Enhanced cover will give vaccinated holidaymakers peace of mind, say brokers

“Enhanced” travel insurance to help give vaccinated holidaymakers peace of mind when travelling in Europe is being made available through brokers.

The policy includes a Covid-19 extension for European holidays, even to destinations where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel, due to Covid-19.

It is being backed by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba).

The key eligibility requirement for the enhanced cover is that someone must have had, or have booked the coronavirus vaccinations offered at the earliest opportunity. The policies, called holiday travel-plus and sports travel-plus, are are available through Biba’s 1,800 member brokers.

Cancellation cover and medical expenses costs will be provided to those who have been vaccinated and wish to travel to places where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel, in cases where this advice is solely because of Covid-19.

Other scenarios it covers that are not generally provided for as standard on many travel insurance products include cancellation due to the failure to complete a vaccine course due to illness, adverse reaction to Covid-19 vaccine within 14 days of a scheduled departure date, and cancellation due to being told to self-isolate by the UK Government’s test and trace service.

This is in addition to the standard cover for Covid-19 emergency medical treatment, repatriation costs and any extra travel and accommodation expenses abroad if someone develops Covid-19.

Children who have not been vaccinated will also be covered under the policy as long as they are under 18, have not refused a vaccine when offered one, and the Government has not announced the vaccine roll-out to under-18s.

The policy is provided by Virtual Insurance Products Limited trading as Jackson Lee Underwriting (JLU).

Graeme Trudgill, Biba executive director said: “This welcome new additional cover from the Biba Holiday Travel scheme with JLU can give vaccinated holidaymakers improved peace of mind when booking a holiday.

“It allows them to enjoy their trip with the confidence they have protection from comprehensive travel insurance that provides a great deal of insurance protection for Covid risks and even track and trace self-isolation.”

Dipesh Patel, senior underwriter for JLU said: “Many insurance policies will now have elements of cover relating to Covid-19, but there is a huge difference between the wordings currently on offer.”