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Travel Insurance - FAQ

1. Do I really need travel insurance?
   
   
2. What should I know about my travel health insurance policy?
   
   
3. How can I be sure I meet the terms of my insurance policy?
   
   
4. Won't I get adequate coverage through my provincial or territorial health plan?
   
   
5. Where can I purchase travel insurance?
   
   
6. Where can I find further information on travel insurance?
   

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1.   Do I really need travel insurance?

Canadians who plan to go abroad — even on a day trip to the United States — should purchase the best travel insurance they can afford in order to avoid large expenses, such as the cost of hospitalization or medical treatment outside of Canada. Your Canadian insurance is almost certainly not valid outside Canada. It is essential to obtain supplementary travel insurance ― health, life, disability, driving, vehicle, and trip cancellation ― before leaving Canada.

Foreign hospitals and clinics have been known to refuse treatment to patients who lack adequate insurance or financial resources to pay their bills. A single accident could result in years of debt for those who are not prepared. A medical evacuation, for instance, could cost more than $50,000.

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2.  What should I know about my travel health insurance policy?

Carefully research your needs and verify the conditions, limitations, and requirements of your insurance policy before departure.

When assessing a travel health insurance plan, ask if it:

• provides continuous coverage before departure and after return;
• offers coverage renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay;
• has an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English or French and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country;
• pays for foreign hospitalization for illness or injury and related medical costs (treatment for some injuries may exceed $250,000) and, if so, whether it pays up front or expects you to pay and be reimbursed later.;
• provides coverage for doctor’s visits and prescription medicines;
• provides direct payment of bills and cash advances abroad so you don’t have to pay out of your own pocket;
• covers pre-existing medical conditions (get an agreement in writing that you’re covered). Otherwise, you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause; 
• provides for medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location with appropriate medical care;
• pays for a medical escort (health care provider) to accompany you during evacuation. This service can cost as much as $100,000 if it is not included;
• covers premature births and related neonatal care, as needed;
• clearly explains deductible costs (plans with 100 percent coverage are more expensive but may save money in the long run);
• covers preparation and return of your remains to Canada if you die abroad (in most cases, costs will exceed plan coverage);
• covers emergency dental care;
• covers emergency transportation, such as ambulance services; and
• doesn’t exclude or significantly limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit.

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3.   How can I be sure I meet the terms of my insurance policy?

It is your responsibility to know the terms of your insurance policy. Carefully read the fine print to know when your insurer is obliged to pay. Never lie about your medical history when applying for travel health insurance or you could invalidate a subsequent claim.

Obtain approval from your insurer before undergoing medical treatment. Routine health checkups, non-emergency care, and cosmetic surgery are rarely covered by travel health insurance. Coverage may also be excluded for psychiatric disorders, drug- or alcohol-related incidents, or extreme sporting activities, such as bungee jumping and rock climbing.

Be aware that some insurance companies will not honour medical claims made for injuries suffered in a country for which an official Travel Warning has been issued from the Government of Canada. Coverage for injuries resulting from war may also be limited.

Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before leaving a country where you receive medical treatment. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Always remember to submit original receipts for medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept photocopies or faxes. Keep a copy of the submitted documents for your files.

Carry details of your insurance and tell your travel agent, a travel companion, and a friend or relative at home how to contact your insurer.

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4.   Won’t I get adequate coverage through my provincial or territorial health plan?

Provincial or territorial health insurance rarely covers the full cost and does not pay up front if you get sick or are injured abroad. At best, your health plan will cover only part of the bill. For more information, contact your provincial or territorial health authority.

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5.   Where can I purchase travel insurance?

Travel insurance may be purchased through your travel agent, insurance broker, and possibly your employer’s insurance provider. Credit card companies may also offer their clients travel and health insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically provided or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you use their card to pay for travel arrangements.

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6. Where can I find further information on travel insurance?

Consult the sections on Supplemental Health Insurance in our publications entitled Bon Voyage, But…Essential Information for Canadian Travellers and Well on Your Way.

Additional information on travel health insurance can also be found in the brochure A Guide to Travel Health Insurance (only available in pdf format), on the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. website.