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Insurer offers travel Covid cover

Emma Lunn
Written By:
Emma Lunn
Posted:
Updated:
07/07/2020

Rock Insurance Group has launched a policy that includes cancellation cover if the traveller tests positive for coronavirus.

Rock is offering the policy under the Insurefor.com brand and aims to fill a gap in the travel insurance market.

Many major insurers are still not selling travel insurance after postponing sales in March.

Pre-departure cover

The InsuredFor.com policy includes pre-departure cancellation if a traveller tests positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of their holiday and cannot travel.

The customer will be required to show evidence of a positive Covid-19 test and must not have had any symptoms or positive diagnosis before buying the policy or booking the holiday.

The customer will be covered if they are not allowed to board their flight as a result of a positive coronavirus test or raised temperature.

There is also cover if the policyholder has been hospitalised within 28 days of their holiday.

InsuredFor.com covers emergency medical care and repatriation whilst travelling should a traveller contract the virus whilst abroad.

The product is flexible so if there is a coronavirus outbreak in a destination, customers will be allowed to change their dates or destination ahead of their trip without admin fees.

During a trip

Insurefor.com will cover policyholders if they have checked in at their holiday accommodation but the property needs to close as a result of the coronavirus.

Medical cover is included if the traveller catches coronavirus whilst abroad, and costs will be covered if it is “medically necessary” to bring the customer home.

The policy also provides cover for additional accommodation and travelling costs if the policyholder contracts coronavirus whilst abroad.

What isn’t covered

Travellers that have to self-isolate because they have come into contact with someone with coronavirus will not be covered for the cancellation of their trip.

Those who are shielding or have been asked to stay inside by their doctor, would also not be able to make a claim.

Travellers that change their mind about going to a particular destination – called “disinclination to travel” – also won’t be covered.

Cover will also be voided if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to a destination but the traveller goes on holiday anyway.

The FCO changed its advice on Friday to exempt certain destinations from its advice about not travelling unless it’s essential.

Gap in the market

Rock is also selling a business policy to travel agents that covers agents against cancellation costs in the event that a customer books a holiday and needs to cancel due to testing positive to Covid-19.

Antony Martin, managing director at Rock Insurance Group, says: “We are excited to be leading the charge in launching our new Covid-19 protection products. There has been a great deal of confusion around travel insurance recently and the travel industry has incurred significant costs because of it. We noticed a gap in the market for a solid Covid-protection policy so we wanted to create robust products which clearly outline what is and isn’t included.”