Recognising that epidemics and pandemics are likely to become an increasingly common occurrence in the future, Allianz Partners UK has reviewed its travel insurance portfolio to ensure greater financial and medical peace of mind for policyholders.
Crucially, new policies now include pandemic-related cancellation cover for insured events, as well as medical assistance abroad. All travel insurance policies white labelled to its B2B2C clients- which include some of the biggest names in the travel, insurance and financial industries - will now provide the increased level of cover in the event of pandemics and epidemics affecting travel. The upgraded cover also applies to all policies sold directly by Allianz Assistance.
Rachel Temperton, head of travel and tourism at Allianz Partners UK, commented: ?The COVID-19 global crisis has demonstrated the devastating impact a pandemic can have. It is vital that in the new world we find ourselves in, we offer a comprehensive insurance product that enables people not only to start to travel abroad again but to travel with confidence.?
New travel insurance policies will now include cover for a wider range of claims:
-If a policyholder contracts a disease - including COVID-19- while abroad, they will be covered for additional expenses if they need medical treatment or to return home early as a result of their condition.
-If a policyholder contracts a disease or is required to quarantine abroad following direct exposure and needs to extend their policy. They will also be covered for additional accommodation and transport costs as well as for one member of the travel party to stay abroad with them as needed, until its safe for them to return home.
-Cancellation cover will apply if a trip is cancelled because the policyholder or their travel companion either has symptoms, is diagnosed with a disease or is in quarantine (including being told to self-isolate). They will need to provide a doctor?s certificate confirming their diagnosis or suspected diagnosis, or evidence that they?ve been instructed to quarantine (self-isolate) via the government?s ?track and trace? system or NHS 111.
-Cancellation cover will apply if a policyholder is denied boarding on their pre-booked public transport because they or their travel companion are showing signs of any contagious illness, even if it's classified as a pandemic or epidemic, leaving them unable to travel.
-Cancellation cover also applies if a close relative such as a parent, child, sibling or grandparent falls seriously ill and the policyholder or their travel companion need to remain at home as a result. This too will need a doctor?s certificate to support the claim.
