The excitement of travel often overshadows the potential health risks associated with it. One such risk, especially during the flu season, is the spread of the influenza virus.
Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, or visiting loved ones, it’s important to think about your health and safety. We have tips and insights to keep you and your fellow travelers safe. Take a look at how you can travel safely during the flu season.
Understanding the Flu and Its Risks
Before diving into travel-specific precautions, it’s crucial to understand the flu itself. Influenza, or the flu, is a viral lung illness. It can lead to mild to severe illness and can result in hospitalization or death.
Key Facts about the Flu:
- Transmission: The flu spreads mainly by droplets when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
- Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and more.
- Complications: This can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and more.
Source: CDC
Traveling and the Flu: What You Need to Know
1. Can You Travel With the Flu?
You can legally travel with the flu. However, that doesn’t mean you should. Traveling while sick can make your symptoms worse and spread the virus to others. If you’re feeling unwell, it’s best to postpone your trip.
2. Should I Get a Flu Shot Before Traveling?
Absolutely! The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend getting flu shots. This is especially true if you plan to travel during the flu season. The vaccine reduces the risk of contracting the virus and spreading it to others.
3. When to Take a Flu Shot Before Traveling?
For the most protection, get your flu shot at least two weeks before your travel date. This gives your body enough time to form antibodies against the virus.
Safety Tips for Traveling During Flu Season
- Stay Informed: Before traveling, check the flu activity in your destination. The WHO’s FluNet provides real-time data on flu outbreaks worldwide.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid Close Contact: Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you’re sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Cover Your Mouth and Nose: Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, especially during long flights.
- Eat Healthily: Boost your immune system by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Rest Well: Ensure you get adequate sleep before and during your trip.
Travel Insurance and Flu Travel Safety
Travel insurance is an umbrella term for short-term insurance that can provide coverage for your trip. Travel insurance breaks into two main categories: travel medical insurance, or international travel medical insurance, and trip insurance
Both travel medical insurance and trip insurance can offer protection for your scheduled trip, but the key is to know the varying benefits between the two.
Trip Insurance
Trip insurance can be a lifesaver for U.S. Residents traveling domestically or internationally when things come to an unexpected turn. It covers unexpected expenses related to trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, and even sicknesses. This includes having to delay, cancel, or cut short your trip due to the flu. It may also cover costs related to medical care due to a new illness like the flu.
Imagine your kids caught the flu a week before your family winter trip to Colorado. Because they are so young, you take them to see a doctor, and the doctor advises your family to not travel. With a doctor’s note, trip insurance can potentially cover your prepaid, nonrefundable costs due to a trip cancellation. That means, you can recoup up to 100% of your travel costs for the flights, hotels, tours, event tickets, and transportation that would otherwise be lost.
Travel Medical Insurance
On the other hand, travel medical insurance can benefit all international travelers. With the flu spreading rapidly in heavily dense places like airports or hotels, it is important to remember that the medical coverage you have in your home country may not provide coverage for medical expenses abroad. Travel medical insurance coverage may include medical expenses incurred while traveling, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and even medical evacuations. If you’re traveling to a destination where healthcare costs are high, this can save you from medical debt.
Imagine you are traveling to Switzerland, when you develop a sudden case of influenza symptoms. You go to a nearby hospital to get a diagnosis and treatment, and the doctor advises you to rest for the next couple of days. With travel medical insurance, your trip to the doctor, any prescribed medicine, and other medical expenses may be covered. Additionally, if you had to miss any nonrefundable tours or events that you already paid for, travel medical insurance may provide coverage for your unused, prepaid, nonrefundable costs.
Find the Right Travel Insurance Plan
Both trip insurance and travel medical insurance give you peace of mind and worry-free travel. Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s important to do so responsibly, especially during flu season. Stay informed, practice good hygiene, and get vaccinated. Remember, your health and the health of those around you is the most important thing. Safe travels!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How late can I cancel my trip to get trip cancellation coverage?
For trip cancellation insurance coverage, you must report your cancellation to your insurance policy plan typically within 72 hours prior to your departure. However, the exact window for coverage on your cancelled trip can vary from plan to plan, so it is best to check your policy plan for accurate details.
If you have any questions about your coverage, our team of licensed agents are available with answers.
Can I buy travel insurance after I’ve already booked my trip, or do I need to buy it right away?
It is recommended to purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip to make sure you have strong coverage and benefits. While you can totally buy it after you have already booked your trip, certain optional add-ons such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and pre-existing condition waivers typically have to be purchased within 14-21 days after your initial trip deposit.
Does travel insurance cover cancellation if my travel companion gets sick, but not me?
Yes, if your travel companion ends up with an illness that is covered by your travel insurance plan, then they are eligible for trip cancellation coverage. It is important to know that your travel companion may have to be on your travel insurance policy plan to receive coverage.
Does travel insurance cover telehealth or virtual doctor visits?
Most travel insurance plans may cover telehealth visits for mostly non-emergency visits such as a mild case of the flu or if you want to get your symptoms checked. It is important to check your policy plan to make sure that there is coverage for telehealth visits, but generally travel insurance can reimburse your medical visits and prescriptions from a virtual doctor.
Are prescription medications covered under travel insurance?
Travel medical insurance provides coverage for prescription medication for new illnesses and injuries while travelling. Most of the time, you will need to pay for prescriptions out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement, so it is important to make sure to keep all receipts.
Can I cancel my trip if I’m worried about catching the flu?
Typically, having a change of mind or worrying about getting the flu are not covered by trip cancellation insurance. However, if you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, you can cancel within 48 hours before your trip and recoup about 50% to 75% of your trip’s costs for any reason that isn’t covered by your regular travel insurance.
How much does trip insurance typically cost?
Trip insurance typically costs about 5-10% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, but the price can vary based on factors like your trip cost, length, age, destination, and any optional add-ons like CFAR or pre-existing condition waivers. For example, for a $5,000 trip, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 for a policy. While it adds a minor addition to your travel budget, trip insurance can help protect you from major losses if your plans change unexpectedly.
Is 24/7 travel assistance services included in my trip insurance plan in case I need translation services at a hospital?
While most travel insurance plans come with 24/7 travel assistance services, it is best to double-check your policy to make sure that it is a specific benefit. Additionally, verify that 24/7, medical, and emergency support are offered by your policy, along with assistance for travel disruptions, translation services, and document support. These services can support your journey and ease any stresses you may have along the way.
What is the difference between Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption?
The difference between trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance is that trip cancellation benefits become available if the trip is cancelled before the journey begins (before the start date of the policy). Trip interruption benefits are available after the journey begins. If for some documented covered reason, your trip is cut short after it has started, you as the insured individual must return to your home country.
