Zurich Launches Travel VIVA Insurance Plan

First in market to provide protection during quarantine period upon returning to Hong Kong, for greater peace of mind when traveling and coming home amid COVID-19

• Tailor-made protections to address the risks from COVID-19, covering a series of emergencies and medical expenditures
• First travel insurance plan in the market to cover costs related to quarantine period upon arriving in Hong Kong to cater for the needs of returning travelers
• Free extension of covered period and overseas quarantine hotel coverage upon infection or compulsory quarantine after departure
• Extra protection to the loved ones of the insured – children, elderlies and pets that require support in Hong Kong, alongside home contents and missed event cover
• Provides medical insurance certification which fulfills the entry requirement of designated travel destinations, as a proof of guaranteed coverage including COVID-19 related medical treatment and hospitalization fees incurred by the insured 
• Enjoy a 10% premium discount for applications from now till September 30, 2022

Various countries are lifting their travel restrictions as the pandemic eases off, a high time for Zurich to launch Travel VIVA Insurance Plan - tailored for worry-free traveling under the new normal, and dedicated to Hongkongers who are known to be travel enthusiasts. Putting itself in customers’ shoes, Zurich not only offers upgrades in coverage of the insured, but also extends the assistance to customers’ loved ones, such as the protections on children, elderlies and pets, as well as home contents cover and missed event cover, so customers can enjoy their long-awaited trips to the fullest without worrying about the risks brought by COVID-19.

Jim Qin, Chief Executive Officer of General Insurance at Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), commented, “With the relaxation of quarantine requirements for returning Hongkongers, people look forward to traveling again. Meanwhile, popular travel destinations among Hongkongers such as Japan, Thailand and Korea are reopening their borders, which will renew citizens’ traveling desires and demands. Airport Authority’s data showed that 170,000 passengers were handled by Hong Kong Airport in May this year, representing a year-on-year increase of over 180%, with the most significant increases in passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia¹. While these figures reflect traveling demands previously suppressed by the pandemic are now rebounding rapidly, risks related to COVID-19 should not be overlooked. Another research revealed that travel restrictions and quarantine period (33.8%) is the most concerning factor for Hongkongers when choosing a destination, while over three quarters of respondents are willing to pay more for a safer journey². Therefore, we keep abreast of the changes in travel needs and have upgraded our offerings by launching Travel VIVA Insurance Plan, to save customers from the hassles brought by COVID-19, removing their obstacles to regain joyful traveling experiences.”

Travel VIVA Insurance Plan offers extensive coverage associated with COVID-19 before departure, during the journey and after returning to Hong Kong, allowing customers to enjoy their trips to the fullest. Starting from now till September 30, 2022, customers may enjoy a 10% premium discount by applying via Zurich website. Product features include:

Before departure

• Protection starts before departure to safeguard customers throughout their journeys

Zurich covers prepaid travel expenses under circumstances of cancelation and rearrangement due to COVID-19. The below situations before departure are all entitled to claims up to HKD 15,000, including trip cancelations if the insured or their travel companion is diagnosed with COVID-19, if the insured’s residential building is under restriction-testing declaration, or if the insured is under mandatory quarantine due to close contact. To enjoy these COVID-19 related protections, customers should apply for the plan at least 14 days prior to departure.

• Full support for your carefree journey

Some of the top destinations for Hongkongers, including Japan and Singapore, require proof to ensure COVID-19 related medical treatment and hospitalization fees incurred by the travelers are covered by an insurance plan, and such entry requirement can be fulfilled with the letter of proof issued by Zurich. Furthermore, customers can conduct a COVID-19 test provided by Zurich’s private healthcare partner at a discounted price, with results received as soon as the same day.

During the journey

• Extensive protection to ease your worries

To offer customers extra peace of mind from the potentially high overseas medical expenditures during the journey, Zurich also provides medical cover of up to HKD 1,500,000, overseas hospital cash benefit at a maximum of HKD 7,000 and unexpected compulsory quarantine cash allowance up to HKD 5,000.

If the traveling plan is interrupted because the insured or their travel companion is diagnosed with COVID-19, the insured may make claims up to HKD 15,000 for the loss of travel costs, or additional travel costs incurred. In case of unexpected compulsory quarantine overseas, the protection period will be extended by 15 days automatically for free, and the customer will also receive additional accommodation expense reimbursement of up to HKD 7,000. At the same time, Zurich will also provide protection on top of COVID-19 related needs – including Zurich Emergency Assistance, accident cover up to HKD 1,000,000, personal property cover, delay and journey inconvenience cover, and personal liability cover up to HKD 2,000,000, so the customers can indulge themselves in a carefree journey.

After returning to Hong Kong

• First in market – Covering quarantine period upon returning to Hong Kong

Despite the easing pandemic situation, there are still COVID-19 cases among travelers returning to Hong Kong, and infected travelers will be subjected to extended isolation and treatment period. In order to fill this gap, Zurich will provide cash allowance of up to HKD 1,500 for customers tested positive during quarantine and facing an extension of the compulsory quarantine period. Also, Zurich will provide protection at a maximum of HKD 7,000 for the expenditures on forfeited hotel bookings or rebooking of quarantine hotel if the reservation is affected by interruptions during the journey. 

• Extra protection for customers’ loved ones in Hong Kong as Zurich understands what they care about most

If the pandemic causes a delay in returning to Hong Kong or extension of quarantine period, Zurich will provide a series of extra protection in Hong Kong up to HKD 5,000 for the customer, including loss or damage to home contents caused by burglary or fire, additional accommodation for elderlies, children and pets, and caretakers for elderlies and children. Unused and non-refundable prepaid activity expenses such as staycation package and concert tickets will also be compensated.

¹ According to the traffic figures for May 2022 from Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport handled 170,000 passengers, representing a year-on-year increase of 186.1%. The rise in passengers during the month was driven primarily by growth in visitor and Hong Kong resident traffic following the relaxation of inbound travel measures. Passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia experienced the most significant increases.
² According to Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong’s “Online Survey on Post-Pandemic Travel", travel restrictions and quarantine period (33.8%) is the most important factor for Hong Kong travelers in choosing a destination, 76% of respondents are willing to pay more for a safer journey.

Disclaimer and cautionary statement

Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the policy documents for details.
Please visit www.zurich.com.hk for more information of Zurich’s products and services.