Swine Flu Outbreak and Travel Insurance

[zan5hin]

Well isn't that bloody fantastic. First trip overseas in ten years and there is a possible pandemic two weeks before I go.

I have now called three insurance companies and none of them will cover hospitalisation related to Swine/Avian flu due to travel warnings and mass media even though there is nothing specific about not going to the USA on the DFAT website.

If I had got insurance a few weeks ago I would have been OK

What are the chances I can find an insurer who will cover it? I guess all policies have exclusions for situation of which you were aware?

 

[samh004]

Can't you apply for insurance for everything but swine flu? Say you'll take responsibility for that, and just take care of yourself.

My mum is making me get a flu shot tomorrow, even though there isn't a shot for swine flu as it's new.

 

[lovestotravel]

Interesting question then arises about the travel insurance provided by credit cards.

I wonder if they would cover you for any possible hospitalization if required from the SWINE.

I would assume that your insurance policy starts/applied for the date you purchase tickets etc with the card?

 

[Natt]

Well isn't that bloody fantastic. First trip overseas in ten years and there is a possible pandemic two weeks before I go.

I have now called three insurance companies and none of them will cover hospitalisation related to Swine/Avian flu due to travel warnings and mass media even though there is nothing specific about not going to the USA on the DFAT website.

If I had got insurance a few weeks ago I would have been OK

What are the chances I can find an insurer who will cover it? I guess all policies have exclusions for situation of which you were aware?

I wondered about this, we took out insurance about a week ago, and am a little leary of travel at the moment.

Its a tough call - chances are given the incubation time, if its going to spread it already has, and its just a case of waiting for the cases to be diagnosed

 

[SnowYeti]

zan5hin, I feel your pain as I'm about to go overseas too in mid May. I haven't bought travel insurance, but I did buy my ticket on AMEX and it supposidly ha travel insurance. I always usually buy it just before I go, on top.

I will be going to New York/Canada, just where the outbreaks are happening too.

I am not sure if I will cancel the trip, but it is on the cards. I'd rather lose money than get sick with something there is no vaccine for. I too had the flu shot last week, but this was before the outbreak happened! I get the flu shot every year.

Will you consider cancelling your trip? Even if it means forfeiting money.

 

[Mal]

I'm not too worried about it, and wouldn't go shifting around travel just yet.

Note that TamiFlu and Relenza have both shown good results for treating swine flu thus far.

Getting a flu shot now is useless against the swine flu strain that the news is talking about.

 

[Blackswan]

I have heard reports that US carriers are relaxing rebooking/cancellation policies to Mexico following the outbreaks. I'm sure if things get worse, the international carriers would introduce this approach. Not sure what you could do about hotels though . . .

 

[auriga]

zan5hin, I feel your pain as I'm about to go overseas too in mid May. I haven't bought travel insurance, but I did buy my ticket on AMEX and it supposidly ha travel insurance. I always usually buy it just before I go, on top.

I will be going to New York/Canada, just where the outbreaks are happening too.

I am not sure if I will cancel the trip, but it is on the cards. I'd rather lose money than get sick with something there is no vaccine for. I too had the flu shot last week, but this was before the outbreak happened! I get the flu shot every year.

Will you consider cancelling your trip? Even if it means forfeiting money.

I am also going to New York and Canada mid-May!

However I am certainly not thinking of cancellation at this stage.

 

[Mal]

I'm sure if things get worse, the international carriers would introduce this approach. Not sure what you could do about hotels though . . .

Airlines have been through this before. Think SARS, Think Bird Flu.

They know what they have to do, and when to do it. If things get as bad as people think it will, then Qantas will offer fare waivers etc.

 

[garyjohn951]

You have more chance of getting hit by a bus/car going to the airport than getting swine flu.

Have a trip in 2 weeks, not cancelling. Didn't cancel when SARs was about. Talk about great service on the planes, heeps of empty seats.

 

[Tejas]

i leave next tue (05/05) and there is no way as long as i have a hole in my cough i'm cancelling - and i'm off to NYC & Canada too.

 

[stryker]

I'm not too worried about it, and wouldn't go shifting around travel just yet.

Note that TamiFlu and Relenza have both shown good results for treating swine flu thus far.

Getting a flu shot now is useless against the swine flu strain that the news is talking about.

Good call Mal.

I'm off to the USA next week (albeit for only a couple of days), and I'm not worried about "swine flu" in the least.

Just going to anywhere in SE Asia you are likely to pick up something worse (if you've been you will know what I mean).

 

[Alanslegal]

I'm gradually recovering from my prolonged cold - and it doesn't help when I try to continue exercising etc when I really should be resting. Anyway I'm off to the USA in a bit over 36hrs times and although there's been a huge media splash re:this new outbreak, guess precaution is a good step and just try to be wary of who may be sneezing/coughing/ etc around you.

Putting things into perspective I suppose, 85dead only? C'mon, that's it? I bet more people died on the roads in China in the past 24hours (or even their mines) :shock:

 

[beardoc]

Putting things into perspective I suppose, 85dead only? C'mon, that's it? I bet more people died on the roads in China in the past 24hours (or even their mines) :shock:

The figures from the WHO are that there's significant morbidity if you catch swine flu, and the mortality is about 1-4%.

