Supporting you during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Vhi is continuing to work hard to support you through COVID-19
COVID-19 and MultiTrip Travel Insurance
Due to travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, Vhi provided all customers who were Vhi MultiTrip customers on 31st December 2020 with six months free extension of cover. From 1st September 2021 we have introduced an enhanced COVID-19 benefit for all Vhi MultiTrip customers renewing from this date and for new customers. If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you still receiving a free extension of cover some of your Vhi MultiTrip benefits will differ.
What are the enhanced COVID-19 benefits on my MultiTrip policy?
For a summary of your benefits including COVID-19 related cover for policies purchased on or after 1st September 2021, please log into MyVhi for your Terms and Conditions.
How can I identify if I have COVID-19 enhanced benefits?
All new policies purchased with an effective date of the 1st September 2021 or after, have the enhanced benefits automatically added to their policy. Existing MultiTrip members can check MyVhi for details.
As an existing customer, can I get the enhanced COVID-19 benefits?
Simply purchase a new plan (with enhanced COVID-19 benefits) and we will cancel your existing policy and send you new documentation.
* Please note: if a person on your policy has turned 21 or 65 since your last renewal, they will need to purchase their own policy online, as they are no longer eligible for a family or a couple under 65 policy.
Am I covered if I or my child contracts COVID-19 and cannot travel?
For policies with a start date on or after the 01/09/2021: cancellation cover is in place if, within 14 days of the start of your trip, you or any named person on your policy test positive for COVID-19. This cover provided only applies if you test positive and have a certified positive test. If you have not received a certified positive test result before departure, then cancellation cover will not apply. We will not accept any other test in validation of a cancellation claim.
Cancellation cover is in place if you or someone travelling/ staying with you has been hospitalised/dies because of COVID-19.
Cancellation cover is in place if you are certified as too ill to travel due to COVID-19 by a medical practitioner.
If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you are still receiving a free extension of cover, there is no cover. Please check MyVhi for details of your renewal date.
If I test positive at the airport, am I covered?
For policies with a start date on or after the 01/09/2021: if you are unable to depart from Ireland because you test positive for COVID-19 following a test taken on the day of your scheduled departure, administered at your departure point ( e.g. airport), you will be covered on your policy.
If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you are still receiving a free extension of cover, there is no cover. Please check MyVhi for details of your renewal date.
Is there cover if my test results are delayed at the airport?
If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you are still receiving a free extension of cover, there is no cover. Please check MyVhi for details of your renewal date.
For policies with a start date on or after the 01/09/2021: there is cover if you are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result before exiting Ireland and the result is delayed causing you to miss your departure or connection. This cover is restricted to tests taken on the day of your scheduled departure. Please refer to your Terms and Conditions for full details.
Positive test on my trip so must self-isolate. Can I claim for cancelled excursions?
For policies with a start date on or after the 01/09/2021: you can claim the pre-paid activities, if the excursion is the reason for going on the trip e.g. Euro Disney, Safari. This needs to be paid and booked for in advance of travelling.
Note: ski packs and green fees (golf) are only coved with the optional add-on.
Concert, premier league football match could be claimed under this section providing they were pre-paid or contracted to pay before the trip started and was the sole purpose of the trip.
If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you are still receiving a free extension of cover, there is no cover. Please check MyVhi for details of your renewal date.
Can I claim for the unused part of my trip if I test positive during it?
For policies with a start date on or after the 01/09/2021: there is cover under cutting your trip short if you contract Covid-19, and have to self-isolate.
There is cover for the unused accommodation up until your original return date.
There is cover for the original cancelled flight.
There is no cover for expenses incurred after the original return date has passed.
If you took out a Vhi MultiTrip policy prior to 1st September 2021 or you are still receiving a free extension of cover, there is no cover. Please check MyVhi for details of your renewal date.
Positive test means I have to stay beyond return date. Am I covered?
For all policies, cover will only apply if you are hospitalised because of COVID-19 and need to stay longer than the scheduled return date. If you test positive for COVID-19, meaning that you cannot return on original return date, but do not require any medical treatment, there is no cover for your extended stay costs.
How am I covered if I am hospitalised abroad due to COVID-19
All of our travel policies include medical cover, if hospitalised due to COVID-19 up to €10 million.
Family member hospitalised on trip due to COVID-19. Is an extension covered?
For all policies, if an insured member is hospitalised due to COVID-19, the cover for extended accommodation and flights is limited to €3,000 per policy (not per person).
Vhi Premium Waiver
Vhi made a commitment to our customers to return value to them if claims fall below the level anticipated, as a result of the impacts of COVID-19. Over the last 12 months, access to both planned and critical care has been challenging, so having reviewed claims activity, we have made the decision that we can, once again, return value to our customers.
Premium Waiver FAQ
Who will get the waiver of premium?
All private medical insurance policyholders who hold an active policy on 1st May 2022 (excluding HealthSteps and Plan P policyholders) will receive a waiver of premium. We will be writing to all customers with details of your premium waiver.
How much will my waiver be?
The premium waiver will vary according to the health insurance plan that a customer has in place but will range from a minimum of €75 per adult and €25 per child for those on public hospital only plans up to a maximum of €300 per adult and €100 per child for those on the plans with the highest level of cover.
When will I receive my payment?
Payments will begin in the first week of May and be complete by the end of the month.
Do I need to take any action?
No action is needed by you. The waiver will be applied for all those who hold an active policy on the 1st May 2022, there is no need to contact us to confirm.
How will I receive the waiver?
Policyholders will be paid directly into their bank accounts where we have the details. Where we do not have your details, we will send you a cheque. There is no need to contact us.
How can I tell if you have my bank details? Should I call you?
There’s no need to call us, we will shortly be writing to all customers with details of your premium waiver. If you would like your premium waiver to be made to a specified account, you can provide these banking details to us by logging in or registering for MyVhi and entering your chosen bank details using our online form. Please do so by 28th April to be in time for your waiver payment.
I don’t want to receive the premium waiver by cheque. Can you make a payment to my bank account?
Yes, if you would like your premium waiver payment be made to a specified account, you can provide these details online, there is no need to call us. Customers can log in or register for MyVhi and enter their chosen bank details using our online form by 28th April.
What if I only joined in January 2022, will I still get the benefit of the waiver of premium?
If you hold an active private medical insurance policy with us on 1st May 2022 you will receive the waiver. If you are a new Vhi customer, your cooling off period must have passed before your waiver payment will be issued.
My policy is due for renewal before 1st May, 2022. Will I still get the waiver payment if I don’t renew?
You must hold an active private medical insurance policy with us on 1st May 2022 to receive the waiver payment.
What if I join on May 3rd, 2022, will I receive a waiver payment?
No, you must hold an active private medical insurance policy with us on 1st May 2022 to receive the waiver payment.
I haven’t received the premium waiver yet, when will I get it?
Payments will commence from the first week in May and will be complete by the end the month. The waiver of premium will be paid to the policyholder. If you are insured on a policy but are not the policy holder, the waiver amount related to your premium will be paid directly to the policy holder.
My employer contributes towards my health insurance, will I receive a waiver payment?
If you pay more than 25% of your premium, and your employer pays the balance, then you will receive the waiver payment directly. If your employer pays 75% or more of your premium, your employer will receive the payment but your Benefit in Kind liability will be reduced accordingly.
What if my employer facilitates salary deduction to pay for my health insurance?
We will shortly be writing to you with details of how the premium waiver will apply.
My partner holds a policy that I am covered on, will I receive a payment?
The payment will be made to the policyholder. If you are insured on a policy but are not the policyholder the payment will be made to the policyholder and not to you.
I am the policyholder however, somebody else pays the premium, who will receive the refund?
If we have bank details, the premium waiver payment will be made directly into the bank account on file. If we do not have bank details we will send the policyholder a cheque.
Why are Vhi doing this?
We are honouring our promise to customers to return additional value if claims were lower than the level anticipated because of COVID-19.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA) are regularly updating their advice.
For information regarding the COVID-19 situation in Ireland please see the HSE website at www.hse.ie/coronavirus
For information regarding travel and to see the list of areas where nonessential travel is advised against, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs Website at www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/coronavirus
For information about impacts to your policy please refer to the relevant sections above.
For all enquiries, you can call us on 056 444 4444.
Email us at: info@vhi.ie
A limited web chat service is available here.
Vhi NurseLine - call 1800 247 724 or from abroad call +353 46 90 77375
Vhi Online Doctor - please book an appointment through the Vhi Health Assistant App.
Or see our Vhi 360 Health Centres and Vhi SwiftCare Clinics