** Please see our latest updates for the Coronavirus on our new pages here. **
** This information in this blog post is no longer updated! **
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued several travel warnings for certain parts of the world due to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated in China and continues to spread. But what does that mean for you?
We would like you to keep a few things in mind if you are planning to travel to any of the affected destinations and how your insurance coverage may be impacted by the Coronavirus:
Level 3 Travel Warning
A Level 3 Travel Warning means that the CDC recommends you avoid all non-essential travel to a certain destination. For insurance purposes, many insurance plans have exclusions once a level 3 travel warning has been issued. This means that if you are traveling to a country that has a level 3 travel warning and you contract the Coronavirus, you may not be covered for the Coronavirus.
Current countries with a level 3 travel warning include:
Updated Monday, March 16th, 2020
Be sure to check the CDC website for updates before and during your travels. Older individuals or individuals with a pre-existing condition may be at risk for severe illness.
Depending on which insurance plan you purchased, there are a few things you should note:
If you have a Student Secure plan or an Atlas Travel plan…
Your plan provides coverage for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the same as any other illness, as long as it was not contracted before the coverage start date. However, these plans exclude coverage for an outbreak like the Coronavirus if you are traveling to a country with a level 3 or higher, as published by the CDC. Any travel to those countries is not advised and there will be no coverage for the Coronavirus if you become infected in those countries now. This exclusion also applies up to 6 months after the warning has been in effect.
If you have a Student Health Advantage plan or a Patriot Travel plan…
If your plan started on or before March 10, 2020, your plan provides coverage for the COVID-19, the same as any other illness, as long as it was not contracted before the coverage start date. If your plan started after March 10, 2020, your plan does not provide coverage for COVID-19. These plans exclude coverage for COVID-19 if you are traveling to a country with a level 3 or higher, as published by the CDC.
If you have a Liaison Student plan or a Liaison Travel plan…
If you are living in or coming to the United States, your plan provides coverage for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the same as any other illness, as long as it was not contracted before the coverage start date. If you need coverage internationally outside the US, you will have coverage for COVID-19 as long as you are not traveling abroad from Colorado, South Dakota, or Maryland. If you are traveling abroad from these three states, you would NOT have coverage for COVID-19 because of the Department Of State Worldwide level 3 warning.
For confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
For more information about symptoms visit the CDC website here
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay at home when sick
- Cover mouth when you cough/sneeze
- Wash hands often
Next Steps
If you need assistance or further advice, please contact us and we would be happy to explain your coverage and the process of evacuation if needed. You may reach out to us via phone at 877.758.4391 or +1.904.758.4391 or via email at info@internationalstudentinsurance.com.
Category: Announcement, Health & Safety Abroad, Insurance Explained, School Resources, Student Insurance, Student Travel, Study Abroad, Travel Warnings
Tags: are you covered, coronavirus, disease outbreak, health insurance explain, travel warnings
