Coronavirus and Travel Insurance Updates
- March 17, 2020
- Posted by: olinsadmin
- Categories: Coronavirus, Health Care Ontario, Insurance Toronto, Travel Medical Insurance
On March 13, 2020, the Government of Canada declared a formal travel advisory advising all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. It is very important event for major coverage updates for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Travel Insurance.
Travel insurance companies have announced the coronavirus to be a “known” or “foreseen” event for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Travel Insurance. What does it mean? Simply that travel insurance will not cover or will have limited benefits for problems related to the coronavirus outbreak. Because a foreseen event has a reasonable expectation of taking place, travel insurance typically will not cover it. The coverage does not extend to any travel booking made on or after a formal travel advisory is issued.
For example, effective March 11, 2020, Allianz Global Assistance in Canada has determined coronavirus to be a known event for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption:
- For policies that are purchased on or after March 11, 2020, any Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption claims related to coronavirus will not be payable.
- For policies that were purchased before March 11, 2020, policyholders will still be eligible to claim for Trip Cancellation if the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory related to coronavirus prior to their departure date, that advised against non-essential travel or all travel for their destination.
Additionally, trip cancellation or trip interruption benefits will be available if you become ill with COVID-19 before or during your trip. Allianz customers who purchased their insurance policies prior to January 22, 2020, for trips to mainland China, South Korea, or the Lombardy or Veneto regions of Italy, with a departure date prior to April 1, 2020, will have trip cancellation benefits.
A person who booked a trip outside of Canada whose policy includes Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage may be covered if the trip was booked before any formal travel advisory against the destination country/region/city had been issued by the Government of Canada. Booking travel plans to a destination after it has received an advisory of “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” can impact travel insurance coverage.
If you are considering cancelling your trip due to the coronavirus, please read your insurance policy thoroughly. Also, keep in mind that your fear of travel is not a covered event under Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance Policies.
Please visit https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for the most up-to-date travel advisory information.
For more information or if you have questions about Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance contact Olga Ryjkova: 416-822-2698; info@insurancestoronto.ca