Planning a trip in 2022? Looking for the best travel insurance for Covid-19?
Traveling in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly become complicated. As new travel restrictions are introduced, it is important we take all the necessary steps to protect our money in case we have to cancel or cut short our trip due to Covid. And, of course, we want the best protection against the expenses that might come with Covid treatments. With all these factors out of our control, purchasing Covid travel insurance is absolutely essential. To help you pick the best plan for your needs, below are the top 5 travel insurance plans for Covid-19.
But before moving on to the actual list, let’s review a few basic concepts and factors that should be considered when choosing a plan.
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR COVID-19: COVERAGE TYPES
There are 5 coverage types, or “levels”, that can be considered when purchasing a travel insurance plan for Covid-19:
• Covid-19 Medical coverage – you get Covid while traveling and need medical care.
Even if you’re vaccinated and feel comfortable traveling during the pandemic, you could still get sick while on your trip. If that happens, you’d want to have the best medical care available without worrying about how to pay for it. This type of insurance policy covers all costs related to your medical care.
• Covid-19 Repatriation coverage – you get Covid while traveling and need to be transported home.
If you are on a trip, and get sick with Covid, in some extreme cases you may need to be medically transported back to your country. This type of insurance policy covers repatriation costs related to Covid-19.
• Covid-19 Cancellation coverage – you get Covid and are unable to travel
If you were to get sick from Covid before your trip, you would not be allowed to travel. This type of insurance policy covers unrecouped costs from canceling your trip if you’re diagnosed with Covid-19.
• Pandemic Cancellation coverage – you are quarantined and are unable to travel
If you’re told to self-isolate even without testing positive for Covid yourself, your trip is likely to be canceled. This type of insurance policy covers unrecouped costs from canceling your trip if you’re quarantined.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage – you can cancel and get some reimbursement no matter the reason.
A plan with ‘CFAR’ coverage allows you to cancel your trip for any reason of your choosing, up to 48 hours before departure, and get reimbursed for up to a certain percentage of your total insured trip cost.
The following insurance companies below have travel insurance plans that meet the above criteria in various ways.
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR COVID-19: TOP 5 TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2022
1. CAT 70 Travel Plan
The CAT 70 plan sits at the top of most rankings for very clear reasons. To start, it offers comprehensive coverage for all the basics, including cancellations due to injuries, weather, or hurricanes, as well as medical emergencies, travel delays, and luggage issues. Moreover, it also includes generous coverage for Covid-related trip cancellation and medical expenses. Let’s get into the details.
COVID Medical Coverage and COVID repatriation coverage
This travel insurance plan was designed with medical as a top priority. If you get Covid during your trip, this plan covers the associated medical costs, up to $500,000. The policy also includes Medical Evacuation and Repatriation benefits up to $500,000. This is a tremendous amount, and it sets them head above the competition.
COVID Cancellation coverage
If you test positive for Covid prior to your trip and have to cancel, the travel plan can reimburse you for 100% of what you lose in non-refundable trip expenses. If you contract Covid-19 during your trip, this plan can reimburse all your unused trip costs. Regarding the pandemic Cancellation coverage, this can be included if you purchase the CFAR option, see point below
Cancel for any reason” coverage
CAT 70 offers as an option a time-sensitive “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit that can reimburse up to 75% of your trip cost if you have to cancel it at least 2 days prior to departure. To be eligible for the “Cancel for Any Reason” program travelers must make the purchase within 14 days of the first trip booking.
This travel insurance is available for U.S., United Emirate Arabs, and United Kingdom citizens only.
You can check a summary of this travel insurance benefits at this link.
2. AXA Insurance Platinum
The AXA Platinum plan provides the most comprehensive coverage available in the AXA Insurance group offer. This plan includes coverage for cases such as cancellations, missed connections, trip delays, and emergency evacuations. Moreover, the platinum plan includes medical coverage and cancellation coverage due to Covid-19 sickness. Let’s see some details.
COVID Medical Coverage and COVID repatriation coverage
AXA Assistance USA platinum plan provides coverage up to $250,000 for medical expenses, including the ones related to Covid-19. The policy also includes Medical Evacuation and Repatriation benefits up to $1,000,000.
COVID Cancellation coverage
AXA Assistance USA platinum plan provides coverage up to 100% of your trip expenses in case of cancelations that resulted from testing positive for Covid-19.
Regarding the pandemic Cancellation coverage, this can be included if you purchase the CFAR option, see point below
Cancel for any reason” coverage
AXA Assistance USA offers CFAR as an optional upgrade, providing partial reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable payments if you cancel your trip at least 2 days prior to departure. To be eligible for the “Cancel for Any Reason” program travelers must make the purchase within 14 days of the first trip booking.
You can check a summary of this travel insurance benefits at this link.
3. TinLeg
Designed to meet the needs of all travelers, TinLeg travel plans offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.
COVID Medical Coverage and COVID repatriation coverage
Depending on the insurance plan you choose (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Economy, Adventure or Luxury) the limit of the Medical Coverage can be set to anywhere from $10,000 all the way to $500,000, while the Medical Evacuation & Repatriation ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000.
COVID Cancellation coverage
If you test positive for Covid prior to your departure, all TinLeg travel plans can reimburse you for 100% of what you lose in non-refundable expenses. Regarding the pandemic Cancellation coverage, this can be included if you purchase the CFAR option, see point below.
Cancel for any reason” coverage
Similar to the above-mentioned travel insurance plans, with TinLeg you can purchase a time-sensitive option that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and receive 75% of your money back.
You can check a summary and comparison of all TinLeg travel insurance plans at this link.
4. John Hancock
John Hancock offers 3 policies: ‘Bronze’, a basic plan; ‘Silver’, a competitive plan with increased benefits for items such as missed connection, baggage, and emergency medical expenses and evacuation; ‘Gold’, a deluxe plan with the highest coverage limits.
COVID Medical Coverage and COVID repatriation coverage
Medical coverage is included up to $50,000 if you choose the Bronze plan, up to $100,000 for the Silver plan, and up to $250,000 for the Gold one. Medical Repatriation is included up to $250,000 if you choose the Bronze plan, up to $500,000 for the Silver plan, and up to $1,000,000 for the Gold one.
COVID Cancellation coverage
All John Hancock travel insurance plans can reimburse you for 100% of your non-refundable trip expenses if you test positive for COVID-19. Regarding the pandemic Cancellation coverage, this can be included if you purchase the CFAR option, see point below.
Cancel for any reason” coverage
All John Hancock travel plan allows you to purchase a time-sensitive CFAR option, which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and receive 75% of your money back.
You can check a summary and comparison of all John Hancock travel insurance plans at this link.
5. USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services
John Hancock offers 2 policies: ‘Ruby’, a basic but comprehensive travel insurance plan, and ‘Diamond’, which offers the same benefits as the Ruby plan, but with superior limits.
COVID Medical Coverage and COVID repatriation coverage
Medical coverage is included up to $250,000 if you choose the Ruby plan and up to $500,000 if you choose the Diamond Plan. Medical Repatriation is included up to $500,000 if you choose the Ruby plan and up to $1,000,000 if you choose the Diamond Plan.
COVID Cancellation coverage
Both USI Affinity travel insurance plans can reimburse you for 100% of your non-refundable trip expenses if you test positive for COVID-19. Regarding the pandemic Cancellation coverage, this can be included if you purchase the CFAR option, see point below.
Cancel for any reason” coverage
Both USI Affinity travel insurance plans allow you to purchase a time-sensitive CFAR option, which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and receive 75% of your money back.
You can check a summary and comparison of both USI Affinity travel insurance plans at this link.
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