Travelling during COVID-19 for Vaccinated Travellers

With Australia’s borders finally open to the world, travel is on everyone’s minds.

There is just so much information out there and living with COVID-19 has created a lot of confusion and uncertainty in the world of travel.

If you have shelled out thousands of dollars in for your holiday, travel insurance can be a sensible precaution.

Most insurers are now offering some cover related to COVID-19 for:

• Overseas Medical Costs if you diagnosed as having contracted COVID-19 by a Medical Practitioner
• Cancellation Costs – If before a journey commences and you are certified by a Medical Practitioner as
  • Being not being fit to travel
    OR
    Unable to travel,
    OR
    Must quarantine because you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Insurers will cover Loss of Deposits and/or Cancellation Expenses incurred for that Insured Person as a result of them not being fit to travel or having to quarantine as a result of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Cover for additional COVID19 expenses such as accommodation / quarantine costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you pass away due to Covid19

It is highly recommended that you read the PDS “Product Disclosure Statement” for full details on limits and exclusions.

If you cannot travel because of domestic and international border closures or lockdowns in your home country or planned destination you are NOT COVERED.

If you did not follow the advice issued by the government or did not comply with the entry permit requirements of a country or region you are NOT COVERED.

We have created some simple tips for you to keep in mind before booking flights and before purchasing travel insurance.

Our tips for you!

1. Check the Smart Traveller website for information on:
   • Travel advice for your destination and all transit countries as well as all entry and exit requirements and make notes for each country you are visiting.
   • Advice level for your destination. These are:
     

     Level 1 Exercise normal safety precautions

     Level 2 Exercise a high degree of caution

     Level 3 Reconsider your need to travel

     Level 4 Do not travel

     If your destination falls under level 3 definitely speak to your travel insurer and re-consider your need to travel.
     At level 4 your travel insurance will be invalid and void (this applies with almost all insurers offering travel policies for COVID-19.

2. Check to see if your destination requires any additional forms to be completed, for example online surveillance forms, flight passes, e-visas etc.
3. Always print a copy of your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate(ICVC) from the MyGov portal.
4. Get your insurance days ahead or even a month ahead of your departure date to take advantage of pre-trip COVID cancellation and amendment benefits if they are offered by your insurer.
5. If your destination or airline needs evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, book a COVID-19 test. Make sure to check the test types accepted and timeframes they need the test done within, and plan ahead.Outbound passengers are not required to submit a negative COVID-19 test at check-in to meet Australian outbound travel requirements. Some countries and airlines require a pre-departure test result at check-in before you will be allowed to board your flight to another country. Travellers should check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling to, and their airline’s requirements.

Other items you should tick off your list. Oh well because it’s been so long since most of us went overseas!

• Passport – valid for at least 6 months
• COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates and copies of Negative test results
• Other travel Vaccinations – Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever etc
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Credit cards and foreign currency
• Inform your bank that you will be travelling
• Masks, masks and more masks
• Sanitiser!
• Tablet

Please note that this is a guide only and conditions may change that will impact the information provided above.

If you have any further questions or are looking to purchase travel insurance please get in touch with us at info@avoca.com.au or ring us on 08 9387 8588 and one of our experienced brokers can assist you.