At the end of May, we committed to our trip to Switzerland the end of August. We will be with a Tour Group, followed by independent travel. We hadn't given much thought to having to "test negative" before flying back to the US. However, the closer we get to our departure date, the more we've become consumed by the "what if's?" Several days ago, we didn't have a "Plan B," but now we do.
In the last several days, we have purchased Travel Insurance specifically "In case of having to quarantine." And just today, after reading on the Forum about a couple of travelers who posted of their success with the Abbot's Test kit, we purchased the 6-test kit. We plan to do the test 3 days before we depart from Zurich while we are still in Lucerne.
Yes, the trip is costing additional money, but I feel it's money well spent to have a Plan B, knowing that IF we do have to quarantine, insurance will cover it and that we don't have to wait until we are at the airport in Zurich to test for COVID.
Thanks everyone who has posted of their findings or experiences on the Forum.
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
Carol can you share what insurance you purchased that covers "In case of having to quarantine”. We are hoping to our trip beginning in three weeks.
Posted by
Philadelphia
30 posts
I have insurance through IMG: https://www.imglobal.com/
I just asked them about a quarantine period and if it is covered under trip cancellation since it will render the trip impossible. Here is their response:
"If the destination to which you are traveling is requiring all travelers similarly situated to you or (in most – but not all – Plans) your Traveling Companion (as defined by your Plan) to be quarantined (as described above in response to FAQ 12) for a period of time upon entry, you may be eligible for Trip Cancellation coverage – provided the quarantine that you or your Traveling Companion would face is in effect within 14 days of your scheduled departure date. You must cancel your trip within this 14 day period prior to departure. If you cancel your trip more than 14 days prior to your trip, there is no Trip Cancellation coverage due to a quarantine – unless you provide proof at the time of your cancellation that there is a quarantine order that will be in effect on your scheduled departure date."
Hope this helps!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33820 posts
but that doesn't say anything about getting sick and having to quarantine once the trip started
Posted by
1 posts
I'm thinking of buying travel insurance from Trawick International for my trip to Switzerland and Italy in a few weeks. They have policies which cover quarantine costs - the added travel expenses for a hotel if for some reason you get a positive covid test (which is possible even if fully vaccinated) while traveling & have to quarantine & can't fly home on schedule - since the US won't let you enter without a negative covid test.
I've never heard of Trawick International and don't know if it's reputable and financially sound. If anyone has had experience with Trawick or can recommend a different travel insurance company please post. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would appreciate this information.
Thank you.
Posted by
Philadelphia
30 posts
Nigel, you're correct. In that situation they told me the following:
"The answer varies based on the Plan that you purchased. However, here are some provisions to focus upon in your Plan to see what can be covered if you must quarantine during a trip.
Trip Interruption coverage reimburses certain unused, non-refundable travel arrangements. Trip Interruption coverage cannot reimburse any additional expenses incurred solely due to a quarantine except for your Additional Transportation Cost (as defined in your Plan). Also, if you quarantine in your prepaid hotel accommodations, you will not receive any reimbursement under the Trip Interruption coverage (or any other coverage in the Plan) for those same prepaid hotel accommodations.
If you incur additional hotel or meal expenses solely due to a quarantine, you will not receive any reimbursement under the Trip Interruption coverage either. Trip Interruption coverage may include a provision that provides reimbursement for additional hotel nights and meals (among other expenses) if you cannot continue travel due to a sickness that does not cause you to need to be hospitalized. Please note that you would actually need to be sick, as certified by a Legally Qualified Physician (as defined by your Plan), for this to apply if this provision is in your Plan.
However, when included in a Plan Design, the Travel Delay and Missed Connection coverages may be able to reimburse additional meal and hotel expenses incurred solely due to a quarantine (subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable coverage)."