Oct. 29--InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison website based in Warwick, R.I., said Monday it will offer a Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. program to better protect travelers whose plans change because of the deadly Ebola outbreak.
Effective immediately under the policy, travelers would have the options to cancel a trip if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a travel warning about their destination before departure, or to return home if the CDC raises concerns about an area after they arrive. The policy covers such nonrefundable expenses as penalties and fees.
Countries under CDC travel warnings, however, are ineligible for coverage. As of Tuesday, that included Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The State Department has already said travelers from those countries could face additional restrictions.
Separately, London-based insurance brokerage Aon, which has a major presence in the Chicago area, is offering Ebola coverage for hospitals and other health care institutions "where existing liability programs may not apply." The product, sold in partnership with commercial insurer Hiscox, provides up to $25 million of coverage.
"The Ebola outbreak's impact on the health care industry is raising questions for our clients around the world," Michael O'Connor, chief executive of Aon Risk Solutions, said in a statement.
Besides developing the Ebola liability insurance product, Aon has set up an "Ebola Response" page on its website with information about the virus.
byerak@tribune.com
