Best Covid holiday insurance policies explained if you’re booking a trip this summer
SUMMER holidays may be back on the agenda but don't let poor travel insurance ruin your plans.
The government is set to unveil its traffic light system of Covid-safe holiday destinations but you will still need to make sure your travel insurance covers you in case the pandemic disrupts your travels.
International travel is set to be allowed from May 17, which will let sun-starved Brits book half-term and summer holidays.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to announce a traffic light system this evening for holiday bookings.
The safest places will be "green" countries and travellers won't have to quarantine as long as they have a negative Covid test when they return to the UK.
You will need to quarantine at home for 10 days if you have holiday in an "amber" country but this may be cut to five if you have a negative Covid test.
Those travelling to "red" countries will be required to do a 10-day stay in managed hotel quarantine that costs £1,750 per person.
The list will be reviewed regularly and there is a risk that your destination could be moved from green to red or amber and you may no longer want to or be able to travel.
Additionally, you may catch coronavirus and have to self-isolate when you are due to go on holiday or even while you are abroad, which could mean large medical bills or extra accommodations costs.
All this makes travel insurance crucial.
Some even provided cover if you have to cancel your holiday due to changes in lockdown restrictions.
Every insurer offered the basics of emergency medical cover if you catch coronavirus while you’re away.
Just over half of the insurers, 43 out of 73, offered cancellation cover if you can’t travel because you’ve been diagnosed with coronavirus.
They were ranked on how much they will pay for cancellations, medical bills or if you have to return home earlier.
Insurers were also rated highly if they have enhanced Covid-19 cover that will payout for cancellation if you can no longer travel.
Which insurers offers the most Covid cover
Coverwise
Medical cover - £20 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £6,000
Southdowns
Medical cover- £20 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £6,000
CoverForYou
Medical cover - £15 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £6,000
OK to Travel
Medical cover- £10 million
Cancellation/curtailment- £5,000
Big Blue
Medical cover - £10 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £5,000
Insure For
Medical cover- £10 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £5,000
RAC
Medical cover- £10 million
Cancellation/curtailment- £5,000
Sainsbury's Bank
Medical cover - £15 million
Cancellation/curtailment- £5,000
Travel Insurance Saver
Medical cover - £10 million
Cancellation/curtailment - £4,000
Source: Forbes Advisor UK
The top rated insurers were Coverwise and Southdowns, which will pay up to £20 million of medical bills and £6,000 for cancellation or curtailment in their Select Platinum policies.
CoverForYou's Premier policy will payout up to £15 million for medical bills and £6,000 for cancellation or curtailment.
Kevin Pratt, spokesperson for Forbes Advisor UK, said: "Insurers will be monitoring the travel restrictions and requirements closely to see how it affects their policies.
"Certainly any policies that have already been purchased will be honoured in full but, as happened last year when the extent and severity of the pandemic became clear, insurers may make changes to policies if it becomes clear that a lot of claims are likely to emanate from a particular location or because of a particular cause."
Pratt added that any travel insurance policy will be void if you travel against official advice.
He added: "If you simply decide you no longer wish to travel but there is no official barrier to you doing so, you will not be able to claim for cancelling your policy. This is deemed 'disinclination to travel' and is not covered by insurance.
"Always scrutinise any policy before you buy so you know exactly what you're buying - some policies offer more coronavirus cover than others.
"Buy insurance when you book so you've got cancellation cover straight away."
Read our guide on how to get a holiday refund.
How to get a refund from Ryanair as it extends free rebooking policy.
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