COVID-19 - FAQs

We pride ourselves on being there for our customers and keeping them safe. We know that the ongoing COVID-19 situation is having a big impact on travel at the moment. The frequent changes can be overwhelming and confusing, which is why we’ve tried to clear up as much as possible and answer the most important questions below.

These questions relate only to the Allianz Assistance branded single trip, backpacker and annual multi-trip policies available on this website. For information on other policies underwritten by AWP P&C SA please refer to your policy wording for the customer service contact details.

The advice below was last updated on 14^th June 2021. To the best of our knowledge this information is correct at the time of writing.

Useful websites:

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) travel advice: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/

DFA general COVID-19 advisory: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus/general-covid-19-travel-advisory/

Gov.ie guide – The Path Ahead: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#international-travel

HSE COVID-19 information: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

Allianz Assistance contact details: https://www.allianz-assistance.ie/help-and-advice/contact-us.html

1) What do your travel insurance policies cover in relation to COVID-19?

Whilst each of our policies have varying levels of cover depending on the needs of the policyholder and the level of cover they have chosen, it is important to note that under all of our travel insurance policies, changes in Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) travel advice and government-imposed restrictions including quarantine/lockdown of a geographical area, are not covered events. However, we’ve made specified exceptions to the general exclusion against claims arising from or relating to a pandemic or epidemic. This means that if you buy a new policy now, or even if you already have a policy and are yet to travel, you’ll have cover if:

You contract COVID-19 whilst abroad and need medical treatment, or have to return home early as a result of your condition.
You contract COVID-19 or are required to quarantine abroad following virus exposure and need to extend your policy. We’ll cover the cost of additional accommodation and transport until its safe for you to return home.
You or your travel companion develop symptoms and are advised against travel by your doctor, test positive for COVID-19 or are asked to self-isolate under the government’s contact tracing scheme and have to cancel your trip. Please note that this applies to isolation in individual circumstances only; you won’t be covered if you can’t travel due to a local or national lockdown.
You’re denied boarding on pre-booked public transport because you or your travel companion are showing signs of COVID-19 and are unable to travel as a result.
A close relative of you or your travel companion becomes seriously ill with a pandemic/epidemic illness and you need to cancel or cut your trip short.

2) Am I covered if I travel within Ireland now?

Yes – you’ll be covered in line with the terms outlined in your policy document for travel elsewhere in Ireland. Please note - trips within your home country must have at least 2 nights pre-booked accommodation. Make sure you read your policy documents carefully so that you fully understand what you’re covered for. It is also important to adhere to all government guidelines in relation to hygiene, social distancing and limitations for social gatherings when travelling, to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

3) Am I covered for travel abroad now?

No – travelling against Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advice is not a covered event. At the moment, the DFA is advising against all non-essential travel abroad apart from very limited exceptions, such as for work. If you go ahead with your trip against the government advice and need to make a claim, you’ll need to provide us with documentation that shows you are travelling for a permitted reason before we can consider your claim.

4) Can I claim on my travel insurance if I have to cancel my trip because my destination has banned Irish residents from entry?

You would need to contact the airline and/or travel provider to discuss your options for amending or cancelling your trip. Your travel insurance policy won’t cover you for cancellation if you’re unable to travel due to a ban on Irish residents at your destination. If you chose to buy a single trip or backpacker policy with us to cover this trip specifically and are able to change your dates of travel, you can contact us to discuss your options for amending your travel insurance policy.

5) Can I claim on my travel insurance if I have to cancel my pre-booked trip because we’re still unable to travel abroad?

You would need to contact the airline and/or travel provider to discuss your options for amending or cancelling your trip. Your travel insurance policy won’t cover you for cancellation if you’re unable to travel to your destination due to the current Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advice. If you chose to buy a single trip or backpacker policy with us to cover this trip specifically and are able to change your dates of travel, you can contact us to discuss your options for amending your travel insurance policy.

6) What should I do if the government restrictions on general travel are lifted, but it’s still advising against travel to my destination?

You should contact the airline and/or travel provider to discuss your options for amending or cancelling your trip. Many travel providers will enable customers to cancel or alter their booking free of charge if the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is advising against travel to the destination. Your travel insurance policy will not cover financial losses for cancelled flights if you are not reimbursed by the airline or travel provider. If you chose to buy a single trip or backpacker policy with us to cover this trip specifically and are able to change your dates of travel, you can contact us to discuss your options for amending your travel insurance policy.

