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After four long years, the UN World Tourism Organisation predicts that by the end of this year, travel will be back to pre-pandemic levels. Despite Australian borders re-opening two years ago, many Aussies have still been hesitant to grow abroad due to the ongoing risk of Covid-19, and the various quarantine or vaccination requirements around the world.
While there is currently no-known restrictions, it’s important to know that this can change at any time. Additionally, as the virus is still active and outbreaks are still occurring in many parts of the world, it’s imperative to find the right travel insurance policy before you head abroad to ensure you are covered whether you or a travelling partner fall ill.
Featured Partners
1
Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Cancellations
Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)
Key Features
25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating
2
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
3
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Medical Cover
Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs
Cancellations
$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited
Check Your Destination First
Check the requirements for every destination you are visiting, including transit countries. Check at the time of booking tickets, and check again shortly before leaving. The situation remains fluid in many places.
Due to the ongoing global health crisis, an high number of countries are ranked by the federal government’s government advisory website, Smartraveller, as level four out of five, which is ‘reconsider your need to travel’. Even if you wish to go regardless of the warning, not all insurers are willing to offer a policy—whether due to a Covid outbreak or other safety reasons.
Furthermore, some policies will only allow a cancellation if the advice level increases once the policy has been purchased and if it was at or below level three at the time it was purchased (‘Exercise a high degree of caution’). For more information on travel advisories and how it relates to Covid-19, visit Smartraveller.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Covid?
In short: yes. However, generally speaking the policies are limited in what they will cover, and there is significant variation between what is offered. Prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, no travel insurance covered the adverse impacts of a pandemic. Insurers have since been playing catch-up, but cannot possibly insure every possible scenario.
Much depends on the timing of when the illness was contracted. For example, most policies will cover cancellation costs if a traveller gets Covid-19 before they leave home or during their journey, or if they are deemed to be a close contact of someone with Covid-19.
These cancellation costs can also include the need for emergency accommodation, if quarantine is required, or any additional spending in order to travel home. It’s common for medical expenses to now include Covid-19, too.
Some policies, however, will not cover such costs if Covid-19 was contracted before leaving.
To be sure you are covered for Covid, whether for cancellation or medical needs, you should read the product disclosure statement of your potential travel insurance provider before purchasing the cover.
Do I Need Covid Cover If Travelling Domestically?
Australians who find themselves in need of medical treatment while interstate are covered by the national Medicare system or their own private insurance policy. That is why most domestic travel insurance policies do not provide cover for medical expenses.
When border restrictions were enforced between states and territories, it may have been worthwhile to take out Covid-19 insurances for pandemic-related disruptions, such as plans being postponed or cancelled due to a positive Covid-19 test result, or an outbreak in the region you were travelling to.
However, since there are no longer any restrictions for Australians travelling domestically, including no need to isolate if receiving a positive test result, it is no longer commonplace for domestic policies to include such provisions.
What Is Frequently Covered?
Some policies only cover medical and repatriation costs if the policyholder catches Covid overseas, or if a travelling partner does. Some insurance policies provide limited cover for cancellation costs, or cover for emergency accommodation necessary to isolate.
The coverage for Covid-19 in travel insurance policies varies greatly, which you can see in our list of comprehensive travel insurance policies where we specify the Covid-19 cover for each provider.
What Isn't Covered?
There is no substitute for reading the fine print before purchasing a policy. Be wary of exclusions and limits. For example, some policies have an upper limit of just $2500 for any extra costs incurred.
Like all insurance policies, reading the fine print of a COVID-19 travel insurance policy is essential to avoid spending more than is needed on the wrong policy, or wasting money on a policy that will be deemed void.
Featured Partners
1
Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Cancellations
Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)
Key Features
25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating
2
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
3
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Medical Cover
Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs
Cancellations
$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Covid included in travel insurance?
It is not covered by default, and some countries require a traveller to have a specific pandemic-related policy in order to be permitted to enter.
If taking a cruise, be vigilant about purchasing the right cover. Some insurers do not provide Covid-19 cover for multi-night cruises, and many cruise operators require a Covid-19, cruise-specific policy to step onboard.
What does Covid travel insurance cost?
Prices depend upon a wide variety of factors, such as the destination and the ages of the travellers. Do your research and obtain a few quotes before you buy. You can also read our guide to travel insurance costs here.
How much is Covid travel insurance to Bali?
A basic policy for an adult with two children spending a week in Bali starts from as little as $29, while a comprehensive policy costs $229 for the week.
What is the best travel insurance for Covid?
There is no one ‘best’ policy when it comes to Covid-19 travel insurance. Much depends on individual requirements and the inherent risks of the destination itself.
Prioritise the kind of cover needed for a particular trip (for example, if travelling to a wedding, then the dates are critical and paying for postponed travel will not make much sense).
Consider any underlying health conditions and the kind of treatment that may be required in the event of contracting the illness. Stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters to give yourself the best chance of protection.
When should I buy Covid travel insurance?
Take out insurance sooner rather than later. Many policies will be deemed void if a person tested positive less than 21 days before the trip begins and needs to cancel or postpone it. A good practice is to take out travel insurance as soon as the dates are confirmed.
Am I covered if I have to cut my trip short due to Covid?
With written proof of the cancellation, it is possible for the unused portion of the single trip premium to be refunded. If it a multi-trip, the policy simply continues up until its end date.
