Do you still need COVID-19 cover?

COVID entry restrictions were lifted long ago in most countries, and special policies with COVID-19 cover are generally not required for travel. But the illness itself has not gone away: you can fall ill on a plane, in a hotel or on an excursion, and treatment abroad is paid. That is why many travellers still include COVID-19 cover in their policy — especially older people, travellers with chronic conditions and families with children.

If you are going to a country whose entry rules may change, check the requirements before you travel on the embassy website or with your carrier.

Which options the calculator offers

In the polisre.ru calculator, COVID-19-related cover is split into several options:

  • Covid-19 treatment — payment for medical care if you fall ill during the trip.
  • Covid-19 observation — reimbursement of accommodation costs if you are required to stay under observation. The amount is chosen in the calculator.
  • Quarantine — costs related to forced isolation.

Exactly which costs each option includes, and with which limits, is set out in the specific insurer's policy wording. It is worth opening and reading it before paying.

What else to add to the policy

  • Chronic conditions — if you have illnesses that may flare up alongside an infection.
  • Early return — if you have to cut the trip short because someone close falls ill at home.
  • Flight after treatment — if illness made you miss your flight.
  • Trip cancellation — if you fall ill before departure and cannot travel; see the trip cancellation insurance page.

How to choose the sum insured

COVID-19 cover works within the overall sum insured unless the wording sets a separate limit. For nearby destinations people often choose USD 30,000–50,000; for countries with expensive medicine, more. For a visa, follow the consulate's requirements: for Schengen the minimum is EUR 30,000 (see insurance for a visa).

Who benefits most from the option

Seniors and travellers with chronic conditions, expectant mothers, and those going on long trips or to countries with expensive medicine. If you fly often, it is easier to buy an annual policy and include the options you need straight away.

How options affect the price

Each additional option increases the cost of the policy, but the calculator immediately shows the final price from every insurer. You can switch "Covid-19 treatment", "Observation" or "Quarantine" on and off and see how the offer changes. This makes it easier to balance price and protection: for a short trip treatment cover may be enough, while for a long one it makes sense to add the other options too.

Before departure

Pack a small first-aid kit with fever and cold remedies, keep the policy on your phone and on paper, and save the assistance number in your contacts. If you feel unwell before the trip, do not put off seeing a doctor at home.

What to do if you fall ill during the trip

At the first symptoms, call the assistance company using the number in your policy. The operator will tell you where to go and agree the treatment with the insurer. Do not pay for medical care yourself without approval, and keep test results, doctors' reports and receipts. More on the procedure in the "Insured event" section.

How to buy a policy at polisre.ru

  1. Open the travel insurance calculator and choose the country, dates and travellers.
  2. Under additional options, select "Covid-19 treatment" and, if needed, "Observation" and "Quarantine".
  3. Compare offers from 16 insurance companies — quotes and purchase run through Polis Re's partner, the Cherehapa service.
  4. Enter details exactly as in your international passport and pay. The policy arrives by e-mail and is issued by the insurance company you choose.