Japanese nonlife insurers will expand their travelers' insurance coverage in October to include medical expenses for bird flu and other infectious diseases, as well as coverage for travel cancellations attributed to terrorist attacks.
Nipponkoa Insurance Co. said no premium hikes will accompany the coverage expansion, set to take effect Friday.
Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co. has decided to implement a similar form of expanded travelers' insurance coverage in October, while Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. is also preparing to take action, an industry source said.
Aside from bird flu, other infectious diseases subject to Nipponkoa Insurance's expanded coverage are West Nile fever and typhoid, said a company official. Medical expenses incurred after travelers return from trips will also be covered, he said.
The expanded insurance will even cover expenses for repairing suitcases whose keys are broken during airport inspections, as well as for trips canceled due to terrorist attacks and travel warnings, he said.