Travel Insurance which covers COVID-19?

[GaryLG]

I think this issue came up somewhere up-thread as well... the same underwriters serve a number of different end providers. You cannot necessarily look at an underwriter's cover in respect of one policy and extrapolate that to another policy. For example NIB may exclude covid cover for policies they sell directly, or underwrite through Company A, B, or C. But may provide covid cover for policies they underwrite for Company D. The individual PDF is what matters, not a general policy by the underwriter, even if they are in retail.

I appreciate that but as Mattg has already acknowledged his post was about them offering it directly not just through another end provider like Qantas and they aren't doing that presently.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I appreciate that but as Mattg has already acknowledged his post was about them offering it directly not just through another end provider like Qantas and they aren't doing that presently.

sorry for any misunderstanding

 

[GaryLG]

sorry for any misunderstanding

Not a problem.

 

[Pushka]

RAA is offering Covid Travel Insurance - that's the automobile club for SA so there are likely interstate equivalents.

 

[Mattg]

I've just updated the article to include details about Medibank/AHM (underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited and now offering COVID-19 cover), as well as Qantas Travel Insurance.

I need to make a correction - Qantas Travel Insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, not nib which acts as the underwriting agent of the insurer.

RAA is offering Covid Travel Insurance - that's the automobile club for SA so there are likely interstate equivalents.

Indeed, it looks like they started selling overseas travel insurance again yesterday. At a quick glance, the cover seems comparable to what's available elsewhere.

RACQ (QLD), RAC (WA) and RACV (VIC) seem to be underwritten by the same company as the RAA policies (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd) and are also offering travel insurance with some basic covid cover.

NRMA still has a general exclusion for COVID-19, but the NRMA insurance is underwritten by Insurance Australia Limited. RACT and AANT don't seem to be offering anything yet either.

 

[GaryLG]

I've just updated the article to include details about Medibank/AHM (underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited and now offering COVID-19 cover), as well as Qantas Travel Insurance.

I need to make a correction - Qantas Travel Insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, not nib which acts as the underwriting agent of the insurer.

Thanks for the update. If you get the chance to update your cost comparison chart some time that would be useful.

Indeed, it looks like they started selling overseas travel insurance again yesterday. At a quick glance, the cover seems comparable to what's available elsewhere.

RACQ (QLD), RAC (WA) and RACV (VIC) seem to be underwritten by the same company as the RAA policies (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd) and are also offering travel insurance with some basic covid cover.

I checked RACV cover and for me at least the cover and the cost seemed pretty poor in comparison. Their COVID maximums are much lower for example.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the update. If you get the chance to update your cost comparison chart some time that would be useful.

To be honest, it's unlikely I'm going to be able to keep updating the article with details on costs/inclusions for every new insurer as more insurance becomes available because there will eventually be dozens and dozens of options. The table/chart simply wouldn't fit on the page and it would take up far too much of my time to keep updating this.

I checked RACV cover and for me at least the cover and the cost seemed pretty poor in comparison. Their COVID maximums are much lower for example.

That could well be the case. I just had a very quick glance to see what covid-related scenarios they would cover and it didn't stand out as being that different to the others.

 

[GaryLG]

To be honest, it's unlikely I'm going to be able to keep updating the article with details on costs/inclusions for every new insurer as more insurance becomes available because there will eventually be dozens and dozens of options. The table/chart simply wouldn't fit on the page and it would take up far too much of my time to keep updating this.

Fair enough.

That could well be the case. I just had a very quick glance to see what covid-related scenarios they would cover and it didn't stand out as being that different to the others.

I guess as always "buyer beware" and do our own sums.

 

[Danger]

Doesn't this mean the March 2020 PDS would currently still apply (i.e. pandemics are included in the cover)? But if they change the PDS to be more restrictive, then as long as your insurance is activated prior to the change, then the March 2020 PDS still applies?

I see absolutely no reason why not.

I personally don't think it is good enough that ANZ hasn't given official and explicit guidance as to what is/isn't covered on their travel insurance policy.

Although it's not up to ANZ, though. Of course, the fact there has been no change in the preceding 20 months of a pandemic suggests the underwriter has no issue with what's written.

I agree the ANZ policy isn't clear but my old man phoned Allianz and the agent said the policy has full covid cover. Now, obviously, that's one call and a few short words rather than something written in a PDS, but when you record the call, you're much better armed for a potential cough fight.

Relatedly, I've always had a problem with PDSs being changed after you've triggered cover but before travel and the passenger then being subjected to those revised terms. In what other part of the commercial word can I buy (which is essentially what it is) a product or service, take it home and a few weeks later be told the merchant changes the terms of the agreement? It doesn't work that like. As far as I'm concerned, once I've activated the policy according to the policy's requirements, that's the policy I'm covered by.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I see absolutely no reason why not.



Although it's not up to ANZ, though. Of course, the fact there has been no change in the preceding 20 months of a pandemic suggests the underwriter has no issue with what's written.

I agree the ANZ policy isn't clear but my old man phoned Allianz and the agent said the policy has full covid cover. Now, obviously, that's one call and a few short words rather than something written in a PDS, but when you record the call, you're much better armed for a potential cough fight.

