Interesting Update from Allianz on Travel Insurance

[canderson]

I suppose this is Celebrity related since it now adds an additional layer to the Celebrity policy for assistance for those who can't make a trip due to COVID or find themselves with a case while aboard.

 

If any of you have been sweating finding decent travel insurance that included COVID coverage, it appears that the old Allianz packages have a temporary inclusion for COVID. 

 

Here is the content of the email I received today.  If you have an Allianz package that didn't include COVID coverage, and didn't get this email, you might want to check with them.  Obviously, this isn't quite as meaningful since Celebrity extended their own care package, but still worth knowing about:

 

 

http://contentz.mkt1649.com/ra/2021/10450/11/19395389/aga_logo.png_1.png

Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your recent purchase of an Allianz Travel Protection Plan. Given the current unique and evolving circumstances related to the unprecedented concern over COVID-19, we want to take this opportunity to remind you how our products and services are working to protect you both prior to your departure and while you're enjoying your trip. Our plans do not generally cover claims due to COVID-19. This is because our products do not generally cover losses caused directly or indirectly by known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories. Nor do our products generally cover for fear of travel. However, for a temporary period in response to the ongoing public health and travel crisis, we are currently accommodating claims for: Under Emergency Medical Care Benefit: Emergency medical care for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip. 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. Customers who become ill with COVID-19 while on their trip will not be subject to the Trip Interruption benefit's five-day maximum limit for additional accommodation and transportation expenses (however, the maximum daily limit for such expenses and the maximum Trip Interruption benefit limit still apply). Please note, we will accept proof of a positive COVID-19 test or a physician's diagnosis as proof that you are ill with COVID-19. These temporary accommodations are strictly applicable to COVID-19 and are only available for customers whose plans includes the applicable benefit. All other terms, conditions, and exclusions of the plan apply as always. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits, day limits, and daily maximums. Please read your plan for details. You can view your plan at www.etravelprotection.com. These accommodations apply to plans currently in effect but may not apply to plans purchased in the future, so please refer to the coverage alert on our website at www.etravelprotection.com before purchasing another plan. CHANGES TO TRAVEL SCHEDULE If your trip dates change, we're happy to apply your plan coverage to another trip as long as that trip is scheduled to be completed within 770 days from the plan's original purchase date. Please note, if you wish to move your plan's covered trip dates to cover a new or rescheduled trip, you must update your trip dates prior to the departure date of that new or rescheduled trip and prior to any loss for which you seek coverage. Additionally, if your trip costs for your new or rescheduled trip are different than the cost of your original trip, you will need to update your plan's coverage limits accordingly. Any change in trip cost insured for the new or rescheduled trip may result in a change in premium. If you update your plan's trip dates to cover a new or rescheduled trip but do not adjust your limits, the original plan limits will apply to the new or rescheduled trip. Changes to trip dates and insured trip costs can be made at www.etravelprotection.com or by calling 1-866-888-3043. PLAN CANCELLATION AND REFUND INFORMATION You may be eligible to cancel your plan and receive a refund of your plan cost in the following situations: You have 15 days (or more, depending on your plan and state of residence) from the date your plan was purchased to request a refund of the cost of your plan, provided you have not started your trip or initiated a claim (see your plan for details). Additionally, for a temporary period, we are offering refunds for the cost of your plan if your travel supplier cancels your trip due to COVID-19, as long as no payable claim has been filed under the plan. To request a plan refund due to a supplier cancellation, please call 1-866-888-3043. Refunds must be requested within 770 days of the original plan purchase date. Unless earlier cancelled or otherwise ended in accordance with its terms or the accommodations stated here, plans end 770 days after the original plan purchase date. Plans do not provide any coverage or accommodation for any loss incurred after the plan ends. While traveling, you should take your travel insurance information with you, including plan number/details and our toll-free travel assistance phone number or access it through the Allianz TravelSmart app. As always, we care about the safety of our customers. Our assistance team is ready to help all of our customers who need help while traveling, such as locating medical facilities or rebooking transportation. Thank you for being a valued customer. Sincerely, Allianz Global Assistance

[TeeRick]

16 hours ago, canderson said:

I suppose this is Celebrity related since it now adds an additional layer to the Celebrity policy for assistance for those who can't make a trip due to COVID or find themselves with a case while aboard.

 

If any of you have been sweating finding decent travel insurance that included COVID coverage, it appears that the old Allianz packages have a temporary inclusion for COVID. 

