Lorraine Simpson: COVID-19, international travel insurance, and what you need to know

By Lorraine Simpson

We all know that travel is opening back up, and while airlines, airports, and hotels are playing their parts on the health and safety fronts, everyone needs to know what countries require travel insurance for entry.

That’s right, scores of countries are now making international travel insurance mandatory with COVID-19 protection. The reason for this is that many destinations want to protect their healthcare systems and simply can’t afford the rising cost in treatments for tourists.

The list of countries is expected to grow, but here is the most current list. Read it closely and make sure you share it with your family and friends. I also want to stress that no one should travel without insurance that covers COVID-19 protection. So, before you pack, make sure your insurance provider has you looked after. Asked questions, read the fine print, because if you don’t, then you will be denied entry to a host of countries!

Aruba

You will need to obtain COVID-19 insurance from the Aruba government. Costs depend on your length of stay, but the insurance package they offer covers up to $75,000 in healthcare coverage. If you have your own private travel insurance, you will still need to get the Aruba COVID-19 policy.

Brazil

Before you fly to Brazil and arrive there, you will be required to show proof that your travel insurance includes COVID-19 protection. So, having no insurance means you won’t be getting on a plane – period!

Costa Rica

Like Brazil, you will need to show your travel insurance policy at the airport and on arrival, and it must include COVID-19 protection. No travel insurance means you don’t fly, it’s that simple. Also, you will need to get tested for COVID-19 before you depart, so read all the requirements before traveling to Costa Rica.

St. Maarten

For those heading to this lovely island, you will need to show proof of insurance upon arrival at the airport, and one more thing: all travelers are now required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test before arrival. No documents and no test means’ no entry.

Portugal

Portugal is a popular destination and before you hit the sun, sand and beach, you can secure the country’s travel insurance that includes COVID-19 protection. The coverage includes medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and hospital expenses associated with COVID-19. Additionally, their insurance covers cancellation, interruption, or extension of travel due to the pandemic.

Tahiti

Before arriving at this tropical destination, you will need to complete an online entry form and declare that you have insurance that includes COVID-19 protection. You also have to agree that if you don’t have insurance, then you will pick up the tab for the cost of all care, which includes confinement, repatriation, and hospitalization. In the event you get COVID-19 and don’t have insurance, one thing is certain: your health bill will be enormous and you must pay it all!

Turks and Caicos

While you want to soak up the sun and enjoy the warm temps, you can enjoy a nice vacation in Turks and Caicos, but you will need to present proof of international travel insurance through an online application process. Your insurance, which must include COVID-19 protection, will cover all sorts of healthcare costs, including doctor appointments, air ambulance, and hospitalization.

Ukraine

Eastern Europe is a popular destination, and the Ukraine wants you to visit so long as you have proof of Ukrainian insurance that includes COVID-19 protection. The country is now testing all visitors for COVID-19 at the arrival zone at airports and at the borders.

United Arab Emirates

Those over the age of 11 must have travel insurance that covers costs of international healthcare. Also, you need to know that all travelers are required to provide negative results from a COVID-19 PCR test completed 96 hours prior to arrival.

Combating a pandemic: Why countries are getting strict with international travel insurance

It is great to see that travel is restarting, and everyone needs to know that a large number of countries want you to visit, but they need to protect their healthcare system and simply can’t be saddled in costs from tourists. Also, the countries I listed above want you to be safe and travel in confidence, and, more important, they want to protect their own citizens and they don’t want to see a spike in COVID-19 cases.

So, before you fly, make sure you have the right travel insurance that includes COVID-19 protection, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip extension, and healthcare costs associated with COVID-19.

I also want to remind every Canadian traveler that your provincial or territorial healthcare coverage does not cover you abroad. You need international travel insurance that includes COVID-19 protection.

There are lots of changes happening, so contact me today and I will help explain international travel insurance requirements and all you need to know before booking your next trip abroad.

Stay safe, be careful, and be mindful that rules and guidelines for international travel are changing daily and by the minute.

You can always call on me to help you out!

Paul Fitzgerald

Dr. Paul Fitzgerald (PhD) is the founder and CEO of Salt & Pepper Media Inc. - a popular public relations and digital media firm that secures media coverage for new tech start-ups. His firm is active in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Fitzgerald is currently a contributing columnist with Rolling Stone Culture Council and Entrepreneur Magazine. He is also a new innovations and science and technology journalist and writes for the Toronto Sun, The Toronto Tribune, The Toronto Post-Gazette, and The New York City Herald. He also hosts the Tech Spotlight Feature on YourTV News - Cogeco and Halton Outlook Today (HOT) News.