With the omicron variant in retreat and Canadian border restrictions having eased this week, Canadians looking to get away for spring break or otherwise, now have a more robust range of travel insurance options.

The biggest change will be felt thanks to the federal government’s travel warning against non-essential travel being removed. An insured traveller can now get full medical coverage if they’re hospitalized on foreign soil due to COVID-19, as companies add the virus to polices again after removing or reducing it when Ottawa rolled out the travel warning in mid-December.

“Now there are no riders, no caps on it,” said Marty Firestone, president of Toronto-based insurance broker Travel Secure.

If tourists test positive, they will still have to wait 10 days before returning to Canada, but it’s a cost they can hedge with a relatively new insurance option.

So-called quarantine coverage, which might cover $200 a day for up to 10 days, includes expenses incurred due to a stay prolonged by the pandemic, such as accommodations, food, local transportation and sometimes airfare. It is distinct from trip interruption insurance, which reimburses customers for prepaid travel arrangements that go unused.

However, Firestone says insurers continue to exclude pandemics from their trip cancellation coverage, meaning payments for resort packages or short-term rentals could be lost should border closures resume.

“You still won’t be able to claim if your reason for not going is COVID-related,” he said, adding that insurance companies may leave out global epidemics indefinitely.

“I think they’re all going to cover their behinds a bit here now and never get into that position again… You are never going to be covered for cancelling a trip because of a pandemic anymore,” Firestone predicted.

With COVID-19-related cancellations still unviable as a claim, Firestone recommended that groups putting down large deposits hash out a refund agreement with the end user – resorts, rental companies, tour operators.

Cruise travel also remains at a Level 4 advisory as the government warns citizens to “avoid all cruises” and states on its website: “The Government of Canada won’t pay your medical bills, including COVID-related expenses or medical evacuation. If you’re infected with COVID-19, you won’t be able to return to Canada on a public flight until 10 days have passed. You shouldn’t depend on the Government of Canada for assistance to change your travel plans.”

The notice affects insurance coverage, with days spent quarantining in one’s cabin – and paying for it – likely unclaimable, says insurance lawyer Sivan Tumarkin.

Trips prolonged due to a positive test result may be covered for those with certain pre-existing conditions.

Tumarkin’s own father opted to stay put for that reason, despite aching for a sunny vacation.

“Because he’s 71, he had to answer these additional questions… He has underlying conditions, and once I ticked off a few of those, I got to a paragraph that says, ‘Well, if you said yes to any one of these things, then he will not qualify,” Tumarkin recalled.

“The mindset has shifted from, ‘Am I going to be covered for my medical expenses if I get sick abroad because of COVID’ … to, ‘What happens if I fly and I can’t come back because I test positive?”’

Those relying on their credit cards, particularly older clients, should check the fine print for details like the length of time they’re covered while overseas, he added.

Insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance Canada notes that the travel landscape continues to “evolve,” and advises travellers do their research before they leave, including talking to a travel professional, reviewing government recommendations, and making sure to understand testing and vaccination requirements for the destination and return to Canada.

The company confirms, “While it’s important to choose coverage based on individual needs, with the lifting of the Level 3 global travel advisory, emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19 are now eligible under our standard plans as long as on the policy effective date there is no Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory related to COVID-19 in effect at the destination.”

It also notes that its COVID-19 Insurance and Assistance Plan is available for cruise ship travel while the Level 4 advisory to avoid all cruise ship travel remains in place.

In conclusion, Allianz told Takes On Travel/Travel Industry Today, “As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, we recommend everyone follow Government of Canada travel adversaries, and regularly review COVID-19 requirements for their departure, arrival at their destination, and return to Canada.