Understanding Travel Insurance Coverage for COVID-19
How World Nomads' plans cover Americans against COVID-19 while they travel.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Does my travel insurance cover COVID-19?
World Nomads plans include benefits that support you should you unexpectedly get sick while traveling. Our medical coverage includes benefits for serious illnesses, such as COVID-19, or being placed under strict quarantine by a physician, among other scenarios.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for COVID-19. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can contact us.-
Is COVID-19 covered in my travel insurance plan?
World Nomads travel insurance policies may provide coverage for specified benefits if you are unable to travel due to COVID-19.
These benefits may include emergency medical care, emergency medical evacuation, trip delay and trip interruption coverage if you contract COVID-19 while traveling and a doctor certifies you are too sick to travel.
You may also be eligible for trip cancellation coverage for pre-paid non-refundable travel expenses (such as flights, hotels and excursions) if you, your travel companion, a close family member or business partner are too sick or injured for you to leave on your trip, as certified by a physician.
You may also be eligible for trip cancellation if your host at your scheduled destination is unable to provide accommodation for you due to life-threatening illness, as certified by their doctor, or if they pass away. This can be due to COVID-19 or any other medical issue.
-
How can the World Nomad’s Travel Insurance Plan help if I'm concerned about traveling because of COVID-19?
A ‘fear of travel’ is not considered a covered reason for cancelling a trip, or interrupting/delaying it. However, if you are concerned you may want to cancel the trip (for any reason at all), you may want to consider purchasing the optional “cancel for any reason” benefit. This allows you to cancel your plans and be refunded (up to plan limits) for those non-refundable, unused trip costs. This benefit can only be added onto Explorer or Epic plans, and you must purchase it within the time sensitive period.
-
If I want to cancel my trip because I’m afraid of exposure to COVID-19, does my travel insurance plan cover that?
The “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit would cover a fear of getting COVID-19, however this benefit is at an additional cost and can only be added to an Explorer or Epic plan during the time sensitive period. If added, you could be eligible for a partial refund of non-refundable costs, depending on the plan you purchased. Note that this benefit must be added within 7 days of purchasing your flights or putting any money down on your trip. The “Trip cancellation” benefit does not cover a fear of travel.
-
If I rebook my trip for a later date, will my original travel insurance plan cover the rebooked trip dates?
If you postpone your trip, your current travel insurance plan may extend to your new trip dates provided:
- The new trip dates are no more than 12 months from your original trip dates and no more than 24 months from your original purchase date.
- Additional costs, if required based on the new or postponed trip, will be collected. Plan costs will not be reduced or refunded for coverage for the new or postponed trip.
-
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled by the airline?
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits may be available. Please check your specific travel protection plan for terms and conditions. Time restrictions may apply. Also, please check with your travel provider to determine your options.
-
If I become ill with COVID-19, am I covered?
If you become ill with COVID-19 prior to your departure and after the effective date of your plan, you may be eligible for Trip Cancellation coverage. These claims will require a confirmed diagnosis from a physician with proof of illness that states you are medically unable to travel at the time of departure.
If you become sick with COVID-19 while on your trip, you may be covered for medical costs if you need to see a doctor or get treatment. You could be eligible for Trip Interruption benefits if a doctor confirms you are unfit to continue traveling. Please review your specific plan for the details and limits of such coverage.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.