A Guide To Travel Insurance Coverage For Covid-19

What factors will affect coverage for novel coronavirus?

Specific destinations

In particular, the host country of the coronavirus, Wuhan, in which the virus originates will be top of the watch list. Apart from that, other countries in mainland China will also be taken into strict consideration. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan may be excluded depending on the individual insurance company.

Date of travel insurance policy purchase

The exact date of purchase will come into play since most insurance companies have already come up with a period that specifies coverage pertaining to trip cancellation, postponement or disruption.

When the coronavirus became a “known event” to each insurance company

Do a quick search on the internet and you will probably notice different coverage periods advised by different insurance companies. Based on their management’s decision on when the coronavirus virus was known, the coverage date will differ across companies.

1. Allianz Travel

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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The date to note for Allianz Travel is 21 January 2020 or before. If you’ve purchased their travel insurance policies before the stated date, claims will be based on the terms and conditions written.

For any policy issued from 22 January 2020 onwards, Allianz Travel will not provide coverage for trip cancellations to any country in relation to the novel coronavirus.

View their official statement here

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2. World Nomads

When you click through to World Nomads’ website, you can enter your place of residence to get accurate information with regards to the coronavirus in relation to where you’re based. For residents of Singapore, World Nomads will not cover claims arising from any event related to the coronavirus for destinations to and/or from China from 23 January 2020.

This is also true for policies purchased to all other destinations purchased after 7pm UTC/GMT on Thursday, 30 January 2020.

You can view the official statement

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3. AIG

AIG Travel has not specifically written an official statement. However, following AIG Singapore travel advisory, they will not cover any claims for policies issued on or after 30 January 2020.

Specifically for China, no claims can be made for travels to Wuhan if the policy was purchased on or after 22 January 2020. For the rest of Mainland China, the date is 27 January 2020.

4. American Express (My VoyageGuard)

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Amex’s travel insurance is under Chubb and based on their official response, coverage for claims will not apply for travels to Hubei province for policies purchased after 5pm GMT on 23 January 2020.

For the rest of mainland China, the “known event” date is 5pm GMT on 4 February 2020.

For more questions, please contact Chubb customer service at 1-800-88-2846. If you require emergency assistance, you may reach them through this hotline: +603 7628 3703.

5. Seven Corners

Seven Corners is privately held and strategically headquartered near Indianapolis in Carmel, Indiana. They have yet to make an official statement on the possibility of claims at the time of writing.

But The Bureau of Consular Affairs has put up a China travel advisory advising US nationals not to travel to China on 2 February 2020.

Stay up to date through Seven Corners’ newsroom.

6. Travelex

Travelex is headquartered in Omaha, a city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. At the time of writing, they have also yet to release an official statement regarding travel claims in the midst of the coronavirus.

Stay connected with them on their website or Facebook page for the latest news.

7. Generali Global Assistance

If you’ve purchased a travel insurance plan with Generali Global Assistance, please refer back to the description of coverage or policy confirmation documents issued to you.

Alternatively, you may do a quick search via this link for instant details. As a rule of thumb, if your insurance covers illness, claims may be made for plans purchased on or after January 22, 2020.

Please view their statement issued on 29 January 2020 for more information and FAQs addressed.

8. Aviva

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Travel insurance policies purchased on and after 20 Jan 2020 onwards are not eligible for claims with regards to trip cancellation, interruption, hospitalization, quarantine allowance and more in relation to the novel coronavirus.

You may view the summary here.

Do also note that their customer service hall has been temporarily closed to walk-in customers since 17 Feb 2020 (Monday) until further notice.

9. Tokio Marine

Stricter than the other above-mentioned travel insurance companies, Tokio Marine has stated in their official notice that they do not cover any cancellation claims with regards to the coronavirus for policies bought after 11 January 2020.

Travelers are also to keep in mind that traveling against the travel notice issued by any government authorities will not be eligible for claims arising from the outbreak.

10. AXA

You will be eligible for trip cancellation claims if you’ve purchased AXA’s travel insurance plans and booked your trips to Wuhan before 11 January 2020 or mainland China before 27 January 2020.

However, should you wish to proceed with traveling, you will not be eligible for any form of claims arising from the outbreak. They have also temporarily closed their customer center at level 1, AXA Tower. You may contact them through their hotline at +65 6880 4888 or fill up an online form to reach them.

Read more from their notice or stay updated on their website.

11. MSIG

MSIG’s travel insurance will not cover any claims arising from the coronavirus for trips to these destinations if the policy or trip is purchased on these dates or later: 22 January 2020 for Wuhan, 23 January 2020 for Hubei Province and 27 January 2020 for mainland China.

The notice applies even if you’re passing through the mentioned countries. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are excluded. At the time of writing for destinations to other countries, their insurance named TravelEasy will continue to cover medical expenses arising from the coronavirus according to the terms as stated on your insurance plan type.

Coverage to other areas is subject to change based on the present situation and customers are encouraged to check back frequently.

12. FWD

For travel insurance purchased on or after 23 January 2020 for travel to mainland China, FWD insurance will not cover any claims related to the outbreak. For global destinations, policies purchased on or after 31 January 2020 will not be applicable for claims based on trip cancellation, postponement, cut short and disruption.

You may view their official statement on their website and common FAQs regarding this area of concern.

13. Insuremytrip

Insuremytrip works slightly differently from the other insurance companies mentioned thus far. Instead of focusing on the coronavirus as a “known event”, they are applying for their travel insurance benefits in a couple of scenarios.

For example, trip cancellation can be claimed accordingly if it’s due to a personal illness or if it so happens that a travel companion or family member gets ill. Other scenarios apply and you may view them here.

If you’re afraid to travel due to health risks and have a travel insurance policy with the optional Cancel For Any Reason selected, you might still be able to make claims. Please reach their customer care representatives by dialing toll-free at 800-487-4722.

14. Sompo

Sompo insurance has stated upfront that they will not entertain any claims arising directly or indirectly from the coronavirus for travel insurance policies purchased after 8pm GMT +8 on 22 January 2020, for travel to Wuhan & Hubei and 7pm GMT +8 on 27 January 2020, for travel to the rest of mainland China.

For the other parts of the world, trip cancellation can be covered if you’ve contracted the virus in Singapore and is unable to proceed with traveling. However, there will be no coverage for cancellations of trips due to the coronavirus outbreak.

They have also written that coverage is subject to change and customers are advised to refer to Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest update.

15. IMG Global

At the time of writing, there is currently no specific information on the insurance claims process in relation to the coronavirus from their newsroom.

However, a quick visit to their Facebook page directs users to IMG’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Geoff Tothill’s update on the coronavirus.

You may contact them through the various numbers listed on their contact page or fill up the online form on their website.

Stay updated on your insurance policies

During this worrying period for many, it’s important to stay updated via the right sources are avoid spreading unverified news from hearsay. As you’ve probably read from our guide thus far, each insurance policy has its pros and cons.

Some are stricter on the “known event” date while some have yet to make an official comment. As with all policies, read through the fine print thoroughly and measure the policy that you’re covered under wisely to decide if the trip is still worth going.

Visit the World Health Organization’s website for daily updates on the coronavirus.