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Many of us are antsy to travel abroad now that some entry restrictions are relaxed. However, COVID-19 is still very much here, and hopping on a plane and flying across an ocean are not without risks, even if you’ve been vaccinated and boosted.
Because you have to take a COVID test to re-enter the United States, there’s no way to go abroad and avoid knowing your COVID status. And of course, you could get sick and test positive in the middle of your trip. Both situations could require you to quarantine where you are—and to pay for the pleasure.
Here’s how to minimize the financial impact of getting COVID abroad.
How much does COVID quarantine cost?
Unfortunately, the answer to this varies widely depending on what country you’re in. When comparing costs, you’ll want to consider the following expenses you could incur if forced to quarantine abroad beyond your planned stay:
- Lodging
- Food
- Testing fees
- Out-of-pocket medical costs and medication (if needed)
- Change fees and/or new airline tickets
- Additional transportation
Lodging costs will depend largely on local quarantine regulations. Some hotels may allow you to quarantine in your room, while others will move you to COVID-specific accommodations with varying levels of amenities. Some governments cover the cost of your stay, but others require you to pay. Airbnb generally does not permit guests to use listings to isolate or quarantine.
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If you end up in dorm-style lodging without access to a kitchen, consider that you’ll be eating takeout or snack food for the length of your stay.
Then you’ll want to factor in the cost of changing flights or simply having to rebook if you don’t have a flexible ticket or travel insurance that covers COVID-related travel interruptions. Plus, additional taxis, buses, and other in-country transport can add up over time.
Finally, if you get really sick, you may need medical care or, worst-case scenario, hospitalization. Again, the cost of this (and how much of it is government-funded) is largely dependent on what country you’re in, but it likely won’t be completely free. And you’ll probably have to take several COVID tests before you can head home.
When you price it out, depending on where you are in the world, the cost of quarantine could quickly outpace insurance with evacuation coverage or add-ons that pay for COVID-related expenses.
What does insurance cover?
Again, this depends on what type of insurance you have, and whether it’s a travel policy or part of your regular health insurance. There’s a lot of fine print with plans that promise to cover a whole lot, so make sure you know what you’re paying for.
According to The Points Guy, COVID-specific insurance is a bit of a mess: Travel policies rely on host countries to cover a significant share of the cost, while travel medical insurance has limited coverage for COVID. Policies that do offer emergency evacuation will do so only in limited circumstances based on the recommendation of local healthcare professionals.
All that to say, read your policy carefully. There are a few companies that have popped up to fill the COVID coverage gap, such as Covac Global, which charges an upfront “membership fee” for medical or COVID-specific emergency evacuation with few eligibility limitations. A single traveler on a 15-day (or fewer) itinerary would pay $675 for a COVID plan, which gets you home within a day.
Medjet has similar coverage at a slightly lower price point, though transport is subject to local government quarantine regulations.
Also, note that some countries require that you have proof of insurance coverage upon entry, especially if you are unvaccinated. In that case, you may want to go ahead and opt for evacuation coverage so you can quarantine and recover at home rather than risk getting stuck.
What are the alternatives to insurance?
That’s not to say that insurance is your only option, though it may be the safest (and cheapest) one in the long term if you do get sick. Do your research in advance to determine what quarantine requirements are (how long, for example) and how much it could cost at your destination to compare.
Check hotel cancellation policies, and consider booking the most flexible accommodations and transportation, even if it costs a little bit more. This won’t necessarily save you from paying to stay additional nights through quarantine, but it may allow you to change your plans without a lot of extra fees.
Otherwise, have a plan. Know where you’ll go if you need to quarantine, what your dining options might be and how to change your travel itinerary.
Bottom line: Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for insurance you (hopefully) won’t use or paying a premium for last-minute cancellation flexibility may seem like a luxury and be difficult to stomach up front. But spending a little extra to save a whole lot down the line may well be worthwhile.
from Lifehacker https://ift.tt/3s7DdHn
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