Measles and Travel Insurance: Coverage Widely Available for Concerned Parents, says Squaremouth

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Feb 23, 2015, 03:42 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The measles virus has spread to 15 states, with most cases stemming from one of the most popular destinations in the world, Disneyland. While health officials urge travelers to get vaccinated, those with children too young may be concerned about exposing them to the contagious virus. Squaremouth, America's fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, explains the coverage available for travelers concerned about contracting measles.

Coverage for the Unvaccinated
Currently, all 21 providers and 129 products on squaremouth.com provide coverage for travelers who are concerned about contracting the measles virus before or during their trip.

If a traveler contracts measles while on vacation, the Emergency Medical benefit covers hospitalization and treatment costs, while Medical Evacuation covers transportation costs to the nearest adequate medical facility. Travelers who contract the virus before their departure may be covered to cancel their trip, and may be reimbursed for the prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses that went unused.

No Qualifications for Coverage
Despite the vaccination debate, travel insurance providers do not require travelers be vaccinated in order to be covered. Children as early as 14 days can be insured under a policy, 12 months before they are eligible for the measles vaccine.

Coverage for measles will remain available on travel insurance policies unless the outbreak worsens, causing it to become an epidemic or pandemic. At that point, some travel insurance providers may consider contracting it as foreseeable and exclude it from coverage under their policies.

"Travel insurance can't make a traveler immune to measles," says Squaremouth Director of Marketing, Megan Singh, "but it can offer peace of mind and financial support to parents concerned about their children contracting the contagious virus."

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH:
Squaremouth is an online company that compares travel insurance products from virtually every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare insurance products side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com.

AVAILABLE TOPIC EXPERT:
Megan Singh
[email protected]
(727) 378-0983

SOURCE Squaremouth