Hays travel launches Covid-19 cover
UK-based travel agency Hays Travel has launched a new insurance policy, which will be covering cancellations for Covid-19
The new cover, which will be offered as standard to customers through Rush Insurance Services and Allianz Insurance, will include provisions for cancellation or curtailment of holidays, emergency medical expenses and repatriation due to Covid-19 or other epidemics and pandemics.
The insurance will also cover cruise holidays when clients are confined to their cabins or if they miss port calls and pre-paid excursions.
John Jays, Managing Director, said: “To have that Covid cover, we believe it’s a first in that it allows cancellations. If you catch it before you go, you will get your money back, which hasn’t been the case with previous policies.
“It’s been another major reason for people not to book. We’re really excited about it and it’s going down really well with clients – offering that reassurance is massive. We have worked hard with our partners to put together insurance cover that answers the concerns that many of our customers naturally have as we gradually emerge from the lockdown.”
Hays joins a selection of other travel insurers who have decided to cover Covid-19 related cancellations and repatriations. Saga, the UK-based specialist insurer for the over-50s market, began to include cover for treatment needed abroad related to Covid-19 and repatriation to the UK as standard on its travel insurance policies for all trips from 1 June. Similarly, the UK Post Office, All Clear, Seven Corners and VisitorsCoverage, among others, are now offering Covid-19 cover for travel insurance.
“Travellers visiting the US are well aware that there is no universal healthcare system available and that US medical treatment costs are some of the highest in the world,” says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO and Founder of VisitorsCoverage. “With uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus, in partnering with IMG for our new CoverAmerica Gold plan, we will be able to offer high-quality healthcare through unprecedented access to the top PPO network, providing reassurance, reliability and peace of mind to US visitors for up to a year.”