Do Safetywing, Worldnomads, and Other Travel Insurance Providers Cover Coronavirus?

Published on Mar 12, 2020

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On March 11th, the U.S. State Department just issued a Level 3 travel advisory for the entire world (a somewhat unprecedented move).

How does SafetyWing’s Coronavirus Coverage Work?

Summary: SafetyWing follows the CDC’s travel warnings (not the State Department’s) so check the CDC’s website. They have limited Coronavirus coverage for countries that have level 3 (or higher) CDC warnings. Read the full statement below for more information.

As of 3/11, these countries are listed as level 3 warnings from the CDC: China, Iran, South Korea, and most of Europe (Austria Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Monaco San Marino Vatican City).

Full Statement from Safety Wing (3/12/20):

“You are eligible for coverage of coronavirus-related expenses unless either of the following applies to your situation:

  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Warning Level 3 for your location, and you arrive there, or purchased your policy, after it was issued
  • The CDC issued a Warning Level 3 for your location while you were already there, and more than 10 days have passed since the warning went into effect

As of March 11th, 2020, the CDC has issued a Warning Level 3 for the following countries:

🇨🇳China on January 27, 2020
🇰🇷 South Korea on February 24, 2020
🇮🇹 Italy on February 29, 2020

As of March 11th, the following European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City.

Keep an eye on CDC’s Travel Health Notices to check whether any travel plans you have are affected by the coronavirus.

What if I’m already in a location that receives a CDC travel warning?
After a CDC Warning Level 3 has been issued, you have 10 days to depart the warned-against location to remain eligible for coverage of coronavirus contracted there. If you stay beyond 10 days, you are no longer eligible for coverage of coronavirus contracted in that location.

You also have relevant coverage under the “Political Evacuation” benefit in the SafetyWing policy, which means you may be eligible for evacuation (people in the mentioned European countries* from the March 11th CDC warning are eligible, if they contact +1 800 605 2282 in the 10 day time span).

You must contact +1 800 605 2282 within 10 days of the U.S. Department of State (not the same as CDC) issuing a new Level 3 or 4 travel advisory for the country you are located in. The Political Evacuation benefit provides coverage for the most economical means of transportation to take you to the nearest, safest country or your home country. The travel assistance team will determine which country you will be evacuated to. Contact Emergency travel assistance at  +1 866-635-2163 (free from Skype) to arrange evacuation. Because of the current situation, there might be a wait on the phone. You have the option to type your phone number and have them call you back. Check the U.S. Department of State government-issued travel advisory for all countries here.

Is my insurance cancelled if I am in a location that is affected by a level 3 travel warning from CDC?
If you choose to stay (and not be covered for Coronavirus), the rest of your insurance coverage will function as normal.”

How does WorldNomad’s Coronavirus Coverage Work?

Summary: World Nomads has different policies for every country of origin so make sure to check their website. They do not have pandemic exclusion for Americans so they cover all Coronavirus claims (from Americans).

For American Travelers: “Unlike other companies, World Nomads does not have an endemic or pandemic exclusion for policies purchased by U.S. residents, which means that you may make claims arising from the COVID-19 for the benefits specified in your policy.

These benefits include emergency medical and trip interruption coverage for you personally or a travel companion who contracts the COVID-19 or goes under quarantine when traveling. Things you may get reimbursed for include doctors’ visits and hospital stays, and any pre-paid travel arrangements that get disrupted as a result of the infection.

If you unexpectedly catch COVID-19 at home before you leave for your trip, you may also be eligible for trip cancellation coverage, which represents compensation for any pre-paid non-refundable travel expenses such as flights, hotels and excursions.”

How does Allianz Travel’s Coronavirus Coverage Work?

Summary: They don’t normally cover epidemics but they are temporarily covering Coronavirus. This may change though.

Statement from Allianz Travel (3/10/20): “Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or fear of travel are generally not covered, and coverage can vary by state.  However, until further notice, although not covered under most plans, we are currently accommodating claims for:

  1. Under Emergency Medical Care and Emergency Medical Transportation Benefits: Emergency medical care and emergency medical transportation for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip.
  2. Under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits: Trip cancellation and trip interruption if a customer becomes ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip.
  3. Under Trip Cancellation Benefit: Non-refundable, non-transferable trip cancellation expenses for customers who purchased their plan prior to January 22, 2020 for trip components in Mainland China, South Korea, or the Lombardy or Veneto regions of Italy and departing prior to April 1, 2020.”

How does Seven Corner’s Coronavirus Coverage Work?

Summary: They are still covering Coronavirus claims without restrictions.

Statement from Seven Corners (3/13/20): “If you become ill with Coronavirus and see a doctor and/or go to the hospital during a trip, your medical expenses can be covered.”

How does Tin Leg’s Coronavirus Coverage Work?

Summary: They are still covering Coronavirus claims without restrictions.

Statement from Tin Leg (3/13/20): “For Tin Leg Economy, Standard, Luxury, and Adventure policies:

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage for the coronavirus:

In order for a traveler to be covered to cancel or interrupt their trip due to an infectious disease, the traveler or their traveling companion would need to contract the coronavirus or be physically quarantined themselves. Fear of traveling, a travel advisory, or a destination being inaccessible due to the virus outbreak is not covered under Tin Leg policies.

Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage for the coronavirus:

Tin Leg policies can provide Emergency Medical coverage for a traveler’s incurred medical expenses if they become infected during their trip, as well as Medical Evacuation coverage if their sickness requires an evacuation.”

How are other travel insurance providers handling this?

Want us to look into your provider? Leave a comment below and we’ll email you after we research this.

I've been building digital businesses, wandering the world, and writing about optimizing life for freedom since early 2017. My mission is to lower the barrier for people who want to live with more freedom: whether that be as an entrepreneur, a digital nomad, an early retiree, or just as someone who wants to live a happiness-driven life.