Travel Insurance For COVID-19 Times
/You know how it is with travel insurance: better to have it and not need it! Yes, COVID-19 is not the only problem that can occur during the holidays, so although most insurances did not cover the risk of COVID-19 disease, they are still needed for other conditions. However, you can consider a few options for future trips, which include the risks associated with COVID-19.
As you know, most people who come in contact with the virus are asymptomatic. It is not known how many people have already contracted the virus and showed no symptoms. You can also take all precautionary measures, at home or on the go.
To be fair, from the way I see it, it seems that the risk of contracting the virus in the country can be even higher than if you go to a destination where there are no cases, or there are very few, and the social distancing is respected. Risk is everywhere, of course, and if you think about it, there were risks even before COVID-19, but you were not so scared, because it was always an antidote. The only way to be entirely sure that you are not getting the virus is strict social isolation and distancing, in any situation. However, the decision to travel is up to everyone and must be made by everyone as they wish, depending on their health, where they are going, how the trip will be, etc. It is not a decision to make that one or the other says.
If you decide to travel, you have some free options and maybe a fee to treat or cover the risk COVID-19
Free options. In general, free coverage is there only for the needed treatment, as the rest of the risks are included in the insurance. But it is still good to know what options you have, in case of any health problem while traveling. I noticed that the following are not well known:
Free Emergencies. In almost every country in the world, emergency treatment (in hospitals, not clinics) is accessible. So, any problem you have, it will be treated.
Free European Health Card. This card allows us to benefit from the same medical services as the citizens of the countries you visit. It is obtained free of charge, you must have the national health card first. The procedure is not complicated. In some countries, the card is valid for six months and needs to be continuously renewed (one example, Romania). In other countries, such as The Netherlands, this is received as your private health insurance card, and you can use it as long as you pay for your insurance.
COVID-19 travel health insurance
Currently, most insurers in Europe do not offer coverage for COVID-19 because the disease has been declared a pandemic worldwide. However, it may soon be possible to pay an additional fee and include it.
However, Groupama announced in a press release that they will also cover the risk of COVID-19 (treatment, etc.), both for travel insurance and health insurance. But things can change so if you have a travel agency you will go with, you can ask if you can opt for the confirmed coverage, in case of illness with COVID-19.
If you go independently, I think it is best to check first with your preferred insurer, then go to another company, if our insurer does not offer us this service.
As I find out more about this topic, I will update the article.
