tugo travel insurance coverage

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Get peace of mind with the right travel insurance.

You might not want to think about the things that could go wrong while you’re on your trip, but if something should happen, you don’t want to be without travel insurance.

Travel Insurance for All of Life’s Adventures

Pack travel insurance and relax — you’re covered for unexpected medical emergencies and more..

No trip’s ever the same—that’s just one of the things we love about travel! But with each trip, emergencies, interruptions, and lost luggage are possible. We’ve got you—explore your coverage options below.

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What our customers have to say.

If it weren’t for TuGo, my wife and I would have had to pay over $1,000 USD in an Oahu hospital — just for a few liquid stitches after a minor surfing accident. Luckily, TuGo handled everything and we never had to pay a dime out of pocket.

Yuzo N. | British Columbia

Both of the agents I spoke with were kind and reassuring. We've had TuGo insurance for several years now. I've compared prices and TuGo remains the best. Now that we've had to use the insurance for an emergency, we're even more convinced  — thank you.

Debra C. | Alberta

Optional sports coverage allows me to travel with confidence, knowing that  I’m covered while doing the things I love most.

Amanda B. | British Columbia

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Get the travel insurance you need and the top-quality service you deserve. We’ve built partnerships across Canada with leading brands.

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24/7 emergency medical assistance on your side

If an accident happen s on your trip, our multilingual emergency medical team is available to you and your loved ones 24/7. Unlike other brands, we never contract out our services.

We cover high-risk sports that most other insurers won’t

Our Emergency Medical plan covers activities like skiing and surfing; you can even add coverage for backcountry skiing, skydiving, and other extreme sports and activities.

Coverage that meets your individual needs 

Customize your travel insurance to suit your needs. Choose your deductible, trip length, and add-ons to personalize your coverage. We’ll make sure you get the best protection for your unique travel experience.

We help you, however we can

We take care of you. Whether that means getting you the best hospital care, flying a loved one to your bedside, or in extreme cases, bringing you back to Canada by air ambulance–helping you is what we do best.

All Inclusive Holiday Package

Provides comprehensive coverage in an affordable bundle, for travellers 59 or younger. Coverage includes: 

• Emergency Medical Insurance 
• Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance
• Baggage Insurance

Emergency Medical  Insurance

• Provides emergency medical support
• E nsu res you aren’t left paying out-of-pocket for expensive medical procedures while outside your home province
• Personalize your policy with add-ons, including Optional Sports & Activities Coverage for extreme sports and activities

Emergency Medical  Travel Insurance

• Supplements your provincial health plan coverage in case of unexpected injury or illness. Ensures you aren’t left paying out-of-pocket for expensive medical procedures while outside your home province.
• Personalize your policy with add-ons, including Optional Sports Coverages for contact, adventure and extreme sports.

Non-Medical Travel Insurance

Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption  

• Reimburses non-refundable prepaid costs if your travel plans are cancelled before departure, or they’re disrupted after your trip begins

Baggage & Rental Car Protection

• Baggage Insurance reimburses you if your bags get lost, damaged, or stolen, while Rental Car Protection covers you for rental car damage

You may think you’re covered,  but you’re probably not.

Most of us think our credit cards, employee group benefits or provincial health care plans will cover us for medical emergencies while we travel, but they won’t cover everything .

Your provincial health care plan won’t cut it

When you travel outside of Canada, your provincial health care plan covers less than 10% of your travel medical expenses – a one-night stay in a US hospital on average costs over $15,000.

Medical treatment in other countries  is expensive

Medical bills, especially from the US, add up quickly. W ithout the right coverage, you could find yourself responsible for paying thousands of dollars—not how you were hoping to end your vacation.

Types of Travel Insurance

Dec 15, 2021: Level 3 advisory reinstatement - visit COVID-19 Important Updates FAQ

COVID-19 Insurance - Unvaccinated

Looking for COVID-19 coverage? If you haven’t been vaccinated for any reason other than your age, or have only had your first dose less than 14 days before you’re set to leave, we’ve got you covered! You can buy our COVID-19 Insurance – Unvaccinated plan with a TuGo Emergency Medical Insurance Worldwide or Excluding USA plan.

