Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness (2024)

Where the flu really comes into play for travelers – and travel insurance –is if they get sick.

Flu season can have serious consequences for a trip. For instance, just before you expect to leave on a vacation, you or someone in your family gets too sick to travel. You could be out of luck if you have non-refundable airline tickets, hotel reservations or other prepaid trip costs and can’t get a refund.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to illness?

Travel insurance with Trip Cancellation coverage will cover you if you, a traveling companion or family member come down with an illness before your trip and an in-person visit to a doctor certifies that you’re too sick to travel. You can also be covered if a non-traveling family member is hospitalized due to an illness and you are unable to make the trip.

If you or a family member come down with a severe case of the flu, or if there’s an underlying health condition that can exacerbate or prolong flu symptoms, it’s possible to get sick enough from the flu to have to cancel a trip.

Regardless, if you feel too sick to travel it’s important to have your opinion confirmed and your diagnosis documented by a doctor. Medical documentation will be required if you’re looking to be reimbursed for your non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip.

Also read: What to Know About Pre-ExistingMedicalConditions and Travel Insurance

How else does travel insurance cover sickness?

Generali travel insurancewith Medical coverage can help pay for medical treatment if you get sick with the flu or another illness on your trip. Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverages, included with all of our plans, can also help out if you get sick on vacation.

Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse you for the prepaid cost of trip arrangements that you miss out on while you’re sick (accommodations, tours, flights event tickets and more).

Travel Delay coverage can provide reimbursem*nt for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodations, meals and transportation if you are unexpectedly delayed during your trip for a specified amount of time.

Also read:Why You Might Need to BuyMedicalCoverage Before You Travel

Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness (2024)

FAQs

Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness? ›

Most travel insurance policies may offer coverage for medical expenses incurred while traveling, including those related to infectious diseases. However, travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events, so it's important to carefully review the policy details to determine what is covered and what is not.

Does travel insurance cover the flu? ›

Generali travel insurance with Medical coverage can help pay for medical treatment if you get sick with the flu or another illness on your trip.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a sickness bug? ›

Travel insurance usually includes holiday cancellation cover in case your trip is cancelled for reasons beyond your control – illness or the death of a close family member, for example.

What are the two 2 basic types of travel insurance? ›

What type of travel insurance do I need? There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans.

How does travel insurance work if you get sick? ›

You will usually receive reimbursem*nt if your trip is cancelled for: unexpected illness or injury of you or a traveling companion that deems you unfit to travel; hospitalization or death of non-traveling family member; weather or common carrier issues; unforeseen natural disaster at home or the destination; a legal ...

What to do if you get the flu while traveling? ›

What Should You Do if You Get the Flu While Traveling?
  1. Staying in your hotel or other accommodation as much as possible.
  2. Wearing a facemask in public]
  3. Getting plenty of rest.
  4. Drinking lots of fluids.
  5. Taking over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms.
Feb 19, 2024

What is not covered in travel insurance? ›

Reasonably foreseeable events. Known storms, epidemics, acts of war. Travel restrictions imposed by government authorities. Pre-existing conditions, unless the Premium plan is bought within the window for coverage.

What are the disadvantages of travel insurance? ›

Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.

What qualifies for trip cancellation insurance? ›

Some examples of covered reasons could be: Sickness, injury, death, or quarantine of a member of your travel party. A delay that causes you to miss or interrupt any part of your covered trip due to weather, mechanical reasons, or travel advisory.

What kind of cancellation is covered by travel insurance? ›

The most common covered reason is unforeseen illness, injury, or death of the traveler, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member. Other common covered reasons include terrorism, inclement weather, or a natural disaster, among others.

What is the best travel insurance to buy? ›

Our Rankings of the Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024
  • AIG Travel Guard: Our pick for families.
  • Trawick International: Our pick for college students.
  • Generali Global Assistance: Our pick for emergency assistance.
  • Travel Insured International: Our pick for well-rounded coverage.

What is not covered by Allianz travel insurance? ›

Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories or fear of travel are generally not covered (coverage can vary by state.)

What is the difference between travel insurance and travel health insurance? ›

Travel insurance covers medical emergencies and other trip disruptions. You get international health insurance if you are moving away for work, studying, retirement, etc. and will spend the majority of your time abroad.

Does travel insurance cover the flu vaccine? ›

Preventive measures such as vaccinations are not covered in any of the visitors insurance. In fact, no short term health insurance plan will cover vaccinations.

Is fever covered by travel insurance? ›

For broader coverage, you may consider purchasing travel health coverage which can also cover minor things like flu, cold, fever etc. Emergency medical coverage in trip cancellation insurance usually provides coverage from $10,000 to $250,000.

What happens if you get sick while travelling? ›

Medical emergencies

If you become sick when you're travelling, here's how to find help: Most major tourist hotels have in-house doctors who can provide medical care. Hotels can also arrange appointments with local physicians.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation for sickness? ›

Travel insurance policies with cancellation cover will generally cover cancellation costs arising from circ*mstances such as: You suffer from an unforeseen illness, injury or death.

Can you fly if you have the flu? ›

Do not travel if you are sick. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, do not travel.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation due to illness? ›

Common covered reasons for trip interruption are injury or sudden illness to you or a traveling companion, severe weather en route to or at your destination, a family death or a life-threatening emergency at your home.

Does travel insurance cover pre existing medical conditions? ›

Trip cancellation insurance usually does not cover changes in pre-existing medical conditions. If your arthritic knees cause pain that makes you cancel your trip two weeks out, the insurance company may deny your claim.

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