Subject to relevant terms and conditions, Go Insurance travel policies do provide cover for claims arising from medical epidemics.
However, on 23 January 2020, Go Insurance raised a cover restriction relating to coronavirus COVID-19. Click here to read the Novel Coronavirus Cover Advice issued on 23 January 2020.
The 23 January 2020 cover restriction was raised because the Australian government had issued travel advice on the smartraveller website warning travellers about the risk of coronavirus COVID-19.
On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 “a public health emergency of international concern”.
From late January 2020, the outbreak has been widely published via mainstream media and as such is considered a “known event”. That is, it could reasonably be expected that coronavirus COVID-19 could lead to trip cancellation, travel disruption and illness.
Go Insurance travel policies carry exclusions relating to circumstances known to a traveller at the time of purchasing the policy and which could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim. Circumstances manifesting between the date of booking the trip and purchasing the policy are also excluded. These are standard travel insurance exclusions.
The cover restriction raised on 23 January 2020 means that for any Go Insurance travel policy purchased on or after 23 January 2020, there is no cover for any claim related to or arising from coronavirus COVID-19.
Possible scenarios that are not covered if you purchase a policy on or after 23 January 2020 include:
- Cancellation of your trip due to coronavirus COVID-19.
- Additional costs incurred while travelling if your pre-booked arrangements are disrupted due to coronavirus COVID-19.
- Costs incurred to leave an overseas location and/or cut short the trip and return to Australia earlier than scheduled due to coronavirus COVID-19.
- Overseas medical expenses including quarantine if you contract coronavirus COVID-19 while travelling.
- Costs incurred due to self isolation and/or quarantine whilst overseas or following your return to Australia.
- Any other loss, expense or claim which is caused by or due to coronavirus COVID-19.
If you purchased a policy prior to 23 January 2020, there is provision to claim for cancellation of your trip due to coronavirus COVID-19 if:
- it prevents you from travelling as planned *;
- the Australian government advises against travel to your pre-booked destination(s) within 7 days of your planned travel; and/or
- the government of the country(ies) you are visiting close their borders within 7 days of your planned travel.
* Disinclination to travel due to potential exposure to the virus is not covered.
Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details of the cover provided in these circumstances.
If your policy was purchased prior to 23 January 2020 and you are able to travel as planned, there is cover for overseas medical expenses (including quarantine) if you contract coronavirus COVID-19 while travelling. This is provided you do not travel against Australian government travel advice.
If you have any queries in relation to your policy and coronavirus COVID-19, please contact us on sales@goinsurance.com.au or phone 1300 819 888.