Traveling and Ebola

Photo Credit: CDC/ Nahid Bhadelia, M.D.

Affecting countries in West Africa, including Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the Ebola outbreak is being closely monitored by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Agency), as well as other U.S. government agencies. U.S. citizens are still advised to avoid non-essential travel to West Africa, and the CDC is implementing enhanced entry screening at the five U.S. airports that receive more than 94% of travelers from West Africa.

The CDC continues to update its website with the most recent information, and CDC teams of public health experts have been deployed to West Africa. According to the agency, the CDC will continue to send experts to the affected countries. The CDC is also working to prevent the spread of Ebola within the U.S. and has created an easy-to-understand document titled, What You Need to Know about Ebola.

Currently, the risk of infections for people who are not involved in healthcare or personal care settings is low, especially in Western nations. The disease is transmitted by close personal contact and exposure to excretions and bodily fluids.

If you are traveling, emergency accident and sickness coverage may provide reimbursement for expenses associated with any accident or sickness you experience.

Obtaining Up-to-Date Ebola Information

It is important that all U.S. travelers stay up-to-date on any travel recommendations issued by the CDC and the U.S. State Department. Monitoring the situation and obtaining the most recent updates is easy with the RoamRight mobile app. Travelers get access to the latest intelligence regarding their travel destination(s) via the app when they purchase RoamRight travel insurance. Up-to-the-minute travel alerts and pertinent information about travel locations are available right on your phone.

RoamRight’s security and intelligence provider, iJET monitors the situation carefully with their physicians on the ground. IJET’s Global Intelligence Division works to protect the safety and health of clients in areas impacted by this health crisis.

Cancelling Your Trip

RoamRight will administer travel insurance policies based on the current triggers outlined in the policy’s description of coverage. Depending on the policy purchased, RoamRight travel insurance may provide reimbursement for your covered travel expenses when you are forced to cancel for a covered reason (e.g. accident; illness or death of you, a traveling partner, business partner or family member; jury duty; legal appearance; weather event).

Travel expenses must be unused, prepaid and non-refundable. The maximum coverage limit is up to the trip cost paid or up to the limit of the selected plan, whichever is less. Travelers should refer to their Document of Coverage to verify the covered reasons.

Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

For even more peace of mind, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) provides coverage for any event – even if you simply change your mind about traveling. This can give you the peace of mind you need in light of the current health situation related to Ebola. Cancel For Any Reason is available as an upgrade to most RoamRight plans, however it must be purchased within 21 days of making the initial deposit on your trip.

If you decide to use this benefit, please note that coverage is only for a specified percentage of the trip cost, not the full trip cost, and the proof of cancellation must indicate that the trip was cancelled prior to 48 hours before the scheduled departure.

So, if you are considering a trip, purchase a RoamRight travel insurance policy, stay informed with the RoamRight mobile app’s travel alerts, and rest easy.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.