This insurance includes COVID-19 emergency medical and related quarantine expenses, if you test positive for and are diagnosed with COVID-19 while on your trip. It also includes a  Trip Interruption  benefit if the  Government of Canada’s travel advisory  changes to a Level 4 (avoid all travel) during your trip and you choose to come home early.

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering how TuGo responds to other travel medical emergencies, pre-existing conditions or previous COVID-19 diagnoses? Visit our Travel Insurance FAQ. Need a COVID test before leaving Canada? Get fast, easy and private testing with CVM Medical, available in Calgary, Vancouver and Nanaimo, BC. Learn More .

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HelloSafe » Travel Insurance » TuGo

Is TuGo Travel Insurance right for you? Review 2024

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Our articles are written by experts in their fields (finance, trading, insurance etc.) whose signatures you will see at the beginning and at the end of each article. They are also systematically reviewed and corrected before each publication, and updated regularly.

Finding good travel insurance that offers comprehensive coverage is a daunting task. They always lack one thing or the other. But we've got you covered.

Among the host of options available in the market, TuGo travel insurance could be an option to consider. But is it the right fit for you?

To help you with that, we bring you this review of TuGo travel insurance, its coverage, pros and cons, claims process, and everything you need to know. You can also compare its coverage with different providers and get quotes so you can get a travel insurance that suits you the best.

TuGo travel insurance: 5 Key Takeaways

• It offers comprehensive coverage, including emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption and baggage loss.
• TuGo's plans offer many advantages, such as ease of purchase and multi-trip options.
• TuGo's MyFlyt Service grants travellers automatic access to airport lounges at no cost.
• TuGo has specific guidelines for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.
• Compare coverage of different providers and get free quotes using HelloSafe comparator.

Our review of TuGo travel insurance Canada

TuGo Travel Insurance is a reputable travel insurance company based in Canada, which offers various insurance plans to cover individuals, families and businesses during their trips.

But who underwrites TuGo travel insurance? TuGo Travel Insurance is underwritten by Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (iA Financial Group), one of Canada's largest insurance and financial services companies.

TuGo provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss and other travel-related incidents. It provides generous emergency medical coverage of $10 million and also provides the Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade . Unlike other insurance, TuGo covers adventurous sports through an optional rider.

TuGo is an ideal travel insurance for snowbirds or frequent young travellers who also seek adventure activities, however it's all-inclusive plans are only available for those aged 59 years and under, making it not the best choice for older adults.

We have collated the top pros and cons of TuGo travel insurance in Canada to help you make an informed choice. Take a look here!

• Comprehensive coverage
• Emergency medical coverage
• Multi-trip plans for frequent travellers
• Ease of purchase — online or through their customer service representatives
• High premiums
• Pre-existing conditions (unstable) not covered
• Delays or difficulties in claims as per TuGo travel insurance reviews
• Age limit of 59 for all-inclusive package
• People above 59 need to take medical questionnaire

If you think TuGo could be the right choice for you and you'd like to explore the plans, you can do so by getting a free personalised quote right here in no time.

Types of TuGo travel insurance

Tugo travel insurance for seniors.

Travel insurance for seniors is designed specifically for senior Canadians or older travellers. It provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss and other travel-related incidents. Since seniors may have unique health considerations, this plan may include specialized medical coverage suitable for their age group.

TuGo student travel insurance

Geared towards students travelling internationally for study abroad programs or other educational purposes, this insurance plan covers emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation and other travel-related contingencies. It aims to offer affordable and comprehensive coverage for young travellers pursuing educational opportunities overseas.

TuGo travel insurance for Canadian citizens

This type of coverage is tailored for Canadian citizens travelling within Canada or abroad. It provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage loss and other unforeseen events that may occur during their travels.

TuGo travel insurance for visitors

If you are a non-resident or visitor to Canada, TuGo offers travel insurance plans designed to provide coverage during your stay in the country. This plan includes emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation/interruption and other benefits for visitors to Canada.

TuGo travel insurance coverage: What does it cover?

