Dubai- Massader News
Emirates airlines will provide free multi-risk travel insurance to all passengers on top of existing COVID-19 cover, the airline announced on Monday, according to Al Arabiya English.
All flights purchased from December 1 will be eligible for the new insurance. It will also extend to any flights code sharing with Emirates whose ticket numbers begin with 176.
The Dubai-based airline said the insurance would be provided by AIG Travel and was an “industry-first.”
“We’re very pleased to be able to now provide this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, which is another industry first, to all our customers,” said Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in a statement.
“By launching this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, we aim to give our customers even more confidence in making their travel plans this winter and moving into 2021,” he added.
Coverage breakdown
According to Emirates, here are some of the highlights of the coverage:
Emirates customers will be covered when they fly to any destination, in any class of travel. Highlights of the coverage include:
“Out-of-Country Emergency Medical Expenses & Emergency Medical Evacuation up to US$500,000, valid for COVID-19 (contracted during the trip) and other medical emergencies while traveling abroad.
Trip Cancellation up to US$7,500 for non-refundable costs if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is unable to travel because they are diagnosed with COVID-19 before the scheduled trip departure date, or for other named reasons – similar to other comprehensive travel cover products.
Trip Cancellation or Curtailment up to US$7,500 if the school year is extended due to COVID-19 beyond the departure date, and the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is a full-time teacher, full-time employee, or a student at a primary or secondary school.
Trip Curtailment up to US$7,500 for non-refundable trip costs and additional costs to return to their country of residence if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) falls critically ill, for instance, contracts COVID-19 while traveling abroad.
Travel Abandonment up to US$7,500 if the traveler fails a COVID-19-related test or medical screening at the airport and is required to abandon the trip.
US$150 per day per person, for up to 14 consecutive days if, while outside of their country of residence, the traveler tests positive for COVID-19, and if they are unexpectedly placed into a mandatory quarantine outside their country of residence by a governmental body.”
UAE tourism
The UAE resumed tourist visas in September, which it had suspended in March in efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The emirate of Dubai had already been allowing tourists to visit since July 7. Arrivals from certain countries are required to take a PCR coronavirus test on arrival, while other countries are required to take a test both before and after flying.
The rules are stricter in neighboring Abu Dhabi, which requires three PCR tests for anyone staying beyond eight days.
Emirates was one of the first airlines to offer free COVID-19 insurance to passengers.
The coronavirus pandemic and resulting slowdown in international travel has hit airlines globally, including Emirates. The airline has asked some pilots to take a year of unpaid leave as it seeks to cut costs until travel reaches its pre-pandemic levels.