Covid-19: Travel Insurance Information for customers

Our travel insurance policies have been updated to include cover for Covid 19

Travel insurance policies purchased on or after 04/03/2022 include cover for emergency medical care and other expenses such as cancellation and curtailment related to COVID 19.

You can read the full travel insurance policy wording by clicking here, and we’ve answered some of the more frequently asked questions below.

For travel insurance policies purchased before 04/03/2022, please click here. 

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on 0333 003 0046 Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm, or complete our contact form and we’ll get right back to you.

Does my policy cover me if I am diagnosed with Coronavirus whilst travelling overseas?

Yes, all necessary medical emergency and associated expenses will be covered.

Do I need a Covid vaccine to travel abroad?

Yes, in order to be covered for any expenses incurred as a result of catching Coronavirus, you need to have received a vaccination against the disease as advised by the World Health Organisation, or the health authority in your country of residence.

This applies to any contagious disease where the World Health Organisation or the health authority in your country advices an inoculation or vaccination. For example, travellers to areas including parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South America are recommended to receive a vaccine against Yellow Fever, and you would need to demonstrate you have had this vaccination in order to make a claim for any expenses incurred as a result of contracting the disease during your trip.

If a member of my family travelling with me is diagnosed with Coronavirus and is subject to compulsory quarantine by the treating doctor, are we all covered for any additional accommodation and travel costs incurred?

Yes, provided you are all insured with us and are all subject to quarantine. You must be able to provide medical evidence from the treating doctor or local authority to confirm the quarantine order.

Am I covered for cancellation if I’m diagnosed with Coronavirus before I travel?

If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus and cannot travel, cancellation cover would apply so long as your GP confirms the diagnosis and the fact that you are not able to travel.

Am I covered if I’m denied boarding by my airline due to a temperature check?

The policy provides cover for cancellation so long as you have obtained written confirmation from your airline that they have denied you from boarding their aircraft as a direct result of you displaying symptoms of a contagious disease.

Are the cost of my visas covered if I have to cancel due to being diagnosed with Coronavirus, and therefore unable to travel?

In the event of a valid cancellation claim, the cancellation section will reimburse irrecoverable costs incurred including Visas, covering the period of your cancelled trip only.

Am I covered for cancellation should the UK be put in lockdown again?

No, in the event that the UK is ordered to ‘Lockdown’ again there would be no cover under the insurance in respect of cancellation claims.

Am I covered if the country I am travelling in goes into lockdown?

No, there would be no cover for any costs (accommodation/travel) incurred in the event of the country you are travelling in being “locked-down”.

What if I am travelling overseas and I’m instructed to quarantine or self-isolate?

You would be covered for any additional accommodation or travel expenses provided you can produce medical evidence that you have either been diagnosed with Coronavirus or directly exposed to Coronavirus.

What if I arrive at my destination and I’m refused entry due to a high temperature, and I’m forced into isolation for 14 days?

There is quarantine cover under the medical expenses section of the policy for any necessary medical expenses, as well as any additional travel or accommodation costs.

I am travelling with my family when one of us contracts (or is suspected of contracting) Coronavirus, and the whole family has to self-isolate for 14 days. Will additional accommodation/flight costs to return home be covered?

There is quarantine cover for all insured persons under the medical section, which includes cover for additional accommodation and flights.

A close relative has contracted Coronavirus, so I am unable to travel. Am I covered for cancellation or curtailment?

The policy will provide cover in the event a close relative is diagnosed as having Coronavirus and is seriously ill, which on medical grounds will require your presence. This will need to be certified by their GP.

I arrive at my holiday destination and I’m instructed by the local authorities to self-isolate in my hotel, but I have pre-booked and paid for excursions. What am I covered for?

Your insurance will cover the cost of any additional accommodation incurred whilst you are subject to quarantine based on your individual symptoms or suspected exposure to COVID-19, but will not refund any pre-booked accommodation costs if these have been used. With regard to any unused pre-booked and paid for excursions, provided that these are non-refundable, your insurance will reimburse these costs less the standard policy excess and subject to you being able to provide documentary evidence to support the instruction to quarantine from either the Government, a public authority of the country you are in, or the treating doctor.

Am I covered if I decide to travel against FCDO advice?

There is no cover if you travel anywhere that is contrary to FCDO advice.

Am I covered if the FCDO advice changes before I travel?

If you purchased your single trip travel insurance prior to the change of FCDO advice and you have not yet departed, then your policy will no longer provide any cover whatsoever. You may either defer the period of cover under your policy, or apply for a full refund of your premium.

Am I covered if the FCDO advice changes after I travel?

If you purchased your single trip policy prior to the change of FCDO advice and have already departed, then full policy cover will continue to apply provided that you follow all UK, local government or equivalent advice.