The WHO is not yet recommending that people stop travelling, but it would be sensible to be aware of what's going on, and be aware of what to do if you think you might have been exposed. Antiviral agents like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) need to be taken early in the course of the illness if they're going to improve things - best in 12 hours from the start of symptoms.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just as an aside....why do people wait till the last bit before taking out travel insurance??

I ask because one the significant benefits of travel insurance is covering loss if you suddenly cannot go for whatever reason....and not just prior to the trip...but if that reason occurs anytime from the moment of booking...

So the advice of my sisters who bothused to work in Travel insuance as excutives...was too to take out travel insurance as soon as you book.

Indeed anyone that had to cancel a trip and took out insurance late well after booking were always checked extra well and often denied on the grounds that the cause was already known at the time of taking out insurance (which relates to the OP ina way..).

 

[zan5hin]

Will you consider cancelling your trip? Even if it means forfeiting money.

The germ handler keyrings I saw a few days ago and I got a good laugh out of don't look so stupid today!

http://rushfaster.com.au/product.php?pProductID=HDL-HANDLER-BLUE

Even if Qantas did, I know Priceline don't give refunds, and I've got fantastic Hotel deals in Vegas and New York and I would lose thousands of dollars. I also booked Cirque du Soleil, so screw that, I'm going. My India trip in October, well that's another story.....

I am due for a follow up second round of vaccinations for yellow fever or Hep B or something from The Travel Doctor and I wasn't going to worry about it, however I made the appointment today and I'm buying a packet of Tamiflu to take with me. Not cheap, like $60 or something the receptionist said.

But yeah, fingers crossed it will still be more dangerous remembering to look right first instead of left before crossing the road, then eating the buffet at the MGM Grand.

I've had a shocking run here in Melbourne the last month with hayfever, if it keeps going when I'm in the states people will be giving me concerned looks everytime I sneeze :shock:

Luckily I'm in the best physical shape of my life getting fit for this trip, hopefully all that Yoga and Pilates has boosted my immune system Maybe the hayfever is my bad chi being released?.......Think healing thoughts!

 

[Travel Guru]

Just as an aside....why do people wait till the last bit before taking out travel insurance??

I ask because one the significant benefits of travel insurance is covering loss if you suddenly cannot go for whatever reason....and not just prior to the trip...but if that reason occurs anytime from the moment of booking...

So the advice of my sisters who bothused to work in Travel insuance as excutives...was too to take out travel insurance as soon as you book.

Indeed anyone that had to cancel a trip and took out insurance late well after booking were always checked extra well and often denied on the grounds that the cause was already known at the time of taking out insurance (which relates to the OP ina way..).

As an agent, I second that, if you're planning on taking it out anyway, why wait until the last minute, you're paying the same premium but negating one of the main benefits of holding a policy.

TG

 

[serfty]

As an agent, I second that, if you're planning on taking it out anyway, why wait until the last minute, you're paying the same premium but negating one of the main benefits of holding a policy.

TG

I guess that's where CC based insurances generally come into their own.

You purchase travel in a qualifying manner with a CC and you are insured; few people are going to fork out $$$ when they're not going to travel.

Annual policies also basically sidestep this issue as well (except for renewals perhaps).

 

[vet]

Beware of clauses that Citibank/Zurich say prevent one claiming if an airline cancels the flight or the whole route permanently or temporarily. (Qantas/Jetstar junked the Nagoya route but finally, after lawyers got involved, forked out consequential losses like cancellation fees charged by other airlines and travel agents). Potentially airlines might cut your flights due to falling demand in whichh case maybe the policy says 'bad luck'??

I agree re an annual policy is the way to go. I'm glad I've now got a 12 month policy for $350 pa. That's small change per trip especially as it covered/ covers the family on maybe 10 trips in Oz and trips o/s when they are with me. I was flown back at the pointy end from SFO and was fully reimbursed for the US medicals and a disabled taxi from Tullamarine, My daughter was paid out for her medicals in the US for a fracture plus wasted ski tickets.

 

[SnowYeti]

I guess that's where CC based insurances generally come into their own.

You purchase travel in a qualifying manner with a CC and you are insured; few people are going to fork out $$$ when they're not going to travel.

Annual policies also basically sidestep this issue as well (except for renewals perhaps).

I paid for my ticket on AMEX and had a small voucher from Qantas. Basically I am not covered because 100% of the cost has to go on the credit card.

Now I can't get any travel insurance against swine flu, NOBODY will insure me. Tried Allianz/TID/QBE they all say if I booked it last week then I would have got it.

I am going to cancel my trip to New York as it's not worth it if I have to go to hospital for any reason slightly relating to influenza - I don't want the hassle of fighting and then they'll say I'm not covered. I'm not in a position to fork out and pay US medical bills either!

I'm just waiting for travel waivers if they do come, so I can get a refund rather than a credit sitting in QF account