Important coverage updates and clarifications related to COVID-19 from Allianz Global Assistance in Canada

October 27, 2020

COVID-19 has been a top-of-mind concern for Canadians, particularly for those planning upcoming trips.

Given the ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19, please note the following important clarifications related to COVID-19 and travel insurance coverage administered by Allianz Global Assistance in Canada.

Effective March 11, 2020, we have determined COVID-19 to be a known event for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.

Travel insurance is intended to cover losses arising from sudden, unforeseeable and unexpected circumstances. Any claims resulting from events known to a policyholder when purchasing insurance are not covered.

• As a result, for policies with Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits that are purchased on or after March 11, 2020, any Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption claims related to COVID-19 will not be payable.
• For policies with Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits that were purchased before March 11, 2020, policyholders will still be eligible to claim for Trip Cancellation if Global Affairs Canada issued a travel advisory related to COVID-19 prior to their departure date, that advised against non-essential travel (Level 3) or all travel (Level 4) to their destination.

• Plans with benefits for Emergency Medical coverage remain unchanged.
• Policyholders with Emergency Medical benefits who contract COVID-19 at their destination will not be eligible for emergency medical treatment if a Global Affairs Canada travel advisory related to COVID-19 is in place on their departure date, that advises against non-essential travel (Level 3) or all travel (Level 4) for their destination.
• Further to the clarification above, on March 13, 2020, Global Affairs Canada issued a global travel advisory against non-essential international travel due to COVID-19. If a Global Affairs Canada travel advisory is no longer in place for a policyholder’s specific destination on their date of departure, the policyholder will be eligible for medical treatment related to COVID-19 while on their trip.