UPDATE: Emirates and flydubai are now providing passengers who book travel by 31 March 2021 with free multi‑risk travel insurance, including cover for COVID‑19.
Airlines are taking all sorts of steps to convince travellers it is safe to fly again and low-risk to start booking travel. Most ticket types, even the lowest fare classes are now flexible. Emirates is the first to include free COVID-19 cover on all bookings made with the airline.
This is a smart move by Emirates. Many travel insurance policies now specifically exclude cover for COVID-19 related costs.
A fear for many travellers is the risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19 while away from home and ending up out of pocket for medical and quarantine costs. This offer from Emirates fills that gap.
What is included in the free COVID-19 cover
The airline will cover up to 150,000 EUR worth of medical costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 31 days of taking an Emirates flight.
They will also fund up 100 EUR worth of costs per day for 14 days if you are required to quarantine.
All flights with Emirates up until 31 October 2020 are automatically covered. There is no need to pre-register as all tickets in all classes are included.
Even bookings made with Skywards Miles or Cash + Miles are included in the cover.
Emirates have helpfully provided a Whatsapp number (+971 56 3589937 ) to make it as easy as possible for passengers to access support while travelling.
What is not included in the COVID-19 cover
The aim of the offer to provide reassure while away from home. The cover does not cover costs in your country of residence. Once you return home the cover ends.
You are also not able to pay medical expenses yourself and reclaim them from Emirates. You need to contact Emirates first who will pay the medical provider directly.
Where is Emirates currently flying?
Emirates has resumed flights to over 70 destinations worldwide. This represents about half of the airline’s pre-COVID-19 network.
You can check the latest status on destinations and network here.
The future looks bright
This is a shrewd move by Emirates to boost passenger confidence. It is just another example of the wave of innovation we are seeing in response to COVID-19. It makes me excited for the future of air travel.
Check out the full details on Emirates’ free COVID-19 cover here.
Etihad Airways has extended its free COVID-19 insurance cover to include all passengers travelling up to 30 September 2021.
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