Statement of Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. on the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to an increased number of inquiries from clients with regard to the current epidemiological situation in the world, Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. hereby issues the following statement.
- Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. covers medical expenses in connection with COVID-19, including quarantine (even preventive) and repatriation costs in the event of a later return, regardless of the risk level of the destination country with regard to the current epidemiological situation. In order to have this insurance coverage, clients must have the ABOVE-STANDARD travel insurance package.
The same conditions apply to the Czech Tourist product as to the Hiking package.
The client must meet the conditions for entry into the country he is visiting; these conditions are set by the local authorities (e.g. negative COVID test, quarantine, vaccination).
For more information about different countries, we recommend that you visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/cz/cestujeme/aktualni_doporuceni_a_varovani/x2020_04_25_rozcestnik_informaci_k_cestovani.html
- In the case of patients infected with COVID-19, Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. does not distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.
- If client is quarantined in the destination country, the travel insurance is automatically extended FREE of charge by the necessary period of time (i.e. the duration of quarantine and the time required to return to the place of residence specified in the insurance contract). If the client’s flight is cancelled due to COVID-19 infection, the client needs to contact the airline to arrange another flight, as well as the relevant consulate regarding the possibility of a repatriation flight/pick-up.
- Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. declares that for travel insurance contracts that include cancellation fee insurance, illness (including COVID-19) occurring during the insurance period IS covered by the cancellation fee insurance.
If the client is placed in preventive quarantine/isolation with no proof of illness, this can be covered by the insurance if the client has taken out cancellation fee insurance as part of the ABOVE-STANDARD package. This insurance coverage also applies to cases when the client is not allowed to board a transport vehicle (plane, bus, etc.) due to health reasons.
A quarantine that the client must undergo after returning from abroad is not considered a preventive quarantine.
Cases when the state administration of the given country announces a change in the conditions of entry into the country (e.g. entry only for vaccinated persons) are not considered an insured event.
The same conditions apply to the Czech Tourist product as to the Hiking package.
- Cancellation fee insurance can be arranged for any country, regardless of the risk of infection in the destination country. However, fear of infection in the destination country is NOT an insured event. If the insured client falls ill with COVID-19 before the trip and cannot travel for this reason, this may be an insured event if the other conditions are met.
- If a trip is cancelled due to measures announced by the executive power or another state administration body of any country, including the Czech Republic (e.g. closure of institutions – closure of schools and consequent cancellation of school trips, travel ban – from the Czech Republic or travel to any other country), this CANNOT be considered an insured event under cancellation fee insurance.
- If the travel service is cancelled by the provider of the service, this shall not be a recognized as an insured event under cancellation fee insurance. In this case, the insured client shall contact the service provider with his claim.
- If insurance for hospitalisation and quarantine of the insured person, even outside a medical facility (e.g. a hotel), is taken out, the client shall be entitled to insurance payment for this risk, even if the quarantine is outside a medical facility (e.g. a hotel).
- If the trip does not take place, the client shall be entitled to a refund of the full amount of the insurance premium paid, provided that he did not receive the insurance payment.