Before you head out on your next adventure, you might want to look into getting travel insurance coverage. Travel insurance is designed to protect travellers from a variety of risks and financial losses that may occur while they are away from home. So, what exactly does travel insurance cover? Stick around to learn more about travel coverage below.
What is typically covered by travel insurance?
Travel insurance is meant to protect individuals and give them the best chance at experiencing safe travels abroad. While the specifics of travel insurance will vary between insurance plans and companies, here are some of the most common inclusions listed:
Trip cancellation and interruption
The trip cancellation and interruption portion of your travel insurance will reimburse your prepaid or non-refundable costs in the event your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to a covered scenario listed in your policy. For example, severe weather conditions, the death of a family member, or illness/sickness.
Medical emergency
If you suffer a medical emergency while on your vacation, your travel health insurance will cover medical costs for any illnesses or injuries that happen during your travels. Eligible medical expenses include medical treatment in hospitals, visits to the doctor, and transportation in an ambulance.
Emergency evacuation
Your travel insurance policy also provides protection in case you require an emergency medical evacuation to a medical facility or to your home country by providing you with financial protection against any expenses that incur.
Baggage loss
Baggage coverage will provide compensation for any damaged, stolen, or lost baggage, including your personal belongings within the bag. Depending on the specifics of your travel insurance policy, lost luggage can also provide coverage for essential items you may need to purchase if you lose your bags.
Trip delay
If, for some reason, your trip is delayed, your travel insurance plan will reimburse any additional expenses incurred because of the delay. This can include things like meals, accommodation, and transportation costs.
Travel accident or flight accident
If, in the unfortunate event, you are involved in an accident that results in your accidental death, your travel insurance can help provide your family members with a lump sum of money.
Rental cars coverage
Travel insurance plans also offer coverage if you rent a vehicle and it is damaged or stolen. Not all travel insurance plans have this as an automatic option, so make sure to ask your insurance company if you plan on renting a vehicle during your international travel.
24/7 assistance
Most trip insurance policies include a 24/7 assistance hotline that can help you navigate emergency medical care, accommodations, the loss of your passport or other important documents, and more.
Missed transport connection
Your travel insurance plan will also cover additional transportation costs if you miss your flight, train, or other modes of transportation.
What does travel insurance not cover?
It's important to note that while your travel insurance plan provides coverage for numerous scenarios, there are some exclusions you need to be aware of:
Pre-existing medical conditions
Most travel insurance policies will not cover pre-existing conditions and related medical costs.
High-risk activities
Activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, and other high-risk activities that could severely injure you.
Pandemics
COVID-19 and travel insurance policies are relatively new, and not all companies offer coverage. We suggest speaking to different providers to determine whether they provide insurance for pandemics or epidemics.
Intentional acts
Regardless of which insurance company or policy you use, intentional acts that cause harm to you or another individual.
Destinations with a travel advisory
If the area you intend to travel to has an advisory, your insurance plans will not cover costs, should war or unrest occur during your stay.
Losses due to alcohol or drugs
Incidents that occur while you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs are usually excluded from coverage as well. If you already have travel coverage in place, we recommend reaching out to your provider and asking for clarification on what is or isn't covered under your current policies. That way, you can select the best course of action moving forward and decide whether or not you want to purchase add-ons to your policies for additional peace of mind that bridges any existing gaps you might have.
What does travel insurance reimburse?
Depending on your insurance company and the specifics of your plan, what is and isn't reimbursed will be different. However, some common reimbursements for travel health insurance include:
- Trip interruption and trip cancellation if your travel plans go array.
- Emergency medical expenses for medical emergencies.
- Death benefits to immediate family members.
- Unexpected costs related to lost baggage and your personal items.
- A cash payment for food, accommodation, and other costs if you miss your connection.
- Other travel costs depend on your specific coverage.
To learn more about what you can be compensated for when it comes to travel insurance, we suggest reading the fine print of your plan and a representative from your insurance provider.
Do I have to buy travel medical insurance before travelling?
Whether or not you choose to purchase travel health insurance really depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Purchasing this type of coverage is a great way to have peace of mind while travelling, especially if you're going on an adventure with a high risk of injuries.
Furthermore, in times when COVID-19 is still present worldwide, having travel health insurance really serves as a safety net against medical emergencies that could occur. Ultimately, when it comes to your health, it's better to be safe rather than sorry.
Am I safe to travel in a vehicle while pregnant?
A common question we receive at BrokerLink is, "Is car travel safe during pregnancy?" The answer to this question is twofold. While it is generally safe to drive and be in the passenger seat of a car during your travels, it's never a bad idea to be safe rather than sorry. To make sure you're safe, here's what you should consider doing:
- Prepare an emergency medical bag and store it in your vehicle.
