Travel insurance and Covid-19

[bogman]

Just before the last Lockdown I phoned my travel company with a view to getting away for a month or even 6 weeks aware of the fact that I would have to restrict my movements/self isolate for 10 days on my return, they told me that I couldn't go because I would not be able to get travel insurance, that did it for me, no way was I going to take the risk, has anyone else been able to get travel insurance or overcome this problem and get away?

 

[brut33]

I went abroad last month but only after looking at the government website re Foreign Office travel restrictions.
This was on the advice of my insurer. They informed me if the FO advised against travel to certain countries
it would invalidate my annual policy.


https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice


However there are brokers out there who will give you the go-ahead against FO advice but I'd
read the small print very carefully.

 

[mervynkinney]

Not yet but I’m looking forward to seeing the response of all those who are saying, ‘There’ll be no vaccine in my arm’ when they phone up for their Travel insurance to go abroad.
Travel Company - ‘Have you had your Covid vaccine yet’?
Ans - ‘No, why do I need one’?
Ans - ‘Not really provided you’re happy to go to Buncrana or Blackpool for your hols.
I wonder how many will change their minds.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Blackal]

Just before the last Lockdown I phoned my travel company with a view to getting away for a month or even 6 weeks aware of the fact that I would have to restrict my movements/self isolate for 10 days on my return, they told me that I couldn't go because I would not be able to get travel insurance, that did it for me, no way was I going to take the risk, has anyone else been able to get travel insurance or overcome this problem and get away?

Battleface Insurance covers travel to countries against FCO advice. Reckon on it being around £50 for a 2wk jaunt.

 

[jonnie comet]

My daughter works for Trailfinders. She says that their travel insurance (actually Allianz) covers all sorts of covid related issues to include cancellation and repatriation.

Worth a look.

 

[wessie]

Just before the last Lockdown I phoned my travel company with a view to getting away for a month or even 6 weeks aware of the fact that I would have to restrict my movements/self isolate for 10 days on my return, they told me that I couldn't go because I would not be able to get travel insurance, that did it for me, no way was I going to take the risk, has anyone else been able to get travel insurance or overcome this problem and get away?

I can get insurance in the UK for travel to Europe, not that I want to go, but I was just looking at the current state of the game. I was looking at https://www.getgoinginsurance.co.uk/

You seem to be in Ireland so a different situation maybe with different underwriters. One advantage for you is that you will be in EHIC which we in the UK will lose next month.

Rather than your travel company, speak to a specialist travel insurance broker. As long as you are not travelling against your government's advice you should be able to get cover, at a price.

 

[Jockser]

Stay at home Cha, it's safer for an oul fella like you

 

[Ajay]

My daughter works for Trailfinders. She says that their travel insurance (actually Allianz) covers all sorts of covid related issues to include cancellation and repatriation.

Worth a look.

There's a number of intermediaries offering Covid cover including Trailfinders. Couldn't find one that doesn't have the "against FCO advice" exclusion when I planned to go to Spain. Annoying really as the FCO advice is due to Covid for many of the recently excluded countries

 

[stolzy]

If you get in quick, you can rely in your EHIC.

But you'd better be back before Jan 1.

 

[wessie]

If you get in quick, you can rely in your EHIC.

But you'd better be back before Jan 1.

the OP is Irish, so will have EHIC benefits in 2021 and beyond

 

[stolzy]

the OP is Irish, so will have EHIC benefits in 2021 and beyond

Lucky fcuker.

 

[brut33]

The EHIC card is all well and good but won't cover repatriation if needed.

 

[stolzy]

The EHIC card is all well and good but won't cover repatriation if needed.

But neither will insurance, if you can't get it to over the illnesses that concern you (CV-19 for example).

It will (for a week or so, at least) provide for your medical treatment in an EU country.

 

[brut33]

But neither will insurance, if you can't get it to over the illnesses that concern you (CV-19 for example).

It will (for a week or so, at least) provide for your medical treatment in an EU country.

I'm not sure what kind of policy you've got but I would suggest an upgrade.

 

[Firefox]

VHI travel insurance

We went to Australia at the beginning of March when Covid was just really kicking off outside China. BEFORE anyone was advising not to travel. Our return flights cost about €1800.
And then the world went into lockdown. Etihad cancelled all flights (as did almost everyone else) and we were stranded in Oz. We were due to come back end of March. Flights to come back then were available with Qatar at €7000 So of course, we rang our travel insurance company VHI.
And they basically told us to fcuk off. "if the flights were cancelled before you travelled, you would be insured". "But we're stuck abroad".....Not covered. Luckily we were staying with our daughter so accomodation wasn't an issue and having stayed an extra 2 weeks with nothing to do, we got back for about €1750 and eventually got a refund of about 700 so not too badly stung.

But I don't have any faith left in travel insurance.