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Has any used Zurich Travel Insurance through Costco? - Turks and Caicos Forum

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Costco's travel site states:

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It appears the insurance plan covers everything required by the TCI Assured portal.

Thanks! I think I was concerned that if I picked a plan not on the list provided by TCI that it would not be accepted.

No worries! That’s just a suggested list, you can certainly pick any insurance company as long as it has the required coverage.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

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does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

The best travel insurance policies and providers

Katie Genter

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
  • You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

  • The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
  • You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
  • Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

  • You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
  • You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
  • You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
  • On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
  • Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
  • Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
  • For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

  • You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
  • You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
  • Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
  • Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
  • American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

  • GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
  • GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

  • Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
  • iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
  • All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
  • The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
  • Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
  • Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
  • For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
  • You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
  • You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
  • Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
  • You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
  • Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

  • World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
  • World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

  • Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
  • Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
  • Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
  • Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
  • Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
  • Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
  • Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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How do you choose travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Oct 26, 2021 • 5 min read

couple discussing over travel insurance and bills while using laptop at table.

COVID-19 has made it more important to check the health coverage on your travel insurance © Maskot/Getty Images

After 18 months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, you may be itching to act on your pent-up wanderlust⁠⁠—but the situation and the rules are still continuously evolving. So before you go anywhere, it’s best to have a travel insurance plan that protects the investment you’ve made in a long-awaited trip.

A robust travel insurance plan will reimburse pre-paid trip costs and non-refundable deposits if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip, encounter trip delays, experience baggage loss or require medical expense and medical evacuation. Your policy will also reimburse “covered reasons” in your plan, such as death, illness or injury, serious family emergencies, unplanned jury duty, military deployment, acts of terrorism, or your travel supplier going out of business.

But COVID-19 has added an additional checklist to your usual insurance needs⁠—it’s now important to check to ensure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses, and losses related to illness. Your policy should also cover quarantine costs if you need to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.

What do I look for in COVID-19 insurance coverage?

When you’re shopping for a travel insurance plan that covers COVID-19, you need to do your research and read the fine print of your plan. 

Look for a travel insurance product that will protect your non-refundable, prepaid expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to illness caused by COVID-19. Your policy should also cover emergency medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. With regard to COVID-19 coverage, be sure your policy covers medical care, medicine, hospitalization and quarantine expenses.

“The type of coverage you should look for depends on you, your needs, travel dates, and the type of trip you’re taking,” says Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface , a travel insurance carrier. He says some travel insurance companies have now excluded COVID-19 coverage because it has been labeled a “known/foreseeable event”, while others may exclude pandemics altogether.

“It’s important to search for plans that include medical and quarantine expenses as well⁠—this will be critical in the event you become ill and need to receive treatment while traveling,” continues Gainullin. 

One additional tip is to confirm there are no exclusions based on the destinations you’re traveling to⁠—this can happen with countries under government-issued travel warnings, Gainullin says.

“If a traveler feels uncertain, I recommend speaking with the travel insurance company directly. They can review the policy details with you, answer all of your questions, and confirm all of your required coverage options are included,” he adds.

Is getting coverage dependent on vaccination?

While it’s a good idea to be fully vaccinated before traveling, vaccination is not required to purchase a travel insurance policy, says Daniel Durazo, spokesperson with Allianz Partners USA.

What are the medical costs that are covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance can cover the cost of both medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. A US health insurance plan, as well as Medicare, generally will not cover overseas medical expenses, so it’s best to check with your personal health insurance provider if any global coverage is available. 

“While losing the cost of a trip due to an unexpected cancellation would be painful, paying for expensive emergency medical treatment or emergency medical transportation can be financially devastating,” Durazo says.  

Under a travel insurance plan, medical costs could range doctor visits, pharmacy expenses, imaging costs and covering a hospital stay if required. Other expenses that can be covered are transportation to medical care and medicine.

Read more:  Will my health insurance cover getting COVID-19 while traveling in the US⁠⁠—or abroad?

What about covering an unexpected quarantine due to COVID-19?

Many international destinations are now requiring that visitors purchase travel insurance coverage for an unexpected quarantine. Allianz Travel Insurance has added coverage to many of its products that includes reimbursement for quarantine-related accommodations if you or a traveling companion is individually-ordered to quarantine while on their trip, says Durazo. 