 

Here is the content of the email I received today.  If you have an Allianz package that didn't include COVID coverage, and didn't get this email, you might want to check with them.  Obviously, this isn't quite as meaningful since Celebrity extended their own care package, but still worth knowing about:

 

 

http://contentz.mkt1649.com/ra/2021/10450/11/19395389/aga_logo.png_1.png

Dear Valued Customer,   Thank you for your recent purchase of an Allianz Travel Protection Plan. Given the current unique and evolving circumstances related to the unprecedented concern over COVID-19, we want to take this opportunity to remind you how our products and services are working to protect you both prior to your departure and while you're enjoying your trip.   Our plans do not generally cover claims due to COVID-19. This is because our products do not generally cover losses caused directly or indirectly by known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories. Nor do our products generally cover for fear of travel. However, for a temporary period in response to the ongoing public health and travel crisis, we are currently accommodating claims for:   Under Emergency Medical Care Benefit: Emergency medical care for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip.   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.   Customers who become ill with COVID-19 while on their trip will not be subject to the Trip Interruption benefit's five-day maximum limit for additional accommodation and transportation expenses (however, the maximum daily limit for such expenses and the maximum Trip Interruption benefit limit still apply).   Please note, we will accept proof of a positive COVID-19 test or a physician's diagnosis as proof that you are ill with COVID-19.   These temporary accommodations are strictly applicable to COVID-19 and are only available for customers whose plans includes the applicable benefit. All other terms, conditions, and exclusions of the plan apply as always. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits, day limits, and daily maximums. Please read your plan for details. You can view your plan at www.etravelprotection.com.   These accommodations apply to plans currently in effect but may not apply to plans purchased in the future, so please refer to the coverage alert on our website at www.etravelprotection.com before purchasing another plan.   CHANGES TO TRAVEL SCHEDULE   If your trip dates change, we're happy to apply your plan coverage to another trip as long as that trip is scheduled to be completed within 770 days from the plan's original purchase date. Please note, if you wish to move your plan's covered trip dates to cover a new or rescheduled trip, you must update your trip dates prior to the departure date of that new or rescheduled trip and prior to any loss for which you seek coverage. Additionally, if your trip costs for your new or rescheduled trip are different than the cost of your original trip, you will need to update your plan's coverage limits accordingly. Any change in trip cost insured for the new or rescheduled trip may result in a change in premium. If you update your plan's trip dates to cover a new or rescheduled trip but do not adjust your limits, the original plan limits will apply to the new or rescheduled trip.   Changes to trip dates and insured trip costs can be made at www.etravelprotection.com or by calling 1-866-888-3043.   PLAN CANCELLATION AND REFUND INFORMATION   You may be eligible to cancel your plan and receive a refund of your plan cost in the following situations:   You have 15 days (or more, depending on your plan and state of residence) from the date your plan was purchased to request a refund of the cost of your plan, provided you have not started your trip or initiated a claim (see your plan for details).   Additionally, for a temporary period, we are offering refunds for the cost of your plan if your travel supplier cancels your trip due to COVID-19, as long as no payable claim has been filed under the plan. To request a plan refund due to a supplier cancellation, please call 1-866-888-3043. Refunds must be requested within 770 days of the original plan purchase date.   Unless earlier cancelled or otherwise ended in accordance with its terms or the accommodations stated here, plans end 770 days after the original plan purchase date. Plans do not provide any coverage or accommodation for any loss incurred after the plan ends.   While traveling, you should take your travel insurance information with you, including plan number/details and our toll-free travel assistance phone number or access it through the Allianz TravelSmart app.   As always, we care about the safety of our customers. Our assistance team is ready to help all of our customers who need help while traveling, such as locating medical facilities or rebooking transportation. Thank you for being a valued customer.   Sincerely,     Allianz Global Assistance

Thanks for posting.  If you read the policy itself does it say anything about needing to be fully vaccinated for these temporary benefits to apply?  Just curious.

[canderson]

Original policy doesn't deal with COVID/vaccinations at all (hence the need for the rider), and this rider they sent says nothing about vaccinations. 

[TeeRick]

1 hour ago, canderson said:

Original policy doesn't deal with COVID/vaccinations at all (hence the need for the rider), and this rider they sent says nothing about vaccinations. 

Health insurance companies these days are starting to offer different rates and restrictions for those who have been fully vaccinated vs non-vaccinated now that at least one company (Pfizer) has graduated to full approval post EUA.  So the travel insurance industry bears watching along these lines with their COVIS clauses and riders.