Etihad Gives All Passengers Free COVID-19 Insurance

To encourage worried passengers to book flights, Etihad Airways is offering free COVID-19 insurance with every international ticket issued for travel between September 7 and December 31, 2020. This policy follows a similar one introduced by Virgin Atlantic the previous month.

“This added coverage will not only boost travel confidence but also assure our guests that we are doing everything to keep them safe,” said Duncan Bureau, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution. “As more countries reopen their borders, we aim to make trip planning as easy and stress-free as possible for our guests.”

The insurance, provided through AXA, covers travelers for up to 31 days or until they return home, starting from their first international flight. It excludes PCR tests but covers up to 150,000 euros (approximately $175,000) in medical expenses due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, provided the procedures are pre-approved by calling a customer service hotline.

Additionally, the policy covers up to 100 euros (approximately $120) per day for up to 14 days for quarantine-related expenses, such as hotel stays and meals, due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. It also covers the full cost of medical repatriation and, in the unfortunate event of death due to COVID-19, the return of remains or local funeral costs.

Travelers should review the fine print before their trip. Notable exclusions include travel to Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Crimea, and Sevastopol, as well as destinations under a “Do Not Travel” advisory from a government or regulatory authority, unless the advisory was issued after booking. Cruise ship travel is also not covered.

Since this insurance is free and automatically applied to all Etihad travelers, it offers a solid safety net for those who may not have their own health insurance coverage while traveling abroad.