How Does Omicron Change Your Travel Insurance?

January 4, 2022

Find Answers to Questions Related to Travel Insurance and Omicron

Travel insurance has soared in popularity in the wake of COVID-19. Today, many vacationers have begun to explore new travel insurance products to ensure their safety during the emergence of the Omicron variant. Many policies have adjusted their offerings to address several of the concerns attributed to COVID-19, but some consumers might be surprised that their policies may not cover every expense related to COVID-19.

In many cases, international travelers will still be left to pay out of pocket for unexpected costs, including mandatory quarantines, testing requirements, and hospitalization.

Five Omicron and Travel Insurance Questions Answered

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions related to Omicron and travel insurance, and ensure that your next international vacation goes as planned, without any issues.

Is it Safe to Travel During the Omicron Outbreak?

With proper safety precautions, including diligent mask use, social distancing, and vaccinations, it is safe to travel during the Omicron outbreak.

Am I More Likely to Catch Omicron on a Plane?

Yes. With the close quarters that come with flying on a plane, you are more likely to get sick. If you are unable to distance yourself from others, wearing a face mask can prevent the spread of the omicron variant.

Should I Cancel My Trip or Vacation Because of Omicron?

Every traveler must weigh the pros and cons of continuing their trip during COVID-19. Keep a close eye on the case numbers at your destination, research emerging travel restrictions, and decide what is right for you and your family.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Omicron?

Many travel insurance providers have adjusted their policies to include benefits related to COVID-19 and Omicron. However, travel insurance can only offer so much and often does not cover trip cancelation for fear of travel. Travel insurance is likely not to reimburse you if you decide not to travel out of fear of catching Omicron. Further, should you be hospitalized due to catching COVID-19 or Omicron, existing travel insurance policies will not cover the costs of any air ambulance services or emergency transportation back home.

International travelers are likely to pay their own way in the event they need to be relocated back to their home country (the United States or Canada).

Which Travel Insurance Provider Should I Purchase During the Omicron Outbreak?

Choosing the best travel insurance policy during the Omicron outbreak requires a thorough understanding of the fine print. Consumers should know what is and isn’t covered by their travel insurance and what exemptions exist related to COVID-19. Travel insurance has played an essential role for many international travelers, finding lost luggage or covering the costs of a canceled trip. But the fine print in many policies may catch some vacationers by surprise, leaving them to pay tens of thousands of dollars for assumed coverage.

Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes a “cancel for any reason” policy that covers the fear of travel. Further, search for supplemental products that address the gaps in traditional travel insurance and can offer assistance during an international hospitalization.

Finding the Best Travel Insurance Options for Omicron

International travelers are encouraged to explore FocusPoint International’s CAP Travel Medical and Security Assistance Plan as a supplement to any existing travel insurance policy. The CAP Plan is tailored to address many of the concerns related to international travel during the Omicron outbreak, including what is often overlooked by traditional travel insurance. This includes hospital-to-hospital transfer to their home hospital of choice and along with quarantine expense coverage.

In fact, the CAP Plan also includes a wealth of valuable services for pandemics, including real-time intelligence reports, ground transportation support, emergency medical evacuation (medevac), and the costs of a CAP customer’s COVID-19 quarantine expenses (for up to 14 days).

When Travel Insurance Isn’t Enough, Address Omicron Complications with CAP

FocusPoint International’s CAP Travel Medical and Security Assistance Plan comes with a robust mobile app that includes destination-based health, safety, and security intelligence, COVID-19 specific information, a one-touch assistance button, and much, much more.

The CAP Plan offers unlimited 24/7 advice for a long list of travel mishaps often overlooked by traditional travel insurance, including COVID quarantine cost coverage. It also provides a fully-funded response to incidents of riots, strikes, and civil commotion, natural disasters, with medical evacuation to a home hospital of choice, should you suffer from a medical mishap resulting in hospitalization.

Contact us directly to learn more about available solutions for those traveling internationally this season.