WestJet joins airlines offering Covid-19 cover

The insurance is available to customers travelling to and from the US and US territories, Europe, the UK, Mexico and the Caribbean until the end of August next year. Travellers are covered for return trips lasting up to 21 days, while one-way travellers are eligible for cover for up to seven days. In order for the WestJet insurance to apply, travellers must have at least one flight in their itinerary booked with the airline. In the small print, travellers are warned that for flights booked with another airline, even if that airline is a code share partner with WestJet, the insurance will not apply, nor will they apply if the traveller is flying to go on a cruise.

The insurance is provided by TuGo.

What’s covered?

• Emergency medical and hospital costs if diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling outside of Canada for up to a maximum limit of Ca$200,000 per insured person,
• Emergency medical and hospital costs for travellers visiting Canada that are diagnosed with Covid-19 up to the maximum limit of $200,000 per insured person,
• Quarantine accommodation costs if you test positive for Covid-19 on your trip: up to $150 per insured person (or up to $300/day per immediate family), per day to a maximum of 14 days for travel into or out of Canada,
• Ambulance transportation and air evacuation costs related to Covid-19, up to the maximum limit of $200,000 per insured person for travel into or out of Canada,
• Repatriation costs in case of death of up to $5,000 per insured person for travel into or out of Canada,
• One-way economy airfare for the return of one travelling companion and dependent children when air evacuated back home for treatment.

Joining the pack

WestJet is the latest airline that has decided to try and boost bookings by assuring their customers that they are protected from additional costs that may ensue as a result of catching coronavirus. Other airlines that have already introduced such insurance include Oman Air and Air Transat. And it’s not just airlines that are getting in on the act – holiday destinations and resort operators have also launched their own traveller protection schemes in different parts of the world, including Portugal and the Caribbean.