Freely COVID-19 Cover

While our COVID-19 cover offers some great benefits not everything is covered. If you buy a policy when your trip is less than 21 days away, this affects your level of COVID-19 cover, so please read the below carefully or contact us with questions.

Last updated: 23 February 2022

Freely coverage whilst travelling in Australia, New Zealand and Internationally.

Pre-trip questions

Pre-Trip or On-Trip questions

Pre-Trip or On-Trip questions AU & NZ only

Destination based questions

Pre-trip questions for travel for trips to all destinations

The below questions are related to how our Freely COVID-19 coverage applies before your trip, including our cancellation or amendment benefit.

Will Freely’s COVID-19 benefit cover me if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 and need to cancel my trip?

If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 at home and cannot travel, your cover for non-refundable cancellation costs depend on when you bought your policy and which plan you purchased.
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What is covered?
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You can claim your cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip only if your policy was purchased MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If so, you can then claim your prepaid trip costs up to a benefit limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy or $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy.

If you purchased your policy less than 21 days before your departure, there is no cover for pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs for our domestic and international trips.

Cover conditions:

- This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis (confirmed by a PCR test or a rapid antigen test (RAT) or by a medical
practitioner)
- There is no cover if symptoms or diagnosis occurred prior to buying your policy
- Your trip can be to any destination in the world
- Pre-booked cruises included

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if my leave is revoked because of COVID-19 and I can’t travel?

Our cover for this scenario depends on your occupation.

Cover details:
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If you're an essential healthcare worker (such as a pharmacist, nurse, doctor, paramedic, or other health care professional) and your leave is revoked because of COVID-19, yes, you can claim the non-refundable costs on your policy up to the applicable benefit limit ($5,000 per policy on an international policy; $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy).

If you’re not an essential healthcare worker and your leave is revoked because of COVID-19, there is no cover under our coronavirus cancellation policy benefit.

Cover conditions:

‍If you are an essential healthcare worker, in this scenario:

- Your trip can be to any destination in the world
- Pre-booked cruises included

Will Freely's coronavirus travel insurance benefit cover me if I test positive to COVID-19 at the airport/port and I am denied boarding when leaving Australia?

If you test positive to COVID-19 at the airport/port and are denied boarding, your cover depends on when you purchased your policy and which plan you purchased.

Cover details:
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You can claim cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip only if your policy was purchased MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If so, you can then claim prepaid trip costs up to a benefit limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy or $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy.

If you purchased your policy less than 21 days before your departure, there is no cover for pre-trip cancellation or amendment costs, for both domestic and international trips.

Cover conditions:
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- This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis (confirmed by a PCR test or a rapid antigen test (RAT) or by a medical practitioner)
- There is no cover if symptoms or diagnosis occurred prior to buying your policy
- Your trip can be to any destination in the world
- Pre-booked cruises included

Pre-Trip or On-Trip questions for travel for trips to all destinations

The below questions relate to our Freely COVID-19 benefit and how it applies to different scenarios that may occur either before or on your trip.

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me to amend or cancel my trip if a non-travelling relative or business partner is diagnosed with COVID-19 and their condition is deemed “life threatening” by a medical practitioner?

Yes, but only if the non-travelling relative or business partner resides in Australia or New Zealand.

Cover details:
‍
You can claim your cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip up to a benefit limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy or $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy. Your trip can be to/within any destination in the world.

Cover conditions:‍

- The non-travelling relative or business partner must reside in Australia or New Zealand
- A medical practitioner must confirm the infection is life threatening
- Your policy must have been purchased prior to your relative being diagnosed with COVID-19

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if my non-travelling relative or business partner passes away from COVID-19 and my trip is then disrupted or needs to be cancelled?

Yes, cover applies if your deceased non-travelling relative or business partner was residing in Australia or New Zealand at their time of death.

Cover details:

If the death occurs while you’re on your trip and your policy was purchased prior to your relative being diagnosed with COVID-19, you can claim cancellation or amendment costs for your trip. This on-trip cover has a limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy and $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy.

Cover conditions:

The relative must have resided in Australia or New Zealand

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I want to cancel or amend a trip to a country that has been issued with a “Do not travel” warning, new restrictions or border closures?

No, there is no cover.

Cover details:

There is no cover under our coronavirus cancellation and amendment policy benefit to cancel or amend your trip even if the destination was deemed safe by the Australian Government at the time you booked your trip and purchased your Freely travel insurance policy, or because of COVID-19 related travel warnings (such as a new outbreak of COVID-19 or the declaration of a “pandemic hotspot”).

