Coverage Alert - COVID-19

Updated December 20, 2022

COVID-19 is impacting worldwide travel, with continued spread and disruptions expected. COVID-19 became a known event on January 21, 2020 and was recognized as an epidemic as of February 3, 2020.  The US began instituting restrictions on travel on March 21, 2020. 

As of March 21, 2020, COVID-19 is considered a foreseeable event and as of this date, COVID-19 and its impacts to travel are not covered under our plans. Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, quarantine including quarantine due to COVID exposure, travel advisories or fear of travel are generally not covered, and coverage can vary by state. 

However, until further notice, although not covered under most plans, we are currently accommodating claims for:

1. Under the Emergency Medical Expense Benefit: Emergency medical expenses for an insured who becomes ill with COVID-19 and requires medical treatment while on their trip.
   
   
2. Under the Emergency Medical Evacuation Benefit: Transportation to a higher level of care for an insured when their condition is acute, severe or life threatening as a result of contracting COVID-19 while on their trip. Transport must be authorized as medically necessary by the attending Physician and our Program Assistance Provider.
   
   
3. Under the Trip Cancellation Benefits: If an insured, insured's family member, or a traveling companion, or a business partner or a traveling companion's family member, tests positive with COVID-19, current CDC guidelines for travel state: “Do not travel until a full 5 days* after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.”
   
   For all travel with departure dates on or after 12/20/2022, we will be following these CDC guidelines to determine coverage for trip cancellations due to COVID-19.
   
   If you need to cancel a trip due to a positive COVID-19 test result:
   • You must submit the following with your filed claim:
   • An Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) that includes the date of the first onset of symptoms, the date of the positive COVID-19 test, and a physician’s statement certifying the symptoms or restrictions that prevent you from traveling on the date of departure; we encourage you to immediately see a physician upon onset of symptoms to obtain the APS in a timely fashion; OR
   • In lieu of an APS, and in accordance with current CDC guidelines*, we will accept a positive test result administered or video monitored by an approved third party lab or physician’s office (at home collection will not be accepted) if the positive test occurs within 5 days* prior to trip departure and is collected and dated within this 5 day period
   • If a positive test occurs more than 5 days* prior to departure, we will require an APS within the 5 day period prior to the scheduled departure date certifying that the sickness is so disabling as to prevent travel on the date of departure.
   * Subject to change by the CDC. For updated CDC guidance on COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html#do-not-travel, or consult your medical professional.
   
   
4. Under the Trip Interruption Benefits**: If an insured, insured's family member, or a traveling companion, or a business partner or a traveling companion's family member tests positive with COVID-19 during their trip with a signed Attending Physician Statement. We will also accept a lab report of a positive COVID-19 test administered and supervised by an accredited health care professional (such as CVS, Walgreens, etc.). Results solely from an at-home test are not acceptable.
   
   
5. Under the Trip Delay Benefit**: Trip delay benefits apply if you are delayed en route to, during or returning home from your trip if an insured, insured family member who is also traveling, or insured’s traveling companion tests positive with COVID-19 with a signed Attending Physician Statement. We will also accept a lab report of a positive COVID-19 test administered and supervised by an accredited health care professional (such as CVS, Walgreens, etc.) Results solely from an at-home test are not acceptable.

These temporary accommodations are strictly applicable to COVID-19 and are only available for insureds whose plan includes the applicable benefit.  All other terms, conditions, and exclusions of the plan apply as normal.

**If you or your traveling companion test positive for COVID-19 while you are on your trip and are unable to return home on your scheduled departure date, you may be covered while you are delayed by the Trip Delay benefit for additional hotel nights, meals and local transportation. In addition, you may be covered by the Trip Interruption benefit for airline change fees or additional transportation costs to rebook your flight home. Please review your policy confirmation documents for the daily and total benefit limits.

Once you return home, you may file your claim online by visiting https://roamrightclaims.archinsurancesolutions.com/. Please complete the Trip Delay claim form.

You will need to provide the following documents when you submit your claim:

• Proof of positive COVID-19 test.
• Original and revised itinerary including flight information.
• New airfare receipt showing cost of the additional ticket(s) or change fee(s).
• Please provide a copy of all receipts for meals, local transportation and the hotel invoice. Additionally, please itemize each receipt with an explanation of the associated expense – if you have a credit card statement showing the charges, please provide that so that we can review any currency conversions
  

Policy Cancellation

You may cancel coverage under the policy by providing us with written notice within the specified time sensitive period from the purchase date of your coverage as indicated in your policy, provided you have not filed a claim under the policy or departed for your trip. If you have cancelled your scheduled trip, the premium is non-refundable outside of this money back guarantee period.

Before You Cancel Your Trip

Many airlines and travel suppliers are providing refunds or future travel credits without change fees when traveling to a destination affected by COVID-19. Please contact your travel supplier prior to cancelling your trip. If the insured changes the dates of their trip, they may also change the dates of coverage on their travel protection plan for up to two years from the original policy expiration date by calling the phone number on their plan.

Contacting Us

Arch Insurance Company is assisting insureds who wish to change their travel plans, require travel assistance or would like to file a claim. Our customer service & claims teams are available to provide assistance and review applicable coverages under your plan. Our assistance team is ready to help all of our insureds who need help while traveling, such as locating medical facilities or rebooking transportation.

Any insured who has a medical issue while traveling or who has any other questions regarding their plan is encouraged to call us at 1-800-699-3845. We review every claim based on its unique facts and circumstances and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For more information on COVID-19, please see our Coronavirus FAQs on our Significant Travel Events Page at https://www.roamright.com/Claims/Significant-Travel-Events/. The information in this Coverage Alert is current as of the time of publication but is subject to change as the situation develops. Please visit www.roamright.com for the latest coverage information.

The accommodations described above are strictly limited to the terms specifically stated above and for no other further purpose, express or implied.  Arch Insurance Company hereby disclaims any interpretation that it is a guarantee of coverage or admission of liability.  Such accommodations should not be construed to be a waiver of any term, condition, or exclusion of our plans.  Arch Insurance Company and its reinsurers reserve all rights, remedies, and defenses under our plans, under applicable law, and at equity.

Insurance coverages are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, NAIC #11150, under certain policy series including LTP 2013 and amendments thereto. Plans are administered by Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195). Certain terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply and coverages may vary in certain states. In the event of any conflict between your policy terms and coverage descriptions on this website, the terms and conditions of your policy shall govern.  For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your Confirmation of Benefits and your Plan documents. *Plans may be solicited by a licensed travel insurance producer or offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc. Plans are solicited by licensed producers in NY and HI.