recommend confirming your policy meets any specific requirements based on your trip.
In order for travel health insurance to be available for travelers who contract Covid-19, they must be healthy when they purchase their policy.
Travelers can search for a policy with medical coverage for contracting Covid-19 here.
Search for a policy with Covid-19 coverage
*This quote will include Squaremouth’s “Coronavirus Pandemic” filter, and will only show policies which include Cancellation coverage for contracting Covid-19.
Coverage Guide for Travelers Who Have a Travel Insurance Policy
Most travel insurance policies include Cancellation and Medical coverage for contracting the Coronavirus, or being ordered to quarantine, as long as the traveler was healthy at the time the policy was purchased.
Based on the scenario, applicable benefits may be applicable, including Trip Interruption and Travel Delay, for travelers who contract the virus while traveling, are quarantined, and in some cases, unable to return home when planned.
Please refer the following coverage scenarios if you already have a travel insurance policy:
- Most policies provide Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption coverage if you contract the coronavirus and are unable to travel.
- Most policies provide Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption coverage if you are ordered to quarantine by a physician due to exposure to the Coronavirus.
- Most policies provide Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage if you contract the virus while traveling.
- Select policies may provide Cancellation coverage if the CDC issues a Level 4 travel warning to avoid non-essential travel to a destination, as long as that destination is on your itinerary, and your policy was purchased prior to the date the country was added to the CDC list.
- Some policies provide Travel Delay and Trip Interruption coverage if you contract Covid-19 during your trip and are quarantined, including if you are unable to return home as scheduled.
- Only policies with Cancel For Any Reason will provide coverage for canceling due to extended border closures, quarantine or negative test requirements at your destination, and concerns about the Delta variant.
Squaremouth recommends contacting your travel insurance provider to understand your specific policy’s coverage: Find your provider's contact information here.