There is also no cover for travel restrictions or border closures imposed by any government because of the coronavirus pandemic.

To understand the current overall advice levels for any destination, visit Smartraveller’s destinations page.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the PDS state we will not pay for:

- Claims directly or indirectly arising from or caused by COVID-19

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I need to quarantine or self-isolate because I am deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

No cover is provided for close contacts prior to departure or while you’re on your trip.

Cover details:

If you are deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and required to self-isolate or enter quarantine before you depart and wish to cancel your trip, no cover is provided.

If you are deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and required to self-isolate or enter quarantine while on your trip, no cover is provided.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the PDS state we will not pay for:

- Any costs or expenses incurred if a government or public health authority mandatory quarantine or isolation order is imposed on you related to cross area, border, region, or territory travel. This exclusion only applies to COVID-19 and applies regardless of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being directed by a local public health authority into a period of quarantine because they have classified you as having close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I need to quarantine or self-isolate because I am deemed a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I am diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling and need to extend my stay so I can self-isolate?

If you fall ill with COVID-19 on your journey and need to extend your stay to self-isolate, you may be able to claim the cost of additional accommodation and transport.

Cover details:

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover applies for this event and is available for additional accommodation and additional transport expenses including the cost for you to “stay put”.

Cruise travel: There is no cover for this event if your COVID-19 diagnosis is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise.

Cover conditions:

- Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived
- This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis (confirmed by a PCR test or a rapid antigen test (RAT) or by a medical practitioner)
- No costs or expenses are covered if a quarantine or isolation order is placed on you by a government or public health authority

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling overseas and need medical treatment?

Yes, cover is available if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner and require medical treatment overseas.

Cover details:

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover is available under our overseas emergency medical expenses benefit.

Cruise travel: There is no cover for this event if your COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise.

This applies for international trips only.

Cover conditions:

- Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips within Australia and New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived
- This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner
- Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I am denied entry into a country because of government-imposed restrictions?

If you are denied entry to a country because you are affected by government restrictions placed on travellers departing or passing through certain countries, no cover is provided.

Cover details:

No cover is provided for government restrictions or border closures. This includes situations related to any transiting countries visited or your country of origin.

This applies for both domestic and international trips.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the PDS state we will not pay for:

- Claims arising from or caused by COVID-19 (unless cover is extended as stated in the COVID-19 Benefits Section)

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if I am subject to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements upon entry to a country?

If you are required to complete mandatory quarantine or self-isolation because of the area you arrived from or passed through on route, no cover is provided.

Cover details:

No cover is provided for mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements related to travel across or within areas, borders, regions, or territories.

Cover conditions:

The General Exclusions in the PDS state we will not pay for:

- Any costs or expenses incurred if a government or public health authority mandatory quarantine or isolation order is imposed on you related to cross area, border, region, or territory travel. This exclusion only applies to COVID-19 and applies regardless of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being directed by a local public health authority into a period of quarantine because they have classified you as having close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19

Will Freely's coronavirus travel insurance benefit cover me if I am diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas and need to be repatriated home to Australia?

If you fall ill with COVID-19 overseas and need to be repatriated, you may be able to claim for these costs.

Cover details:

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover is available.

Cruise travel: There is no cover for this event if your COVID-19 diagnosis is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise.

Cover conditions:

- Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips within Australia and New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived
- This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical practitioner
- In all cases the cost of evacuation or to bring you back to Australia will only be met if your claim is approved by us and it was arranged by and deemed necessary by our emergency assistance network
- Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness

Pre-trip or on-trip questions for trips within Australia and New Zealand only

The below questions relate to our COVID-19 benefit and how it applies to pre- and on-trip scenarios for trips within Australia and New Zealand.

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if my prepaid holiday activity is cancelled or shut down because of an outbreak of COVID-19 on the premises?

Yes, but only for trips in Australia and New Zealand.

Cover details:
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You can claim the unused prepaid, non-refundable tickets if the closure is because of a COVID-19 infection being detected on the premises and the facility must close for deep cleaning.

You can claim costs for your prepaid trip up to a benefit limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy or $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy.

Cover conditions:

- Cover for holiday activities in Australia and New Zealand only
- You can claim your cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip up to a benefit limit of $5,000 per policy on an international policy or $2,500 per policy on a domestic policy

Will Freely's COVID-19 benefit cover me if the person I was going to stay with is diagnosed with COVID-19?
Yes, but only for trips in Australia and New Zealand.

