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There are still some policies available, you just need to make sure you understand what you're being covered for. Some policies can cover you if you get coronavirus and have to cancel your trip, but you probably won’t be covered for things like border closures. Compare policies and get your quote.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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Since 25 March 2020, all leisure travel has been banned both internationally and domestically in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
State border closures and entries are changing based on the number of active cases in that state. Keep an eye on the government's Smartraveller for advice.
Many airlines and travel companies have introduced flexible bookings, so you can plan a future trip without being penalised if you have to reschedule.
Since most travel insurers won't cover you if you travel against government warning, the travel ban voids most international travel insurance policies. If the ban is lifted, and you are permitted to travel, there are a few insurers offering cover.
Technically, yes. You can still buy travel insurance, but only in very limited circumstances. These are when:
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🔥 Hot tip: Choose a travel provider which will let you change your trip details without penalty or minimal fees.
This is because coronavirus has been a globally known event since mid-January 2020. If you buy travel insurance after a risk is considered a known event, it won't be covered.
⚠️ There are limited policies that can cover you if you contract coronavirus overseas. You just need to make sure you're eligible.
When travel restrictions are lifted, you can expect normal benefits to apply. For example:
⚠️ Just remember that this only applies when the government says it's safe to travel again.
With travel plans up in the air, book with flexible payment options to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses if things change.
If you bought travel insurance before coronavirus (COVID-19) became a "known event", you may be able to get some money back if you cancel your trip. However, this will depend on the type of insurance you have and the current travel alert for the country you're visiting.
On 18 March 2020, Smartraveller upgraded travel advice for all countries outside of Australia to level 4 "Do not Travel."
"Do not travel" is the highest level of alert that Smartraveller can issue. If you bought your policy before the cut-off date, you should be able to reclaim some of your lost expenses. Before you can do this, you'll need to see if your travel service provider is willing to refund you directly or provide some other alternative. Travel insurance will only cover you for expenses that you can't get back anywhere else.
⚠️ If you still decide to travel with this warning, your travel insurance policy will become void.
As of 5pm on 13 March 2020, CoverMore's add-on feature "Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR)" was suspended due to the unprecedented global event. For those who had bought this type of policy before this time, nothing has changed. It's just not available for new customers.
You can cancel your policy, but you won't get a refund unless you cancel within the cooling-off period, which is usually within 14 days of the issue date, and you have no outstanding claims on the policy.
This is because, even though it might not feel like it, your travel insurance has already been offering a service. If you injured yourself and you couldn't travel, your travel insurance would refund you the costs of your trip. It might not feel like you've used your travel insurance, but it has been providing a service since the day you bought it. That's why you can't cancel it now and get any money back.
A number of major airlines have suspended or reduced flights all over the world, including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. However, airlines are also offering refunds or free rescheduling services to affected customers, so you shouldn't be out of pocket for the cost of your ticket.
As for your other pre-paid travel expenses like accommodation, cruises or tours, you may be able to claim back your losses with travel insurance if your plans have been impacted by the cancellations or delays.
Unless you get coronavirus (COVID-19), the likelihood that you'll get stuck overseas for an extended period of time is low. At this current time, the Australian government is still allowing all citizens to return home though they need to follow quarantine and isolation advice to limit exposure.
If you do somehow get stuck overseas, and you have a valid travel insurance policy, you might be able to claim back on benefits such as medical expenses, additional accommodation and loss of income.
As the situation develops, it's very important that you check if you have a valid travel insurance policy. The main things to consider are:
Often, general travel insurance policies have an exclusion that restricts what you can claim in relation to epidemics or pandemics. This means that, even if you bought your policy before your insurance company's cut-off date, you might not be covered in the way that you think you are.
If your insurance company has an exclusion, you'll be able to find it in the product disclosure statement (PDS). Alternatively, you can call your insurer directly to find out exactly how you're covered. In situations like this, insurers usually assess on a case-by-case basis, so it's always worth communicating with them directly.
This article was updated after its original publication.
Are you worried about your finances during this time? Spending time on a little admin can save you from spending more cash than you need to.
Here are some guides on how to save money on your daily expenses. There are loads of little things that you can save money. It all adds up in the end!
Picture: GettyImages
Nicola Middlemiss is a senior writer at Finder, focusing on all things insurance. She's been a journalist for over five years and has contributed to a wide range of industry publications including Insurance Business, MoneyMag, the Educator, Your Investment Property, Mortgage Professional Australia, and Wealth Professional. She has written over a thousand articles covering the insurance industry and now uses that insight to help Australian consumers understand their own insurance policies, and make smarter decisions. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds.
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