FAQs: COVID-19 Travel Insurance Cover

If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 at home and a qualified medical practitioner certifies in writing that you are unfit to travel, your cover for non-refundable cancellation costs depends on when you bought your policy and which plan you purchased.

Cover details:

You can claim cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip if you have purchased our Options Domestic Plan up to the benefit limit of $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) or if you purchased our Options International Plan up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) on a Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policy.

If you purchased an Options Domestic Cancellation or Inbound policy, there is no cover for COVID-19-related pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs.

Cover conditions:

• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis and a qualified medical practitioner must confirm your diagnosis in writing and certify that you are not fit to travel.
• There is no cover if symptoms or diagnosis occurred before buying your policy.
• Pre-booked cruises included.

Our cover for this scenario depends on your occupation.

Cover details:

If you're an essential healthcare worker (such as a pharmacist, nurse, doctor, paramedic, or other health care professional) and your leave is revoked because of COVID-19, yes, you can claim the non-refundable costs on any Options Plan policy up to the applicable benefit limit. Limits are: $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on both our Options International Plan and Options International Inbound Plan; $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on our Options Domestic Plan; and $1,500 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on our Options Domestic Cancellation Plan.

If you’re not an essential healthcare worker and your leave is revoked because of COVID-19, there is no cover under our COVID-19 amendment and cancellation costs policy benefit.

Cover conditions:

If you are an essential healthcare worker, in this scenario:

• your trip can be to any destination in the world; pre-booked cruises included.

Yes, but only if the non-travelling relative resides in New Zealand or Australia.

Cover details:

You can claim your cancellation or amendment costs for your unused non-refundable prepaid travel expenses up to the benefit limit of $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) on a domestic policy, or $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on an international or inbound policy.

There is no pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs cover on our Options Inbound Plan or Options Domestic Cancellation Plan for this COVID-19 scenario.

Cover conditions:

• The non-travelling relative must reside in New Zealand or Australia.
• You must provide written medical certification from a qualified medical practitioner.
• The treating medical practitioner must confirm in writing the COVID-19 infection is life-threatening.
• Your policy must have been purchased prior to your relative being diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Your trip can be to any destination in the world; pre-booked cruises included.

Yes, but only if the deceased non-travelling relative was residing in New Zealand or Australia at their time of death.

Cover details:

You can claim your cancellation or amendment costs for prepaid travel expenses up to the benefit limit of $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on a domestic policy, $1,500 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on our Domestic Cancellation policy, or $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on an International or Inbound policy.

There is no pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs cover on our Options International Inbound Plan or Options Domestic Cancellation Plan for this COVID-19 scenario.

Cover conditions:

• The deceased non-travelling relative was residing in New Zealand or Australia at the time of their death.
• You must provide written medical certification from a qualified medical practitioner.
• The treating medical practitioner must confirm in writing the COVID-19 infection was life-threatening and/or was the cause of death.
• Your policy must have been purchased prior to your relative being diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Your trip can be to any destination in the world; pre-booked cruises included.

No, there is no cover. We will not pay for your or any other person's unwillingness or reluctance to proceed with the journey, deciding to change plans or for claims arising from any government intervention, prohibition, sanction, regulation or restriction or court order.

Cover details:

There is no cover under our COVID-19 cancellation and amendment costs benefit for cancelling or amending your trip in this scenario. Even if the destination was deemed safe by the New Zealand Government on safetravel.govt.nz at the time you booked your trip and purchased your Cover-More New Zealand travel insurance policy, there is no cover.

There is also no cover for travel restrictions or border closures imposed by any government around the world because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This applies to all policies and plans.

To understand the current overall advice levels for any destination, visit SafeTravel’s destinations page.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the Policy Wording state we will not pay for:

• claims arising from any government intervention, prohibition, regulation, restriction, or court order.

Cover details:

If you are deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and required to self-isolate or enter quarantine before you depart and wish to cancel your trip, no cover is provided.

