Coronavirus – information for private customers

As travel within Switzerland is still possible, there is currently no insurance cover. We are following the situation closely.

Trips abroad booked prior to 28 October 2020

We will assume the cancellation costs for travel with an original planned departure date up to and including 31 March 2021 if the travel operator has not already refunded the costs. This also applies if the travel operator has made you an alternative offer and you cannot reasonably take advantage of it. If you booked a trip for April or May 2021 and would like to cancel it now, we will pay the cancellation fees if they can be reduced by at least 50% by cancelling early.

This is on the condition that your trip was booked at a time when no travel recommendation to avoid non-essential trips to the destination country or any other restrictions such as entry bans or quarantine measures were in place. The only exceptions are if you fall ill with coronavirus and you are ordered by the authorities to go into unforeseeable quarantine. These events are always insured, regardless of the time of booking.

Report your claim online or call us on +41 58 280 3000.

Trips abroad booked after 29 October 2020

On 28 October 2020, the federal government issued a general travel recommendation to avoid non-essential trips abroad in view of the risk of infection with coronavirus in all regions worldwide. For insurance purposes, therefore, coronavirus has been considered a pre-existing event since that date. This does not apply to travel within Switzerland. Helvetia’s travel insurance excludes events that have already occurred at the time of booking or starting the trip.

Trips booked since 29 October 2020 are not covered. The only exceptions are if you fall ill with coronavirus and you are ordered by the authorities to go into unforeseeable quarantine. These events are always insured, regardless of the time of booking.

In the event of unforeseeable quarantine or an infection with coronavirus while abroad, Helvetia will bear the additional costs incurred, such as additional hotel accommodation or rebooking of your flight. The exact benefits can be found in the insurance conditions.

Helvetia’s travel insurance excludes events that have already occurred at the time of booking or starting the trip. This includes coronavirus. On 28 October 2020, the federal government issued a general travel recommendation to avoid non-essential trips abroad. As a result, international travel bookings made after that date are not covered. The only exceptions are if you fall ill with coronavirus and you are ordered by the authorities to go into unforeseeable quarantine. These events are always insured, regardless of the time of booking.

Once the general travel recommendation issued by the Federal Council has been lifted and there are no longer any restrictions (e.g. an entry ban) at the destination, then coronavirus will no longer be considered a pre-existing event. If you book a trip after that and are suddenly unable to travel because of a potential new wave of infections, you will be covered by Helvetia.

Travel warnings issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)

Helvetia’s travel insurance excludes events that have already occurred when the insurance is taken out. This includes coronavirus. On 28 October 2020, the federal government to refrain, if possible, from any non-urgent travel abroad. If you take out insurance now, you will have no cover for coronavirus in connection with trips that you have already booked or for those you book after concluding the insurance. The only exceptions are if you fall ill or if you are ordered by the authorities to quarantine at home.

Once the travel recommendation by the Federal Council has been lifted and there are no longer any restrictions (e.g. an entry ban) at the destination, then coronavirus will no longer be considered a pre-existing event. If you take out travel insurance after that and are suddenly unable to travel because of a potential new wave of infections, you will be covered by Helvetia.

Travel warnings issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)

Numerous claims are insured despite the coronavirus pandemic. Below you will find examples of cases where Helvetia presently provides insurance cover:

• Not undertaking a trip because a family member is in quarantine
• Not undertaking a trip because the 5-person rule cannot be complied with
• Not undertaking a trip because the insured person, a close relative or the travel companion has had an accident or fallen ill
• Loss of job prior to departure
• Not undertaking a trip because because the insured person’s property at their place of residence has suffered damage
• Strike or bankruptcy of your airline or tour operator
• Illness, accident and other events during the trip
  

Please see the insurance conditions for details of benefits covered.

If the FOPH’s recommendations regarding coronavirus have been complied with, you are entitled to insurance benefits if you are unable to work. This means that if you are unable or only partially able to perform your job due to an infection with COVID-19 and experience a loss of earnings, Helvetia will pay you insurance benefits after the contractually agreed waiting period. The benefits amount is detailed in your contract documents.

If you have any questions, your advisor would be happy to help.