Cover details:
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If the person you were planning to stay with in Australia or New Zealand must self-isolate because of a COVID-19 diagnosis and you now have nowhere to stay, we will pay up to $150 per night for additional accommodation expenses that you incur for alternative accommodation so you can amend your trip.

This cover applies for both Australia and New Zealand.

Cover conditions:
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- You must be travelling in Australia or to New Zealand
- Other international destinations are not covered

Destination-based questions

The questions listed below talk about our Freely's COVID-19 benefit and how they apply to specific destinations in relation to COVID-19 scenarios.

Will Freely's overseas medical expenses cover apply if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 during my journey?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: No, there is no medical coverage in Australia on our travel insurance policies.
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New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.
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Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided if your destination is not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the Smartraveller website at the time you enter the country or part of the country.

- Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 and required to self-isolate then and there before continuing my trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, cover is provided if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided if your destination is not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the Smartraveller website at the time you enter the country or part of the country.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if I am ordered to quarantine by a local public health authority because I am deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 case while on my trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: No, cover is not provided.

New Zealand: No, cover is not provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if I die because of COVID-19 during my trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided if your destination is not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the Smartraveller website at the time you enter the country or part of the country.

Are you cruising?

If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if the person I was due to stay with in Australia or New Zealand has COVID-19 and I can no longer stay with them?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, cover is provided, but up to $150 per night for alternative accommodation. Check your plan for the maximum overall limit.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided, but up to $150 per night for alternative accommodation. Check your plan for the maximum overall limit.

Other destinations:No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if my prepaid accommodation in Australia or New Zealand is shut down because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the premises and hygiene measures are required?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's amendment or cancellation costs cover apply if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 in Australia prior to departure/pre-trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, up to $2,500 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Other destinations: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Will Freely's amendment or cancellation costs cover apply if I am ordered to quarantine by a local public health authority in Australia because I’m deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 case prior to departure/pre-trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: No, cover is not provided.

New Zealand: No, cover is not provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's amendment or cancellation costs cover apply if I’m an essential healthcare worker and my leave is revoked because of COVID-19 prior to departure/pre-trip?

Where are you travelling:

Australia: Yes, cover is provided up to $2,500.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, cover is provided.

Will Freely's amendment or cancellation costs cover apply if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 in Australia prior to departure/pre-trip?

Where are you travelling?

Australia: Yes, up to $2,500 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Other destinations: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise: Yes, up to $5,000 cover is provided per policy but only if you have purchased a policy MORE THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE your scheduled departure date. If you have not purchased a policy at least 21 days before your departure, no cover is provided.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if the person I was due to stay with in Australia or New Zealand has COVID-19 and I can no longer stay with them?

Where are you travelling?

Australia: Yes, cover is provided, but up to $150 per night for alternative accommodation. Check your plan for the maximum overall limit.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided, but up to $150 per night for alternative accommodation. Check your plan for the maximum overall limit.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

Will Freely's amendment or cancellation costs and/or additional expenses benefit cover apply if my non-travelling relative or business partner in Australia or New Zealand is diagnosed with life threatening COVID-19 and I need to alter my trip?

Where are you travelling?

Australia: Yes, cover is provided up to $2,500 per policy.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 per policy.

Other destinations: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 per policy.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: Yes, cover is provided up to $5,000 per policy.

Will Freely's additional expenses cover apply if the person I was due to stay with in Australia or New Zealand has COVID-19 and I can no longer stay with them?

Will Freely's travel delay cover apply if COVID-19 causes temporary delays to my transport?

Where are you travelling?

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: There is no cover if your cruise is affected by COVID-19, however, there is cover, for example, if your flight is affected.

Will Freely's missed connections cover apply if COVID-19 causes the delay, cancellation or rerouting of my prepaid scheduled transport and I need to catch up with a prepaid transport connection?

Where are you travelling?

Australia: Yes, cover is provided.

New Zealand: Yes, cover is provided.

Other destinations: No, cover is not provided.

‍Are you cruising?
If your trip includes a multi-night cruise and COVID-19 is related directly or indirectly to travel on board the cruise: There is no cover if your cruise is affected by COVID-19, however, there is cover, for example, if your flight is affected.

What COVID-19 coverage do you get with Freely?

Last updated: 23 February 2022

Pre-trip questions for travel for trips to all destinations

Pre-Trip or On-Trip questions for travel for trips to all destinations

Pre-trip or on-trip questions for trips within Australia and New Zealand only

Destination-based questions

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