Having recently hosted a series of conference calls to help inspire a reshape of the travel insurance products available in light of the gaps highlighted by Covid-19, Rock Insurance has launched two new Covid-19 protection products to protect travel businesses and travel agents should customers need to cancel or postpone their trips due to Covid-related issues.

Rock Insurance’s new business policy covers agents against cancellation costs in the event that a customer books a holiday and needs to cancel due to testing positive to Covid-19, allowing the agent the option to change the booking and recover additional costs in doing so.

The firm’s second new offering is a travel insurance product that can be sold to customers, and its key benefit is that it includes pre-departure cancellation if travellers test positive for Covid-19 (even if this is at the airport) and cannot travel. The new product covers the policyholder (including cancellation as standard) in the event that they test positive for coronavirus within 14 days before their holiday; they have been hospitalised within 28 days of their holiday; they are not allowed to board their flight as a result of a positive coronavirus test or raised temperature; or if the UK or the customer’s local area enters lockdown again within 14 days of purchase.

During a trip, the travel insurance product also includes cover in the event that the policyholder has checked in at their holiday accommodation but the property needs to close as a result of the coronavirus; if it is deemed medically necessary to bring the customer home; and includes medical cover if they catch coronavirus whilst abroad. The product also includes cover for additional accommodation and travelling costs should the policyholder contract coronavirus whilst abroad.

Rock Insurance explains that the product is flexible, so if there is a Covid-19 flare up in a destination, customers will be allowed to change dates or destination ahead of their trip without admin fees.

“We are excited to be leading the charge in launching our new Covid-19 protection products. There has been a great deal of confusion around travel insurance recently and the travel industry has incurred significant costs because of it,” said Antony Martin, Managing Director at ROCK Insurance Group. “We noticed a gap in the market for a solid Covid-protection policy, so we wanted to create robust products which clearly outline what is and isn’t included.

“As the world is starting to open up for travel again, we feel it is really important to re-instate traveller confidence by offering pre-departure cover for the elements that are not covered under Package Travel Regulations as well as cover during their trips. This new product will help drive customer bookings whilst ensuring the travel trade is better prepared for any potential repercussions if the Covid-19 worsens and if any new pandemics emerge.”