For Short-term Plans (Basic/Plus/Premium/Trip Cancellation and Interruption)
COVID-19 is impacting worldwide travel, with continued spread and disruptions expected. COVID-19 became a known event on January 21, 2020 and was recognized as an epidemic as of February 3, 2020. The US began instituting restrictions on travel on March 21, 2020.
As of March 21, 2020, COVID-19 is considered a foreseeable event and as of this date, COVID-19 and its impacts to travel are not covered under our plans. Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, quarantine including quarantine due to COVID exposure, travel advisories 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:
Under the Emergency Medical Expense Benefit: Emergency medical expenses for an insured who becomes ill with COVID-19 and requires medical treatment while on their trip.
Under the Emergency Medical Evacuation Benefit: Transportation to a higher level of care for an insured when their condition is acute, severe or life threatening as a result of contracting COVID-19 while on their trip. Transport must be authorized as medically necessary by the attending Physician and our Program Assistance Provider.
Under the Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits: Trip cancellation and trip interruption if an insured, insured’s family member, or a traveling companion, or a business partner or a traveling companion’s family member tests positive with COVID-19 either before or during their trip with a signed Attending Physician Statement. We will also accept a lab report of a positive SARS Cov2 test administered and supervised by an accredited third party laboratory (such as CVS, Walgreens, etc.) Results solely from an at-home test are not acceptable.
Under the Trip Delay Benefit: Trip delay benefits apply if you are delayed en route to, during or returning home from your trip if an insured, insured family member who is also traveling, or insured’s traveling companion tests positive with COVID-19 with a signed Attending Physician Statement.
These temporary accommodations are strictly applicable to COVID-19 and are only available for insureds whose plan includes the applicable benefit. All other terms, conditions, and exclusions of the plan apply as normal.
I want to cancel my trip because I am afraid to travel due to the Coronavirus. Am I covered?
Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption due to fear of contracting an illness is not covered.
If I am quarantined during my trip due to suspected illness, am I covered?
If you or your traveling companion are quarantined as a result of Coronavirus, you may be covered if you purchased your policy on or before March 21, 2020. If you purchased your insurance after that date, there is no coverage since Coronavirus was a known event.
There may be trip delay benefits if you have a positive test that is a signed Attending Physician Statement verifying the positive result. We will also accept a lab report of a positive COVID-19 test administered and supervised by an accredited third party laboratory (such as CVS, Walgreens, etc.) Results solely from an at-home test are not acceptable.
If my flight is cancelled because the airline is not flying to areas where there are Coronavirus cases, am I covered?
There is no coverage under the plan for this circumstance. You should seek a refund from your your airline carrier.
My tour operator cancelled my tour because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Is this covered?
No, you should seek a refund from your tour operator and other travel suppliers. If you would like to apply your policy to a new trip, we can adjust your travel dates, destination, and trip cost as necessary.
For 365 Plans
Am I covered if I contract COVID-19, the most recently discovered coronavirus?
“IMG offers several different types of insurance plans and coverage may vary, please refer to your plan documents for the terms of coverage. The majority of IMG’s travel medical insurance plans and international private medical insurance plans may provide coverage for COVID-19 related care for insureds who purchased and entered their destination country prior to the World Health Organization issuing an Emergency Travel Advisory, the United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issuing a Warning Level 3 (avoid nonessential travel), or a government agency of the insured’s home country publishing or issuing a Travel Warning or Emergency Travel Advisory informing the public about the health issue. Benefits that may be triggered include, but are not limited to, accident, sickness, or medical evacuation.”
Any Illness or Injury incurred in the Destination Country as a result of epidemics, pandemics, public health emergencies, Natural Disasters, or other disease outbreak conditions that may affect a person’s health when, prior to the Insured Person’s entry into the Destination Country, any of the following were issued regarding the Destination Country
a.) The World Health Organization had issued an Emergency Travel Advisory
b.) The United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention had issued a Warning Level 3 (avoid nonessential travel)
c.) A similar governmental agency of the Insured Person’s Country of Residence had published, communicated or issued a Travel Warning or Emergency Travel Advisory restriction or official declaration informing the public about such health issues before the Insured Person traveled to the Destination country.
For further questions regarding your coverage and coronavirus, please contact us at 877-865-6877 or contact@volunteercard.com.
