Why do I need travel insurance? The outlay of money for traveling can be quite substantial. You may find yourself facing a loss of money from unforeseen circumstances that make it necessary to cancel or interrupt your trip. Travel insurance can provide the additional assurance that covered unexpected expenses will be covered for medical care including hospital admission, emergency dental care, and emergency medical evacuation.
Is medical travel insurance necessary when travelling within Canada? Government health insurance plans do have limits on the reimbursement of the emergency medical expenses incurred while in another province. For example, air and ground ambulance costs, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs might not be covered outside your province of residence. For maximum protection, you should purchase additional medical coverage even while travelling within Canada.
Can coverage be extended during my trip? If you are already on your trip, you can extend coverage by calling our Assistance Centre provided there has been no claim reported and no event has occurred that would give rise to a claim under the insurance. In addition, you must request the extension before your coverage expires and pay the appropriate premium. Extension of your coverage is subject to the approval of our Assistance Centre.
Are pre-existing conditions a problem? Yes, this is why you need to read and understand your policy, and understand what your policy says about pre-existing conditions.
I'm going to the United States for a week. Do I really need travel insurance? Yes, you do need travel insurance to protect you against the unexpected while you are in the United States. An illness or accident can happen at any time, whether you're only traveling for a few days,or a few months. The cost of U.S. health care is very expensive and very little is covered by your government health insurance plan. The cost of travel insurance for short trips is minimal, and it will give you peace of mind.
Do I need to read my insurance policy? Yes your travel insurance policy includes the benefits, terms and conditions of your travel insurance plan. It's in your best interest to be familiar with the policy as some of those terms will determine the amount that is payable to you. Also, remember to take the policy and policy number with you on your trip so you can refer to it if necessary.