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Vacation, Trip & Travel Insurance For Canadians

Last updated: 26th June 2023

Who needs travel insurance?

If you're planning to explore beyond your home province or territory, purchasing travel insurance beforehand is crucial. Travel insurance for Canadians can offer protection against expenses resulting from unforeseeable cancellations, delays, theft, medical emergencies, or accidents.

As you prepare for your next adventure, it's important to consider the potential risks associated with travelling. From lost luggage to flight cancellations, unforeseen events can occur at any time, leaving you feeling stranded and financially vulnerable. This is where travel insurance comes in – it provides peace of mind and reassurance that you'll be covered in case of an emergency.

Whether you're embarking on a journey to savour Canada's many breathtaking sights and sounds or jetting off abroad to immerse in a new culture, unexpected mishaps can occur. With a range of travel insurance policies available, it's important to conduct thorough research before selecting a policy that caters to your specific requirements. This will ensure that you're getting the right coverage for your needs and budget.

Remember, you can't rely on your provincial healthcare plan to cover you while you're travelling. Don't let unexpected events ruin your travel experience – purchase comprehensive travel insurance today and travel with confidence!

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What does travel insurance cover?

When looking to compare travel insurance, you will first need to decide whether you are looking for single trip coverage (for a specific trip you have planned), or an annual multi-trip that will cover you for numerous trips across a 12-month period.

Travel insurance can provide financial protection in the event of unexpected medical emergencies, canceled flights, lost luggage, and other unforeseen problems that can occur while traveling.

Some policies may also provide coverage for activities such as skiing and other adventurous pursuits, while others may exclude these activities from their coverage. It is important to read the fine print of any policy before purchasing it so that you are clear on what is and is not covered.

In general, travel insurance can provide coverage for:

  • Medical emergencies and evacuation
  • Trip cancellation and interruption
  • Lost or stolen luggage
  • Delayed flights
  • Missed connections
  • Financial default of airlines, hotels, or tour operators
  • Natural disasters
  • Political unrest or terrorist attacks

The extent of your coverage will normally depend on the type of plan your purchase. The three main types you can compare on our site are:

  • Emergency Medical Travel Insurance
    This type of plan will only cover your medical expenses if you are unexpectedly injured or become sick.
  • All-Inclusive Travel Insurance
    In addition to medical expenses, this type of plan will include coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, baggage, and much more. It offers the ultimate protection for your trip.
  • Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
    You can compare standalone policies for trip cancellation and interruption without any coverage for medical expenses.

When choosing a travel insurance policy, be sure to compare different policies and read the fine print carefully to make sure that you are getting the coverage you need at a price that you can afford.

Do I need travel insurance if I am travelling within Canada?

For Canadians, it's essential to keep in mind that government health insurance will only cover them up to a certain limit when travelling outside of their home province or territory, even within Canada. Since the systems and costs vary across provinces, it's possible to face hefty expenses such as air and ground ambulance services, emergency dental treatments, prescription drugs, and transportation home if something goes wrong while travelling.

It's worth noting that the expenses of emergency medical care can quickly add up, especially when travelling to remote areas where medical treatment may be more limited or expensive. Additionally, the limited coverage provided by the Government Health Insurance Plan may not be enough to cover the cost of unexpected medical emergencies.

That's where travel insurance comes in. A comprehensive policy can help cover these unforeseen costs, providing peace of mind to enjoy the trip. Whether travelling within Canada or abroad, it's important to protect oneself with travel insurance to ensure that the trip is worry-free, enjoyable and memorable.

Find out more about travelling within Canada in our comprehensive guide.

Read more
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Is travel insurance really worth it?

As a Canadian, you may be wondering if purchasing travel insurance is really worth it. At Compare Your Travel Insurance, we believe that everyone should travel with the right level of protection to enjoy their trip. The cost of travelling can very quickly add up - flights, transportation, hotels, transfers, activities, entertainment - and you deserve to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the financial impact of an unexpected event.

There are many different types of travel insurance available, and the right policy for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. If you're planning a trip, we recommend getting quotes from a few different companies to compare coverage and prices - which is of course where we can help you.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when comparing travel insurance:

  1. Coverage - Make sure you understand what is and isn't covered by your policy. Read the fine print carefully to understand exactly what you're getting.
  2. Cost - Travel insurance policies can vary widely in price, so it's important to compare quotes from different companies. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy may not always be the best value.
  3. Pre-existing medical conditions - Some policies will not cover you if you have a pre-existing medical condition, so it's important to disclose this information when you're getting quotes.
  4. Cancellation protection - Many policies will provide some level of protection if you need to cancel your trip due to an unexpected event. This can be very useful if you've already paid for non-refundable travel expenses.
  5. 24/7 assistance - Some policies come with 24/7 assistance, which can be very helpful if you encounter any problems while you're away from home.

In the last couple of years, travel has never been so uncertain and unpredictable, so it is a smart move to protect your trip.

Sadly, accidents can happen. The high cost of emergency medical bills can be financially crippling if you become injured or sick whilst on holiday.

How much does travel insurance cost?

If you're a Canadian looking to purchase travel insurance, there are several things you should know to get the best coverage at the best price. Firstly, the cost of your coverage will depend on several factors, such as your age, the duration and destination of your trip, and the cost of your trip itself. For example, if you're travelling to a remote location, you may need additional coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

Secondly, while it's often cheaper to buy a single-trip policy, if you're someone who travels frequently, it's usually more cost-effective to opt for an annual multi-trip policy. This type of policy will cover you for multiple trips throughout the year, saving you time and money in the long run.

Thirdly, an all-inclusive travel insurance plan might be more expensive than just buying emergency medical coverage, but it will also provide a higher level of protection for your trip. Such plans usually include coverage for trip cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, emergency medical expenses, and more.

At Compare Your Travel Insurance, we understand that comparing travel insurance policies can be a daunting task. That's why we are here to help. We'll help you quickly compare different plans so you can get the right travel insurance for you. Our service is free, and we don't charge you any extra fees. Get in touch with us today and let us help you find the perfect travel insurance policy for your needs.

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Your Government health plan does not provide coverage for medical expenses incurred outside of Canada (some provincial plans provide very limited reimbursement for out-of-province medical bills). Travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected medical emergencies and related expenses incurred outside of Canada (and your home province). Travel insurance needs to be purchased prior to departing your home province.

This depends on the rules of your home province. Some provinces allow you to be outside for a total of 182 days in a calendar year while others may allow up to 212 days. While you may be able to obtain coverage up to these durations, travel insurance will only be valid as you remain a resident of your home province and have a valid Government health insurance plan.

Yes. Whether you have driven or flown, you should have travel insurance when visiting the United States.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as you have made payment arrangements to secure your travel plans.

There are many costs that might not be covered by your provincial plan or there may be different limits - so if you are planning to travel outside of your home province it is worth considering travel insurance.

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Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, having worked with some of the worlds largest insurers. Tommy’s primary focus has been developing the best possible online experience for travellers looking to compare travel insurance rates. Music and travel are two of Tommy's greatest interests, and even better when he can combine the two together!

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