A nervous travel industry is bracing for round two of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, causing a growing reliance on travel insurance.  The industry is anticipating potential challenges that range from minimal to large scale.  The World Health Organization has continued to advise against restrictions on travel, but the travel industry is still facing many challenges as the number of confirmed H1N1 cases and deaths continues to grow.

Without knowing precisely how H1N1 will continue in the next few months, travel insurance policies are a great defense against loosing money due to last-minute cancellations or travel plan changes.  

Typical travel insurance, with coverage for cancellation, trip interruption and medical care will come into play just as it would with other illnesses with one exception.  If an insured traveler becomes ill before travel, he or she is covered when canceling, but if the traveler becomes ill while traveling, the insurer would not necessarily be able to help provide immediate transportation home if airlines refuse to allow sick passengers to board.

Trip interruption coverage typically covers the difference in airfare, if it increases by the time the insured traveler can fly, and additional hotel costs up to the policy maximum. The medical coverage applies as with other illnesses, up to each policy’s maximum.  You cannot, however, cancel a trip because you are afraid of contracting the flu.  It is strongly advised that if you are traveling to a region that has been hit hard with the H1N1 flu, that you purchase “cancel for any reason” protection, which generally runs about 40% more than a standard insurance plan.

Cancellation of a trip due to a travel warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also not covered by standard protection plans.

Contact your Fellowship agent at (800) 235-9384 or by email at Mail@fellowship.com, if you have any questions about the best trip insurance to purchase to insure you have a safe and successful trip.  You can also click here to visit our website and read about the various types of travel insurance we currently offer.