Travel insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance announced it has introduced a new COVID-19 insurance and assistance plan, designed to complement standard emergency hospital medical and other all-inclusive plans. The coverage can also be purchased to supplement other standard out-of-country medical plans that may limit coverage for COVID-19.

The policy provides emergency medical treatment and transportation costs and will return a travel companion and dependent children home if an insured is quarantined, hospitalized or repatriated. All told, the policy will cover up to $1-million for these costs plus $150 per day to a maximum of $2,100 for quarantine meals and accommodation and $300 if an insured is denied boarding due to a COVID-19 screening.

“While Global Affairs’ level 3 travel advisories remain in place, some Canadians may be required to travel abroad for work or family reasons,” the company states in an Oct. 15 announcement. “We encourage all Canadians to adhere to Government of Canada advisories and guidelines for international travel. We also recognize that some of our customers may have important reasons to travel in these uncertain times.”

Lucy Hathaway, chief sales officer with Allianz adds, “Our hope is to remove barriers that might otherwise lead a traveler to avoid seeking treatment, which will hopefully limit the spread of the virus at a destination while ensuring their health fully recovers before returning to Canada.”

The coverage is available for trip durations up to the applicable provincial health insurance coverage out-of-country day limit. There is no age limit. Although no medical questionnaire is required, customers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 must receive a negative test result before their departure from Canada to be eligible for coverage. Customers must also have shown no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their date of departure from Canada.