This coverage typically covers the cost of additional food, lodging and transportation while quarantined. In addition, trip interruption and travel delay benefits on certain Allianz plans also provide coverage if you or your travel companion is denied boarding by your travel carrier due to suspicion of illness.

The benefits for quarantine coverage vary from carrier to carrier. For example, on select Trawick International plans, they offer $2,000 in quarantine benefits and for an additional charge, and you can increase it up to $7,000. 

What about pre-flight COVID-19 testing?

Your plan may provide coverage for flights if you are turned away at a border for not passing a health inspection. Foster says Trawick’s travel insurance plans that cover COVID-19 would cover the expenses if you could not pass your pre-health inspection.  Also, the plan would cover the costs of the failure of your PCR test to return to the United States, such as having to quarantine abroad. 

Doctor in protective workwear taking nose swab test from young woman.

It’s important to note that the actual cost of the PCR test is not covered by your policy, just the loss associated with the negative test.

Read more:  PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

Some destinations require COVID-specific insurance coverage⁠—how do I comply with those restrictions? 

Before any international travel, you should check the country where you are headed to make sure you comply with insurance coverage requirements. Countries like Spain, Turks and Caicos and Thailand are among the nations that mandate COVID-19 insurance coverage.

“You first must check the countries’ specific COVID regulations for entry into the country. Some countries require travelers to provide proof of travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses purchased from a third party,” explains Foster. Providing proof coverage is key; so travelers need to ensure they receive documentation from their insurance provider that their policy covers COVID-19 related expenses to show customs officials, she says.

Should you arrive in a country that requires proof of insurance to cover COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs, and you don’t hold a policy, you will not be granted entry.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You may also like:  What happens if I'm denied entry to a country on arrival? What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel?

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U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The 5 Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance Options

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Travelex Insurance Services »

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Allianz Travel Insurance »

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

Generali Global Assistance »

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

IMG Travel Insurance »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best COVID Travel Insurance Options.

Table of Contents

  • Rating Details
  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

Even though COVID-19 is no longer considered a global emergency, concerns around illness-related costs remain for many travelers. If you're looking for travel insurance that covers COVID – as well as other potential disruptions like flight delays and lost luggage – these are your best options.

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best Optional Coverage Add-ons
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Multitrip and Annual Plans
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Active Travelers
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Comprehensive Travel Insurance
  • IMG Travel Insurance: Best for Travel Medical Insurance

Best COVID Travel Insurance Options in Detail

Plans include coverage for COVID-19

Optional CFAR coverage is available with Travel Select plan

Some coverages require an upgrade, including rental car collision, accidental death and dismemberment, and more

Not all add-ons are available with every plan

Allianz offers some travel insurance plans that come with an epidemic coverage endorsement

Single-trip, multitrip and annual plans available

COVID-19 benefits don't apply to every plan

Low coverage limits with some plans (e.g., only $10,000 in emergency medical coverage with OneTrip Basic plan)

24-hour travel assistance services included

More than 200 sports and activities covered in every plan

Low trip cancellation benefits ($2,500 maximum) with Standard plan

No CFAR option is offered

Free 10-day trial period

Some coverage limits may be insufficient

Rental car damage coverage only included in top-tier Premium plan

Offers travel medical insurance, international travel health insurance and general travel insurance plans

Some plans include robust coverage for testing and quarantine due to COVID-19

Not all plans from IMG offer coverage for COVID-19

Cancel for any reason coverage not available with every plan

Frequently Asked Questions

When comparing COVID-19 travel insurance options, you'll want to make sure you fully understand the coverages included in each plan. For example, you should know the policy inclusions and limits for COVID-related claims, including coverage for testing, treatments, trip cancellation or COVID-related interruptions that can occur. Meanwhile, you should understand how your coverage will work if you contract some other illness while away from home.

Also ensure your travel insurance coverage will kick in for other mishaps that occur, and that limits are sufficient for your needs. If you're planning a trip to a remote area in a country like Costa Rica or Peru , you'll want to have emergency evacuation and transportation coverage with generous limits that can pay for emergency transportation to a hospital if you need treatment.

You can also invest in a travel insurance policy that offers cancel for any reason coverage. This type of travel insurance plan lets you cancel and get a percentage of your prepaid travel expenses back for any reason, even if you just decide you're better off staying home.

