Insurance FAQ: Travel

Does Travel Insurance cover medical expenses?

Yes, under emergency medical coverage.

Typically, these plans provide coverage for unforeseen medical situations like sudden illness, injury, or hospitalization that occur during your travels. This protection often extends to doctor visits, necessary prescription medications, and even emergency transportation services like ambulances.

Can I get coverage for a pre-existing medical condition with Travel Insurance?

Yes, coverage for pre-existing conditions is possible, but insurer plans typically employ a “stability clause” when determining eligibility. This important provision requires your medical condition to remain stable for a specified period before your departure date to qualify for coverage.

There are typically two pathways to securing coverage for pre-existing conditions:

1. Insurers may offer optional riders or waivers specifically designed for pre-existing conditions, allowing you to obtain coverage upon meeting certain criteria.
2. Insurance companies could provide specialized plans crafted specifically for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions. Be aware that these plans typically come with more stringent eligibility requirements to balance the increased risk.

Are there additional costs for pre-existing condition coverage on Travel Insurance?

Additional costs for pre-existing condition coverage can vary widely depending on your insurer and individual health circumstances. Many insurance providers offer an unstable pre-existing medical condition add-on as an optional purchase that complements their standard emergency medical coverage.

This specialized add-on extends protection to include pre-existing conditions that weren’t stable during the specified period before your departure date.

We recommend carefully reviewing the details of any pre-existing condition coverage, including stability period requirements, coverage limits, and specific exclusions, to see if this extra coverage is worth adding.

What risks does Trip Interruption Insurance cover?

What reasons are covered for Trip Cancellation?

Can I get coverage for lost or delayed baggage?

While airlines typically offer some basic compensation for lost or delayed baggage, travel insurance provides an additional layer of security.

Many travel insurance policies will reimburse you for essential items like toiletries and clothing if your bags are delayed for a specified period (usually 12 to 24 hours). However, it’s important to note that coverage limits can vary significantly between insurance providers, with different compensation amounts per day, per person, and maximum caps per trip.

*Exclusions often apply for high-value items like jewelry or electronics. 

Does travel insurance cover medical evacuation?

Medical evacuation is typically included as a standard benefit in travel insurance policies that feature Emergency Medical Coverage.

When medically necessary, this coverage can arrange and pay for transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility or even back to Canada if required for proper treatment.

Are adventure activities like skiing or rock climbing covered under travel insurance?

Adventure activities like skiing and rock climbing typically fall into the “extreme sports” category in most travel insurance policies. While basic travel insurance from providers like BlueCross or GMS generally covers medical expenses for common illnesses or injuries, they often exclude coverage for injuries sustained during these higher-risk recreational activities.

Standard travel insurance policies are designed with everyday tourist activities in mind, not the additional risks associated with adventure sports.

*For travellers planning to participate in activities like skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, scuba diving, or other adrenaline-pumping pursuits, specialized coverage or add-ons are usually necessary to ensure protection in case of injury.

What Travel Insurance options are there for snowbirds?

Canadian snowbirds generally have two primary options for travel medical insurance plans: Single Trip Plans and Multi-Trip Annual Plans. The best choice between these two types of policies depends on your specific travel patterns throughout the winter season and the entire year, as well as the duration of your stays outside your province of residence.

Single Trip Plans are designed for one continuous journey from your departure date until your return.

Multi-Trip Annual Plans, on the other hand, cover multiple journeys within a 12-month period, with each trip limited to a maximum number of days (typically options range from 15 to 60 days per trip).

Does my travel insurance cover trip cancellation due to COVID-19?

In the post-pandemic landscape, coverage for COVID-19 has been incorporated into both government health plans and medical emergency travel insurance policies.

However, it’s crucial to understand that COVID-19 is typically treated as any other medical condition under these policies. This means the standard ‘stability period’ requirements for pre-existing conditions apply if you’ve previously contracted COVID-19.

For trip cancellation specifically related to COVID-19, policies have evolved significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. Many insurers now offer some form of coverage for trip cancellation if you personally contract COVID-19 before departure. However, coverage for other COVID-related disruptions, such as border closures, quarantine requirements, or travel advisories, varies widely between policies and providers.