Travel insurance that covers COVID

How does travel insurance cover COVID?

Travel insurance can cover you for:

• COVID-19 medical expenses.
• Trip rearrangement costs – if you, a fellow traveller or your host gets COVID and it impacts your trip.
• Expenses if you're diagnosed with COVID on your trip and need to extend your trip.

Some brands go further when it comes to COVID benefits. Benefits can include:

• The accommodation or venue you planned to stay at is suddenly closed.
• A prepaid activity that's booked in Australia or New Zealand is shut down.
• If you're denied boarding on transport due to symptoms.
• Extra child care costs if you get COVID.
• Added pet care costs if you're infected and can't return home.

How travel insurance can cover COVID: A real-life example

Jillian, Kerry and Tyson travelled from Sydney to Dallas. 10 days in, Tyson (Jillian's son) caught COVID, a day before the family was supposed to leave for a ski trip in Colorado. As a result, they had to rearrange their travel plans.

Unfortunately, Jillian got COVID later and the family had to send Tyson and Kerry home to Sydney, while Jillian stayed another 4 days until she tested negative. She then rebooked her trip home.

Their insurer, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, covered just under $3,000 in costs. The family paid a $500 excess to claim on 2 events.

Which travel insurers cover COVID?

Finder has partnerships with over 15 travel insurers that offer specific cover for COVID-19.

Brand	COVID-19 medical expenses	Covid-19 related cancellation	Cooling off period	Apply
		$10,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$10,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$40,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$5,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$5,000	14 days	Finder AwardBonus Get quote
		$5,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$4,000	21 days	Get quote
		$4,000	21 days	Get quote
		$2,500	14 days	Bonus Get quote
			14 days	Get quote
		$5,000	25 days	Finder AwardBonus Get quote
			14 days	Get quote
			14 days	Get quote
		$3,500	21 days	Get quote
		$5,000	21 days	Bonus Get quote
		$5,000	14 days	Finder Award Get quote
		$10,000	21 days	Get quote
		$5,000	21 days	Get quote
		Unlimited	21 days	Bonus Get quote

What's not covered by COVID travel insurance?

While many of these scenarios are uncommon now, it's worth keeping in mind you typically won't be covered for these COVID-19-related events:

• You ignore a doctor's advice that you aren't well enough to travel.
• You travel to a country deemed by unsafe by Smartraveller (Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel or Level 4: Do not travel)
• PCR or rapid tests where you are required to be tested in order to travel.
• You cancel plans due to government-enforced border closures or lockdowns.
• You enter into quarantine or self-isolation that you knew about in advance.

COVID is still a very real risk when travelling in 2023

Covid continues to be one of the main reasons our customers claim, and it looks like it's going to affect travellers for some time to come. Taking a look at the data for our International Comprehensive policy, it's clear claims spiked as travellers really started to take off around the world again. And, while there's been a dramatic slump since September '22, Covid still makes up 11% of all claims paid to customers across the two markets. On average we are paying out claims for cancellation and travel disruption due to Covid to the value of $1,500, which is a sizeable cost.

Jo McCauley
CEO - Southern Cross Travel Insurance

What to keep in mind with travel bookings

With travel plans changing all the time, you may want to choose flexible flight payment options – which have been offered by the likes of Qantas and Virgin – to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses if things go wrong.

"Look through each travel provider's terms and conditions, paying close attention to their wording on cancellations and refunds," explained Adam Glezer, travel expert and consumer rights advocate.

Glezer added: "If your terms and conditions are live on a website, make sure you print a copy for your records. In the event of a cancellation, you'll have the relevant evidence of your entitlements."

It's a good idea to try booking with flexible conditions for minimum hassle. Keep in mind, if you book through a third party such as a travel agent, you'll also have to deal with it for any refund or change requests.

Finally, be sure to check your passport has at least 6 months' validity before it expires.

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FAQs about COVID travel insurance

• Is there a travel insurance that covers COVID?

  Yes. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover you for COVID-related expenses now. This can include medical expenses and cancellations costs. This wasn't always the case. In 2020 for example, most travel insurers excluded cover related to pandemics.

• Can I buy travel insurance if I'm not vaccinated?

  Yes, you can buy a policy if you have not been vaccinated. However, you won't be covered if you don't follow any advice or warnings by the Australian government. Make sure you're aware of what the requirements are before you travel.

• Will travel insurance cover me if I'm diagnosed with COVID-19 and need to cancel my trip?

  Yes, many comprehensive travel insurance insurance policies can cover cancellations if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19. Most will cover you for up to $5,000.

• Will travel insurance cover me if I'm a close contact?

  Travel insurance doesn't typically cover you if you're a close contact. To be covered, you must be positively diagnosed with COVID-19.

• How do I make a travel insurance claim if I'm diagnosed with COVID-19?

  You will need to have evidence of your diagnosis to make a successful travel insurance claim. This can include evidence from a qualified medical practitioner, PCR test or a registered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to your departure. Check with travel insurer for the evidence they will require.