It depends on your private health insurance provider and/or travel insurance policy. As of May 11, 2023, private health insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of COVID-19 testing. Out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 test kits at local drugstores and on Amazon are relatively affordable, however.

As you search for plans that will provide sufficient coverage for your next trip, you'll find travel insurance that covers COVID-19 quarantine both inside and outside the United States. However, you'll typically need to have your condition certified by a physician in order for this coverage to apply. Also make sure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for travel claims related to COVID-19 in the first place.

Many travel insurance plans do cover trip cancellation as a result of COVID-19, although the terms vary widely. You typically need to be certified by a physician in order to prove your condition. Disinclination to travel because of COVID-19 – such as fear of exposure to illness – will generally not be covered. This means you will actually have to test positive for coronavirus for benefits to apply; simply not wanting to travel is not a sufficient reason to make a claim.

If you want more flexibility in your COVID-19 travel insurance, ensuring you have a cancel for any reason policy may be your best bet, but be sure to check with your chosen travel insurance provider to assess your options.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning writer who has been covering travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched the best travel insurance options for her own trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. Over the years, Johnson has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations. Johnson also works alongside her travel agent partner, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

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COVID-19 has made planning ahead a gamble, especially when it comes to travel. It seems every time the virus seems to be on the wane, a new variant and maybe even a sub-variant emerges to launch a renewed attack. News and even rumors can rattle nerves and scuttle travel plans.

How do you plan to travel in this environment? Would you lose your money if you’re forced to cancel a trip?

22 Secrets to Save Money on Travel

For more and more people, the solution is to buy travel insurance for their trips in the hopes of being reimbursed should they have to change or cancel. But not all travel insurance covers all pandemic-related cancellations.

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Knowing possible pitfalls can help you decide what’s best for your wallet, your ability to plan a trip and whether you should buy travel insurance.

Sometimes, travel insurance is mandatory

In some instances, it’s not even a choice. Several countries, including Costa Rica and Egypt, as well as some travel providers, like cruise lines, are requiring travel insurance in one form or another. This can be especially true for unvaccinated travelers. This ensures you won’t become stranded, unable to pay for your medical care, extended stay or evacuation should you contract or be exposed to COVID.

The limitations of standard travel insurance have expanded the appeal of a previously obscure upgrade to standard travel insurance known as “cancel for any reason” (CFAR). This option, while significantly more expensive, is more likely to cover the sort of cancellations that COVID has made commonplace.

According to travel insurance aggregator Squaremouth, Inc., travel insurance policies with a CFAR add-on typically must be purchased within two to three weeks of the first payment towards the covered trip. An exception is that certain policies that cover only cruises offer CFAR at any time before a final payment is made for a trip.

Standard travel insurance limits pandemic claims

Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer for Squaremouth, said CFAR has become the go-to plan for more travelers, “When the pandemic hit, it became really the main piece that could offer any coverage.”

Traditional travel insurance, she explained, doesn’t cover the majority of pandemic-related claims. Moncrief said in a review done by Squaremouth, only 30% of such claims were made by people who actually contracted COVID-19 and had to cancel their trips. This is the only type of pandemic claim that would be covered by most standard travel insurance policies. The remaining 70% of claims were for other reasons, including border closures and quarantines, and thus excluded -- though generally would be covered by CFAR.

And COVID-19 continues to be a primary reason for travel insurance purchases. According to Squaremouth data, nearly 37% of all searches on its site for travel insurance cited the pandemic as reasons for coverage as recently as Jan. 28, 2022. The second most-popular search filter used on the site: Cancel for any reason at nearly 15%. In contrast, hurricane and weather were searched less than 3% of the time.

Overall demand for travel insurance has increased during the pandemic, according to AAA, which says a recent survey found that 31% of U.S. travelers saying they’re more likely to purchase it for their trips planned between now and the end of 2022. A standard travel insurance policy typically adds 5% to 10% to the cost of the trip, according to Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. Adding CFAR on top of that will raise the cost 40% to 60%. And, depending on the policy, the payout for a CFAR claim can be as low as 50% of the loss, experts said. This marks a decrease from policies before the pandemic, which could reimburse 75% to 90% of the loss.

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Moncrief said that prior to the pandemic, her company was “slow to recommend” cancel for any reason because of the expense. Then, it accounted for less than 4% of sales, she said. Now, it’s about 12% of sales, down from a high of 17% in January. AAA advises travelers to consider policies that include a CFAR component.

