Now with Covid Cover. Travel has been disrupted around the world since Coronavirus hit the headlines at the beginning of 2020. As travel restrictions to certain countries are being lifted, BMC Travel Insurance is adapting to ‘the new normal’. If you’re planning a trip and have BMC Travel Insurance, what should you know about Coronavirus?
Emergency Medical Expenses
BMC Travel Insurance continues to INCLUDE cover for COVID-19 related claims for emergency medical expenses and repatriation.
New cover for policies bought after 1st September 2021
Additional Covid Cancellation Cover
The latest BMC Travel Insurance policies now have cancellation cover if an insured person has to cancel their trip due to them or their travelling companion being tested positive for COVID-19 (within 14 days of departure). This cover only applies where it is you or a travelling companion who has received a Positive Test for Covid-19 and not if a Close Business Associate, Close Relative or anyone else is suspected of contracting Covid-19 or receives a Positive Test for Covid-19.
There shall be no cover if you or your travelling companion have refused or not taken up an offer of vaccination for Covid-19 (this means both doses) for any reason other than genuine medical grounds.
Additional Covid missed departure or missed connection cover
This section of the cover now includes up to £1,000 for extra transport or accommodation costs to continue your journey, if you miss your outbound or return transport, or you are denied boarding your return flight due to symptoms of an infectious disease (including Covid-19)
As with the cancellation cover, there won’t be any cover if you or your travelling companion have refused or not taken up an offer of vaccination for Covid-19 (this means both doses) for any reason other than genuine medical grounds.
No cover for Quarantine, Isolation and Testing
We have worked steadily throughout the pandemic to put the best cover in place for our members. Unfortunately, we are still unable to offer cover for the costs of quarantine, isolation or the costs of PCR and lateral flow tests for Covid-19.
What about new travel restrictions?
If travel restrictions mean that your trip can no longer go ahead then you will need to contact your airline, rail or ferry company about a change of date, or refund. The same applies to accommodation providers. BMC Travel Insurance cannot offer cover for trip cancellation, or curtailment due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions.
📥 DOWNLOAD: Evidence of Cover
📥 DOWNLOAD: Insurance Product Information Document
For policies bought 1st December 2020 – 31st August 2021
These policies do not cover claims for cancellation, curtailment, delays or journey disruption in any way caused by or resulting from:
a) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19);
b) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);
c) any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2;
d) any fear or threat of a), b) or c) above.
This exclusion does NOT apply to Emergency Medical Expenses.
All BMC Travel Insurance policies include cover for COVID-19 related claims for emergency medical expenses and repatriation.
📥 DOWNLOAD: Evidence of Cover
📥 DOWNLOAD: Insurance Product Information Document
For policies bought before 1st December 2020 please contact the BMC office: insure@thebmc.co.uk
Questions and answers
Q: Will BMC Travel Insurance cover me for places where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advise against travel?
A: It is important to always check the FCDO has not advised against “all” travel to your destination.
BMC Travel Insurance does not cover any Trip to a destination, which is an area where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised against 'all travel'. However, there is cover for travel to areas there the advice is against ‘all but essential travel’.
Q: I’d rather not go on my trip because of coronavirus, can I make a claim? Or can I get a refund of the premium?
A: Where FCDO advice against travel has been lifted, unfortunately you wouldn’t be able to make a claim because you no longer wish to travel.
Q: I’d rather not go on my trip because of coronavirus, can I get a refund of the premium?
A: If you bought your policy less than 14 days ago, we can cancel your policy and refund the premium in full. If you bought your policy more than 14 days ago, you are not entitled to a refund but special circumstances could be considered.
Q: What happens to Travel Insurance when travel restrictions are lifted?
A: As travel restrictions are eased more people will be looking book trips abroad. BMC Travel Insurance is ready when you are! Enhanced cover for cancellation and missed departure are included in the latest polocies, as well as all of the usual benefits are in place for your walking, climbing, skiing and mountaineering plans.
Q: Will my policy cover medical treatment for Covid-19?
A: Yes, All BMC Travel Insurance policies include cover for COVID-19 related claims for emergency medical expenses and repatriation. However, there won’t be any cover if you have refused or not taken up an offer of vaccination for Covid-19 (this means both doses) for any reason other than genuine medical grounds.
Q: What happens if I get locked down overseas due to coronavirus and my policy expires before I can get home?
A: If you have to remain in a ‘locked down’ region or country, cover will be automatically extended until it is possible for you to return to the UK (for up to 60 days of extension).
Q: Where can I get more information about travel and the coronavirus?
A: The best and most up to date information can be found of the website of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
If you're still unsure about your own BMC travel insurance coverage please email our team at: insure@thebmc.co.uk
WATCH: BMC Travel Insurance built for the mountains
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Rock Up Abroad with BMC Travel Insurance
Wherever the hot rock calls, make sure that you go prepared with our travel insurance before you head off.
You can get cover with a BMC Rock policy from just £56* for a week.
BMC Travel Insurance comes in five policies: Travel, Trek, Rock, Alpine and Ski and High Altitude.
*Policy details: £55.21 for 7 days European Rock policy, price for up to age 69.
For full terms and conditions see our Evidence of Cover
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