Allianz Partners New Zealand has introduced a leisure and business travel insurance policy for international travel that comes with selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases.

According to Allianz Partners, while New Zealand’s borders remain largely closed, it has accelerated the roll-out of cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases in preparation for when borders reopen and international travel resumes. This comes ahead of a proposed Pacific Island travel bubble.

"Since launching our new domestic policy with selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases in October, the feedback has been highly positive,” said Allianz Partners New Zealand CEO Kevin Blyth. “We work with some of New Zealand’s most recognised and trusted brands in travel and insurance, and it was important to extend this offering to international travel for our partners and their customers - especially in anticipation of a travel bubble with the Pacific Islands.”

The cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases includes, but is not limited to, COVID-19.

“We made a conscious decision, for a number of reasons, not to limit coverage specifically to COVID-19. This ensures our policies continue to support customers, should COVID-19 evolve or another epidemic or pandemic arise in the future,” he added,

Read more: What is business travel insurance and why is it important?

While there will still be a general exclusion for epidemics and pandemics, the policy includes provision to claim for cancellation if travellers contract an epidemic or pandemic disease such as COVID-19 after purchasing their policy and can no longer travel, the insurer said. Also, cover for medical claims directly related to the disease will only apply after travellers begin their journey.

Allianz Partners stressed there is no cover for lockdowns, changes in government alert levels, quarantine or mandatory isolation applying to a population or part of a population. The policy will also not cover events where a government calls for border closures. As with any travel insurance, disinclination to travel due to fear or change of mind is not covered.

The insurance is available through travel agents and will be available through more outlets in the near future.