The specific coverage may vary depending on the plan you choose, but here are some common types of coverage that TuGo Travel Insurance typically provides:

• Emergency medical coverage: This coverage takes care of medical expenses if you experience an injury or sudden illness during your trip. It can include hospitalization, doctor's visits, prescription drugs and emergency medical evacuation if required.
• Trip cancellation and interruption: If you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons such as illness, injury or other unforeseen events, this coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable trip expenses.
• Baggage loss and delay: This coverage compensates you for lost, stolen or damaged baggage during your trip. It may also offer benefits for delayed baggage, providing funds for essential items while waiting for your luggage to arrive.
• Travel delay: If your trip is delayed for a specified period due to reasons beyond your control (e.g., inclement weather or airline strikes), TuGo may provide reimbursement for additional expenses incurred during the delay.
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D): In the unfortunate event of accidental death or permanent injury during your trip, this coverage can provide financial benefits to you or your beneficiaries.

Some TuGo travel insurance plans may offer coverage for rental car-related incidents, such as collision damage or theft. Also, TuGo includes round-the-clock travel assistance services to help travellers with emergencies, medical coordination and travel-related inquiries. TuGo also covers Covid-related travel insurance needs.

TuGo medical questionnaire for travellers over 60

It’s a standard part of the insurance application process to help the insurance provider assess the traveller's health status and determine if any pre-existing medical conditions need to be considered for coverage. The questions in the questionnaire typically inquire about pre-existing medical conditions, medical history, medications, overall health status and more.

What is TuGo MyFlyt Service?

It grants you automatic access to an airport lounge when your flight faces a delay of two hours or more. To avail this benefit, you need to register your flight at least one hour before the originally scheduled departure time.

In the rare event that the airport lounge is overbooked or unavailable, you will receive a prompt $40 cash payout via Interac, PayPal or bank transfer. Bank transfers may take up to 72 hours, depending on your bank.

This valuable service from TuGo comes at no additional cost and is accessible to all individuals covered under TuGo travel insurance, even without trip interruption coverage. Tugo travel insurance reviews from customers claim this service adds great value to their experience.

We recommend that you compare the coverage of TuGo travel insurance with other providers before deciding what's best for you. You could simply use our comparator below to compare coverages of different insurance providers and also get free quotes.

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

What is not covered by TuGo travel insurance?

Again, the exclusions may depend on your insurance policy. You may get some extra coverage options as add-ons by paying more, but here are some common examples of what might not be covered by TuGo Travel Insurance:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• High-risk activities, such as skydiving and bungee jumping
• Non-medical evacuation
• Intoxication and substance abuse
• Travelling against medical advice
• Loss of unattended belongings
• Incidents related to acts of war, terrorism or civil unrest
• Self-inflicted injuries

How does coverage of TuGo travel insurance pre-existing conditions work?

TuGo has specific guidelines regarding coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. To be eligible for coverage, a medical condition must be considered stable for a defined period.

A medical condition is considered stable when the following conditions are met:

• No deterioration of the medical condition, as confirmed by a physician or registered medical professional.
• No new symptoms or findings, nor an increase in frequency or severity of existing symptoms or findings.
• No change in treatment by a physician or registered medical practitioner.

TuGo will not provide benefits or services in the following situations:

• For those aged 59 years and under, on trips <35 days, any medical condition that is not stable within seven days before departure.
• Meanwhile, for people aged 59 years and under, on trips >35 days, any medical condition that isn't stable within 90 days before departure.
• For those aged 60 years and over, on trips of any length, any medical condition that is not stable within 180 days before departure.

How much does TuGo travel insurance cost?

Several factors, including the trip cost, your age, and the selected coverage amount influence the plan pricing. Here's a sample quote for your reference to give you an idea of the expenses:

If you'd like to compare the prices of TuGo policies with others, you could use our comparator below to compare coverages, pricing and offers of the best travel insurances in Canada and also get free quotes in no time.

How to file a claim with TuGo travel insurance?

To initiate a claim, access the online claim system at myTuGo.com. Then, simply log in using your policy number. Complete the necessary forms, which can be printed and submitted via email or mail. TuGo advises submitting your claim form within 60 days from the date of treatment. Here’s what you can do to make a claim in different cases:

Making emergency medical claims

Provide detailed information, ensuring that you include all itemized bills and receipts, containing:

• Your full name
• Date(s) of service
• Amount charged
• Types of service/diagnosis
• Prescriptions with itemized pharmacy-issue receipts

Making trip cancellation/interruption claims

Keep the following documents handy for submission:

• Original unused tickets or e-tickets
• Original invoices and receipts from your travel suppliers with proper dates and amounts
• Copy of originally scheduled travel itinerary
• Proof of cancellation from all airlines, hotels, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel suppliers for unused expenses
• A statement from travel agency, airline or travel supplier documenting their refund policy, with copies of all refunds and/or credits for cancelled or unused expenses
• A medical certificate for any claim before departure, stating the diagnosis, onset of symptoms, dates, type of treatment and the reason why travel was not possible. If the claim is after departure, provide the reason why it was necessary to interrupt the trip.

Making baggage insurance claims

Get the following documents ready for submission:

• Proof that lost, stolen or damaged baggage was reported to relevant authority (e.g., police, hotel manager, vacation rental, airline)
• Some proof of loss — a police report will do
• A written estimate from a repair shop on the repair cost (if baggage is damaged)

How to contact TuGo travel insurance?

In case of an emergency, call TuGo on the following numbers:

• From Canada and USA call TuGo travel insurance phone number: 1 800 663-0399
• From Mexico: 001 800 514-9976 / 800 681-8070
• Worldwide (collect): 604 278-4108

For claims, you can call 1-800-663-0399 or email TuGo at [email protected] . For all other travel insurance inquiries, use this number 1-855-929-8846 or email [email protected] .

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Discover Tugo Travel Insurance Packages

Introducing Tugo Travel Insurance

The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us that having travel insurance is essential and should be part of the travel budget. While some credit cards have great insurance , dedicated travel insurance may be required.

Far too many travellers think they are safe or covered by provincial healthcare. But as soon as you leave the province’s borders, you will not be able to take advantage of this system! You will then have to arrange for care and pay the expenses that may arise.

Tugo Travel Insurance has 3 types of insurance packages:

• The Non-Medical Package
• The All Inclusive Holiday Package
• The Visitor to Canada Package

You can get some insurance separately, such as:

• Emergency medical insurance
• Hospital/medical insurance (students)

And these packages can be completed with optional coverages:

• Rental Car protection

While optional coverage for sports and activities is attractive, baggage or rental car coverages are more worthwhile with some credit cards.

Before you see the different coverages in detail, here is a general overview of the 3 Tugo travel insurance packages.

Choice of insurers

Tugo does business with several providers. You’ll have a choice to make when defining your province of residence. For example, for Quebec, Tugo works with:

• Industrial Alliance

If the rates are pretty much the same for emergency medical insurance, it can vary for the different packages. We, therefore, encourage you to compare the different providers.

The 3 Tugo Travel Insurance Packages

Tugo non-medical package.

Tugo’s non-medical package includes:

To apply for this insurance, you must be:

• a Canadian resident
• insured under the provincial or territorial health insurance plan of your province or territory of residence, or eligible for its benefits

Tugo All Inclusive Holiday Package

Tugo’s All Inclusive Holiday Package includes:

To get this insurance, you must be:

• aged 59 and under
• insured or eligible for benefits offered by your province’s or territory of residence health insurance plan

An example for Canadian residents travelling within Canada

Here is the rate for a typical case:

• A couple of travellers with their two children
• Living in Quebec and visiting British Columbia
• For a period of 2 weeks

Several options are then offered:

• Emergency medical insurance for travel within Canada Only: $33.45
• Non-medical package only: $280*
• Canada Vacation Package: $416*

* For these two packages, we indicated $1,000 as the total cost of the trip per traveller (or $4,000 for this family).

Tugo Visitor to Canada Package

Tugo’s visitor to Canada package includes:

• a visitor to Canada
• an immigrant or Canadian returning home waiting for their provincial healthcare to take effect

An example of Tugo Visitor to Canada Package

Here is the rate for a typical case known to many UK people living in Canada:

• A 70-year-old English grandmother
• Visiting her children and grandchildren in Canada
• for a period of 2 weeks
• Hosted by the family
• Emergency visitor medical insurance in Canada Only: $142.35
• Non-medical package only: $102*
• Visitor to Canada package: $289*

For these two packages, we indicated $1,200 as the total cost of the trip per traveller (the typical cost of a flight from Europe).

Tugo Travel Insurance Coverage

Tugo's emergency medical insurance.

Tugo’s emergency medical insurance includes:

• licensed ambulance
• emergency dental expense
• prescription drug reimbursement
• expenses to bring a family member to your bedside if hospitalized
• board and lodging for you or your travelling companion while confined to a hospital
• escorting home of insured children

Tugo Visitor to Canada Medical Insurance

Tugo’s visitor to Canada medical insurance includes:

• medical transport,
• Emergency dental services,
• Additional living expenses for your travel companion while you are hospitalized,

Tugo's trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance

Risks covered in Tugo’s trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance are:

• unexpected sickness, injury, and/or death of you, your travelling companion, immediate family or your travelling companion’s immediate family
• natural disaster
• travel advisory
• involuntary job loss,
• missed connection
• the non-issuance of a travel visa

Tugo Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Purchase this insurance as an annual multiple travel policy or single trip.

The benefit limit is $100,000.

Optional Tugo Travel Insurance Coverage

Tugo's activities and sports insurance.

Tugo Travel Insurance is one of the few in Canada to offer optional coverage of sports and activities when you travel.

Here are the three types offered, as well as the excluded activities.

Contact sports coverage

Tugo’s optional coverage is up to $5,000,000 for the following contact sports:

• Australian football

Extreme sports coverage

Tugo’s optional coverage is up to $500,000 for the following extreme activities:

• Base Jumping
• Bull Riding/Bull Fighting
• Scuba Diving or Free Diving over 30m
• Motorized Speed Contests
• Motorized X Game Sports (or those sports in similar type events)
• Mountaineering over 6,000m
• Running with the Bulls
• Scuba Diving (if not certified by an internationally recognized and accepted program)
• Ultimate Fighting & Mixed Martial Arts
• Wingsuit Jumping/Wingsuit Flying

Adventure sports coverage

Tugo’s optional coverage is up to $5,000,000 for the following adventure activities:

• Flying as a pilot or passenger in a glider or ultralight
• Backcountry Snowshoeing
• Bobsledding
• Canyoning/Canyoneering
• Downhill Freestyle Skiing/Downhill Snowboarding in Organized Contests
• Downhill Longboarding
• Downhill Mountain Biking
• Downhill Skating
• Endurance Activities over 6 hours
• Hang Gliding
• High Risk Snowmobiling
• Ice Climbing
• Luge/Skeleton
• Mountaineering up to 6,000m
• Non-motorized X Game Sports
• Parachuting/Skydiving/Tandem Skydiving
• Paragliding/Parapenting
• Paramotoring
• Parasailing/Parascending over Land
• Snow Kiting
• Stunt/Aerobatic Flying

Excluded activities

Excluded from the optional coverage of Tugo , activities of Training, Instruction, Participation, or Practice Out-of-bounds:

• snowboarding
• snowshoeing
• non-motorized snow-biking

Tugo's baggage insurance

Tugo’s baggage insurance pays for the loss, damage, destruction or theft of your personal effects while:

• in any hotel or any other building
• en route anywhere in the world, on water, land or in the air

Tugo rental car protection

This protection covers physical damage to, or loss of, a leased/rented automobile. You must have a valid driver’s license.

Rental car protection benefit limit: $50,000

Credit card insurance

Here it will be more interesting to use your credit card insurance as the coverage will be higher: from $65,000 to $80,000 depending on the credit cards.

Credit card payment

You can pay for your Tugo travel insurance with your credit card:

• American Express

It’s a great way to earn points, or even unlock a welcome bonus!

Get a refund before you travel

Be aware that if you cancel your travel plans, it is possible to get a full refund of your travel insurance. To do so, call Tugo at 1-855-929-8846.

Tugo Travel Insurance FAQs

On the Tugo website, you will find a complete FAQ, including on COVID-19 related issues.

Like most travel insurance, Tugo does not cover travel outside of Canada at this time because:

• COVID-19 pandemic is a known situation for travellers
• The Canadian government has issued a travel warning (avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada)

On the other hand, you are covered for:

• Travel within Canada
• any other medical emergency not related to COVID-19

Tugo offers customizable and comprehensive travel insurance.

If high-end credit cards can cover you for most situations, including travel interruption/cancellation insurance – such as these best credit cards in Canada for travel insurance – they can:

• be inaccessible for people with incomes of less than $80,000
• have limits on the number of days outside the province of residence
• have age limits
• have exclusions for certain blankets

It is then advisable to apply for travel insurance like Tugo’s to be well protected.

All posts by Jean-Maximilien

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24/7 Medical Emergency Assistance

• From Canada and USA (toll-free): 1-800-663-0399
• From Mexico (toll-free): 001-800-514-9976 or 800-681-8070

(global toll-free):

Global toll-free calling instructions and country codes

• Worldwide: +1-604-278-4108

Claim-related

Insurance-related.

Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not medical travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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How to Save Money on your Travel Insurance

Let’s face it—it feels like gas, groceries and travel costs are getting more expensive by the day. While these necessities are worth saving and spending on, it’s still frustrating to see the cost of living constantly rising! By now, thanks to the pandemic, you probably know why buying travel insurance is important. But, did you know that you can get the coverage you need AND save some money doing it? If not, this is the blog post for you; we’re sharing a few ways that can help provide a little reprieve. Read on! 

How to choose the most economical emergency medical travel insurance

Travel insurance products aren’t created equally; it can be a challenge knowing what to look for and how to get the best bang for your buck. 

Relying on your credit card’s travel insurance? Read “ 9 Credit Card Travel Insurance Coverage Issues to Avoid ” to determine how your coverage stacks up. 

Determine how many trips you’ll need coverage for this year

Taking one big trip?  

If you’re only taking one big trip this year, a Single Trip Emergency Medical plan is the way to go. Plans vary in price based on your destination: out-of-province, worldwide (including the US) or worldwide excluding the US.  

For example, if you’re travelling internationally, but not heading to the US, the Single Trip Emergency Medical Insurance Worldwide Excluding USA plan will save you money. Why, you ask? Because medical costs in countries other than the US are less expensive; therefore, the premium for your travel insurance will be lower than if you were to travel to the US. 

Taking multiple trips?  

If you’re planning to travel more than once this year, save money with a Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical plan . You can choose Worldwide or Within Canada plan options; plus, you can choose your policy trip length based on the number of days you’ll be travelling for. Then, if needed, you can add an extension or upgrade your trip length for longer trips.  

Bonus: At the time of renewing your Multi Trip Annual plan, you’ll get an annual renewal discount that will save you money year after year! 

Save with a Family & Friends plan

Whether you’re purchasing a Single Trip or a Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical plan, another cost-effective option is our Family & Friends plan. When two adults 59 years old or younger are travelling with up to 6 dependent children, this plan will save you on the policy premium.  

Increase the deductible amount to reduce the premium cost

If you’re looking for insurance savings on your premium, one easy way to do that is to increase your deductible amount; the higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be.

How to choose the most economical non-medical travel insurance

Protect your travel investment from cancellations, interruptions, delays and quarantine.

Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance is our most popular non-medical insurance plan, and for good reason! It will protect your travel investment from being lost due to unexpected events like:  

• A sick family member  
• Possible pregnancy or adoption of a child 
• Job volatility  
• Non-issuance of a travel visa 

This coverage also includes a quarantine benefit, so you won’t have to be out-of-pocket for accommodations, etc. if you do get stuck quarantining at your destination. 

Budget tip! For money conscious travellers, Trip Interruption Only is a cost-effective alternative . This plan provides coverage after you leave your home and gives you access to benefits in the event you have to interrupt your trip, at a fraction of the price. 

Taking one big trip this year? All Inclusive Holiday Package bundles up the savings

The All Inclusive Holiday Package is a great option for affordable all-in-one coverage! If you’re 59 years old or younger and looking for Emergency Medical protection, Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) and Baggage Insurance, it’s the best insurance savings.  

There’s no question that travel insurance is worth the investment. It never hurts to get comprehensive coverage and save a little doing so. We hope that we’ve offered you some ways to do just that! If you’re ready to learn more about your travel insurance options, contact your local insurance professional, who will walk you through the process. 

Happy travels, Melissa

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