Travel Insurance for Canadians. Why do I need it?

Do You Need Travel Insurance as a Canadian?

Many Canadians believe that they do not need Travel Insurance because they are already covered by their provincial health care plan. However, this is often not the case. Providers of provincial health care plans will only cover a portion of the costs associated with medical care received outside of the province. In addition, there are many other reasons to purchase Travel Insurance, such as trip cancellation coverage and baggage loss protection.

So before you head out on your next vacation, be sure to check out the different types of travel insurance available and choose the plan that best suits your needs. 

Travel Medical Insurance is so important because accidents or illnesses can happen when you are on a trip the same as when at home. Without Travel Medical Insurance, you could be on the hook for an enormous bill to cover the cost of your medical care. This event could affect your retirement plan because you must pay these medical expenses before you leave the hospital in most countries. That is why you need to see me as a Visitors Health Insurance Advisor before you leave Ontario.

Call Glenn now for your Travel Insurance 1-888-256-8685

Travelling Outside of Canada

Travel Insurance is an insurance plan designed to protect you from financial risks and losses while travelling outside of Canada. You can purchase coverage for minor losses and inconveniences, like a delayed flight or lost baggage, or for major ones, like a medical emergency. As a Travel Insurance Specialist Advisor in Ontario, I can help you get the correct plan for your trip

Why You Might Need Travel Insurance

There are a number of situations in which having travel insurance would be beneficial for Canadians. For example, if you need to cancel your trip due to an illness or injury, travel insurance can reimburse you for any non-refundable expenses. If you lose your baggage or have it stolen, travel insurance can help you replace essential items. And if you require emergency medical care while on your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of evacuation or unexpected hospital stays.  

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Plan

When choosing a travel insurance plan, it is important to consider your individual needs and the type of trip you are taking. For example, if you are going on a cruise, it is important to purchase a plan that includes coverage in case of missed port departure or shipwreck. If you are planning an adventure vacation, be sure to purchase a plan that includes coverage for activities such as hiking and bungee jumping.  

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether or not Canadians need travel insurance. However, in general, it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are many situations in which having travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver. When choosing a travel insurance plan, be sure to consider your individual needs and the type of trip you are taking. This will ensure that you are fully covered in case of any unforeseen circumstances. 

Taking a trip this year? Be sure to buy insurance to protect yourself. 

After spending most of 2020 and 2021 stuck at home, many people have been gearing up to take a big trip this year. And given that more countries are finally opening their doors to travelers, the timing may seem perfect for a getaway. 

There’s just one problem: The Covid-19 variant is currently causing a surge of cases not just domestically, but also abroad. Travel Insurance for Canadians In light of that, it’s more important than ever to purchase trip insurance if you’re going to travel this year even if you’re using a travel rewards credit card to book your plans. 

How Travel Insurance will Protect me? Insurance Plan

When you book travel on a credit card, you’ll generally be entitled to some protection. For example, you may be covered for lost or stolen luggage, missed flights, or problems with your hotel booking.

But there’s one thing credit cards generally don’t offer great coverage for, and it’s medical care abroad including coverage for Covid-19. If you wind up falling ill during your travels and need to be hospitalized, for example, your health insurance may not kick in when you’re out of the country. And you could be on the hook for serious medical bills if you don’t have a comprehensive travel insurance plan. At a time when a highly transmissible virus is circulating, that’s a risk you can’t afford to take.

And speaking of the current Covid variant, it’s causing a lot of countries to implement different restrictions. If things change in a manner that makes you no longer want to travel, you may be out of luck if you don’t have trip insurance.

On the other hand, it’s possible to buy travel insurance that includes a clause that lets you cancel for any reason. These plans do cost more than a basic plan, but they give travelers the most flexibility to call off their trips with minimal financial damage.

Generally, if you cancel a trip at the last minute because you simply no longer want to go, you won’t get all of your money back. Your credit card, however, won’t offer the same level of coverage as a travel insurance policy would.

Leave Yourself with Insurance Options

At a time when the coronavirus situation is still evolving, it’s important to have options with your travel plans. And that’s where a good trip insurance policy comes in. Spend a little time researching your choices so you can find the right one for you.

Travel is never cheap, and that’s especially true if you’re flying to a destination far from home. For that reason and plenty of others, savvy consumers tend to pay for travel insurance before they even head to the airport.

With a travel insurance plan, you can buy coverage that will reimburse if you if your trip is canceled or delayed for a covered reason beyond your control. You can even purchase “cancel for any reason” policies that let you back out of your trip any time you want.

Pay for Sufficient Medical Coverage and Higher Limits

Even though travel credit cards are pretty good about offering perks like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage delay coverage, they’re notoriously bad when it comes to offering medical coverage. That’s a real problem if you’re traveling to a destination where your own health insurance coverage won’t work, such as any trip abroad.

With travel insurance, however, you can buy a policy that offers a much higher limit for medical expenses such as $5 million. It wouldn’t take long to rack up huge medical bills if you wind up in the hospital due to illness or broken bones during your trip, but you can protect yourself with adequate travel insurance coverage that includes coverage for medical bills.

Purchase travel insurance today and be protected for your next trip! 
Call Glenn now for your Travel Insurance 1-888-256-8685

You Need Medical Evacuation Coverage

In addition to medical coverage, you’ll want to make sure you have adequate coverage for medical evacuation. This type of coverage will kick in if you become injured or ill and require emergency transportation to get back home. This could mean emergency evacuation in a plane or helicopter with a full medical team, so it’s easy to imagine just how much you’d be stuck paying if you didn’t have this type of coverage.

Most credit cards don’t offer emergency evacuation coverage and ones that do may not offer high enough limits to help you sleep well at night. If you’re worried about the high cost of medical evacuation if you were to become sick or injured overseas, you’ll want to buy travel insurance that includes this benefit.

If you’re on the fence about whether you have the coverage you need to protect yourself, you may want to buy a travel insurance policy just in case.

Don’t assume travel insurance covers COVID-related claims. Ask Glenn Stewart.

Call Glenn now for your Travel Insurance 1-888-256-8685

Are you Planning on Travelling Outside of Your Province?

Most people are unaware that their provincial health care plan will not cover them when they are travelling outside of the province. This can lead to very costly medical bills if something were to happen while you are away. 

Travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself from any unexpected costs that may come up while you are travelling. It can also provide peace of mind in knowing that you are covered if something happens during your trip. 

Contact Glenn Stewart for Travel Insurance, CIP, CRM, CHS, CEA
 1-888-256-8685 
or glenn@glennstewartinsurance.com

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Travel Insurance for visitors to Canada available in Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Milton, Mississauga, Toronto, Elora, Elmira, Listowel, Mitchell, Stratford, New Hamburg, Brantford, Hamilton, Burlington, Fergus, Oakville, and Cambridge area.