Effective March 12, 2020, we are considering coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a known event for individually purchased Trip Protection (Trip cancellations and interruptions). Travel insurance is intended to cover losses arising from sudden and unforeseeable circumstances. Any claims resulting from events known to a policyholder at time purchasing the trip are not covered.

COVID-19 is the name of a disease caused by a new coronavirus that was first reported from Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019. As the virus spreads to more countries and regions around the world, it’s important that you are informed about your health, safety, and travel coverage. If you’re travelling or planning to, here is important information you should know:

• On January 20, 2020 the Canadian government issued a travel advisory to avoid all travel to the province of Hubei (including the cities of Wuhan, Huanggang, and Ezhou).
• While the risks for Canadians at home are considered low, the government of Canada recommends you avoid non-essential travel to various regions and countries around the world.
• Travel advice and advisories by the Canadian government show you the overall risk level for a country or territory based on an assessment of the nationwide safety and security situation. Please understand the four possible risk levels before your trip.
• The Canadian government recommends you should buy the best travel insurance you can afford if you’re travelling outside Canada. However, you should be aware that Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance does not cover you when a government advisory is “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” or “Avoid All Travel” to the area. This aligns with industry standards.

To ensure safe, healthy travels please visit the Travel Advice and Advisories issued by the Canadian government for specific destinations around the world.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a wide variety of health problems, ranging from a simple cold to much more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, kidney failure, or gastrointestinal disease.

People with weakened immune systems—the elderly, young children, and those suffering from chronic illnesses—are at greater risk of developing complications if they become infected with a coronavirus.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of infection often resemble those of the common cold. Examples include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough accompanied by a sore throat
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• General feeling of weakness

Symptoms vary in seriousness depending on the health of the person infected and can worsen unexpectedly. That’s why you must be very careful if you visit a region where a COVID-19 has been detected, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

For more information about COVID-19, see the Canadian government website.

What to do if you get sick while travelling

If you have one or more of the above symptoms, start by contacting our medical assistance service, Medi-Assist.  They can be reached by calling collect to 1-604-419-4487 or 1 888 699-9333 (toll-free) in Canada and the US.

Medi-Assist will assess the symptoms you describe and direct you as needed to a hospital or clinic for the appropriate care. Depending on your situation and needs, they may also:

• Provide simultaneous interpretation to help you communicate with health care personnel
• Advance funds to a service provider if you are required to pay for care up front
• Plan emergency repatriation to your home province if you are hospitalized
• Monitor your case closely until you’ve recovered

During your consultation, inform the physician if you have visited any high-risk areas (a farm, a public market, etc.) or been in contact with any animals or persons who showed symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Does my travel insurance cover me for emergency medical care if I visit a country where COVID-19 has been detected?

Yes and no.

Your travel insurance covers the type of emergency medical care you might need for a COVID-19 infection, but  it is very important to note that you are not covered for expenses incurred for a medical condition resulting from an infectious disease or illness for which there is a travel advisory or health warning by the Canadian government and published or broadcast in the media prior to the your departure date.

If you have travel insurance provided by your employer through your extended health plan, be sure to check your benefits and coverage limitations before you travel.

Also, if you are sick before your departure, that illness may not be covered by your insurance policy. If you develop symptoms associated with COVID-19 before your vacation, it may be wiser to avoid travelling altogether. For more information, read the clauses about preexisting conditions in your insurance policy closely or contact your insurer.

Am I covered by trip cancellation or interruption insurance?

Effective March 12, 2020, we are considering coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a known event for Trip Protection (Trip cancellations and interruptions). Travel insurance is intended to cover losses arising from sudden and unforeseeable circumstances. Any claims resulting from events known to a policyholder at time purchasing the trip are not covered.

If you purchased a Trip Protection plan prior to March 12, 2020 you will be covered for trip cancellation or interruption claims related to COVID-19.

When the Canadian government issues an advisory to "avoid all travel" or "avoid non-essential travel" to your destination, that is considered an unexpected situation and is therefore eligible for Trip Protection (cancellation or interruption) benefits. However, your trip must have been purchased PRIOR TO the government issued advisory.

Government Advisory Level	TRAVEL MEDICAL PLAN Purchased as a stand-alone plan or part of a Package plan, Travel Medical provides coverage for: Emergency medical Hospitalization Ambulance fees Repatriation costs		TRIP PROTECTION PLAN Purchased as a stand-alone plan or part of a Package plan, Trip Protection provides coverage for: Trip cancellation, interruption, delay Baggage Air flight accident Accidental death & dismemberment
LVL 1 & 2	NO IMPACT TO COVERAGE
LVL 3 & 4	Advisory BEFORE DEPARTURE Travel Medical NOT COVERED	Advisory AFTER DEPARTURE Travel Medical COVERED	Advisory BEFORE TRIP PURCHASE Trip cancellation, interruption, delay NOT COVERED	Advisory AFTER TRIP PURCHASE Trip cancellation, interruption, delay COVERED
Choosing to travel against a Government of Canada Level 3 or 4 advisory invalidates all coverage This is for illustrative purposes only and does not form part of your contract. Full details are found in the Travel Policy.