If you are deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and required to self-isolate or enter quarantine while on your trip, no cover is provided.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the Policy Wording state we will not pay for:

• any costs or expenses incurred if a government or public health authority mandatory quarantine or isolation order is imposed on You related to cross area, border, region or territory travel. This exclusion only applies to COVID-19 and applies regardless of You being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being directed by a local public health authority into a period of quarantine because they have classified You as having close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19.

Yes, there is cover for additional accommodation and transport costs.

Cover details:

There is cover available if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel as planned.

Cover conditions:

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the SafeTravel website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the SafeTravel “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner.
• Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness.

Yes, cover is available if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner and require medical treatment.

Cover details:

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover is available under our emergency medical expenses benefit.

Cruise travel: Yes, cover is available for overseas emergency medical expenses and ship-to-shore expenses related to COVID-19.

This applies to our Options International Plan policyholders, and Options Inbound Plan policyholders within New Zealand only.

Cover conditions:

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the SafeTravel website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the SafeTravel “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner.
• Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness.

No, no cover is provided if you are denied entry to a country because you are affected by government restrictions placed on travellers departing or passing through certain countries.

Cover details:

No cover is provided for government restrictions or border closures. This includes situations related to any transiting countries visited or your country of origin.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the Policy Wording state we will not pay for:

• claims arising from any government restrictions, government-issued bans, border closures, and mandatory requirements.

No, no cover is provided if you are required to complete mandatory quarantine or self-isolation because of the area you arrived from or passed through on route.

Cover details:

No cover is provided for mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements related to travel across or within areas, borders, regions, or territories.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the Policy Wording state we will not pay for:

• any costs or expenses incurred if a government or public health authority mandatory quarantine or isolation order is imposed on you related to cross area, border, region or territory travel. This exclusion only applies to COVID-19 and applies regardless of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being directed by a local public health authority into a period of quarantine because they have classified You as having close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19.

If you fall ill with COVID-19 overseas and are hospitalised, there is cover for repatriation if you are cleared to travel by a medical doctor and the airline.

Cover details:

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover is available in this scenario if you are cleared to travel by a medical doctor and the airline. Cover for Emergency Medical Expenses is provided if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas, and Additional Expenses cover and Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover are provided if you are hospitalised with COVID-19 on your trip up to the relevant policy limits. Note that some airlines and countries won't allow you to board flights while you are infected with COVID-19.

Cruise travel: Yes, cover is available in this scenario if you are cleared to travel by a medical doctor and the airline. Cover for Emergency Medical Expenses is provided if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas (including onboard medical cover and ship-to-shore medical cover), and Additional Expenses cover and Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover are provided if you are hospitalised with COVID-19 on your trip up to the relevant policy limits. Note that some airlines and countries won’t allow you to board flights while you are infected with COVID-19. 

This applies to all policies and plans.

Cover conditions:

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the SafeTravel website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the SafeTravel “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner.
• In all cases the cost of evacuation or to bring you back to New Zealand will only be met if your claim is approved by us and it was arranged by and deemed necessary by our emergency assistance network.
• Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: No, cover is not provided if you’re an Options Domestic Cancellation Plan policyholder. Yes, cover is provided if you’re an Options Inbound Plan policyholder ($1,000,000 cover provided within New Zealand only).

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided if your destination is not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the SafeTravel website at the time you enter the country or part of the country.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, cover is available for overseas emergency medical expenses and ship-to-shore expenses.

Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness on all plans.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, therecover for additional accommodation and transport costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as not being fit to travel, up to the relevant policy limits.

Australia: Yes, there is cover for additional accommodation and transport costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel as planned, up to the relevant policy limits.

Other destinations: Yes, there is cover for additional accommodation and transport costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel as planned, up to the relevant policy limits.

Cover conditions:

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the SafeTravel website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the SafeTravel “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner.
• Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness.

