Travel Insurance which covers COVID-19?

[Edge]

I have a Westpac Altitude Black credit card, which includes travel insurance provided by Allianz. From my study of the details, I believe that recent changes to the PDS have confirmed that while the insurance does not cover pandemics or epidemics, Covid-19 is not now considered to be a pandemic. The insurance covers trips up to six months long, and covers to age 80.

I have the same and made a successful claim

 

[VPS]

In Australia they will be covered by reciprocal Medicare for health issues I believe but not general TI. There are many TIs that should offer cover but GIYF.

not my problem. If she wants to run the risk then that's her problem.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I ended up going with Medibank for Annual Multi-Trip coverage, They give a 15% discount if you have Health Insurance with them, which made it quite reasonable, and its underwritten by Zurich.

The whole Covid thing though is a bit of a pain in the bum, that they don't cover any cancellations if do not travel orders are issued.

 

[AFF Editor]

I've written a summary of which credit card travel insurances provide COVID-19 cover. Hope this is useful.

Which Credit Card Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19?

The complimentary international travel insurances with premium Amex, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and St George credit cards now provide COVID-19 cover.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Melburnian1]

I've written a summary of which credit card travel insurances provide COVID-19 cover. Hope this is useful.

Which Credit Card Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19?

The complimentary international travel insurances with premium Amex, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and St George credit cards now provide COVID-19 cover.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

An excellent summary, and very pleasing (as I previously highlighted in the NAB thread) that NAB decided to offer this 'complimentary' cover extension. The 90 day duration limit is good with NAB.

 

[William Gillespie]

I heard from my travel agent that a man who booked a business class vacation to the ski fields in Canada relied on his credit card travel insurance alone. He suffered an appendicitis attack on the slopes, was air evacuated to a hospital some distance away, his recovery in hospital was slow due to the delay in getting him there, and by the time he got back to Oz his accident cost over $90k. The credit card insurance paid him back but the claim took nearly a year to work through the system. What the credit card company did was increase his card limit by $90k to allow him to pay for the accident but the long delay in settling the claim meant that he was out $21k in credit card interest. So do not think the card pays the claim for you. You pay upfront and they reimburse you later..in this case, much later…with double digit interest accruing.
.
The travel agent said that the man had turned down a travel insurance policy which would have cost him about $350 at the time.

 

[Limewood]

What happens with Covid insurance if one partner is over 80 and the other is not. It's a 14 day cruise in this instance.

 

[tonymc63]

I've written a summary of which credit card travel insurances provide COVID-19 cover. Hope this is useful.

Which Credit Card Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19?

The complimentary international travel insurances with premium Amex, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and St George credit cards now provide COVID-19 cover.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Good morning, is there any reason why the Macquarie Credit cards were not included as part of your review?

 

[Cddc]

@AFF Editor Don't think the 21 day max duration length is accurate for Commbank. The PDS states diamond and ultimate cards have 12 month max length duration on activated cover. Not sure about their other cards.

 

[ksthommo]

I've written a summary of which credit card travel insurances provide COVID-19 cover. Hope this is useful.

Which Credit Card Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19?

The complimentary international travel insurances with premium Amex, ANZ, NAB, Westpac and St George credit cards now provide COVID-19 cover.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

On your summary, ANZ/Allianz Maximum trip duration (per return trip from Australia) is 28 days.
In the ANZ Policy Information Booklet dated 27 April 2022 it's Up to six consecutive months for cardholders, their spouses and/or dependants.

 

[Revenge]

@AFF Editor Don't think the 21 day max duration length is accurate for Commbank. The PDS states diamond and ultimate cards have 12 month max length duration on activated cover. Not sure about their other cards.

I was about to say the same thing. I just got back from a trip away for 7 weeks and as far as I know, I was covered with my CBA Diamond card (I had no issues activating the insurance for that duration). Just checked the PDS and can't see anything suggesting a 21 day max duration.

 

[AFF Editor]

Good morning, is there any reason why the Macquarie Credit cards were not included as part of your review?

No particular reason, other than that the article focuses mainly on the major credit card providers. However, upon checking, the Macquarie PDS makes no mention whatsoever of COVID-19, pandemics or epidemics - which is rather strange considering it was last updated this year.

Based on this page, I would assume COVID-19 is covered by have not added Macquarie to the list in the article.

Personal Help Centre

Get answers to all of your Macquarie Bank questions - whether you need support accessing online banking or using your account, we're here to help.

www.macquarie.com.au

@AFF Editor Don't think the 21 day max duration length is accurate for Commbank. The PDS states diamond and ultimate cards have 12 month max length duration on activated cover. Not sure about their other cards.

Thanks for pointing this out. I believe you are correct and have updated the article.

On your summary, ANZ/Allianz Maximum trip duration (per return trip from Australia) is 28 days.
In the ANZ Policy Information Booklet dated 27 April 2022 it's Up to six consecutive months for cardholders, their spouses and/or dependants.

Likewise. It does say something about cover for something being maximum 28 days elsewhere in the PDS, which must have confused me (I read through a LOT of PDS documents when I put the article together and my head hurt at the end!) but I believe you're correct. I have updated the article.

