Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19)
Our travel insurance policies have an exclusion which prevents you for claiming for any circumstances known prior to purchasing a policy or booking a trip which may cause a claim. Late on 11th March 2020 the World Health Organization confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) had reached pandemic status. Therefore, it is reasonably foreseeable that it may give rise to a claim.
Any new policy purchased will not cover any cancellation:
- where you cannot travel or choose not to travel because the World Health Organization or any other government body’s advice in your home country advises against travel due to a pandemic, or the country you are travelling to advises against inbound travel due to a pandemic.
- where you cancel your trip and the reason for cancelling is not listed in the “WHAT IS COVERED” section, including but not limited to an event you were due to travel to being cancelled, or your change in desire to travel.
If the product you choose includes emergency medical costs, we will cover your medical costs related to Coronavirus provided you have not travelled against World Health Organization or any other government body’s advice in your home country or the country you are travelling to, or medical advice. If you are forced to quarantine during your trip, we will cover the applicable associated costs of same, up to the policy limits, subject to a medical certificate or an official test result.
If the product you choose includes cancellation, we will cover cancellation if you, a close relative or travelling companion become ill, quarantined or are refused boarding due to Coronavirus, subject to a medical certificate or an official test result.
For any new policy purchased, or trips booked, all benefits will continue to apply except the cancellation exclusions listed above.
HOW DO I STAY HEALTHY AND AVOID GETTING SICK?
COVID-19 is a contagious virus that can be easily transferred from one person to another. You can’t always tell when a person is sick, and someone who doesn’t appear sick may still have COVID-19, which is why it is important to take precautions and practice social distancing.
Many restrictions are already in place to slow the spread of the virus. By following the instructions of the health authorities in your area, you can play an important role in reducing the impact of the virus and protecting yourself and vulnerable people.
- Always maintain a distance of 2 metres or more between people, avoid crowds, and avoid activities or modes of transportation that expose you to many people. Stay indoors whenever possible.
- Wear a mask or face covering to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The use of masks in indoor public spaces and on public transit is now mandatory in many regions.
- Avoid shaking hands and avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Wash your hands at regular intervals using soap and warm water. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer immediately after coming into contact with common surfaces such as door handles or stair rails, or before preparing or eating food.
- Practice safe coughing and sneezing etiquette: cough or sneeze into your elbow, or use a Kleenex or tissue, then dispose of it and wash your hands using soap and warm water, or hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect surfaces and high contact items such as phones, tablets, remotes, door handles, railings, counters, and toilets.
- Follow the instructions of health authorities in your area.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL SICK?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Temperature equal to or over 38°C
- Feeling feverish
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Fatigue or weakness
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of smell or taste
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
- Feeling very unwell
- Follow protocols and procedures as outlined by the public health authority in your area. It is important to follow their instructions.
- Follow local protocols with regard to testing or seeking treatment. Familiarize yourself with locations of testing/assessment centres (where applicable).
- Isolate yourself at home for 14 days to avoid spreading it to others unless you are going to the testing/assessment centre.
- If you live with others, stay in a separate room, and keep a 2-metre distance when you must leave your room.
- Tell people who you were in close physical contact with in the 48 hours before your symptoms began to monitor their health and to self-isolate.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS?
Self-monitor for symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, follow your usual routine for managing a cold or flu:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Rest.
- If needed, take over the counter pain/fever or cold/flu medication.
- Stay home if you are unwell. Avoid contact with others.
- Contact the local health authorities in your area for instructions on care.
Doctor Please! Services
Doctor Please! is available to those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, as well as other illnesses, and your consultation will be billed directly to .
Who can access this service?- International students with a valid policy number.
Simply download the app and follow the steps outlined hereOpens a new window.
Request a consultation with a physician and clearly describe your symptoms. If you are concerned about COVID-19 please describe this in the “tell us more” section.
Be prepared with a list of your symptoms and how long you have had them, and your travel history information (if applicable).
SHOULD I RETURN TO MY HOME COUNTRY?
- The risk of travelling may outweigh the advantages of going home. We recommend that you consult with advisors at your academic institution before you reach a decision. Remember, things are changing rapidly: you may or may not be able to leave or you may not be able to enter your home country.
- It is very important to understand that your policy has a “home country exclusion”. This means your policy does not cover you for medical expenses in your home country. You will not be eligible to make claims or seek reimbursements for expenses incurred in your home country.
CLAIMS-RELATED ASSISTANCE
- We kindly ask you to submit your claims and supporting documentation online: https://www.guardme.eu/claim.php Opens a new window
For EMERGENCY Claims Assistance - Contact the 24-Hour AXA Medical Emergency Assistance Number
- Germany tel - +49 221 828 292 76
- Ireland tel - +353 9 064 060 40
- Italy tel - +39 06 87 500 856
- Malta tel - +44 (0) 203 887 3662
- Spain tel - +34 938 005 656
- UK tel - +44 (0) 203 887 3662
The well-being of our Insureds is our number one priority. International Insurance will continue to follow this situation and will endeavour to provide timely updates as it evolves.
Here are some useful links:
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019Opens a new window
- European Center for Disease and Prevention Control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-casesOpens a new window
- National Health System UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/Opens a new window