11 COVID Travel Insurance Things to Look For

7. Pre-existing condition and illness timing rules

Pre-existing condition clauses can affect COVID claims, especially if symptoms began before you bought the policy. Many insurers offer a waiver if you purchase the plan within a specified window after your initial trip deposit and are medically able to travel at that time. Verify the look-back period and exact waiver conditions in the policy. Policies may also restrict coverage if treatment began prior to coverage start. For COVID specifically, confirm whether a recent positive test or recent treatment falls under exclusions. If you have chronic health issues, get written confirmation of coverage for pandemic-related risks. That written confirmation can prevent surprises at claim time and help you decide whether to select additional protections like CFAR or higher medical limits.