Some airlines have already introduced a form of travel insurance protection for COVID situations. Etihad is one – see below. Two Months ago Emirates, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic all introduced such insurance. News has just been received that Canadian Airline – Westjet – has just done similar.
One has to be careful. For example the Virgin Atlantic offer is for roughly 1 million dollars. If you were caught up in the American medical system that may not be enough money!! The Emirates and Etihad offers are at least more logical with their amounts for European and UK destinations, but not viable for the US.
This information is only good for those that can travel out of their own countries and afford the current ticket prices. One other positive is that it shows that insurance companies are working on pandemic covers. All underwriting comes back to two prime business city locations in the world. One would have to conclude that if cover is available for these airlines then something must eventuate for general travel insurance.
As part of Etihad Airlines new health and hygiene program, the airline includes insurance cover up to AU$243,500 of medical costs and up to AU$162.40 a day of quarantine costs in case of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis for 14 days. This essentially means that at the very least, any passengers who are unfortunately diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip won’t have to worry about medical expenses or quarantine costs when they fly with Etihad. This of course, only applies to those who are allowed to fly into or out of Australia as government approved essential travel.
- How does it work
- All Etihad tickets regardless of the date of the booking or class, travelling between now and 31 December 2020will include COVID-19 insurance.
- Any passengers with existing bookings don’t need to do anything as they will automatically be enrolled into the program.
- The insurance is valid worldwide for 31 days from the first day of travel.
Duncan Bureau, Senior Vice President Sales and Distribution, Etihad Airways, said: “The safety, health, and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our top priority, during and beyond the flight. The introduction of global COVID-19 insurance, in partnership with AXA, builds on stringent measures already in place as part of our Etihad Wellness program, championed by our Wellness Ambassadors.”