Allianz travel insurance is useless
… Even if you have specific COVID-19 coverage included, apparently.
In June of 2022, I got sick with COVID-19 on a trip to Australia. That really sucked; this was the first time I would be able to see my family for in almost two years, and the two-week trip was significantly impacted by getting sick.
Luckily, I had travel insurance from Allianz. So I’d be covered, right?
Unluckily, even though I wasn’t able to travel back to the US, they decided not to pay out the cost of having to delay my return flight, stating that my claim was finalized. In the letter, it says that ‘my additional expenses related to extended to (…) adjustment to flight scheduled is not included.
This is such hogwash for so many reasons.
When I first bought the insurance policy, the company sent me an email that says:
(…) The plan you have purchased includes our new Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds certain covered reasons that apply to specific epidemic-related situations.
For example, this may include Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption benefits, if you, your traveling companion, or a family member who is not traveling with you is diagnosed with an epidemic disease such as COVID-19.
Seems like that would mean you are covered, right? Not so fast.
A cavalcade of stupidity
The company sent me a 51-page PDF which includes my policy wording.
Medical emergency transportation — On page 10 of the coverage document, it states that my coverage includes medical repatriation, in the circumstances where:
- I became seriously ill (I did — I caught COVID-19)
- My doctor confirms I am able to travel again (Yes, after the quarantine expired)
- Allianz would arrange and pay for transportation for the return leg of my trip, to my primary residence.
Apparently, none of that somehow applies to me. What?!
But hey, there’s also Travel delay coverage — On page 7 of the coverage document, it says that;
Additional expenses incurred while you are delayed — including for transportation — are covered.
Amazingly, delays covered by quarantine are specifically covered as atravel delay (Page 7, point 2). The reason I was not able to fly on my original plan, was that I was under ordered quarantine by the Australian government.
Although, somehow that doesn’t qualify as travel delay. What?!
The real icing on the cake, though, is that my plan also includes Epidemic coverage — On page 42 of the coverage document, it states that if I am “quarantined during your trip,” and if “the quarantine is specific to you” and if “A travel carrier denies you boarding based on a contagious condition (including COVID-19),” that should be covered.
Of course, all of that applies to me, but somehow Allianz thinks it doesn’t. What?!
I’ve dealt with a lot of insurance companies over the years, including travel insurance. This is… completely dumb.
The final note from Allianz was that if I didn’t like their decision, I could bring it to their Appeals Department. Which I did. And if I ever get a response from them, I’ll update this post. Until then… If you were considering Allianz for your travel insurance needs, perhaps look elsewhere.