 

[carineglades]

Thanks Matt for your excellent piece clarifying "Which credit cards Cover Covid 19". After Booking a little break to Singapore next month and wanting to know if my complimentary insurance under my Westpac Black Card will cover me fully.
I came across this Westpac link: Loading... Get a record of your eligibility
Receive confirmation of eligibility for the cover available for your overseas journey.
Excellent! Went through the process and have a letter in writing for me.
As I had to arrange separate travel insurance for my husband who has a pre existing condition I went through the process for him and was informed it will cost $45 for an assessment. Grr! I know what he has Why do I have to pay $45? I'm mean.
The hardest part was trying to arrange cover for him by phone and trying to find out what we are covered for is trying to get a specialist insurance agent from Allianz to speak to you.
All Travel Insurance companies are swamped at the moment. If you fill out the assessment on the above link it is free at the moment. It will cost $75 with an agent by phone.
ps under complimentary cover I am fully covered.

 

[Port Power]

I heard from my travel agent that a man who booked a business class vacation to the ski fields in Canada relied on his credit card travel insurance alone. He suffered an appendicitis attack on the slopes, was air evacuated to a hospital some distance away, his recovery in hospital was slow due to the delay in getting him there, and by the time he got back to Oz his accident cost over $90k. The credit card insurance paid him back but the claim took nearly a year to work through the system. What the credit card company did was increase his card limit by $90k to allow him to pay for the accident but the long delay in settling the claim meant that he was out $21k in credit card interest. So do not think the card pays the claim for you. You pay upfront and they reimburse you later..in this case, much later…with double digit interest accruing.
.
The travel agent said that the man had turned down a travel insurance policy which would have cost him about $350 at the time.

That amount is a problem if you don’t have such funds available to you! Usually hospitals will liaise directly with the insurance company and be paid directly. And promptly! If the claim is later denied, the customer will have to pay the insurer back.

During my Allianz claim, they suggested the providers send their bills to Allianz directly, but I could cover those bills myself.

 

[sydunipete]

I have a covermore policy and recently contracted covid while travelling in Italy. I’m now fully recovered and back on the road.

I incurred about an extra 10 days accomodation, meals etc and had to cancel and rebook (at short notice) replacement flights yet I chose not to claim on the policy.

Why? Italy has quite strict isolation rules that could potentially have dragged on for ages and to claim on the policy I needed a PCR test by a “medical professional” which would have brought myself to the attention of authorities.

So I followed all the rules and used self tests to determine when I was no longer positive but unfortunately wasn’t able to make a claim.

Just something to consider in the mix.

 

[stm1sydney]

Likewise. It does say something about cover for something being maximum 28 days elsewhere in the PDS, which must have confused me (I read through a LOT of PDS documents when I put the article together and my head hurt at the end!) but I believe you're correct. I have updated the article.

Yes, the 28 days max per journey is for ANZ domestic travel insurance. So you didn't imagine it.

 

[VPS]

So upthread discussing how my 76 year old friend from the UK was struggling to find TI - she has gone with this company

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Mit dem Reiseschutz der SIGNAL IDUNA, als Einzeltarif oder Paket, für den Urlaub absichern ➤ Jetzt Reiseversicherung günstig online abschließen!

www.signal-iduna.de

 

[Happy Dude]

Hi all.

Does this count as a general exclusion for ANZ credit card insurance?

Travel to PNG which is stated on the smartraveller website as "Reconsider your need to travel" (on grounds of COVID and election-related violence, in specific areas).

Therefore a general exclusion exists and claims would be rejected because of failing to heed gov advice.

However, would the policy be valid for claims within Australia prior to departure?

I am specifically thinking of cancellation due to contracting COVID prior to departure and changes to flight schedules prior to departure that result in costs.

In which case the general exclusion wouldn't apply as it wouldn't be from a claim in PNG. Or would it still apply?

 

[Port Power]

Hi all.

Does this count as a general exclusion for ANZ credit card insurance?

Travel to PNG which is stated on the smartraveller website as "Reconsider your need to travel" (on grounds of COVID and election-related violence, in specific areas).

Therefore a general exclusion exists and claims would be rejected because of failing to heed gov advice.

However, would the policy be valid for claims within Australia prior to departure?

I am specifically thinking of cancellation due to contracting COVID prior to departure and changes to flight schedules prior to departure that result in costs.

In which case the general exclusion wouldn't apply as it wouldn't be from a claim in PNG. Or would it still apply?

IIRC, “reconsider“ is possibly allowed, but not “do not travel”. However you probably should talk to Allianz to confirm. Also, should the general election be a concern at the time you travel?

 

[Happy Dude]

IIRC, “reconsider“ is possibly allowed, but not “do not travel”. However you probably should talk to Allianz to confirm. Also, should the general election be a concern at the time you travel?

Unfortunately "reconsider" is a general exclusion with the ANZ CC insurance, together with "do not travel". I've asked the question to the insurer so will wait for a reply.

The travel rating for the election may change before I depart but doubtful for the Covid warning. The blanket warning from smartraveller is annoying because pretty much anywhere in Europe has no warning and much larger crowds/higher rates of Covid than remote PNG.