With the Spread of the New Coronavirus Infection, Can I Still Buy Health Insurance or Travel Insurance?

In recent news, news about the new coronavirus infection has caused panic and sparked attention worldwide, especially in the Chinese communities. The new virus spread from Wuhan, China and has spread to major cities across the country and even to countries around the world. As of January 28, there has been five confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 110 individuals being monitored in the U.S.

As California has became a popular meeting point for tourists, many individuals travel to California for all sorts of reasons, including visiting family in China. If you are unfamiliar with the virus and don’t take precautions, the risk of infection will be much higher than others!

With that being said, we’ve received many inquires from many customers asking if they could still purchase health insurance and travel insurance, so read more to get your questions answered!

Health insurance is a must!

If you are a U.S. resident, make sure you have health insurance! If you are concerned that you may have been infected and would like to see a doctor to get checked, or if in the unfortunate event that you may have been diagnosed, you will need health insurance to take necessary actions and to use necessary medical services.

In the U.S., individual health insurance can only be purchased during a certain time every year. The deadline to apply for 2020 health insurance in California is Friday, January 31! If you apply for health insurance now, your health insurance will become effective on Sunday, February 1. If you miss the January 31 deadline, you will not be able to purchase health insurance (click here to learn more about 2020 health insurance).

If you have not purchased health insurance yet, make sure to contact KCAL Insurance Agency at 626-333-1111 to ensure that you and your loved ones are insured during this epidemic and spread of the new coronavirus.

Residents - Travel Abroad Insurance

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Warning recommending that “travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the People’s Republic of China.” This means that if you choose to go now, even if you purchase travel insurance, the insurance company will not approve the claim. As a result, we highly recommend cancelling your trip. Even if this Level 3 Warning is taken back, the insurance company will not cover any medical expenses that occurred in the relevant area within the next 60 days.

If you’re a U.S. resident and are planning on traveling to other places aside from China, you can still apply for travel insurance. This type of travel insurance is designed specifically to provide coverage for those traveling outside their home country in unexpected accidents or sudden illnesses. It includes worldwide medical emergency coverage of up to $1 million. Insurance will take effect on the day after purchase. Premiums as low as $0.96 per day!

Non-Residents - Visit USA Healthcare

If you are coming from China to visit the United States, whether it’s for travel or to visit friends and family, you also won’t be able to buy travel insurance. Visitors from other countries are still eligible to purchase this type of travel insurance. Visit USA Healthcare insurance is designed specifically to provide coverage during short-term visits for non-American visitors in unexpected accidents of illnesses. Insurance becomes effective the day after purchase. Premiums as low as $0.69 per day!

At KCAL, we’d like to take this chance to remind everyone that travel insurance in the United States does not cover pre-existing conditions. If you need to use any medical services after arriving in the U.S., insurance companies will ask your doctors for medical records. After the policy comes into effect, the insurance company will settle the claim as usual. As it’s been known that medical expenses in the U.S. are expensive, purchasing travel insurance is also a strong protection for yourself and your family and friends.