While life is gradually returning to the travel and tourism sector with most countries in the world starting to open their doors to tourism, backpackers are eager to board planes again. Although the emergence of the Corona virus pandemic has changed the picture of international travel, the tourism industry is working on a way to stave off some of the concerns related to the epidemic through travel insurance COVID-19!
Why is Corona Travel Insurance a Necessity?
While the total number of cases of people infected with the Corona virus has approached 120 million worldwide (until March 2021), most tourist countries have witnessed a large-scale spread, and despite the launch of vaccination campaigns around the world, the pandemic is not over yet, and there is no doubt Being infected with the virus in a foreign country may cost you a lot of money as a result of conducting tests, buying medicines and quarantine. Hospitalization may be required, which increases your bills.
Here is the importance of the Corona pandemic insurance policy, as it covers the costs of emergency hospitalization and medical treatments, and acts as a guarantee against all these emergency expenses. Some insurance providers cover the cost of quarantine, while most policies also cover losses in the event that the flight is canceled at the last minute, but of course it is preferable to check this in advance. And guess what else! Some insurance policies will cover the Corona vaccine fees!
It should be noted that some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Brazil and the Schengen countries, have made travel insurance against the Corona virus mandatory for incoming passengers and Jordan was the latest country to consider such protection.
Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue Risk and Travel Risk Management, said that travel insurance and protection services are starting with the resumption of travel.
What types of insurance are necessary?
The following types of basic insurance can protect you from some of the financial and health risks that may occur while traveling during this time period:
International health insurance
If you are found to be infected with the Coronavirus while traveling abroad, this policy covers expenses for diagnostic tests, hospitalization, ICU, doctor’s fees, surgical devices, medication, PPE, ambulance, post-discharge care, etc. . Make sure that your policy specifically covers the coronavirus, as COVID-19 insurance is subject to the country you are visiting and the government restrictions prevailing in it.
Travel Cancellation Insurance
It reimburses you for any prepaid, forfeited and non-refundable costs you incur, should your flight be delayed or canceled due to COVID-19. Depending on your program, you will cover all of these expenses up to the time and date of departure. Some companies sell this as an optional extra, while some offer it as a stand-alone policy.
Additional travel insurance against COVID-19
This insurance reimburses you for any expenses incurred in the event that you are forced to extend your trip or remain in quarantine due to the virus.
Now, how do you choose the right policy?
1- Do a comprehensive search for free insurance
Recognizing the needs of their passengers nowadays, airlines such as Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, WestJet and Air Canada have started providing free coronavirus insurance with tickets for a limited period of time. However, some basic things may not be covered by these policies, so it may be best to purchase a full insurance policy for comprehensive coverage.
2- Take into account your health condition
If you have pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic or existing health conditions, you will be considered a high-risk individual and may need to seek out a policy with maximum coverage.
3- Choose a family policy if available
Families can choose a family insurance policy in order to benefit from higher coverage. However, if respiratory diseases run in the family, critical illness coverage is recommended.
4- Choose a cashless system
Notable insurance companies have partnerships with various hospitals and offer a cashless settlement option, saving you the hassle of collecting cash in case of an emergency.
5- Read the terms and conditions carefully
It is self-evident to read the terms and conditions of insurance!
Some policies offer full coverage in their basic package while some offer it as add-ons, and some policies may specify their coverage limits in fine lines. Be an attentive customer, don’t neglect fine lines and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
For example, if you purchased your travel insurance before March 12, when the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, your current policy will cover medical expenses related to COVID-19. However, this is something you need to check with your insurance company for more details.
6- Look for travel disruption coverage
The best insurances will include comprehensive travel disruption coverage which will compensate you if your flight is delayed or missed. Moreover, if you have to extend your stay for reasons beyond your control, these policies will cover your additional expenses as well.
If you cancel plans to travel to an area that the government has not expressly advised, there is a chance that your insurance will not reimburse you. Therefore, this is something you will need to confirm with your provider if you are looking for this type of coverage.
7- Check your insurance provider background and compare
Take a look at your service provider’s history and background to get an idea of their credibility and the likelihood that they will pay you back. The only surefire way to find out which is the best is to research and compare. Online reviews and news about the company are also good things to look at.
