Travel Insurance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives, thousands of Americans traveled domestically and internationally every day. When planning their trips, most travelers didn’t think about the spread of viruses or pandemics, and only 22% purchased travel insurance plans to cover trip cancellations in case of unforeseeable events.

Now, however, as states and other countries open up and people resume traveling, many are seeking insurance coverage for viral outbreaks and their impact on travel plans. Since the current pandemic is now considered a foreseeable event, it is generally excluded from cancellation coverage, but some insurance providers are offering new policies that provide cancellation coverage for travelers who contract the virus or are quarantined.

These new policies don’t help, however, if you had to cancel a trip because of stay-at-home orders, flight cancellations, tour cancellations, hotel closures or other COVID-19 pandemic-related events. In fact, you may be sorely disappointed to find that your travel insurance policy will not cover your losses because the insurance company says the pandemic was foreseeable.
 

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Claims

If your travel plans were cancelled due to COVID-19 and you’ve received refunds from the airline, hotel, and other services you booked with, you’re in good shape. However, what about the cost of the travel insurance policy you no longer need? If you haven’t yet received a refund for the unnecessary policy or if your request for a refund has been denied, you may still be able to get reimbursed. An experienced Orlando travel insurance attorney can help you obtain the reimbursement you deserve.

If your travel plans were cancelled due to COVID-19 and you have not been able to obtain refunds for prepaid expenses, then you may also have a legitimate travel insurance claim. Insurance carriers will try to deny coverage, pointing to COVID-19 as a foreseeable event, as being excluded from coverage because it is a pandemic or for another reason. However, states or state Departments of Insurance may restrict insurance companies’ ability to deny coverage for these claims, and courts could interpret policies in such a way as to grant coverage.

With so much still undecided about COVID-19 and insurance coverage, it’s important to be persistent in pursuing what is rightfully yours. An experienced travel insurance attorney can help you understand your legal rights and contest coronavirus-related travel insurance denials.
 

Get Help with Your Travel Insurance Claims

Sometimes the only way to ensure that an insurance company pays a claim is to have an attorney advocating on your behalf. Travel insurance claims are no exception. During these uncertain times, you can count on the experienced travel insurance attorneys at Malik Law to help you understand your policy, determine whether you have a valid claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and, if necessary, fight for your rights and the payment you deserve.