Relatedly, I've always had a problem with PDSs being changed after you've triggered cover but before travel and the passenger then being subjected to those revised terms. In what other part of the commercial word can I buy (which is essentially what it is) a product or service, take it home and a few weeks later be told the merchant changes the terms of the agreement? It doesn't work that like. As far as I'm concerned, once I've activated the policy according to the policy's requirements, that's the policy I'm covered by.

I think you are correct that the PDS you signed up to at the time of taking out the policy is the one that you'd be covered for when you travel. Have there been any instances to the contrary? For those policies that covered 'unforeseen' pandemics they continued to do so, but those taking out policies once the pandemic was a 'known' event were not covered.

The think about the current ANZ policy is that while they may not exclude pandemics there are plenty of other clauses which have the same effect. For example, you're not covered for anything which is a 'known' event, including knowledge through reporting by the media... so that pretty much strikes any covid cover off right there.

 

[blacksultan]

Does anyone know if covermore insurance can/ will provide a one page certificate of insurance mentioning only my visit to Thailand for 30 days ? ( as per requirement for Thai pass )

 

[AviatorPJ]

Does anyone know if covermore insurance can/ will provide a one page certificate of insurance mentioning only my visit to Thailand for 30 days ? ( as per requirement for Thai pass )

I tried to ask this very point also yesterday. After 1.5 hours on hold in the queue .... I had to give up waiting!.

 

[blacksultan]

I tried to ask this very point also yesterday. After 1.5 hours on hold in the queue .... I had to give up waiting!.

I called and they said they could once you purchased .but it will be a generic one they can’t mention Thailand only if you are buy a multi nation policy .

 

[AviatorPJ]

As well as evidence of acceptable travel insurance uploaded to issue their Travel Pass the Thai authorities also require uploaded:
1. Certificate of Vaccination - (not so difficult for Australian travellers - who have been vaccinated)
2. Test and Go confirmed ( and paid) package.
This is a bit involved.. and details need to include, clearly state and confirm that you have paid in the package for:

a) the hotel vehicle transfer arrangements from the Airport of entry to the approved Test and Go Hotel
b) the Covid-19 RT-PCR test arrangements on arrival
c) the Covid-19 Antigen test arrangement prior to departure

These requirements are so that your Travel Pass can be issued before your travel and entry to Thailand:
and requires the uploading of your evidence of acceptable/adequate Travel Insurance - discussed above.
AND
1. Copy of Certificate of Vaccination - (not so difficult for Australian travellers - who have been vaccinated)
2. Copy of Test and Go confirmed ( and paid) package. - discussed above...which involves quite a bit of work..!

There is an AGODA facility to get the confirmed Test and Go booking - but it is very clunky...
I think it better to use the website of an approved Hotel.

Sorry if a bit off topic and maybe Mods can move to a separate Thailand tread.
Suitable/acceptable Travel Insurance is but only one of the current three key Thai Travel Pass requirements.

 

[MZFlyer]

Amex is showing this for its credit card insurance, which suggests it's now (post 1 Nov 2021) covering Covid related expenses:

https://www.americanexpress.com/con..._Statement_Insurance_with_Your_Card_Chubb.pdf

 

[PineappleSkip]

Cover may be provided ... You may be eligible...

words like these from insurers are never heartening!

 

[MZFlyer]

I'm going to ring them on Monday - will report back! Otherwise looking at getting the Go Insurance covid bits to accompany existing Amex credit card cover (Fiji trip for 2 x adults in January).

 

[anchew]

I'm comforted that you had a good experience with ANZ card insurance MEL_Traveller. I'm going to the USA in December and paid my flights using my ANZ credit card. Looking at their COVID-19 FAQ, it appears that if I need medical attention due to COVID-19 (even though I'm double vaxxed), I'll be covered as they don't have a general exclusion for pandemics.

Also, it appears that if I catch COVID-19 and therefore unfit to tavel, then I may be covered for any reasonable accommodation expenses. In section 3.1.1:


I'm planning to get confirmation closer to my trip directly from ANZ (or their insurer Allianz).

Am I missing something here? I'm just a bit concerned by all the talk about not being able to find COVID insurance.

Ok, so I emailed ANZ/Allianz along the lines of my post above and here was their response:

Thank you for contacting us via email.

Under the current policy booklet there is no specific coverage in relation to COVID-19, however there are also no exclusions regarding COVID-19 applicable.

Any claim regarding this ongoing pandemic would be reviewed as any other event under the attached policy wording.

Make it what you will.

 

[robbo135]

Make it what you will.

If the insurer is being that opaque, I'd be safe and spend the few hundred dollars and get a policy which explicitly states COVID-19 coverage. Given that insurers generally don't make it easy to claim at the best of times, I wouldn't be rolling the dice on wording in the PDS which lawyers could spend years debating.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok, so I emailed ANZ/Allianz along the lines of my post above and here was their response:

Make it what you will.

It means you need to look at the other exclusions in the policy. Insurance is generally about covering unexpected events. If you travel to the UK and get covid ANZ's policy probably won't cover you according to their current wording. If you were to travel to travel to say Tonga, (or WA!), where there's zero covid and caught it, you *might* be covered, as getting covid in one of those places is well... fairly unlikely!