twk

While I have seen plenty written about the lack of coverage for trip cancellation due to coronavirus (indeed, my reading of my Travel Guard policy for a planned July trip to France led me to believe that there would be no cancellation coverage for coronavirus, unless someone in our party fell ill), I haven't seen anything to indicate that medical coverage and evacuation coverage would not apply. Perhaps new policies have such language, but I haven't seen it.

thursdaysd

The "Get Quote" page for the policy I usually use says this:

"This plan does not cover a claim in any way caused by or resulting from: 1) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19); 2) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); 3) Any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2; or 4) Any fear or threat of 1, 2, or 3."

Macross

I am going to NY in August and bought a policy more for hurricane cancellation than anything. It was 23.00 so wth. I bought with the jet blue ticket which I never do for International travel. I buy through USAA. Anyhow, I got this email from Allianz. Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your recent purchase of an Allianz Travel Protection Plan. Given the current unique and evolving circumstances related to the unprecedented concern over COVID-19, the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus, we want to take this opportunity to remind you how our products and services are working to protect you both prior to your departure and while you’re enjoying your trip.

Our plans do not generally cover claims due to COVID-19. This is because our products do not generally cover losses caused directly or indirectly by known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories. Nor do our products generally cover for fear of travel. However, for a temporary period, although not covered under most plans, we are currently accommodating claims for:

1. Under Emergency Medical Care Benefit: Emergency medical care for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip.
2. Under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits: Trip cancellation and trip interruption if a customer becomes ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip.

These accommodations are strictly applicable to COVID-19 and are only available for customers whose plans includes the applicable benefit. All other terms, conditions, and exclusions of the plan apply as always. We are offering this accommodation for a temporary period in response to the public health and travel crisis that is currently occurring. This accommodation applies to plans currently in effect. Please refer to the coverage alert on our website at www.etravelprotection.com before purchasing another plan.

Maybe they did this with jet blue who have been very proactive in getting people to fly once again.

menachem

"Europe" perhaps, but GB, Sweden and the Netherlands aren't. Also global plane travel is a vector in and of itself.

Point is: countries that are tourist destinations, like Greece, are now demanding that a country's R0 is well below 1, before letting in travelers from those countries. Interesting exercise for the Netherlands, because as of yet there is no population-wide testing in place. So it might even be that there will be restrictions if Schiphol is your destination or transger airport. France has signalled it won't want too many tourists from elsewhere in Europe.

Heimdall

The US State Department travel website still has Global Health Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel. While this is only an advisory, I wonder if travel insurance companies would use that to deny claims? Also, can you expect to get the same support from embassies when you have been advised not to travel? That might be important if there is another lockdown while you are abroad and need a repatriation flight.

WeisserTee

We are somewhat leery of traveling even in Switzerland...since the lockdown ended too many people here in Basel have thrown caution to the winds and are not even trying to maintain social distancing. The downtown streets are as mobbed as they were a year ago. I’ve heard it’s not that much different in the more popular Alpine villages like Wengen. Bummer. We have plans for a day trip to Bern and a short overnight break in Gstaad but will see how things go...

My annual trip to the US is on hold as my passport expires in six months and we have been warned to expect long delays in renewal. So until the renewed one comes, no travel elsewhere in Europe either.

Still, if I have to be restricted to traveling domestically, I’m pretty happy to be where I am.

theohub

Well, tourism industry faces a lot of challenges every year. Maybe our first priority is to support our local economy despite our travel intentions...?

miss_diana

While I imagine the flight/airport situation will be tricky, I know New Zealand hasn't had any reported cases of Coronavirus in a few weeks. I'm holding out hope that I'll be able to travel there soon.

thursdaysd

If you live in the US, what makes you think that NZ is going to want you? They are talking of a "travel bubble" with just NZ and Australia, and perhaps Singapore. And this is the Europe board.

https://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...a3963fb2c0c807

Sassafrass

From my best friend in NZ, they think people will be allowed from other countries if they are willing to be quarantined for two weeks on arrival. My Friend is 87 and can not make another trip to the US. I hope to visit her this year, so may have to count on a month to do it, two weeks of quarantine and two weeks to visit.

Heimdall

It’s the infection rate in the country you live in that counts, not the country you hope to travel to. As a US citizen who lives in the UK, I wouldn’t hold out hope for travel to NZ In the near future from either of those countries.

Lois2

We here in US are welcome no where and frankly one state does not want the other states either. We recently had some people from AZ.. (young people) and sure enough had covid and spread it at a party. This is why we all need to just stay put.

kleeblatt

What a difference two months make! International travel is NOT taking off but travel within Europe is still possibe. Sadly, I was wrong with my prediction that international travel will pick up in summer.

kerouac

Most of the French have decided to stay in France this summer, actually creating an unprecedented tourist boom in certain areas. Apparently the grass is not always greener elsewhere. Of course, it cannot be denied that deciding to stay in France rather than to roam the world is not one of the worst fates than can befall someone.

MaineGG

""France remained the world's top destination in 2018," the government's tourism committee said in a statement.

The total of 89.4 million visitors was a three percent jump from 2017, and France is now targeting 100 million foreign tourists for 2020.

The biggest increase came from Asian visitors, up 7.4 percent from the previous year, though Europeans still make up the bulk of foreign tourists to France, representing 79 percent of the total."
https://www.france24.com/en/20190517...ow-vests-paris

With European borders now opening, there should still be plenty of tourists in France. 79% of nearly 90 million visitors is still a large number of foreign visitors to add to the numbers of French who are now vacationing in country. It will be interesting to see what the numbers turn out to be at the end of this year.

WeisserTee

In the hopes that things calm down and that my passport gets renewed in time, we have made plans to travel to Salzburg in October, Paris in November, and Brussels/Ghent in December.

However those are highly optimistic plans that involve no plane travel. All the hotels were booked with free cancellation. We think the odds are strongly in favour of having to cancel.

We also have plans for a 3 week trip to Singapore next spring. That too is most likely going to be cancelled.

This is very much a “bloom where you are planted” year...

864511320

Lois2

At the hotel we were to stay in Provence they are sold out for our dates...while it will not be a great year for tourism it probably will be okay ...if I lived in Europe would be in the car exploring some of the areas that often get way too many international tourists.