What's Covered Under HSBC Travel Insurance?

COVID-19 frequently asked questions

We’ve put together some frequently asked questions about the impact of COVID-19.

The guidance covers all of our travel policies: HSBC Premier, HSBC Premier (retained Jade benefits), HSBC Private Banking Account, HSBC Private Banking MasterCard, HSBC Select and Cover, HSBC Insurance Aspects, HSBC Gold MasterCard and HSBC Platinum Credit Card.

Effective March 2023.

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What's covered under HSBC Travel Insurance?

Latest update

The rules for travel can change unexpectedly in relation to COVID-19 restrictions, both in the UK and abroad. Before booking any trip, it's important to make sure you fully understand the financial risks, and book with flexible options wherever possible.

Travel insurance protects you against unforeseen and unexpected events, but not all situations are covered. Please make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your booking and your travel insurance policy.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice

Under the terms of the policy it is essential you check Foreign travel advice for your destination before you book a trip or purchase your travel insurance (whichever is later).

FCDO travel advice provides COVID-19 guidance and tells you about the risks of travelling abroad. Their advice is constantly being reviewed, and they may advise against non-essential travel to some countries and territories. It can also advise you on the different entry requirements for certain countries – for example, you might need a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter.

Telling us if you’ve had COVID-19

It’s important that you check the 'Your health' section of your policy documents:

every time you're about to book a trip
again before you travel

You must make sure you've told us everything we need to know about the health of each insured person.

Before booking a trip

Before booking your trip you'll need to tell us if you or any insured person on the policy has been diagnosed with an illness, injury or disease within the last 12 months.

If you or anyone covered by your policy has previously tested positive for COVID-19, then you’ll need to tell us about this if you have:

been prescribed medication by your doctor for COVID-19
visited hospital or A&E for COVID-19, or
been referred for investigations or treatment for COVID-19

If this applies to you or anyone covered by your policy, you’ll need to tell us and we’ll ask you some medical screening questions to confirm if we can cover the condition. You should check the 'Your health' section of your policy documents.

HSBC Select and Cover:

You won't be covered for any COVID-19 related conditions if:

you were admitted or had treatment in a hospital or out-patient clinic as a result of having COVID-19 in the 3 months prior to booking your trip, or
you're awaiting treatment or the results of investigations regarding COVID-19

You should check the 'Your Health' section of your policy booklet to find out what cover you have for other existing medical conditions before you book a trip.

Frequently asked questions

Here you’ll find answers to your specific questions around COVID-19. Please read through all the questions so you’re clear what exclusions and restrictions apply, as more than one scenario may be relevant to you.

Yes, if you're forced to cancel your trip as a direct result of a positive COVID-19 test, you’re covered for cancellation. You'll need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result.

Yes, you're covered for emergency medical treatment and associated expenses, if you become ill with COVID-19. Subject to policy terms and conditions.

HSBC Select and Cover:

As long as you didn't travel against FCDO or other government advice, and follow local advice, you're covered for emergency medical treatment abroad. Subject to any medical exclusions.

You should check the Your Health section of your policy booklet to find out what cover you have for existing medical conditions before you book. If you were admitted or had treatment in a hospital or out-patient clinic as a result of having COVID-19 in the 3 months before booking your trip, or are awaiting treatment or results of investigations, you won't be covered.

Yes. If you unexpectedly need to quarantine, we'll cover:

Accommodation costs (of similar standard to the accommodation which had been booked for the trip), if you need to stay beyond your planned return date, or you can stay where you planned because your pre-booked accommodation doesn't meet legal requirements (for example you can't reach your destination because you need to quarantine locally)
Additional travel costs if your return ticket can't be used
We'll also pay cost for any excursions you haven't been able to use, where the costs can't be recovered elsewhere.

Its important to check the entry requirements for your destination before you book, as you wont be covered if you don't meet these.

No. HSBC Travel Insurance won't cover you, if you decide to travel against FCDO advice. You're not covered for travel that goes against the advice of the FCDO or where the local authorities advise against going to the area you want to travel to.

Your travel provider should be able to help with this, so first get in touch with whoever you booked your trip with to talk about your options.

If you can’t reschedule your trip or get a refund, you’ll be able to make a claim for non-recoverable travel and accommodation costs, if the restrictions are in place in the 31 days leading up to your trip.

You’ll only be able to do this if there weren’t any entry restrictions or FCDO advice against travel was in place when you booked your trip or bought your cover (whichever was later).

No, there’s no cover under the policy if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements. You should contact your travel provider to see if you can reschedule your trip or get a refund.

HSBC Premier, HSBC Premier (retained Jade benefits) , Insurance Aspects, Private Banking Account, Gold MasterCard or Platinum Credit Card

Please visit www.aviva.co.uk/hsbctravelproof.

This link will open in a new window, where you can request proof of insurance along with a copy of your policy booklet.

Private Banking MasterCard

If you have an HSBC Private Banking MasterCard, please contact your Private Banking Relationship Manager for proof of insurance.

Select and Cover

Visit your HSBC Select and Cover portal where you will find a Travel Insurance Confirmation letter you can print as proof of insurance. You will also find your policy schedule which we recommend you also print and keep.

For any unrecoverable costs, please contact the Aviva claims team.

Alternatively, you can log a claim online.

COVID-19 frequently asked questions

Latest update

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice

Telling us if you’ve had COVID-19

Before booking a trip

HSBC Select and Cover:

Frequently asked questions

If I test positive for COVID-19, am I covered to cancel my trip?

If I get COVID-19 while on holiday, am I covered for medical treatment?

If I’m unexpectedly quarantined abroad or onboard a cruise ship because of a positive COVID-19 test result, am I covered?

Am I covered to travel to a country if FCDO advice against travel is in place?

If a foreign government closes its borders to travellers from the UK, or brings in restrictions such as a lockdown or quarantine requirements, can I cancel my trip?

If I can’t travel because I don’t meet the COVID-19 entry requirements for the country I’m travelling to, am I covered to cancel?

My tour operator has asked for proof of insurance. Where can I get this?

How do I make a claim?

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