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Check your travel insurance: medical coverage could be invalid

There have been several threads about whether travel insurance trip delay, interruption and cancelation benefits apply in light of official travel warnings and restrictions. Travel insurance medical benefits didn't seem to be in doubt, though.

For two decades I've traveled under CSA, now Generali, travel insurance policies. I learned today that if I caught [the illness everyone is worried about right now] while traveling, Generali would not cover medical expenses, because of the epidemic (and as of today, pandemic) designation.

"If I am diagnosed with [the illness], how can travel insurance help?

If you are diagnosed ... during your trip, and meet the requirements for coverage due to sickness, you can be covered for ...
Medical ...

Our travel insurance plans will stop providing this coverage if the outbreak is named a Pandemic or Epidemic by the CDC."

(Your own insurer and policy might have different terms, and information is always subject to change, but this was my preferred insurer's position, as of this writing.)

I am a pragmatist who believes that people should take reasonable precautions, heed official warnings, and then go on living. Even I have to say that I won't be traveling for a while, because of the very real financial risk of getting sick abroad without effective supplemental medical coverage.

Please, please read your policy in detail and consider the implications of every definition, exception, qualification, and weasel word. Coverage that helps with expenses I can afford (like plane tickets and hotel deposits) but not with ones I can't afford (like a stay in foreign intensive care unit!) is worthless.

Posted by
4021 posts

Coverage that helps with expenses I can afford (like plane tickets and
hotel deposits) but not with ones I can't afford (like a stay in
foreign intensive care unit!) is worthless.

That is such a good way to put it. My wife and I are off to Scotland in June and so we're watching with interest at this point but not concern. The only things prepaid are the flight and some minor expenses so at worst we would lose about $2000 if we didn't/couldn't go. Nobody wants to lose that much, but it's a mosquito bite compared to potential medical bills.

Posted by
2699 posts

Even I have to say that I won't be traveling for a while, because of the very real financial risk of getting sick abroad without effective supplemental medical coverage.

The least of your worries. Italy is quickly running out of ICU beds and as this spreads that will be the major challenge In other EU countries. It could happen in the US as well.

Posted by
91 posts

Well said, Alan. I was being an optimist, but you're right, appropriate medical care might not be available at any price. I think hospital bed ratios are particularly unfavorable in the US.

Allan, I hope that you can proceed safely with your trip, and if not, that the travel suppliers will be reasonable about changes or refunds. 🤞🏽