COVID-19 FAQ

Allianz Global Assistance administers a wide range of products, each with its own unique policy wording, terms and conditions.

Coverage for COVID-19 will depend on the terms and conditions of your specific coverage, policy wording and any customer communications you receive regarding COVID-19.

For policyholders who have purchased travel insurance products offered by Allianz Global Assistance on www.travelinsurance.ca, please note the following important clarifications related to COVID-19 and travel insurance coverage.
 

Emergency Medical benefits:

Policyholders with Emergency Medical benefits who contract COVID-19 at their destination will not be eligible for emergency medical treatment if a Government of Canada travel advisory related to COVID-19 is in place on the effective date of their policy, that advises against non-essential travel (Level 3) or all travel (Level 4) for their destination or type of travel (i.e. cruises).

Otherwise, if there is no Government of Canada travel advisory related to COVID-19 in place on their effective date, that advises against non-essential travel (Level 3) or all travel (Level 4) for their destination or type of travel, then expenses related to emergency medical treatment for COVID-19 would be eligible.

Allianz Global Assistance offers a COVID-19 Insurance and Assistance Plan, which provides coverage for emergency medical and quarantine expenses related to COVID-19 if you need to travel while a Government of Canada travel advisory is active for your destination. This plan is an ideal complement to our base Medical Plan, Medical + Cancellation Plan and Annual Medical Plans for travel to international destinations, including the USA.

This plan is not available online. For more information or to purchase this coverage, please call us at  1-844-310-1578  .

With travel rules and restrictions constantly changing, we recommend you regularly check the Government of Canada website.

We also recommend you visit the website of the government and/or public health agency for your destination country or region prior to booking your trip.  Visit our “Before you go” section for additional tips and important considerations when planning your trip.

There may be. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada may issue travel advisories to avoid non-essential travel (Level 3) or avoid all travel (Level 4) outside of Canada due to COVID-19. These advisories may be issued for all international travel, for specific destinations or for certain types of travel (i.e. cruises). Travel advisories can impact travel insurance and are subject to change. They may be issued, lifted, and then reinstated depending on the status of COVID-19 infection rates in Canada and abroad.

Before you travel, make sure your policy offers benefits for emergency medical and quarantine expenses if you test positive for COVID-19 while on a trip – whether or not a Government of Canada Level 3 advisory is in place for your destination.  For all-around travel protection, it is highly recommended to always travel with standard emergency hospital and medical coverage for other unexpected illnesses or injuries that may occur while travelling.

If you have questions, read your policy to learn what is and is not covered and please contact us at 1-844-310-1578  if you have any questions before you leave.

Travel advisories show the overall risk level of countries, territories or regions. For the safety and security of Canadians, the
Government of Canada applies four risk levels:

Level 1: Exercise normal security precautions
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Level 3: Avoid non-essential travel
Level 4: Avoid all travel

While both travel advisories and border closures have been implemented to help limit the spread of COVID-19, it is worth noting the differences while planning your trip.

Travel advisory: an official statement issued by the Government of Canada about the safety of travelling to a particular country or destination. Travel advisories do not prevent a person from travelling to a destination, but may affect your travel insurance coverage.

Border restriction / closure: Limits land border crossings to essential travel only (i.e. commercial transport) and prevents travellers from crossing borders for non-essential travel (i.e. tourism, visiting family, etc.).

Travel advisories exist at all levels and can apply to a country as a whole, or to individual provinces, states or territories. Advisories can also apply right down to a local city or town level. In Canada, a federal advisory is issued by the Government of Canada and applies to an entire country or specific region abroad. A provincial travel advisory is issued by the provincial government and contains local requirements within Canada. In most cases, you will need to follow both federal and provincial travel advisories. Visit the government of Canada website for details on provincial and territorial travel advisories as well as what you need to know when travelling within Canada.

You may be. Some travel insurance policies may limit all coverage if there is a travel advisory in place for your destination, or the policy may only limit coverage as it relates to the reason for the travel advisory.

As with all travel protection, read your policy to learn what is and is not covered. If you have questions, please contact us at 1-844-310-1578 if you have any questions before you leave.

With the lifting of the Level 4 cruise ship travel advisory, expenses related to COVID-19 are now eligible under our standard plans as long as on the effective date, there is no Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory related to COVID-19 in effect at the destination.

Given this change to the global travel advisory, please note the following important clarifications to COVID-19, Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation, and Trip Interruption benefits, and Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical expenses. Please read more details about this update. 

It is advisable to read your policy to learn what is and is not covered, reach out to your benefits provider, speak to the insurance broker or travel agent who sold you the policy or call the number provided in your travel insurance package if you have any questions before you leave.  

Coverage within the various plans offered by Allianz Global Assistance does not vary based on vaccination status. Policy benefits, limitations and exclusions will apply according to the policy terms and conditions regardless of a traveller’s vaccination status.  

If you’re preparing to travel outside of Canada, there are vaccine requirements that you will need to meet in order to travel – both to leave Canada and to enter certain destinations. We recommend all travellers follow Government of Canada travel advisories andreview requirements for the country that you’re visiting.

It’s important to plan ahead. This includes researching which vaccines have been approved by the government of your intended destination and whether or not mixed doses (i.e. AstraZeneca + Moderna/Pfizer) are accepted. Additionally, if you do plan to travel, be sure to review and follow 
Government of Canada travel advisories.

It depends on the type of coverage you have. This is not a covered reason for denied boarding on any of our policies. If you’re preparing to travel outside of Canada, it’s important to plan ahead and check the requirements of the country that you’re visiting – even before booking your trip. This includes researching which vaccines have been approved by the government / public health agency of your intended destination. If you do travel, we recommend you review and follow Government of Canada travel advisories.

For policyholders who purchased a plan through www.travelinsurance.ca, check the confirmation email (or package via standard mail if this option was selected) that was sent to you at time of purchase.

This email / package will include a copy of your Confirmation of Coverage letter and your policy wording.

If you require medical care while travelling, it is critical that you contact Allianz Global Assistance before seeking treatment. Our caring and experienced in-house medical team is ready to help you 24/7. Our Emergency Assistance Specialists will guide you to the most optimal healthcare solution based on your condition and location, arrange payment on your behalf whenever possible, and share important information and next steps related to your claim.

In a life-threatening medical emergency, get to a hospital immediately and have a family member or friend call Allianz on your behalf within 24 hours of admission and before any surgery is performed.
Allianz Global Assistance can be reached toll free within North America using the number included on your confirmation of coverage or wallet card. If you do not have your confirmation of coverage or wallet card with you, please contact us as follows:

• Within North America:  1-844-310-1578
  
• Outside North America – call collect*: 1-519-514-1578

International operator assistance may be required for collect calls, so please confirm  how to call collect to Canada from your destination before leaving.

Note: All claims will be reviewed on an individual basis, and will remain subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy / certificate.