Holiday makers and travellers, who are worried about whether they can get travel insurance to protect against COVID-19 repercussions, need worry no more. Insurance is now available from PayingTooMuch.com, even if the official message is not to travel.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is advising against any international travel unless ‘essential’ although it does exempt certain countries that do not pose an unacceptably high risk for British travellers.
Insurance from PayingTooMuch.com, includes COVID-19 cover for Europe and some worldwide destinations at no extra cost on most policies, insuring for cancellation and medical expenses if the insured is diagnosed with COVID-19 at home or abroad. But travellers must make sure they apply for the option of PayingTooMuch.com's European FCDO Travel Advice Extension.
This insurance, taken out before leaving the UK will cover an individual for a holiday cancellation due to COVID-19, ie if they contract the virus and can't travel and it will cover for emergency treatment if they contract COVID-19 whilst on holiday in an exempt European country, ie one allowed without quarantine restrictions on return to the UK.
If you are travelling to a European country which the FCDO advises UK travellers not to travel to – you will be covered for COVID-19 cancellations, ie if you contract the virus before you go but not for emergency COVID-19 treatment in any country advised against by the FCDO.
For any other exempt country worldwide PayingTooMuch.com insurance will cover holiday cancellations if the insured contract COVID-19 or it will cover for emergency medical treatment if they contract the virus while on holiday. However, cover will not apply for either COVID-19 related cancellation or emergency medical treatment before travelling or whilst in a worldwide country advised against by the FCDO.
For more information, see our dedicated help page here.
How much does it cost?
By way of an example a quote is below for a husband and wife, to illustrate the difference to a lower risk so called ‘air bridge’ country and say, Spain where the FCDO have advised against all but essential travel.
A male, aged 70, with controlled high blood pressure and cholesterol and type 2 diabetes and a female, aged 67, controlled high blood pressure, going away for two weeks from 1 November 2020
For Europe, where non-essential travel is advised against: to go to Spain the cost would be £84.60 for full cancellation cover before the trip starts including for COVID-19 and full medical emergency cover whilst away, excluding COVID-19.
For Europe where an ‘air bridge’ exists: to go to Sweden would cost £68.14 for full cancellation cover before the trip starts including for COVID-19 and full medical emergency cover whilst away, including COVID-19.
So, for cover for a destination like Spain compared to Sweden the travel insurance is about 20% more expensive but can easily be provided.
Michael Ward, managing director of PayingTooMuch.com said: “We are seeing an increase in people taking out travel insurance, so there is clearly a demand to travel still. There will be many who regard going abroad at least as safe as staying at home and are prepared to quarantine, if necessary, on return.
“Even though the FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to many European countries, if you feel it's safe for you to go, our European FCDO Travel Advice Extension can offer a level of cover while you are away.”
For information on which countries are deemed relatively risk-free or those warned against at, go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-COVID-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel
