This week I’m still inspired by the summer-like temperatures. Full of wanderlust, travel is always on my mind. In my last post we talked about getting ready to make that epic road trip and planning ahead, you’ll find that post here. One of the things we didn’t talk about was travel insurance. Why? Well, honestly I never really think about it much when I’m travelling in Canada, my provincial health care has me covered, right? Well it turns out I might be mistaken about that – it happens on occasion.
Good to know before you go.
If you are like me, you would likely choose to tough a cold or put your own first aid skills to the test for a minor injury while traveling, not wanting to take away from the experience of the trip. Even a visit to a walk-in clinic might just suffice until you make your way home, but what if you needed more than that? After all travel makes us step outside our routine and try new things and with that comes a whole new set of risks.
If you want to know what’s covered, each provincial website outlines it in detail, you’ll find links to the Alberta and Ontario pages in the resources below. One of the things I was surprised to find was that all provinces recommend purchasing additional private insurance even when traveling in country.
What’s not covered?
- Ambulance services – These are not covered in some provinces for local residents and if you’ve ever had the misfortune of needing an ambulance, you know the bill can be upwards of a few hundred dollars for just a short ride. That cost will multiply exponentially if you or a loved need to be transported across country by ground and even more by air. Out-of-province ambulance services are not covered under any provincial plan.
- Prescription drugs – Not all provinces cover prescription medication when out-of-province and although rare, in some cases the appropriate drugs may not be available. Getting those medicines to you or worse, if you are forced to be moved to get life-saving treatment, you don’t want to be worrying about the cost.
- Non-medical travel expenses – In an instance where you don’t need to be transported home right away, you may need to extend your stay for recovery or therapy before being travel ready. Cancelling flights, extending hotel stays and other unplanned expenses will not be covered by provincial health care, even if it is required as part of your treatment.
Assuming you manage to stay healthy and out of harms way for the duration of your trip, travel insurance in Canada or abroad is still a great idea. In addition to emergency medical service coverage for hospital and treatment costs, emergency dental services or transportation; travel insurance protects so much more…
Trip Cancellation/ Trip Interruption Insurance
- You or your travelling companion’s unexpected sickness, injury and/or death
- Natural disaster or unforeseeable event that makes your home or business unlivable
- Travel advisories and more
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Death or dismemberment
- Air Flight/Common Carrier – injury while riding as a fare-paying passenger on an airplane, helicopter or common carrier (bus, train or boat)
- 24-Hour accident insurance
Baggage Insurance
- Payment for lost, damaged, destroyed or stolen baggage and personal effects, anywhere in the world, on water, land or in the air
Don’t go it alone.
Chances are you’ve planned and saved to make each travel experience as memorable as possible. Don’t let your efforts go to waste, give yourself a little peace of mind before you set out on that next adventure. Get more details about travel coverage here, or talk to an InsureMy advisor for a quote and to talk about the coverage that is right for you; these guys really know their stuff.
Want to know more? Review these sources and resources.
Have More Questions?
Let me know and I’ll do my best to address it here for you and all of our readers. Better yet, contact an InsureMy advisor; these guys know their stuff. Email Info@InsureMy.ca or give them a call locally at (403) 410-1896 or toll free at 1-844-410-1896.
Everyday Insurance With Allie
Working mom, lover of the great outdoors and self-professed know-it-all. Our resident blogger, Allie isn’t the insurance guru she claims to be – but she’s learning and we are happy to help guide her. All the while keeping you in the loop on the “insurancey” stuff you need to know. #AskAllie
