Travel insurance COVID: Does it cover hotel quarantine?
Travel insurance can cover COVID hotel quarantine, but there's one major exception.
Travel is back in Australia, at least in most states, but if you're reluctant about jetting off overseas somewhere, or even closer to home, you're not alone.
According to new research by Finder, 3 in 4 Australians are feeling anxious about heading abroad.
Whether it's Omicron, the added paperwork involved in getting out of the country or merely the prospect of travelling again after 2 years – it's, well, a lot.
Unsurprisingly, as of January, less than 1 in 5 Australians are planning an international trip in the next 12 months, according to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
People's biggest concern is catching COVID while on holiday, with nearly half of respondents saying they're worried about falling ill overseas.
The good news: Travel insurance can cover quarantine costs if you catch COVID
If you catch COVID while you're away, you'll likely need to reschedule your flight at least 14 days after the original positive result and quarantine in the hotel or accommodation you're staying at.
Fortunately, travel insurance can cover costs associated with rescheduling your flight and quarantining if you or someone you're travelling with catches COVID.
Finder researched 36 policies and found 22 that can cover quarantine costs if you catch COVID or are deemed a close contact and need to quarantine.
Most insurers state that they will pay the "reasonable costs" associated with additional travel, meals and accommodation.
| Brand | Covers some COVID-19-related expenses? | Apply |
|---|---|---|
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | Get quote |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
 | Yes | More info |
It's a similar situation if you're travelling within Australia. Finder found 12 travel insurance policies that can cover costs associated with quarantining if you catch COVID. This includes InsureandGo's Silver and Gold policies, Tick Insurance and Cover More.
The bad news: You won't be covered for quarantine costs you knew about in advance
If you go into quarantine or self-isolation that you knew about in advance, for example, if you plan to travel to WA, where you're required to quarantine for 14-days, then travel insurance won't cover you.
This may seem a little unfair, but it makes sense, since travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen costs – not expenses you were aware of before you left.
How to make a claim for quarantine costs
To make sure you get reimbursed for quarantine costs, you will need to do 2 things:
- Provide written confirmation from a medical practitioner or local health authority that you are required to quarantine because you or your travelling party has been diagnosed with COVID or is a confirmed close contact.
- Keep receipts of every additional travel, accommodation and meal expense. This will make it easier for the insurer to reimburse you for the costs incurred.
It's also worth noting that, if you do catch COVID, airlines such as Qantas require travellers who have recovered from COVID to submit a separate clearance form. This is in addition to the doctor's note you'll need which will allow you to travel with a positive PCR result so long as you have recovered.
Finder has a page dedicated to travel insurers that cover COVID-19-related expenses. If you're ready to book that long-awaited trip, you can compare policies here, click through for a quote and know that you're covered should something happen.
