Several regions in Spain have started to offer free travel insurance coverage for UK tourists who contract COVID-19 in a bid to shore up the tourism industry.
At present, British travellers might be hesitant to go to Spain because it is on the UK’s amber list. This means holidaymakers are only allowed to go there if they agree to undergo a 10-day quarantine on their return. Additionally, they must book and pay for COVID-19 tests to be taken on days two and eight of their quarantine period.
Spanish laws also dictate that tourists who develop COVID-19 symptoms are required to self-isolate in their accommodation or a quarantine facility assigned by health authorities. In most cases, the isolation period lasts for 10 days and is paid for by the tourists themselves.
To attract holidaymakers, some regions – including Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Galicia, and Murcia – have enlisted the services of private insurance companies to provide travel insurance to tourists from the UK and other countries who fall ill with COVID-19 during their visit.
The Daily Express has now revealed what is covered in each region. All figures correct as of September 05, 2021.
The Andalusia government’s travel insurance provides medical, surgical, and other hospitalisation coverage relating to COVID-19 infection of up to €4,000 (~£3,428). It also covers transport and repatriation expenses and quarantine accommodations for a maximum of 15 days with a price limit of €5,000 (~£4,285). These benefits are offered to travellers from the UK and other countries, but not to Spanish nationals.
The Balearic government offers a comprehensive package of COVID-19 travel insurance for tourists. This includes free travel health cover through insurer RACE, which covers the costs of interpreter service, expenses derived from transport to the tourist’s place of residence, repatriation costs in case of death, and extra hotel expenses incurred during isolation or quarantine.
The insurance is valid 24 hours after the tourists check-in at regulated and official accommodations on any of the four islands and for the rest of their stay, according to the Balearic Islands’ Tourism Strategy Agency (AETIB).
The Canary Islands has been offering free travel insurance to tourists through insurer AXA since the summer of 2020. Coverage includes healthcare expenses and accommodation for foreign and national tourists, and Canary residents.
The coverage starts when a visitor tests positive for COVID-19 while staying at tourist accommodation on the islands. Health and tourism authorities in the region extended their contract with AXA last month but did not announce when the free insurance offer will end.
This northwestern Spanish region has been offering free COVID-19 travel insurance for visitors from outside the region through insurance provider Europ Assistance since June.
Visitors who are staying at tourist accommodations and who have not contracted the disease before arriving will be able to access the free coverage. The insurance covers for health, accommodation, or transportation costs, including those for the visitors’ family members or companions. Coverage starts at €500 (~£428) to a maximum of €15,000 (~£12,857) in the event of repatriation.
The southeastern coastal region of Murcia has been providing COVID-19 insurance for tourists through RACE Seguros, covering healthcare and travel expenses, as well as any additional costs incurred from the extension of their stay due to self-isolation.
Coverage applies to national and foreign tourists, and their accompanying family members or companions provided they are staying at an accommodation regulated by the Murcian government.
