Summary of Cover for COVID-19


Viva Travel Insurance: Enhanced Cover in response to COVID-19

We're pleased to let you know that with effect 26/08/2020 our travel policies will provide you with enhanced cover for claims arising as a consequence of COVID-19.

Please read our summary document for details of cover provided.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions


The cover provided by your policy is unaffected. However, if you wish to cut short or extend your trip you must contact your airline, tour operator, accommodation provider or other travel provider to enquire about refunds or changing your return travel.

If you find you are unable to return to the UK, or if you wish to extend your stay, you must contact our customer care team urgently to discuss whether it is possible for us to amend your policy’s current end date. You can do this by calling 0330 041 8266 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm GMT) or emailing travel.sales@vivatravelinsurance.com

If an extension of the policy is granted an additional premium may be payable.

To check if your destination has been effected, please visit the following page on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories

If the FCDO advice regarding your destination has changed to advise against all but essential travel, (and the country in question is outside of Europe meaning our COVID-19 PROTECT add on is not available) your policy will not cover your planned trip. This is as per the policy terms and conditions outlined in your policy wording.

If you wish to cancel or change your holiday date/destination, we advise you to contact your airline, tour operator, accommodation provider or other travel provider as soon as possible. Any costs incurred, or elements of the holiday that are lost, are not covered by the policy.

Regarding your policy the following options are available:

  • Cover purchased within the last 14 days – a full refund is available.
  • Purchase made outside the 14 day cancellation window – no refund is available. However, you can amend your policy to protect new travel arrangements, although an additional premium may be payable.

In either instance please contact our customer care team urgently on 0330 041 8266 (Mon – Fri, 9am to 5.30pm) or email travel.sales@vivatravelinsurance.com to discuss further.

To check if your destination has been effected, please visit the following page on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories

Am I covered if I have to cancel my travel plans due to having to isolate following a positive test for COVID-19?

If you, a relative, a member of your household or travelling companion or friend with whom you had arranged to stay with has a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, certified by a medical practitioner, within 14 days of your booked departure, each insured person will be covered for cancellation costs up to the sum shown in the table of benefits.

Am I covered if someone in my family tests positive for COVID-19 and I have to cancel my travel arrangements due to having to isolate?

If you, a relative, a member of your household or travelling companion or friend with whom you had arranged to stay with has a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, certified by a medical practitioner, within 14 days of your booked departure, each insured person will be covered for cancellation costs up to the sum shown in the table of benefits.

What cover is there if I test positive for COVID-19 while I'm on holiday?

If you test positive whilst on holiday you will be covered for emergency medical treatment and repatriation if necessary. You will also be covered for additional travel and accommodation (room only) if you need to extend your stay until you are fit to return to the UK.

Will my medical expenses be covered if I fall ill with COVID-19 while I'm on holiday and need to seek medical assistance?

You will be covered for emergency medical treatment and repatriation if you contract COVID-19 while abroad.

Am I covered if I'm travelling for business?

Your policy may cover you for permitted business travel (see government advice on permitted travel as this is subject to ongoing review and may be different depending on where you live). A business trip can be defined as a journey specifically taken for work purposes and doesn't include daily commutes, leisure trips or holidays. Please email us at travel.sales@vivatravelinsurance.com should you be in any doubt.

Am I covered if my travel is deemed essential?

Advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) with respect to specific countries and regions may refers to “advice against all but essential travel”. The FCDO however does not define what is Essential travel.

If the FCDO advises against all travel or non-essential travel to a particular country, island(s) or region, and you decide to travel anyway, this policy will not cover you for any issue that may arise, and any subsequent claim will be rejected.

If you believe you travel is essential please email us at travel.sales@vivatravelinsurance.com so we can determine if your policy can cover you.

If you do not contact us and travel anyway your policy will not cover you for any peril that may arise, and any subsequent claim under any section of cover in the policy will be rejected.

Am I covered if I have to cancel my travel plans because national lockdown/tier restrictions mean I can no longer take my trip?

You are not covered under your insurance policy if national lockdowns or tier restrictions cause you to cancel your trip. If you are due to travel during the period of lockdown then you should seek a refund from the airline, tour operator, travel agency or carrier you booked with.