A new respiratory variant flared up in Manila. The government ordered a 7-day hotel quarantine for all foreigners. Cost: $1,400. I looked at my insurance app. “Trip Delay” covers $100/day… but only if I am the one sick. Government-mandated lockdowns for healthy travelers? Excluded.
Key Takeaways
- Medical vs. Political Quarantine: Insurance pays if you test positive (Medical). It rarely pays if the government locks you down (Political/General).
- The “Fear of Travel” Exclusion: You cannot cancel your trip because you are afraid of a new outbreak. “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) is the only coverage that helps here.
- Daily Limits: Quarantine coverage is usually capped at
50−50−150/day. This barely covers a Motel 6, let alone a mandated airport hotel. - Testing Costs: In 2026, PCR tests are cheap, but insurance still won’t pay for “surveillance” testing (mandatory tests to fly). They only pay for diagnostic tests if you have symptoms.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “General Pandemic Exclusion.”
After COVID-19, insurers rewrote policies. They cover COVID-19 as an illness. They do not cover the logistical nightmare of border closures. If a country shuts its border while you are there, that is considered “Force Majeure” or government action, which is uninsurable.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: Covers quarantine ($50/day for up to 10 days) only if you test positive. If you are just a close contact or caught in a lockdown, $0.
- World Nomads: Similar. Trip Delay benefits kick in if you are quarantined by a physician. “General border closures” are excluded.
- Covac Global: A specialized evacuation membership. They claim to evacuate you even for “civil unrest” or pandemic border closures where others won’t. Expensive, but powerful.
Comparison Table: Pandemic Logistics Coverage
| Feature | Standard Nomad Insurance | CFAR Trip Insurance | Covac Global |
| Quarantine (You Sick) | YES (~ 50−50− 100/day) | YES | N/A |
| Quarantine (Govt Order) | NO | NO | N/A |
| Cancel due to Outbreak | NO | YES (50-75% refund) | N/A |
| Evacuation during Lockdown | NO | NO | YES |
[IMAGE: Photo of a hotel door with a ‘Quarantine’ sign and a meal tray on the floor]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Budget for Disruption: If you travel during an outbreak, keep $2,000 cash accessible. Insurance will not front this money; they reimburse (slowly).
- Buy CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason): If you are booking an expensive flight/tour, pay the extra 40% for CFAR. It allows you to cancel because “I don’t want to get stuck.”
- Read the “Trip Delay” Cap: Ensure it’s at least $2,000 total. $500 total is useless for a 10-day quarantine.
- Carry Self-Tests: Document your own health. If you feel sick, get an official test immediately. A positive test unlocks the insurance money.
FAQ
Will they pay for my Deliveroo meals?
Yes, usually included in the daily quarantine allowance ($50/day). Keep receipts.
What if I miss my flight due to quarantine?
“Trip Interruption” should cover the rebooking cost if the quarantine was medically ordered (positive test).
Can I fly home with COVID?
No. And insurance won’t pay for the private air ambulance unless you are critical. You wait it out.