The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. With more than 416,000 cases and 18,500 deaths globally, the novel Coronavirus shows continued spread and impact on travel.
Some countries, regions or cities have placed restrictions on movement; others have closed their borders to tourists completely. On March 14, 2020, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory recommending residents to avoid all non-essential international travel.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption
Many of you may inevitably have to re-schedule or cancel your trip. Your travel insurance reimburses you for trip cancellation and trip interruption costs due to covered risks, which include when you get sick before departure or when a “defer travel” advisory is issued by the Government of Canada (your policy must have been purchased before the travel advisory was announced.) Border closings, travel bans, embargos on travel or the cancellation of conferences, trade shows and festivals due to the coronavirus are not covered reasons under the plan benefits. In these cases, you should contact your airline, tour operator or other travel provider to see if they can refund your travel or give you a credit.
Refund policy
If you end up not traveling, you may request a refund for your travel insurance policy. This benefit usually applies only during the “right to examine” period, but due to the unusual circumstances, we’re offering some flexibility. To qualify for a refund, you must not have started travel or used your policy to make a claim. In travel insurance terms, that means you must have received a 100% refund from your travel suppliers without any cancellation penalties You must also have the documentation to prove it.
For more information on how the COVID-19 impacts your travel insurance, go to our FAQ page.
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