Travel Insurance is intended to protect consumers from sudden and unforeseen events that arise and leave them with out of pocket expenses that they did not expect to incur.

When a Level 3 or 4 advisory is issued by the Government of Canada, they are stating that Canadians can expect to experience health or safety concerns and so should not travel.

For any Trip Cancellation benefits, this means that a trip purchased after a Level 3 or 4 advisory is issued cannot be cancelled for the reason of this advisory. This is an expected event.

For any Travel Medical or Interruption/Delay benefits, if you choose to depart on your trip after the Government of Canada has issued a Level 3 or 4 advisory, then all benefits on your plan are invalidated. You are not covered because it is expected that you could experience an issue causing a claim.

When there are Regional Advisories — some parts of your trip are Level 1 and 2, but some parts are 3 or 4 — if you choose to travel to the Level 3 or 4 Advisory region, then none of your benefits will apply. It is expected that you could experience a claim — it is a known event.

When Travel Advisories remain Level 1 or 2, all of your benefits are in force and applied according to the contract. This would include contracting COVID19 during your travel, or being delayed because of quarantine.

This information applies to all of our plans, single trip or annual, stand alone or packaged.

We always recommend that you read your travel policy booklet and check the Government of Canada website prior to any travel, especially when world conditions are changing rapidly.

For any pre-travel trip destination questions such as travel advisory, shots, visas or safety concerns, please contact Medi-Assist who have the most up to date information for your destination.

As always, our customer service representatives are here to help.

What happens if I am quarantined?

A quarantine might happen to an individual who is ill or who has been exposed to someone who is ill, or it may be mandated by geographic region regardless of exposure to an ill person. Quarantines for COVID-19 are not restricted to China; many countries are currently imposing quarantine restrictions.

If you or a travelling companion are quarantined as a result of COVID-19 while you are travelling outside of British Columbia, and your return home is delayed as a result, an exception has been made to the way we provide benefits to assist with commercial accommodation and meals. These benefits may be reduced by any benefits or compensation that you receive from the country of quarantine, or the Government of Canada. To see if you qualify, please confirm with our Medi-Assist team collect at 604-419-4487.

If your travel plan is due to expire while your quarantine is in effect, you must notify us in order to extend your travel dates.  For extensions, please call the PBC call centre collect at 604-419-2000 or email us at inhealth@pac.bluecross.ca before your expiry date.

Remember, as with any other medical incident, you are obligated to call Medi-Assist as soon as possible to report your quarantine so that we can support you through the process.

We recommend that all travelling Canadians sign up with Registration of Canadians Abroad  to stay connected with the Government of Canada to receive the most up-to-date information on any emergencies abroad or at home.

Prevention is the best medicine!

During your entire vacation, it is important to follow certain rules of hygiene and be careful to minimize your risks of becoming infected or contagious. Here are the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Canadian government:

1. Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. It is always good to have alcohol-based sanitizer available in case you do not have access to running water. Never touch your eyes, mouth, or nose before washing your hands.
2. Check the food that you eat. Make sure any meat or chicken products you eat are thoroughly cooked and have not expired. Take the necessary precautions to avoid any form of cross-contamination when you cook raw meat and wash your hands often.
3. Be careful about where you go during your stay. If you are staying in a country on the advisory list, avoid busy areas or areas presenting an increased risk of contamination, such as farms or animal markets. Avoid all contact with wild or farm animals, living or dead, as well as any surfaces that could be contaminated with their feces or body fluids.
4. Limit or avoid close contact with sick people who show symptoms such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. If one of your travel companions develops these symptoms, immediately call the medical assistance service for help. If you are taking care of a sick person, wash your hands frequently.
5. Minimize the risks of spreading the virus. When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose fully with a tissue, your sleeve, or the crook of your elbow. If you use a tissue, dispose of it properly and then wash your hands.
6. Pay attention to your body’s signals. If you get sick during or after your trip, avoid all contact with others and seek medical assistance immediately.

Safe travels

Stay informed, be prepared, and take precautions: these are the three best ways to ensure you stay safe during your vacation. As soon as you start making your travel plans, check regularly for updates on the specifics of the country you will be visiting.

The Canadian government’s Travel and Tourism page is an excellent resource for anyone planning to travel abroad. There you’ll find the government’s official recommendations for safety measures and precautions to take before and during your stay, country by country.

 Sources

 World Health Organization, Government of Canada