The relaxation of the Corona situation makes it possible: In parallel to the opening steps in May, travel facilities are being implemented in Austria. A summer vacation is now within reach, and Austrians are particularly keen to travel after the stressful months of the pandemic.

In a recent study, 79 percent of those surveyed stated that they want to travel safely or probably in the summer. But uncertainties remain. All the greater is the interest in travel insurance - and the question of coverage for events related to Corona. The insurance experts from durchblicker, Austria's largest tariff comparison portal, took a closer look at the topic.

Reinhold Baudisch, founder and managing director of Durchblicker: “Basically, travel insurance does not have to provide any benefits in the event of pandemics such as COVID-19. However, many insurers voluntarily offer 'limited protection against COVID-19' and in some cases do without the pandemic exclusion. Specifically, some travel insurers accept corona as a reason for cancellation or assume the medical treatment costs if you fall ill at your holiday destination abroad. "

However, the health insurance cover only applies if there is no level 5 or 6 travel warning for the holiday destination at the time of travel. In the meantime, some insurers have even included COVID-19 protection in their insurance conditions and thus contractually guaranteed the benefits. These offers can be recognized by the note “Protection against COVID-19 diseases”.

Big differences in coverage and price

Not only in the event of a travel warning, but also in other scenarios associated with Corona, travel insurances do not cover. An increased number of cases in the holiday country and the fear of infection are, for example, not a reason for cancellation. The same applies to an officially ordered quarantine before departure. In general, according to the durchblicker experts, the services are very different from insurer to insurer. “All in all, the picture for policyholders is quite complex. Online comparisons can shed light on this. In addition, the premium comparison also ensures a higher vacation budget - the potential for savings is great, ”continues Baudisch.

Depending on the provider, there is a potential savings of 45 percent for a couple with an individual contract for a trip to Austria. A family of four can still save around 39 percent in costs when traveling to Italy.

Insurance also makes sense for holidays in Austria

Durchblicker recommends taking out travel insurance not only for trips abroad, but also for holiday destinations at home. In this way, high cancellation costs for hotels can be avoided with cancellation protection. “With a travel accident insurance, additional accident benefits such as a person search and rescue can also be insured. What many do not know: Rescue costs by helicopter in alpine terrain are not covered by the statutory health insurance, ”explains Baudisch.

Top 5 tips for taking out travel insurance in Corona times:

Inform about entry and exit regulations

If you receive a travel warning of level 5 or 6, there is no insurance cover.

COVID-19 coverage as an insurance component

This is not the case with every insurance company; the comparison is worthwhile.

Package tours instead of individual trips

They offer more security in terms of reimbursement as the tour operator is liable.

Choose the right insurance product

Choose travel protection, cancellation / break-off protection or full protection, depending on your needs.

Take out travel insurance early

Some insurers have a waiting period of up to 30 days for coverage to apply.