COVID-19 travel insurance plans in Philippines are limited
If travel insurance is what you're looking for to cover your upcoming international trip, you want to have COVID-19 coverage included. Traveling during pandemic is risky, and a travel insurance policy is one of the essentials once you have booked a confirmed airline ticket.
More than being required by IATF for travelers exiting the Philippines, having an insurance policy that can cover you againsed medical expenses caused by coronavirus disease in case you acquire COVID-19 outside the country will give you peace of mind against huge potential expenses for COVID treatment.
Because the coronavirus disease is still considered a pandemic, insurance companies are not covering COVID-19 because of the following primary reasons:
-
- Potential losses are very high for insurance companies
- Increased exposure due to high number of cases worldwide
- Risk is already anticipated
Most travel insurance plans will cover you the usual -- accident & disablement, travel delay, baggage loss or delay, personal liabilitiy. It can also have medical expense coverage. However, only a few travel insurance providers will protect you from COVID-19 medical expenses in case you acquire the disease outside the Philippines.
Travel insurance provider that covers COVID-19
The first to include COVID-19 coverage during pandemic is Starr Insurance Companies. Starr travel insurance provides travel health insurance with COVID-19 cover. Starr is also the parent company of Assist Card, a global travel insurance and assistance company.
Travel Insurance cover outside your home country
If diagnosed COVID-19 positive while traveling outside the Philippines, medical expense is covered by this travel insurance program.
On the other hand, if you are diagnosed positive upon arrival, your travel insurance policy will NO longer cover you. Your health insurance (including Philhealth) or HMO plan can cover COVID-19 treatment when you are already in the Philippines.
COVID-19 travel insurance provisions
In addition to the standard benefits of Starr and Assist Card, the items below are enhancements that only Starr and Assist Card provide:
Starr and Assist Card's travel medical insurance coverage for COVID-19 cases
The policy will cover medical expense in connection with or in any way involving or arising from any infectious disease, whether asymptomatic or not, sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including any variation thereof, or Pandemic or epidemic as declared as such by the World Health Organization or any government authority. COVID-19 coverage limit may vary upon approval of underwriting.
Other conditions of Starr TraveLead and Assist Card travel insurance with COVID-19 cover
- Insured person diagnosed with COVID-19 after arrival back to the Philippines is NOT covered
- Evidence of hospitalization for medical treatment of COVID-19 is must be presented for claims reimbursement evaluation.
Exclusions
Any loss resulting from the following are NOT COVERED:
- Trip Cancellation due to COVID-19
- Re-booking charges for cancelling flights due to COVID-19 infection at the planned destination are not covered
- Denial of entry upon arrival within itinerary whether pre-departure from origin point, in-transit at connection points, or at final destination.
- Change of travel decision due to fear of COVID-19 infection during pre-departure, at connecting points, or at final destination.
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains.
How much is travel insurance in the Philippines?
For 1 week travel within Asia, travel insurance for outbound travelers should start around Php 800. The longer your travel and the higher the coverage, the price increases. This already covers COVID-19 medical expenses.
Benefits of having insurance with COVID coverage
When the dreaded event comes that you turn out positive of COVID-19, your travel insurance policy will cover medical expenses for your treatment of the coronavirus disease. COVID-19 treatment can potientially cost you hundreds of thousands of pesos. What more if you are hospitalized in a developed country, where medical costs are comparatively higher than here in the Philippines.
Advantage of policy purchased within the country
While Starr and Assist Card have regional offices all around the globe, they also operate offices in Makati City. When the unfortunate strikes while you're away, you know the insurer has presence at your home country.
Unless you are planning to leave the Philippines for good, a travel insurance plan for the localized market is always a great option. There's no language barrier too!
Apply and receive the policy through e-mail.
Receive travel insurance policy safely
When you purchase either Starr or Assist Card travel insurance, you will receive the following documents through e-mail:
Travel insurance policy + COVID-19 medical cover rider
Do you have questions? Need travel insurance with COVID-19 cover?
You may also chat with us through
The coverages indicated in this page are for informational purposes. Coverages and benefits are subject to conditions, warranties and exclusions which are indicated in the insurance policy wordings. Please contact us if you have questions.
