Find out what you can get cover for if you get ill with Coronavirus while travelling
Coronavirus has changed travel for everyone and even though you might be ready to hit the road (or sky), it’s more important than ever to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for before you go.
Learn more about how our products include cover for some coronavirus related events.
Cover for some coronavirus related events is available on our plans (excl. the Cancellation and Additional Expenses Plan), but the types of benefits and benefit limits vary.
As much as we’d love to cover every coronavirus-related scenario that a traveller can think of, that’s not what travel insurance is designed to do, so read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for Australian residents carefully to know what is, and isn’t, covered. Our policies include plans which may offer cover for:
Applicable limits per adult
International Comprehensive | Annual Multi Trip | International Essentials | Australian Travel Plan | Cancellation and Additional Expenses Plan |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Expenses Overseas^ Unlimited |
Medical Expenses Overseas^ Unlimited |
Medical Expenses Overseas^ Unlimited |
Medical Expenses Overseas^ Not Applicable |
Medical Expenses Overseas^ Not Insured |
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Unlimited# |
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Unlimited# |
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation $500,000 |
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation $50,000 |
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Not Insured |
Coronavirus Travel Costs $10,000 |
Coronavirus Travel Costs $7,500 |
Coronavirus Travel Costs Not Insured |
Coronavirus Travel Costs $2,500 |
Coronavirus Travel Costs Not Insured |
The Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit, available on some plans, includes cover for the following events up to the limit shown in the Schedule of benefits:
What we don't cover:
The ‘Coronavirus Travel Costs’ benefit is separate to the ‘Medical Expenses’ and ‘Medical Evacuation and Repatriation’ benefits (which have higher limits).
Rest assured that if you incur medical expenses overseas for an event covered under the policy, including if you contract coronavirus, and it’s not related to an existing medical condition, cover is available for up to 12 months from the date the illness first appears.
Make sure you contact our Emergency Assistance team if you need medical help overseas, and as soon as possible if you need to attend hospital.
Our international policies can offer cover for emergency overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation following a serious injury or sudden illness; this includes coronavirus, subject to all policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. However, if the plan you already purchased doesn’t include the benefit section ‘Coronavirus Travel Costs’ (which offers some cover for nine specific coronavirus-related events), contact us for assistance.
We are not able to change the plan issued after purchase, but, provided you have not used your original policy, and do not need to make any claim, we may be able to assist with issuing a replacement policy and providing you with a refund of your original premium. It is important to remember that this would be a new policy, subject to the policy terms conditions and pricing in effect at the date it is issued and would not offer cover for any event that has already occurred.
If you need to cancel or rearrange your travel arrangements, even at the last minute, don’t delay in speaking with your airline or other travel providers to minimise any potential cancellation costs or fees. If you booked through a travel agent, they may be able to assist you with this, too.
If you do need to make a claim, the cover available will depend on your individual circumstances, as well as the plan you have purchased. For us to assess if cover can apply, you’ll need to submit a claim along with all supporting documentation. Remember, if you are required to take a test prior to travel, it is important to allow sufficient time for results to come back.
Please note, if you’re already travelling and need to make changes to a flight change or your accommodation, even at the last minute, don’t delay in speaking with your airline or provider.
If you can’t continue with your planned arrangements due to a positive diagnosis, simply not showing up could mean you forfeit your booking or incur additional fees when you may have been able to move your dates or times at no or minimal cost. If you booked through a travel agent, they may be able to assist you with this, too.
Yes. You will need to provide documentation to support the circumstances of your claim. We understand that the type of documentation you are able to provide may vary and assess every claim on a case-by-case basis.
You should submit as much information as you’re able to along with your claim, this will help us to assess your claim in a timely manner and reduce the possibility that we may need to ask you for further information. Information you supply may include:
Don’t forget to contact your travel service providers as well, as you’ll also need to demonstrate that you have requested to refund or reschedule your arrangements, and what your out of pocket costs are. Remember, not all of our plans cover pre-trip cancellation for COVID-19.
The type of evidence required to support any claim will vary. It is best to obtain as much information as you can to support any potential claim. Depending on the scenario, a Rapid Antigen Test may be sufficient, however, in order to confirm the facts of your claim, we’ll look at what is reasonable in the situation, and may need additional information.
You should also adhere to applicable government advice and register the results of any positive Rapid Antigen Test as required.
The Australian Government strongly supports immunisation, and the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that It is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
If you choose not to take appropriate preventative and precautionary measures to protect against the risk of COVID-19, including vaccination, there are policy exclusions that may affect the cover available if your trip is impacted by COVID-19.
If you are awaiting vaccination, or are not yet fully vaccinated, it is important that you observe applicable preventative and precautionary measures, including wearing a mask and practising physical distancing; WHO continue to recommend these other preventative measures for vaccinated travellers.
If you cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 for medical reasons, we will take these circumstances into account when we assess what is fair and reasonable with regard to your claim.
It is important to be aware of the entry requirements at your destination, as losses such as being denied entry, or additional quarantine requirements due to your vaccination status are not events that the policy offers cover for.
Refer to health.gov.au, who.int and your PDS for more information.
It is not an eligibility requirement in purchasing a policy that you be vaccinated, however; if you are able to be vaccinated, and choose not to take this precaution, it may impact the cover that is available, if this choice leads to a claim.
This is true not only for COVID-19, but for all illnesses, before you travel you should ensure you are aware of what vaccinations are recommended for the region where you are travelling.
The Australian Department of Health recommends consulting your doctor or visiting a travel health clinic six to 12 weeks before you travel.
If you cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 for medical reasons we will take these circumstances into account when assessing any claim; you may also need to provide documentation to demonstrate this.
You should ensure that you are aware of what documentation you may need during your trip; and entry requirements at your destination.
Mandatory quarantine that is broadly imposed, including due to vaccination status is not covered by the policy, nor is being denied entry at your destination.
Sorry to hear your trip didn’t go as planned! Submit a claim and we’ll review your claim and get in touch with the outcome.