Does my travel insurance cover the Coronavirus?

I am supposed to go on a trip with my friends at the end of this month, but I would like to take precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary travel and social gatherings. Does my travel policy cover the expenses if I have to cancel my trip?

If your destination is not affected by a communicable or epidemic disease, but you cancel your trip because you are worried about the outbreak, you can’t claim for the trip cancellation expenses. You should pay attention to the definition of a communicable or epidemic disease as stated by individual insurers.

If Hong Kong citizens are banned from the country you are going to visit as a preventive measure, travel insurance policies usually do not offer the trip cancellation coverage.

Travel insurance policies usually just covers a delay or cancellation caused by severe weather conditions or mechanical failure. Therefore, it may not accept any claims regarding a cancelled flight to or from Hong Kong under the preventive measures taken by the relevant airline.

Generally, most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation if you, as the policyholder, or your immediate family member are/is diagnosed with acute diseases or subject to compulsory quarantine within a designated period (such as 30 to 90 days ) before the departure date, and are/is unfit to travel as certified by a registered medical practitioner.

The medical expenses incurred during your trip will be covered by the medical benefit of the policy, and the detailed coverage will depend on individual policies. If you are infected, you should visit a local hospital and keep all medical reports, documents and receipts for claiming purpose when you return to Hong Kong.

Given the severity of the coronavirus outbreak, some insurance companies may have discretionary arrangements for related claims. Since the policy benefits and exclusions vary from insurer to insurer, you should check with your insurance company or agent if you are in doubt.