Got Covid-19 While Travelling? Here's A Guide To Covid-19 Insurance Claim

The world is slowly opening up for travels again, with the introduction of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) arrangements with Singapore and the myriad of travel insurance coverage against COVID-19 popping up!

However, what happens if you actually get the bug during your well-deserved vacation? Don't let this thought put you off from taking that vacay, though. Find out what to do if you get COVID-19 while travelling by reading below!

Before Your Travel

Get your travel insurance coverage. No, really. Before you even get your flight tickets or accommodations. In this manner:

1. You get coverage for trip cancellations or postponements BEFORE your trip.

2. You get coverage for medical expenses relating to COVID-19 and/or quarantine allowance DURING your trip.

3. You get coverage for medical expenses relating to COVID-19 up to 14 days AFTER your trip from some insurers.

Getting COVID-19 Before Your Trip, After Getting COVID-19 Travel Insurance

You will need to get a refund from the airline and accommodation provider first, as most insurers operate on a reimbursement and “last-resort” basis in the event of a trip cancellation or postponement!

They will only step in to cover you when the above mentioned parties have denied your request for a refund, or have only partially refunded you. Even then, there are limits as to how much you can claim from your insurer.

In addition, you will also need to produce a positive PCR test result to your insurer to prove that your trip has been cancelled because of COVID-19.

In summary:

• You need to collect the necessary receipts or emails to show your insurer that you have been denied a refund or partially refunded from your airline and/or accommodation provider

• You need to have a positive COVID-19 PCR test result

• You need to fill up your insurer of choice’s trip cancellation or postponement form and attach the above mentioned documents

Getting Covid-19 During Your Trip

This is the worst thing that could happen during your trip — given that Singapore has made it such that you cannot return home unless you have a negative PCR test result for COVID-19.

Which means... you're stuck in the country you travelled to until your next PCR test results are negative. For some, this might take two weeks, or for others, it might take months.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that right after your positive PCR test result or symptom onset, you should isolate yourself for at least 10 days. After those 10 days are up, you should isolate yourself for another 3 days after your symptoms cease. That being said, how long you need to quarantine depends on what the doctor says, as well as the prevailing health mandate of the country you’re in.

In the meantime, here’s what you should do immediately after getting COVID-19 during your trip:

1. Call your insurer immediately.

2. See a doctor in your holiday country to determine whether you need to be hospitalized or quarantined.

3. Gather your supporting documents:

   1. Your positive PCR test result

   2. Your doctor’s memo stating that you have caught COVID-19 and the appropriate treatment plan (i.e. hospitalisation OR quarantine)

   3. Your fully vaccinated status and verified with Notarise

   4. Your flight itinerary or boarding pass

   5. Your medical report or inpatient discharge summary

   6. Your original medical bills

4. Fill up your insurer’s claims form

Landing In Singapore And Getting A Positive PCR Test Result From The On-Arrival Test

Firstly, check if your insurer provides coverage for COVID-19 AFTER your trip.

Beyond that, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore has outlined COVID-19 protocols if you test positive. Follow this link for guidance on what you should do.

If Your Claims Get Rejected By Your Insurer

You should absolutely appeal. Your insurer is required to tell you the reason why your claims were denied, as well as the grounds for their decision. Once you have received the reason and the grounds for their decision, you can request for a claims appeal.

Even so, this may not have a 100% success rate, and every claim has differing details or criteria that determines its success. Be sure to know the exact details of the ordeal when you got COVID-19 and make sure to document everything and get it verified!

To Conclude...

Travel insurance isn’t just about COVID-19, it could be other things like travel disruption, loss of baggage and other things. There’s always risks to consider when you go travelling, and travel insurance is one of the best ways to mitigate that risk.

It may not give you complete peace of mind, but as a traveler, this is one of the major steps you can take to cover yourself. COVID-19 is here to stay, and this is just another thing that we have to navigate through in this everchanging world.