With travel back up and running and plenty of people booking their long-awaited trips abroad, it can feel like the pandemic is well and truly behind us. Despite the UK relaxing their travel rules, it’s important to remember that airlines and destination countries can still have very different rules that can change at the last minute.
To prepare yourself for any last minute changes, you might want to consider taking out travel insurance to cover any unexpected issues. But this doesn't always guarantee cover, especially when it comes to coronavirus.
You should check with your chosen travel insurance company beforehand to confirm what they cover, but whilst every insurance company has their own policies, you can usually expect the same cover for Covid-related cancellations.
Below we've compiled a handy guide on the things you might not be covered for if you get coronavirus. We've also selected the most popular travel insurance companies including the Post Office, MoneySupermarket, Confused.com, Aviva and more to find out what they offer their customers.
Key things that don't include cover
Most companies we've looked at won't cover you if your holiday is cancelled for any of the following reasons - although it's always worth double checking your insurance providers policies:
- If your destination country changes their restrictions and you can no longer travel to it.
- If the UK Government changes their travel rules or places the UK into lockdown.
- If you're asked to isolate by the NHS because you've been in contact with someone with Coronavirus, even if you don't have it.
- You're unable to meet quarantine requirements when you return to the UK.
- You refuse to meet quarantine requirements when you return to the UK.
- If you choose not to travel for any reason, including if you don't feel safe.
- If you travel anywhere against the FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth and Development) advice.
One way to try and cover yourself as much as possible is to book yourself flights and accommodation that have free cancellation or re-booking policies.
That way you can always re-book or cancel your trip without losing out on any money if you’re unable to travel for any reason.
Checking each insurers policies will also give you peace of mind about what you are and aren't covered for.
MoneySupermarket
Most major insurance websites will offer you the chance to generate a quote, and will outline exactly what is and isn’t covered in each policy, so you can make the best choice.
MoneySuperMarket offers insurance policies that cover Covid-19, and has made sure that all the insurance companies on their website will offer medical cover for Covid-19, as well as getting back to the UK as a minimum.
Some of their providers will also offer more extensive coverage, which will protect you from more than their standard covid policies.
Confused.com
Major insurance sites like Confused.com remind you that no matter what your policy covers, it will be void if you’ve ignored Government and FCDO advice and travelled when you were advised not to.
However they also have some providers that will cover essential travellers. You can get a quote from just £2.10 on their website.
Aviva
If you book your travel with Aviva, the same rules are in place about travelling outside of FCDO guidelines, however they do offer their Travel Disruption Cover, which allows you to claim back the cost of your cancelled holiday if the country you're flying to goes into lockdown or changes their travel restrictions.
You will only be able to claim within 31 days, and you'll have to prove that those travel restrictions weren't in place when you booked your holiday.
The Post Office
The Post Office's travel insurance will cover you for a range of coronavirus issues, including if you catch covid during your trip, or miss a flight whilst waiting for a test result.
However, they have strict rules on what won't be covered, including the scenarios mentioned above, but they also won't cover you if you've purchased your insurance after receiving a positive test or whilst waiting for one, if you're due to fly in the next 14 days.
LV
LV's travel insurance will cover you if you're asked to isolate after being around someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
They will also cover your return home if your holiday location imposes new restrictions that mean you have to leave the country immediately.
Admiral
Admiral's cover will protect you from most cancellations if you or someone you're travelling with catches the virus, however as with the others, they won't cover you if you book your holiday knowing you may not be able to go, such as if you were showing symptoms of Covid-19, or were awaiting test results.
They also won't cover you if there's an outbreak of coronavirus at your destination, even if that meant you couldn't stay in your pre-booked accommodation.
Staysure
If you take out your travel insurance with Staysure, you'll be covered if you need to cancel your holiday because you or someone you're travelling with catches Covid-19 with 14 days of travelling.
You'll also be protected if you can't complete your course of vaccinations due to illness or allergic reaction, or if you're asked to isolate by the NHS or the Track and Trace app.
They'll also help you get home if Covid means you have to leave the country, as well as offer a daily allowance is you need to go into isolation whilst abroad.
Avanti
Avanti's insurance covers your for a range of Covid-related scenarios, including if you're told to isolate by the NHS, or if you're denied boarding because of a positive test of high temperature.
They also offer a daily benefit if you're ordered to isolate while you're on your holiday.
They also cover you if you have to cancel your holiday after being unable to get your full vaccinations due to an allergic reaction or illness. You can see their full Covid cover on their website.