“Any reason” is not always “any reason”

“As a purchaser of travel insurance, make sure you understand what you are buying and what the policy covers and what the policy does not cover,” Friedlander cautioned. “No policy has 100% of everything.”

Travel insurers have made a number of adjustments in response to the pandemic. At the beginning, Moncrief said, travel policies didn’t cover medical care for pandemic illnesses. But that quickly changed, and now, if a traveler becomes ill with COVID, it’s covered.

By contrast, insurers now demand their customers first seek reimbursement from the travel service provider, such as an airline or cruise company, that cancelled before filing an insurance claim.

Sometimes, she said, an airline might want to give credit rather than reimbursement. She said insurers will encourage travelers to seek reimbursement before considering whether to provide coverage for such an event.

5 Travel Stocks to Buy in a Tricky Environment

Friedlander noted that different insurance policies will contain different provisions, and “cancel for any reason,” doesn’t necessarily mean “any reason.” He stressed the importance of reading and understanding the provisions of a policy before purchasing it.

Moncrief gave examples of some insurers’ exclusions on CFAR policies:

iTravelInsured Travel LX, TravelSafe Classic and Seven Corners RoundTrip Choice and RoundTrip Basic all have the following language: “This Cancel for Any Reason benefit does not cover the failure of the travel supplier to provide the bargained-for travel arrangements due to cessation of operations for any reason.”

  • Travel Insured International: WorldWide Trip Protector: “This Cancel for Any Reason benefit does not cover penalties associated with any travel arrangements not provided by retail travel supplier or the failure of retail travel supplier to provide the bargained-for travel arrangements due to cessation of operations for any reason.”

An alternative: travel medical insurance

Charlie Leocha, president and cofounder of Travelers United, an advocacy group, said he typically doesn’t buy standard travel insurance unless he’s planning a particularly expensive, all-inclusive trip. “If you’ve got an expensive product, it can be a good deal,” Leocha said. “All insurance is a great deal if you get sick and can’t go on the trip and that’s why you buy it.”

Leocha said he buys travel medical insurance policies each year, which cover up to six trips and up to six weeks per trip. He said his annual policies cost about $260.

These policies cover his medical needs when he is overseas and also cover his return home. For the rest of his travel, he says he self-insures. What that means is he makes arrangements that are reversible. In other words, he mostly buys refundable airline tickets or hotel reservations that can be canceled at the last minute for any reason without paying a penalty.

This can be difficult, he said, because every airline has different rules, particularly when it comes to travel credits. Some airlines require they be used in 90 days, others might give you a year or six months.

Leocha said his organization is working with the Federal Department of Transportation to implement a pandemic rule requiring airlines to all have the same rule so it won’t be so confusing for travelers. “I’ve been pusing like mad to have all the flight credits have the same expiration dates,” he said. “The airlines have been fighting us tooth and nail.”

This paid off for him recently when he was scheduled to go to Spain. A few weeks before the trip, he took a COVID test in preparation for a get-together with friends. When the test came back positive, he needed to postpone his Spain trip.

Because he wasn’t locked in by any of his arrangements, Leocha said, he was able to make the necessary changes and was only out about $50 when everything was said and done.

“Self insurance is one way to do it,” Leocha said. “Probably the most expensive way to do it is get ‘cancel for any reason’ insurance.”

Elaine Silvestrini has had an extensive career as a newspaper and online journalist, primarily covering legal issues at the Tampa Tribune and the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey. In more recent years, she's written for several marketing, legal and financial websites, including Annuity.org and LegalExaminer.com, and the newsletters Auto Insurance Report and Property Insurance Report. 

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Do You Need Special Health Insurance to Travel Internationally?

Some countries are requiring proof of medical coverage in the covid-19 era.

COVID-19 vaccination certification and travel health insurance form concept

Before your next international trip , you may have to add an item to your packing list: proof of health insurance.

As the world begins to reopen to tourism, Americans are finding that some countries, including many Caribbean nations, now require arriving passengers to document that they have medical coverage. And a few, such as Costa Rica , are even demanding special policies that cover up to $2,000 for the expense of quarantining in a hotel if a visitor tests positive for COVID-19, as well as at least $50,000 of expenses relating to coronavirus care.

"We're seeing this more and more,” says Brook Wilkinson, an editor at travel-advice website WendyPerrin. “If someone wants an easy-breezy trip 2019-style, that's going to be tricky."