7) I’m abroad now and the area I’ve travelled to is going into lockdown, what should I do?

If you’re abroad and the country or local area goes into lockdown you should contact your airline/travel provider as soon as possible to discuss your options for amending your return travel. If you are unable to arrange travel to return home, please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or local embassy or consulate for advice.

8) Would I be covered for medical expenses if I contracted COVID-19 whilst abroad, providing I only travel if the restrictions have been lifted by the time I go?

As long as you haven’t travelled against Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advice, we can consider claims under the medical expenses section of your travel insurance policy for expenses incurred from receiving medical treatment. Should you contract COVID-19 during travel, follow any advice given by the local authorities and contact your travel provider to notify them as soon as possible. If you are suffering with COVID-19 abroad, please contact our 24-hour emergency medical assistance line for advice. If your trip needs to be extended as a result of your condition, please contact our 24-hour emergency medical assistance line to discuss your cover.

9) If I book a trip and take out a new travel insurance policy now, am I covered if I cancel my trip because I’m unable to quarantine on my return?

Please be aware that the government is currently advising against all non-essential travel, so trips will only be covered in very limited circumstances. If you go ahead with your trip against the government advice and need to make a claim, you’ll need to provide us with documentation that shows you are travelling for a permitted reason before we can consider your claim.

Your travel insurance policy wouldn’t cover you for any financial losses incurred from cancelling your trip if you aren’t able to quarantine on your return to Ireland. This is because your travel insurance is there to cover you during travel and for unexpected events that take place before your trip impacting your ability to travel. Quarantine takes place after the trip ends, so this period of time isn’t covered under your travel insurance policy.

10) Would I be covered for additional unexpected costs if I’m fined or refused boarding upon re-entry into Ireland because I didn’t take a COVID-19 test before my return travel?

Your travel insurance policy wouldn’t cover you for any unexpected additional travel or accommodation costs if your return journey is delayed as a result of being unable to produce evidence of a negative test when starting your journey home. This is because failure to comply with entry requirements for any country is not a covered event; your travel insurance is there to cover you for unplanned and unknown circumstances. If you aren’t able to obtain your test result in time for your original return travel, you should get in contact with your travel provider to make alternative arrangements for coming home.

11) If I decide to cancel/move a trip in the future, can I cancel or change my travel insurance?

If you buy a single trip or backpacker policy with us to cover a specific trip and make changes to the dates, destination or other aspects of your trip, you can contact us to discuss your options for amending your travel insurance policy. If you have an annual multi-trip policy with us and reschedule your trip, cover will only apply during the period of insurance; if your rearranged trip is taken after your policy expires, you won’t be covered unless you take out another policy. If you want to cancel your travel insurance outside of the 14-day cancellation rights period, we can cancel your cover but will be unable to offer you a refund. However, we might be able to offer flexibility on the 14-day cancellation period if you’ve come into financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, as long as you haven’t already used or claimed on your policy. Please get in touch with us directly to discuss your options.

12) I had an upcoming trip planned but my airline/tour operator has gone bankrupt. Can I claim on my travel insurance for cancellation costs?

Your policy won’t cover you for financial losses in the event of your travel provider going into financial failure, even if you can’t recover the costs by any other means.

13) I’m due to travel in the next couple of weeks but have symptoms/have tested positive for COVID-19. Am I covered if I cancel my trip as a result?

Please be aware that the government is currently advising against all non-essential travel, so trips will only be covered in very limited circumstances. If you’ve made plans to travel against the government advice and need to make a cancellation claim, you’ll need to provide us with documentation that shows you would’ve been travelling for a permitted reason before we can consider your claim.

As long as no Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advice against travel to your destination is already in place and you’re able to provide a medical certificate completed by your doctor confirming your diagnosis and declaring you unfit to travel, you can claim for cancellation costs in line with the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy. It is also important to note that cover will not apply if you were already experiencing symptoms or had tested positive at the time of purchase.

14) My flight has been re-routed and will now stopover in an area not included in my travel insurance policy. Do I have to pay extra to upgrade my policy?

As long as you don’t leave the airport during your stopover and your stay doesn’t exceed 24 hours, you won’t need to upgrade your travel insurance policy and we’ll still cover you during your stopover. However, if your stopover is longer than 24 hours and/or you leave the terminal building, even if you go to an airport hotel, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to stay covered. Contact us - we’ll be happy to help.