Travel Health Insurance That Covers Covid-19

[MABinPengChau]

Back in April I bought a Cathay round-trip ticket to Washington DC (October travel) as there is free rebooking and the price was only 5800 HKD for a non-stop flight which is a good deal.

My travel health insurance had renewed in April (bought in April, 2019, renewed in April, 2020) so was cautiously hopeful that it would cover coronavirus as I bought it long before coronavirus (2019). But...no. Have been searching online for a travel policy that covers the US and has high coverage limits (preferably 1 million US dollars, can easily reach that for a couple of weeks of intensive care in the US).

Found one but comes up on a series of ad-sponsored websites, says on the website that coronavirus is covered but the policy documents say nothing AND were published in 2019. So not feeling super confident that such a policy is worth the paper it's printed on (some name like "Diplomat America" not an actual insurance company you have ever heard of...).

Of course I can cancel or postpone the trip but would likely go if I had solid insurance, "just in case."

Willing to pay up to several hundred USD for a 3-4 week period of coverage (figure I should cover a period longer than the trip in case I get delayed due to being sick and unable to travel).

Any leads greatly appreciated. My Hong Kong employer insurance in Manulife, maybe I need to start with them to see if they have anything.

[RMDNC]

Most insurance policies, at least US based ones, will cover emergencies abroad. I think HK based one might be the same. Also, check your credit card benefits. I think AMEX covers.

[MABinPengChau]

My travel health insurance provider said that once the pandemic was declared (back in March) if you travel to where there is an outbreak (umm, guess that's everywhere) it's considered a known risk and they won't cover it. Pretty sure my HK health insurance doesn't cover me outside of HK which is why I always have had travel health insurance (and I always max out the limit since I used to travel to the US twice per year and in the US even 1 million HKD is a joke if something serious happens to you).

Pretty sure this is a signal from the heavens that I should not travel to the US (intended destination in SC is undergoing a serious outbreak right now due to all the partying over the 4th of July).

[mrgoodkat]

Pretty much all travel insurances have an exclusion for pandemics and I would bet that every insurance you are getting now specifically excludes coronavirus related payments.

[kimwy66]

There are a number of HK policies that cover COVID. I just purchased an annual travel policy as I am off to UK and France next week, no COVID exclusion except for cash benefit during compulsory quarantine, medical expenses and medical evacuation are all included. I would avoid Allianz, their wording is vague, they may or may not cover it. I used Money Hero to view a good variety.


https://www.moneyhero.com.hk/en/travel-insurance

[MABinPengChau]

I just checked, quite a number of them said "no" to coronavirsus coverage if travel is after March. Most of the ones that did cover it had a limit of HKD 500,000, chump change if you are in intensive care in the US. That might cover a couple of days...

Not looking good. There is "pretend I am moving back to the US and sign up for resident healthcare" followed by "oh I changed my mind, now I am moving back overseas and need to cancel." Not sure if that would fly or not...Obamacare, here I come...

[kimwy66]

FWD do include it on all policies purchased after Jan 31st

[Beanieskis]

Are you still covered even if the HK government's advice is to avoid all non-essential travel outside HK?

[Cocobber]

Did anyone end find up finding any good HK travel insurance policies that cover Covid? I have only been able to find QBE which looks to cover you if you get Covid overseas.