Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Covered by Travel Insurance?

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Covered by Travel Insurance?

In the midst of the pandemic, many people who haven’t been able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in their own country have turned to other countries. Vaccine tourism, as it’s been called, refers to people traveling to foreign countries hoping to get vaccinated there. This has led many such travelers to ask if travel insurance covers Covid vaccination. Unfortunately, the answer is no.

While many travel insurance plans do offer Covid coverage, the Covid vaccine itself is not covered by travel insurance.

As you compare travel insurance and read travel insurance reviews on sites like VisitorsCoverage, you’ll come across plans that specifically state they offer Covid coverage. Depending on the plan and policy, this could include:

  • Medical care related to Covid if contracted after the policy effective date
  • Emergency medical evacuation related to Covid
  • Quarantine, if required by border officials or medical practitioners
  • Some plans offer an indemnity benefit, such as $50/day for 10 days

But the vaccination is not included in Covid benefits.

Top Covid Questions

Why isn't the Covid vaccine covered?

Travel insurance is designed to protect travelers when the unexpected happens. It doesn’t cover preventative care, like physicals and vaccinations. Since the Covid vaccine is designed to prevent travelers from contracting the virus, it’s not something travel insurance would cover.

The Covid vaccine is a universal exclusion

Typically, your domestic health insurance covers immunizations, which does include the Covid vaccination. But travel insurance is shorter-term coverage and doesn’t cover preventative care. This is a universal standard across the travel industry.

What if the Covid vaccine is mandatory?

Vaccine passports are certificates, digital or otherwise, that offer border officials proof that the traveler has been vaccinated from Covid. Airlines might also require travelers to show proof of Covid vaccination before boarding their plans. If the Covid vaccine does become mandatory to visit a specific country, will travel insurance cover it? For the foreseeable future, the answer is no. Most vaccines are categorized as preventative care.

We know travel insurance coverage can be confusing. If you have any other questions on Covid coverage, or any other benefit, our Customer Success Team is here to help.