The team at My Vacation Lady is already getting calls from clients heading to Asia or even concerned about European travel for the fall about how the Coronavirus is, can or may affect their vacation plans.
First, we are not physicians and the only info that we, as travel advisers, are getting is from the news sources- just as you are. But this information is more about how and IF your travel insurance plans will cover you if you are concerned about the Coronavirus.
This info is from one of our Trusted Travel Insurance suppliers- Roam Right.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring developments around an outbreak caused by a coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally.
This outbreak has affected travel, forcing many travelers going through China to undergo mandatory screening when entering other countries, and has left travelers with planned trips to China concerned about their visit. It is important for all travelers to understand their travel insurance coverage. This includes travelers with planned trips to China as well as travelers who may be susceptible to contracting the virus…
Coverage Options for Trips to China
If you have a planned trip to China and want to cancel because of the coronavirus, you likely will not have coverage through most travel insurance policies. Cancellation due to the fear of contracting a virus is not covered under most … plans. We encourage you to first contact your travel supplier directly to determine alternate options and arrangements.
Federal health officials have confirmed several cases in the United States. It is therefore useful to understand that, if you already have a trip insured and contract this virus (or any other unexpected illness) before you leave, you likely have coverage to cancel your trip.
Quarantine Coverage
If you or your traveling companion is quarantined, including if you have been detained during your trip due to suspected illness, such as a wellness check at an airport, you may have trip cancellation coverage.
If your destination is placed under quarantine after your departure date, you may have trip delay or missed connection benefits.
Cancelled Flights
For cancelled flights, you may have coverage under most … travel insurance plans, if the cancellation occurs on or after the scheduled departure date and you won’t be able to reach your destination before a percentage of your trip has passed. If the flight cancellation occurs prior to the scheduled departure date, coverage is not available. Please check with your travel insurance company since this may be different for different travel insurance providers and the individual policy purchased.
Itinerary Changes
If a travel supplier changes a trip itinerary after the scheduled departure date, and that change results in you not being able to participate in a non-refundable, prepaid event or activity, there would be coverage for those expenses, provided that:
- The event was prepaid prior to departure;
- The event was scheduled on the trip itinerary; and
- No comparable event or activity of equivalent cost was rescheduled during the trip.
Emergency Medical Coverage for Insured Travelers in China
If you travel to China and have a… travel insurance plan in place, you may be eligible for emergency medical coverage if you contract the coronavirus while in China. This includes help finding a physician, emergency medical care, and – if necessary – an evacuation back home for care and treatment.
Travelers, such as those covered by travel insurance, who are abroad and are feeling ill can contact their insurance company’s emergency assistance provider.
Trip Interruption Coverage for Sick Travelers
Sick travelers may also be eligible for trip interruption coverage, which can reimburse for additional transportation expenses to take you home, as well as any unused, pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses.
The experienced travel professionals at My Vacation Lady always recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your vacation or honeymoon investment. However, we are NOT claims adjusters for any of the travel insurance companies that we can offer to our clients. It is our best advice to call your travel insurance provider and ask those specific questions that are of concern to you.