- When travelling to a destination, take note of all medical care facilities in the area to ensure you know where you need to go in case of a medical emergency.
- Make sure your seat, steering wheel, and seatbelt are properly positioned.
Which companies offer the best travel insurance plan?
In Canada, numerous companies offer comprehensive travel insurance policies. Here is a closer look at our travel guide when it comes to providers and plans we think you might benefit from:
TuGo
With optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance and round-the-clock emergency travel medical help, TuGo is an expert in emergency travel medical coverage. Their travel policies include the following:
- Multi-trip annual and single-trip coverage options
- Emergency medical insurance for domestic or international travel.
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance or trip interruption only insurance.
- Options for travellers who want to pay no deductible.
- Baggage protection (add-on).
- Rental car protection (add-on).
- Sports and activities coverage (exclusions apply).
- Pre-existing condition clause (exclusions apply).
Travel safe with TuGo today!
Travelwell
TravelWell provides extensive travel insurance coverage to fit your unique needs. Here are two of their options:
TravelWell emergency medical plan insurance
Up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance (caps at 30 days), 24/7 worldwide medical and travel assistance, and immediate payments for medical expenses.
TravelWell all-inclusive
Will include everything mentioned above, including trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, and baggage loss coverage (for trips up to 30 days). If you would like more information on either of the coverage options listed above, don't hesitate to reach out and speak with an experienced broker from BrokerLink.
At BrokerLink, we work for you. You can expect us to work closely with you to ensure you find the right insurance coverage for your specific needs and travel plans. No matter where you're headed, rest assured, knowing you're in good hands with our team members. You can reach BrokerLink over the phone, visit us in person, or get a free online quote using our quote tool right away!
Who can save on travel insurance?
While most Canadians can save on their travel insurance, if you belong to the United commercial travellers or the Association of canadian travel agencies, there are numerous benefits and savings available.
Not only do members of these professional organizations receive savings on their travel policies, but they can also qualify for home and auto discounts as well. If you're a member of either association or another professional organization, speak with your insurance provider about whether or not you qualify for any discounts.
Do I need insurance for my travel trailer?
Yes, if you plan on travelling within the country or outside of Canada in a travel trailer, you will need travel trailer insurance. In a lot of cases, your travel trailer won't be covered if you don't have travel trailer insurance or if your current auto insurance policy doesn't include a policy for it. This in turn, will not cover you if your trailer is damaged or vandalized while it's parked.
Ultimately, travel trailer insurance includes policies similar to an auto insurance plan, including third party liability car insurance, accident benefits, and other optional coverages, which can provide coverage for you while you're on the way to your next destination.
How much does travel insurance cost?
So, how much does travel insurance cost? Well, like all insurance, it really depends on the type of travel insurance policies you choose and your coverage limits. Therefore, before you buy travel insurance, we recommend reaching out to different insurance companies and comparing quotes.
Is travel insurance necessary when travelling within Canada?
Whether or not you need travel insurance when travelling throughout Canada really depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. Here are some things to consider:
Travel medical insurance
While each province and territory offers health insurance and medical care to residents, some medical services may not be covered when travelling outside of the province where you live. With travel medical insurance, any gaps can be helpful if you have pre-existing conditions.
Trip cancellation
If your trip is cancelled or interrupted for any reason, travel insurance reimburses you for the cost of your trip, which is beneficial wherever you're travelling.
Baggage and Personal Belongings
If your trip in Canada includes multiple stops along the way, travel insurance can provide you with compensation if your luggage is stolen or damaged, along with your personal items.
Peace of mind
Having travel insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that you are financially protected against various unforeseen events no matter where you're travelling to.
Like all types of insurance, it's important to sit down and evaluate your risk level to determine whether you could benefit from this type of coverage. If you're travelling with young children, the elderly, are pregnant or have any other conditions that could make you vulnerable to accidents, travel insurance is a great way to ensure no matter what happens on your trip, you are protected.
Get high-quality travel insurance coverage with BrokerLink today!
Do you want to purchase travel insurance coverage? We've got you covered! BrokerLink works with some of the top insurance companies in Canada. Our team is able to help you shop around for the best insurance coverage that's tailored to your unique travel needs and destination, so you can truly enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.
We've got locations across Canada! If we're in your neighbourhood, come on by to work with one of our experienced insurance brokers in person. If you're on the go, you can also give us a call or use our free online quote tool, which you can use on any device! We look forward to working with you!
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