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You may already be covered by a health insurance plan in the U.S. A health insurance policy for international travel may be necessary if you don't have your own health plan, if your plan doesn't cover medical care outside of the U.S. or if your destination requires a special country-specific plan.

Here are questions to ask when considering whether you need to purchase travel health insurance.

Does the country you're visiting require travel health insurance?

Before COVID-19, some countries already required visitors to prove they had health insurance coverage, and now a growing number are requiring a special country-specific policy related to the pandemic.

While Western European countries haven't adopted the requirement, countries that have include Cambodia, which requires visitors to buy COVID-19 insurance from a local company ($90 for 20 days); Aruba; the Bahamas; the British Virgin Islands; Dubai; Egypt; Grenada; Jordan; Mauritius; Namibia; Rwanda; Saba; St. Martin/Sint Maarten; the Seychelles; Sri Lanka; and Thailand.

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Entry requirements are changing frequently. Ask your travel agent or search online for the latest updates. The best source of information is usually the country's tourism office and the U.S. State Department . Other helpful resources include CanITravel.net and WendyPerrin.com , which maintains a comprehensive list. The sites also have the latest traveler requirements for COVID-19 vaccination, testing and quarantining. Note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises delaying international trips until you are fully vaccinated.

If a country requires special health insurance, you must bring written proof, sometimes specifically mentioning coverage for COVID-19, which the insurer can provide. Without it, airlines may not let you board and some countries may not admit you.

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Travel Insurance Terms

Travel health insurance  covers medical issues that arise while you're traveling. You may need it if you don't have another form of  health insurance , your health insurance doesn't fully cover you outside the U.S. or your destination requires visitors to purchase a particular plan.

Medical evacuation insurance  covers transportation to a medical facility if there isn't one in your immediate destination. It may be included in a travel health insurance policy or bought separately.

Trip cancellation  or disruption insurance  allows you to recoup the nonrefundable portion of a trip canceled for a covered reason. Sometimes it covers cancellation in case of illness, but it doesn't cover medical care. It may or may not cover cancellation due to disease outbreaks (such as  COVID-19 ) in your destination.

Does your current health insurance policy cover medical care outside the United States?

Even if you have health insurance and special coverage isn't required for entry to your destination country, you may still need a travel health policy. Many traditional health insurance policies, including basic  Medicare plans , do not provide coverage outside the U.S. And while some Medicare supplement polices include overseas coverage, it may be limited.

"A lot of U.S. travelers really aren't aware of how much medical coverage they have when they're traveling internationally,” says Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com. “They're assuming that health insurance travels with them, but in many cases it doesn't."

If you don't have health insurance (travel or otherwise) that covers you in your destination, you could face bills running many thousands of dollars if a health emergency arises.

Will you be particularly vulnerable during your travels because of a health condition or high-risk activities?

The CDC recommends travel health insurance for international travel, particularly for those who “have an existing health condition, are traveling for more than six months, or doing adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding.”

You can find travel health insurance plans that cover  preexisting conditions , but you often need to purchase one shortly after paying for your trip (usually within two or three weeks). And some plans won't cover medical care for injuries resulting from activities that are generally considered high risk. So be sure your plan does if you want to be adventurous and, say, skydive.

Do you need emergency evacuation coverage?

Even if your health insurance includes medical transportation, it may just cover the cost of getting you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. For example, if you sustained a serious injury on a safari in South Africa, your carrier may pay for transportation to a hospital in Johannesburg but not the cost to fly you back home.

Some travel health insurance policies include emergency evacuation home, and other companies, such as Medjet (MedJetAssist.com) and GlobalRescue.com, sell stand-alone plans that provide the coverage.

Choosing a travel health insurance plan

Travel health insurance generally isn't super expensive. A policy for a 65-year-old going to Europe for two weeks could cost less than $35 for $50,000 in coverage, Sandberg says. Paying just a bit more can bring higher policy limits and extras like lost-baggage coverage. (By contrast, trip cancellation insurance is pricier, costing up to 10 percent of the price of your trip. And coverage that lets you cancel for any reason runs even more.)

Shop around. Sandberg's company offers quotes from multiple plans, as do platforms such as InsureMyTrip.com. These companies also sell travel cancellation insurance, but you can narrow your search for travel health insurance policies by entering $0 as your total trip cost.

