Last Updated: 06/14/2023
Due to continuing coronavirus (COVID-19) infections and variants, many people traveling abroad, including visitors to the U.S.A. and their families, are concerned about whether medical treatment would be covered if they were to fall sick from coronavirus. As the disease continues to spread, they have many questions.
These FAQs aim to clarify some of the questions specific to international travel insurance that covers COVID-19. As the situation changes rapidly, it is best to check with us for the latest information.
Q: Will I be covered if I get infected with coronavirus?
A: Exclusion varies based on the insurance plan:
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As of Friday, May 15, 2020, coronavirus coverage will be available to customers who purchase the ExchangeGuard and StudentSecure plans on May 15 and afterwards.
As of Wednesday, July 15, 2020, coronavirus coverage will be available to customers who purchase the Atlas plans and VisitorSecure plans on July 15 and afterwards.
Anyone that has purchased the insurance up to 3/27/2020 can have the coronavirus coverage for a maximum of 10 days from 3/27/2020. If the CDC had already issued a travel warning for a given destination country prior to 3/27/2020, the coronavirus coverage would end within 10 days from the travel warning for a given country.
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As of Wednesday, July 1, 2020, coronavirus coverage will be available to existing and new customers who purchase Patriot Exchange Program, Student Health Advantage plans.
As of Tuesday, September 1, 2020, coronavirus coverage will be available to new customers who purchase Patriot America Plus or Patriot America Platinum plans.
As of May 5, 2020, coronavirus coverage will be available to new customers who purchase Visitors Care, Patriot International Lite, Patriot International Platinum, Patriot International Group, or Patriot Platinum International Group plans.
As of March 31, 2021 coronavirus coverage will be made available to new customers who purchase Outreach America, Outreach Group, or Outreach International plans.
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Covid coverage is available for most Safe Travels plans.
As of October 12, 2022, coronavirus coverage will be excluded for customers who purchase the Safe Travels USA Cost Saver plan.
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As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022, coronavirus coverage will be available to customers who purchase the Beacon America and Beacon International plans. These plans will cover COVID-19 up to $100,000 or to the policy maximum, whichever is lower.
Q: I don’t have any symptoms, but I want to get tested to confirm that I don’t have coronavirus. Will visitors insurance cover that?
A: It is not covered.
Q: Some insurance plans (such as the “Safe Travels” series) include a “Wellness Visit” benefit. Can it be used for Coronavirus testing?
A: Wellness visits are governed by ICD code, which does not include specific testing. Therefore, it will not cover the coronavirus test, even if the doctor advises that you should get tested within the course of the wellness exam. In any case, as $125 is the total payout, the benefit usually doesn’t cover 100% of the wellness exam, anyway.
Q: I noticed that the prices of many consumer goods have increased significantly. Have the visitors insurance companies similarly raised the prices due to high demand?
A: No. Fortunately, insurance prices are regulated by law, and no visitors insurance company has raised prices due to coronavirus.
Q: If I have the symptoms of coronavirus, go to the lab for tests, and the results are negative, would I be covered for that test?
A: Test expenses are not excluded simply because the results are negative.
Please note that the exclusion related to CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notices, where applicable, still applies.
If you have symptoms of a sickness, the insurance company would cover whatever is medically necessary, as long as it is not excluded due to other restrictions such as travel warnings, pre-existing conditions, etc. Medically necessary procedures are not considered preventive checkups.
Q: How does insurance decide if the medical condition I contracted is a new medical condition or coronavirus?
A: Only a medical professional can diagnose when a person acquired COVID-19. The insurance company would rely upon the professional opinion of the treating physician. Only a medical professional can diagnose when a person acquired COVID-19.
Q: I have read that coronavirus can cause pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure, to flare up again. Will insurance cover this? How should the claim be declared?
A: Different companies have provided different answers:
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WorldTrips:
The complications would be covered if the cause of the issues was a covered condition, i.e., coronavirus. -
IMG Plans:
More details are required for more specific cases. It depends on the location of the insured, where they are traveling, etc. Coverage for pre-existing conditions depends on the condition. The location affects the pandemic exclusion due to travel advisories. -
Trawick:
The virus is treated the same as any other illness, including how pre-existing conditions are applied to chronic conditions.
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