This applies to all Options Domestic, Inbound and International Plan policyholders. If you’re travelling on an Inbound policy, no cover is provided if you’re travelling outside of New Zealand.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided if your destination is not subject to “Do not travel” advice. 

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: No, cover is not provided.

Australia: No, cover is not provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided but only if the non-travelling relative or business partner resides in New Zealand or Australia.

Australia: Yes, cover is provided but only if the non-travelling relative or business partner resides in New Zealand or Australia.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided but only if the non-travelling relative or business partner resides in New Zealand or Australia.

This applies to all Options Domestic and International Plan policyholders up to the relevant policy limits.

Refer to the Policy Wording with an effective date of 18 October 2023 for full details.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, up to $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) cover is provided per policy but only if you purchase the Options Domestic Plan and a qualified medical practitioner certifies in writing that you cannot travel.

If you have purchased the Options Domestic Cancellation Plan or Options Inbound Plan, no cover is provided.

Australia: Yes, up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) cover is provided per policy but only if you purchase the Options International Plan and a qualified medical practitioner certifies in writing that you cannot travel.

Other destinations: Yes, up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) cover is provided per policy but only if you purchase the Options International Plan and a qualified medical practitioner certifies in writing that you cannot travel.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy if you’re travelling domestically or up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy if you’re travelling internationally, but only if a qualified medical practitioner certifies in writing that you cannot travel.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: No, cover is not provided.

Australia: No, cover is not provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided up to $2,500 per policy.

Australia: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 per policy.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy if you’re travelling domestically or up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy if you’re travelling internationally.

There is no pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs cover on our Options Inbound Plan or Options Domestic Cancellation Plan for this COVID-19 scenario.

Where are you travelling?

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on the Options Domestic policy or up to $1,500 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy on our Options Domestic Cancellation policy for Amendment and Cancellation costs.

Australia: Yes, cover is provided up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy for Amendment and Cancellation costs.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided up to $10,000 (or the amount chosen if this is less) per policy for Amendment and Cancellation costs.

There is no pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs cover on our Options Inbound Plan or Domestic Cancellation Options Plan for this COVID-19 scenario.

Refer to the Policy Wording with an effective date of 18 October 2023 for full details.

There is no cover under the Travel Delay benefit for COVID-19 (only under Sections 1, 2, and 3). Refer to the Policy Wording with an effective date of 18 October 2023 for full details.

This applies to all policies and plans.

There is no cover under the Missed Connection benefit for COVID-19 (only under Sections 1, 2, and 3). Refer to the Policy Wording with an effective date of 18 October 2023  for full details.

This applies to all policies and plans.

There is no cover under the Special Events benefit for COVID-19. Refer to the Policy Wording with an effective date of 18 October 2023 for full details.

This applies to all policies and plans.

Your international cover depends on the destination or area of travel included in your Options International Plan policy, when you purchased the policy, and whether the New Zealand Government’s SafeTravel has listed your destination as “Do not travel” on its destinations page at your time of entry to the country.

Please read the Policy Wording with the effective date of 18 October 2023 to understand how our cover applies to your intended destination.

Yes, cover for COVID-19 is provided for travellers on our Options Plan Annual Multi-Trip policy with an effective date of 18 October 2023 or later. Please check the Policy Wording for details.

There is no cover for COVID-19 on our Essentials Plan.

No, no cover is provided on any of our plans if your trip is impacted by government quarantine restrictions.

The Policy Wording states we will not pay for any claims directly or indirectly arising from or caused by a public health authority directing you into a period of quarantine or self-isolation which is mandatory for travellers related to cross area, border, region, or territory travel.

No, no cover is provided on any of our plans if your trip is impacted by customs or immigration officials during your journey.

The Policy Wording states we will not pay for any claims caused by customers of immigration officials acting in the course of their duties or you are travelling with incorrect travel documents.