And, as noted above, you may want to consider whether a policy covers medical care for preexisting conditions or for COVID-19 and whether it includes emergency evacuation.

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Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance in March 2024

Natasha Etzel

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Table of Contents

Factors we considered when picking travel insurance that covers COVID

An overview of the best travel insurance for covid , top travel insurance for covid options , additional resources for covid-19 travel insurance shoppers.

No matter how well you prepare, travel plans don’t always go as expected. Some travelers buy travel insurance to protect their investment in prepaid travel costs. Amid the ongoing pandemic, exploring travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is recommended. With the right policy, you can protect yourself if you need to cancel your trip or end it early due to illness. Many insurers offer travel insurance policies with this kind of coverage. 

This is the shortlist of the best travel insurance for COVID options: 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection . 

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.  

Seven Corners . 

Travelex Insurance Services . 

Travel Insured International . 

WorldTrips . 

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight in our best travel insurance for COVID list: 

Range of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered with COVID-19 coverage, plus the range of available plans. 

Depth of coverage: We compared the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims between carriers and plans.

Medical benefits: We examined whether plans included emergency medical benefits for COVID-19 reasons and whether plans included medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. 

Cost: We determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices by looking at the basic coverage costs for plans with COVID-19 benefits across multiple companies.

We looked at quotes from various companies for a six-night trip in May 2023 to Croatia. The traveler was 30 years old, from Texas and planned to spend $1,500 on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan with COVID-19 coverage was $47.22. The prices listed below are for the most basic COVID-19 travel insurance coverage. All insurers offer multiple COVID-19 policies with greater coverage coming at a higher cost. 

Let's take a closer look at our eight recommendations for travel insurance with COVID coverage: 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Several plans allow policyholders to cancel for COVID-19 sickness as part of trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance benefits. 

Several plans include COVID-19 medical coverage benefits.

Medical evacuation benefits are included in these plans. 

Plans include limited sports and activities coverage and sports equipment loss benefits. 

Basic Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection will run you $50 for an ExactCare Value policy, the company’s most basic COVID-19 travel insurance coverage option.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes IMG great:

Many plans include COVID-19 cancellation benefits.

Most of these plans also include COVID-19 medical benefits (the Travel Essentials plan doesn’t include this). 

Medical evacuation coverage is available on select plans. 

Coverage for adventure travel is available for an extra cost. 

IMG is a good option for the budget-minded: Its Travel Essential plans cost more than $10 less than average based on our comparison. 

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc. 

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What makes John Hancock Insurance Agency great:

Multiple plans offer COVID-19 cancellation benefits as part of the included trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage. 

These plans offer COVID-19 medical benefits.

Medical evacuation coverage is included in all COVID-19 coverage plans. 

The John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc. basic plan (Bronze) costs $56. 

Seven Corners

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes Seven Corners great:

Multiple plans offer COVID-19 cancellation benefits as part of the included trip interruption and trip cancelation coverage. 

These plans include COVID-19 medical benefits and evacuation and repatriation benefits.

There is no medical deductible. 

Seven Corners’ basic coverage plan (RoundTrip Basic) for our trip to Croatia costs $44.

Travelex Insurance Services

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Multiple plans include Covid-19 sickness coverage, which reimburses prepaid and nonrefundable trip payments if a trip is canceled or interrupted due to a traveler contracting the virus.

These plans also include COVID-19 medical benefits.

Medical evacuation and repatriation benefits are included. 

Basic coverage (Travel Basic) from Travelex Insurance Services costs $44 for our sample trip, which is slightly cheaper than average. 

Travel Insured International

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes Travel Insured International great:

Multiple plans cover COVID-19 cancellation benefits as part of the included trip interruption and trip cancelation coverage. 

These plans also include COVID-19 medical benefits, including medical evacuation. 

Limited sports and activities coverage is included in plans with COVID-19 coverage. 

Travel Insured International's basic coverage (Worldwide Trip Protector Edge) begins at $55 — only a few dollars more than the average basic policy price. 

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes Tin Leg great:

A wide range of plans offer COVID-19 cancellation benefits as part of the included trip interruption and trip cancelation coverage. 

All of these plans also include COVID-19 medical benefits. 

All of these include medical evacuation benefits. 

An adventure travel policy is available. 

