Despite Ebola Outbreak, Travel Insurance is Still Widely Available, says Squaremouth

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Aug 11, 2014, 12:33 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the largest Ebola outbreak in history, travel insurance policies can still be purchased to cover travelers who are concerned about the deadly virus impacting their trip. Squaremouth, America's fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, explains how travel insurance can help.

Travelers Who Contract Ebola are Covered to Cancel
Currently, most travel insurance providers consider contracting the Ebola virus unforeseen, meaning they will extend trip cancellation benefits to a traveler who contracts the virus before or during their trip.

In an official position statement, travel insurance provider MH Ross states, "If you or your travel partner contract the Ebola virus before or during your travel, and you meet the policy requirements for canceling or interrupting your trip due to sickness, our travel insurance plans will provide coverage."

Medical Evacuation is Possible, But Not Guaranteed
Emergency medical and medical evacuation benefits can also be available to travelers who want coverage if they become infected while traveling. However, because treatment and transportation are dependent on the availability of specific resources, they are not guaranteed.

Travelers looking for medical coverage should consider policies with high benefit amounts to cover the costs of special isolation equipment that is needed to treat and transport Ebola patients. "Should a provider be willing to transfer the patient, the cost from West Africa to Atlanta is estimated at $200,000, plus potential additional costs for special isolation equipment," explains Christine Buggy, VP of Marketing at Travelex Insurance Services.

The Option for Travelers Who Fear Traveling
Some travelers simply want the option to cancel their trip for fear of contracting the virus. While standard trip cancellation policies do not cover fear, some policies come with an optional cancel for any reason upgrade. This benefit literally allow travelers to cancel a trip for any reason and be reimbursed up to 75% of their trip cost. In order to be eligible, the policy must be purchased within 21 days of the first trip deposit.

Travelers can stay informed about travel insurance coverage for Ebola by visiting Squaremouth's Ebola and Travel Insurance Information Center. This webpage is updated daily with official travel insurance provider position statements, FAQs and travel warnings.

About Squaremouth
Squaremouth is an online company that compares travel insurance products from every major insurance provider in the US. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and customer reviews, travelers can research and compare insurance products. More information: www.squaremouth.com.

AVAILABLE TOPIC EXPERTS:
Megan Singh
[email protected]
727-378-0938

SOURCE Squaremouth