Whether you are travelling outside your province of residence or internationally, travel insurance remains a smart and essential part of trip planning. It’s designed to protect you from unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations or interruptions, and non-medical costs such as lost baggage or travel delays.
From sudden illness or injury to natural disasters, political unrest or airline disruptions, travel insurance helps you navigate the unexpected with confidence.
What does travel insurance cover?
Depending on the type of policy you choose, travel insurance can include:
- Emergency medical coverage for illness or injury while travelling.
- Trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen events.
- Baggage loss or delay.
- Travel delay expenses, such as meals and accommodations.
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
- Assistance services, like help finding medical care abroad.
Some policies may still offer optional coverage for COVID-19-related issues, but it's no longer the central focus. Instead, travellers should be aware of a wide range of potential disruptions and ensure their policy reflects their needs.
What questions should I ask when purchasing travel insurance?
It’s wise to always ask these questions before travelling to help you understand your coverage options:
- Are preexisting conditions covered and, if so, under what terms?
- Is coverage affected by travel advisories or political instability in my destination?
- What’s included in nonmedical coverage (e.g., lost baggage, trip delays)?
- Are there exclusions I should be aware of, such as adventure sports or high-risk activities?
- What’s the process for filing a claim, and what documentation is required?
If I’m travelling multiple times this year, should I consider a multi-trip annual plan instead of single-trip coverage?
How do preexisting medical conditions affect travel coverage?
Your eligibility for coverage always considers your health changes within a certain period prior to the date of departure. But the timeline varies based on age. For example, for older travellers or those with certain medical conditions, some carriers will look at the past year. Others will look at smaller periods of stable health for less severe medical conditions.
It's important to ask about your personal situation in relation to your coverage to ensure you're properly aware of the terms and conditions of any travel insurance policy.
Please note that when answering your medical questionnaire, if you do not know how to answer, you must ask your doctor. The answers on the questionnaire must accurately reflect what your medical records say, or your coverage may be invalid.
How does travel insurance work for extended stays abroad?
If you are like many Canadians looking to get away for the winter months, there are a variety of travel insurance options that fit your needs.
If you plan on being away for a few months at a time, you can purchase a specific policy to cover the length of your trip. If you are making frequent trips back and forth, or taking a few trips during the winter months, an annual travel plan may provide you with peace of mind knowing you are covered for shorter trips without having to call and arrange travel insurance before each trip.
Do I need provincial healthcare coverage to qualify for travel insurance?
In most cases, yes. Before you travel, check your provincial health insurance plan's criteria for how long you can stay away. Standard travel insurance requires that your provincial insurance is valid to meet the requirements of the standard contract.
For example, in Quebec, RAMQ coverage will lapse if you’re out of the country for more than 182 days. This time is cumulative, so if you leave and come back, your time out of the country does not reset when you return to the country. If you lose RAMQ coverage, you won't be eligible for the basic travel insurance coverage.
In Ontario, you have 212 days in a 12-month period before you lose OHIP coverage. In Alberta, you can be out of the country for up to six months before losing AHCIP coverage. Each province has its own rules and conditions, so look into your own situation carefully to make the decision that's right for you.
If you lose your provincial coverage, you may have to buy visitor-to-Canada insurance while you wait. Even if you're not really a visitor, this plan is made for people in the country without access to government coverage.
Are there any vacation activities that could result in my travel insurance being voided?
Yes. If you plan to take part in any high-risk activity, such as bungee jumping or skydiving, make sure you speak with your insurance provider to ensure you're covered.
If you're injured or become ill because of scuba diving, you're unlikely to be covered unless you've been certified by an internationally recognized program. Check with your provider before you travel if you plan to scuba dive.
Plans typically do not cover injuries sustained under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you plan on drinking while travelling, speak to your provider and compare policy options.
It's also important to look into the country you're travelling to and ensure you receive any vaccinations required to enter and are following all travel advisories issued by the Canadian government.
Planning to travel? Request a quote now and journey with peace of mind.