Another plus: Tin Leg’s basic coverage plan (Basic) for our trip to Croatia costs $48.85 — making it right around the average price for the policies we covered. 

WorldTrips 

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

What makes WorldTrips great:

Several plans include medical coverage for COVID-19. 

Sports and activities and sports equipment loss are included. 

Coverage can be extended for up to thirty days, including for medical quarantine purposes. 

WorldTrips’ most affordable plan with COVID-19 coverage (Atlas Journey Economy) starts at $44, making it a low-cost option. 

Do you want to learn more about travel insurance before you spend money on a policy? Take a look at these resources: 

What is travel insurance?  

What does travel insurance cover? 

The best travel insurance companies 

How to find the right travel insurance for you

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

does costco zurich travel insurance cover covid

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Protection worldwide with Zurich Relax Assistance travel insurance

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This is what it's about: Zurich Relax Assistance travel insurance

Overview of packages, case study 1: trip postponed due to illness.

Jasmin has booked a flight to Lima for herself and her whole family. However, due to a positive PCR test, the family cannot take their flight to Peru as planned. They have to postpone the departure for a fortnight because of COVID-19.

Fortunately, Jasmin has taken out the "Cancellation costs" package for herself and her family. This allows Jasmin to change her flight at no extra cost. Even the hotels they had already booked can be updated to the new dates at no extra cost. 

"Cancellation costs": We pay the costs incurred if you do not start a booked trip or start it late. You can read which events are insured in our insurance conditions. We will also refund the price of your ticket if the airline has to file for insolvency and can no longer operate the flights. 

Case study 2: Serious accident during the journey

Four weeks after his arrival in Vietnam, Patrick has an accident on a scooter. He suffers several fractures and needs to be operated on in a clinic in Hanoi. After his condition has stabilized, he is flown back to Switzerland for further treatment. Since Patrick has taken out the "Basic" package, he does not have to worry about financial matters. He can focus completely on his recovery. This is because the package includes the following services in addition to "Cancellation costs" cover:

"Travel insurance" : We will take care of your return journey if you are forced to cut short your trip due to a serious accident or illness.

"Alternative travel": Are the required treatment options not available locally? If you need to return home for medical reasons, we will cover the cost of arrangements you paid for before the trip.

Case study 3: Luggage arrives late

Tina and Sofia have been standing at the luggage conveyor belt at Porto airport for over an hour. There's no sign of Tina's backpack. An airport employee finally gives them the bad news that the backpack was mistakenly flown to Rio de Janeiro. Tina is forced to buy new clothes and toiletries for the next few days. Although this annoys her, she is not worried because she has included "Luggage and luggage delays" cover in her basic insurance policy.

"Luggage and luggage delays" : If your luggage arrives late, you can buy the necessary replacement items for a certain amount. If your luggage or a specific item is stolen, we will cover the costs. We will also pay if your luggage is damaged or destroyed. 

Case study 4: Accident prevents ongoing travel

Fabian and Luca wanted to drive their own car from Switzerland to a neighboring country. Shortly after the two cross the border into Italy, they collide with another vehicle. Fabian and Luca's car suffers a total loss and has to be towed away. Fortunately, all those involved are uninjured. Unfortunately, the driver of the other vehicle claims that the two boys caused the accident because they ran a stop sign. However, this is not true. Fortunately, the two have taken out "Basic and roadside assistance and legal protection" insurance. This includes the following coverage in addition to the basic cover:

"Roadside assistance" : We organize immediate measures if your vehicle stops due to a breakdown or other damage. We offer a towing service and have your vehicle taken to the nearest garage. To get you back on the road quickly, we will also take care of a replacement vehicle or another alternative. 

"International travel legal protection" : We cover the costs of criminal proceedings if you are accused of something, even though you are innocent.

How much protection do you need?

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A Cyberattack on a UnitedHealth Unit Disrupts Prescription Drug Orders

For a week, people have been waylaid at pharmacies after a unit of the nation’s largest insurer was shut down by a possible ransomware assault.

An exterior view of UnitedHealth Group's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., in late winter.

By Reed Abelson

Updated on Feb. 27 to include new company statements.

A cyberattack on a unit affiliated with UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest insurer, has disrupted drug prescription orders at thousands of pharmacies for about a week.

