InsureMyTrip Reports Call Increase From Concerned Travelers Over Coronavirus

Last updated on 03/28/2023

WARWICK, R.I., Jan. 29, 2020 -- As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to investigate more potential U.S. cases of a mysterious coronavirus, InsureMyTrip reports an uptick in calls from concerned travelers seeking clarification on travel insurance coverage.

Researchers at InsureMyTrip analyzed the most widely purchased comprehensive travel insurance plans and found the vast majority do offer coverage in the event a U.S.-based traveler contracts coronavirus prior to their trip and must cancel due to illness.

Increase in Calls from Travelers Concerned About Coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the U.S. (Source: CDC 1/27/20)

InsureMyTrip says over 16,000 U.S. travelers have active travel insurance policies and live in one of the four states the CDC has identified with a confirmed nCoV case*.

Number of Travelers From Affected U.S. States

Washington

2,447

California

9,122

Arizona

1,674

Illinois

2,799

Total:

16,042

Based on active travel insurance policies sold on InsureMyTrip.

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) In The U.S.
Patients Under Investigation (PUI) in the United States*†

Positive

5

Negative

32

Pendings

73

Total:

110

*Cumulative since January 21, 2020. Source: CDC.

†Numbers closed out at 7 p.m. the night before reporting.

§Includes specimens received and awaiting testing, as well as specimens in route to CDC.

Number of states with PUI: 26

Note: According to the CDC, imported cases of 2019-nCoV infection in people have been detected in the U.S. No person-to-person spread has been detected with this virus at the time, and this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States (Source: CDC 1/29/20).

When it comes to public health threats, this is an overview on how general travel insurance benefits apply:

Trip Cancellation: a traveler gets ill and must cancel a trip or a traveler must cancel a trip because a travel companion or family member gets ill.

Emergency Medical Coverage: a sick traveler must see a doctor and/or go to the hospital during a trip.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage: in rare cases, a sick traveler requires an emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate hospital or back home for recuperation.

Trip Interruption: an extremely sick traveler cannot continue with a trip and must return home.

All claims must be supported by a doctor.

In the event a person is afraid to travel due to health risks, consider a travel insurance policy with the optional time-sensitive Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) included. For more, visit InsureMyTrip.com.

For additional questions, please reach Meghan Walch at [email protected].

Media Contact:
Meghan Walch
[email protected]

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About InsureMyTrip

It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip