2 Years Later: Covid Concerns Evolving, But Still Top of Mind for Travelers

Last Updated: February 16, 2022May 25, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. February 16, 2021 — Two years after the domestic onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, traveler uncertainty is still at an all-time high.

Consumer data gathered by travel insurance aggregator, Squaremouth.com, reveals three ways Covid-19 is still shaping traveler behavior:

Covid Leads Travel Insurance Demand

Squaremouth reports a 181% increase in travel insurance sales in January 2022, compared to January 2019, with almost half of travelers specifically looking for coverage related to Covid-19.

Nearly 40% of travelers buying insurance on Squaremouth.com have indicated specifically needing Covid coverage, virtually the same percentage as in 2020, despite border openings, vaccination efforts, and shortened quarantine restrictions.

Variants Cause Change in Concerns

Prior to the Omicron variant, travelers expressed being most concerned about contracting the virus and having to cancel a trip.

Following the variant, and subsequent responses by countries, travelers indicated being more concerned about border closures than a Covid-related illness. Nearly 32% of travelers identified border closures as their biggest concern that may cause them to cancel, while 29% are most concerned about contracting the virus and being unable to travel.

Travelers Scared to be Stuck Abroad

As countries remain open, the US continues to require a negative test prior to return.

Today, the leading Covid-19-related concern of travelers is contracting Covid-19 abroad and being unable to travel home as planned. 45% of Squaremouth travelers said they were most concerned with contracting Covid-19 during their trip, over twice as many as those concerned about contracting Covid-19 while traveling and needing medical care.

Methodology: Squaremouth.com hosts the largest number of travel insurance providers and policies that offer coverage related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Squaremouth Analytics has compared thousands of travel insurance policies purchased amid the Covid-19 pandemic to identify trends in how travelers are responding to the impact.