The assault on the unit, Change Healthcare, a division of United’s Optum, was discovered last Wednesday. The attack appeared to be by a foreign country, according to two senior federal law enforcement officials, who expressed alarm at the extent of the disruption on Monday.

UnitedHealth Group, the conglomerate, said in a federal filing that it had been forced to disconnect some of Change Healthcare’s vast digital network from its clients, and as of Tuesday, had not been able to restore all of those services. The company has not provided any timetable for when it may be able to reconnect.

Change handles some 15 billion transactions a year, representing as many as one in three U.S. patient records and involving not just prescriptions but dental, clinical and other medical needs. The company was acquired by UnitedHealth Group for $13 billion in 2022.

This latest attack underscores the vulnerability of health care data, especially patients’ personal information, including their private medical records. Hundreds of breaches at hospitals, health plans and doctors’ offices are being investigated, according to federal records.

Federal officials say they are closely monitoring the situation. “This incident serves as yet another reminder of the interconnectedness of the domestic health care ecosystem and of the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity resiliency across the ecosystem,” said Jeff Nesbit, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which said it is in touch with other federal agencies.

In this case, the disturbance has been widespread, including for U.S. military overseas. Change acts as a digital intermediary to helps pharmacies verify a patient’s insurance coverage for their prescriptions, and some reports indicate that people have been forced to pay in cash.

Last week, after UnitedHealth found what it described as “a suspected nation-state associated cybersecurity threat actor” targeting Change, the company shut down several services, including those allowing pharmacies to quickly check what a patient owes for a medication. Some hospitals and physician groups that rely on Change for billing to get paid may also be affected.

Large drugstore chains like Walgreens say that the effects have been limited, but many smaller outfits say that they rely on Change whenever they handle a prescription for someone with insurance.

“For the last week, it has been hit or miss about whether we can take care of patients,” said Dared Price, who operates seven pharmacies in Kansas. While patients can pay cash if the medication is inexpensive, he says that some of his customers have been unable to obtain more costly treatments for flu or Covid because their insurance status is unclear.

“It’s a debacle,” he said.

Tricare, which covers the U.S. military, said its pharmacies in the United States and abroad are being forced to fill prescriptions manually. It continued to warn people this week of possible delays in getting medications.

In a statement issued Monday night, Change said it had “worked closely with customers and clients to ensure people have access to the medications and the care they need.” The company said the vast majority of pharmacies had found ways to continue filling prescriptions, adding on Tuesday that its volume of claims had returned to normal levels.

The company said that only a tiny fraction of its own customers had reported problems getting their medications.

Details about the attack, including whether any personal patient information has been stolen, are limited. Change has been making brief periodic updates on its website. On Monday, the company reiterated that the affected services would likely be unavailable for at least another day. It also emphasized that it had a “high-level of confidence” that other parts of United’s businesses were not targeted in the attack.

But there’s little question that United, whose sprawling businesses touch nearly every aspect of health care, made for a particularly rich target.

“If you’re going to go after stealing records, you want to go after the biggest pot of records you can get,” said Fred Langston, the chief product officer for Critical Insight, a cybersecurity firm. “You’re literally hitting the jackpot.”

The motives of the attacker are not yet known, Mr. Langston said. It may involve ransomware, allowing culprits to demand some sort of ransom. The intent may also have been to throw the health care system into disarray by making it harder to fill prescriptions or to bill for care in a timely manner.

“You have a concentration of mission-critical services for the entire sector, which represents a concentration of risk,” said John Riggi, the national adviser for cybersecurity and risk for the American Hospital Association. It has been advising hospitals to be careful about connecting to Change or affiliated businesses.

The industry has seen an increasing number of these kinds of assaults, said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a nonprofit group.

According to federal officials, large breaches of health care data have nearly doubled from 2018 to 2022, including a spike in the number involving ransomware. Patients have had to go to different facilities, resulting in delays in care, according to a recent report .

Under federal law, patients must eventually be notified if their information is the subject of some sort of breach, Mr. Steinhauer said. People will be alerted even if their information does not appear to have become publicly available.

“It is worse if we find out that information is for sale on the dark web,” he said.

Glenn Thrush and Helene Cooper contributed reporting from Washington.

Reed Abelson covers the business of health care, focusing on how financial incentives are affecting the delivery of care, from the costs to consumers to the profits to providers. More about Reed Abelson

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  24. UnitedHealth Cyberattack Disrupts Prescription Drug Coverage

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