COVID-19 TRAVEL INSURANCE GUIDE

Same as many other companies in the travel sector, travel insurance providers had to halt their operations when COVID-19 restrictions stopped global travel.

Now, with some travel restrictions having been lifted you are once again able to purchase travel insurance policies. You can compare COVID-19 travel insurance at the top of the page. Our partners at TravelSupermarket currently have 12 travel insurance providers listed, with more being added daily.

Please make sure to check directly with your travel insurance provider to make sure their policy is right for your individual travel needs.

COVID-19 travel insurance includes “emergency medical and repatriation”. This means that if you contract the COVID-19 coronavirus while on holiday, your medical expenses will be covered and you will be brought back to the UK, if needed.

If you have already purchased a travel insurance policy, prior to the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 200, or if you’ve renewed your annual policy since March 11, then your annual travel insurance should include cover for events associated with COVID-19 as long as you have been covered prior.

For travelling to the EU this year, please make sure to carry a valid EHIC card in order to receive reciprocal free health care. The EHIC card will be valid till at least the end of 2020, when the UK is set to officially leave the EU.

If you are required to quarantine while you are on holiday and this causes you to miss flights or have to remain in a hotel longer than expected, check the travel delay section in your travel insurance terms and conditions to see what you are entitled to. Ideally, you should contact your travel insurance provider to find out directly as every insurance policy is different.

If quarantine has caused you to miss an excursion, check the trip disruption section in your travel insurance documents. Some policies will offer this as an optional add-on.

End supplier failure should cover you if your airline goes bust. This isn’t commonly included as part of a standard policy, but it can be requested as an add-on. Be sure to check the terms and conditions as some providers may not include pandemics as part of the cover, therefore airline bankruptcy under these conditions may not be covered.

If your airline goes into administration, it may be possible to get some of your money back via the voluntary chargeback scheme through your bank.

For flights costing more than £100, you could also claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. It compels your card provider to be jointly liable with the airline for all goods or services that were not delivered.

The first thing you need to do is contact the company you booked with. For example your airline, tour operator or accommodation provider. EU261 states that you are entitled to receive a refund for any cancelled flight within 7 days. This law also applies to the UK. Under the Package Travel Regulations, you are entitled to a refund within 14 days of cancellation of your package holidays.

If your travel provider is unable to confirm if or when you can expect to receive a refund, check with your travel insurance provider to see if it’s possible to claim compensation. If you booked your holiday prior to FCO advising “all but essential travel” you may have some cover. However, keep in mind that this will defend on the terms and conditions of your individual policy.

Many travel providers have stated that they will not arrange package holidays to countries, where you are required to quarantine upon arrival. If a new country is added to their list, the holiday will most likely be cancelled and you will legally be entitled to receive a refund from your travel provider.

If you have booked a flight and are choosing to not take it due to COVID-19 coronavirus, you will not be able to receive a refund unless you have a “cancel for any reason” option in the terms and conditions of your policy. Keep in mind that you may be able to change the dates of your flight with many airlines offering this option free of charge at the moment. Alternatively, you may be offered a voucher if you are unable to take your flight. To protect your money, you can book with a credit card. If the cost of your flight exceeds £100, you are protected under Voluntary Chargeback Scheme and Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Prior to booking always make sure to look at the terms and conditions. This goes for your travel insurance policy, package holidays or independently booked flights and accommodation.