Although the Zika virus has not reached epidemic levels of infection, it has a lot of people understandably worried about traveling to areas where the disease has been reported.
So notorious has the disease become in recent weeks that travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip reported a 20% increase in traveler calls, with many of the customers inquiring about the Zika virus and which insurance products cover for it.
“The Zika virus is a real concern for travelers,” said InsureMyTrip chief executive Jim Grace.
The blood-borne Zika virus can induce a number of symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, or red eyes. Pregnant women who contract the disease could potentially introduce birth defects to their children, particularly microcephaly.
To date, there is no vaccine for the Zika virus.
According to travel insurance experts, most standard travel insurance policies do not cover for the cancellation of flights even if the customer has good reason to be worried about the Zika virus, or is pregnant. Those travelers, however, who have deluxe cancel-for any-reason policies may yet be able to get their refund.
Several airlines, such as United and Delta, have offered to either reschedule flights for or outright refund customers booked to travel to regions affected by the Zika virus.
As of Feb. 10, there have been 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in America, according to the CDC.
