alberta blue cross travel insurance cost

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Travel insurance coverage

Travel insurance

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Contents: Travel insurance

Emergency Medical Care

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage

Visitors to Canada

• Top-Up insurance
• Cancellations and refunds
• Compare travel coverages

Flight Delay Service

Baggage loss coverage, accidental death and dismemberment, optional protection: pandemic, travel advisories.

• Travel insurance eligibility
• How to choose travel coverage
• Frequently asked questions
• Pre-travel checklist
• Comprehensive
• Travelling in Canada
• Study abroad
• Family vacations
• Weekend getaways
• Backpacking
• Winter escapes
• Romantic retreats

Travel policy

Make the most of your next adventure.

From dream vacations to routine trips, we have plans to get you where you need to go. While no one wants to think about what could go wrong, an illness, accident, lost baggage or a flight delay can happen. But when it does, Alberta Blue Cross ® travel insurance is there for you.

Features for every traveller

24/7 travel assistance.

No matter where you’re headed, Blue Cross Travel Assistance is with you. They can provide support in most major languages and help you find medical care, coordinate payment, get you home in the event of a medical emergency and more.

Savings for frequent flyers

Travelling more than once this year? Save on Emergency Medical Care coverage with a multi-trip plan. You make a premium payment once, and this covers you for all the trips you take within a year.

Enjoy Flight Delay Service with every plan at no extra cost. This exclusive benefit provides you access to an airport lounge for a delay of 3 hours or more and access to a hotel room for a delay of 6 hours or more.

Coverage to get you there

Trip Cancellation or Interruption

Top-Up Insurance

Coverage for unexpected injuries and illnesses

When it comes to medical treatment outside of Canada, the costs add up quickly. With Emergency Medical Care, you are covered for unexpected injuries and illnesses up to $5 million.

When trip disruptions or delays happen

Trip Cancellation or Interruption insurance reimburses you for prepaid non-refundable and non-transferable expenses, such as airfare or hotel deposits.

Protect your loved ones during their stay in Canada

Planning a trip to Canada? Whether you need coverage for yourself or for your visiting friends and family, we can help. Visitors to Canada covers you for medical emergencies during your stay.

Extend your existing coverage

Top-Up Insurance helps you stay covered for medical emergencies. It extends the period of coverage you already have through a personal plan, employer coverage or credit card.

Enhance your plan with travel add-ons

When you purchase Emergency Medical Care, Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage, or Top-Up Insurance, you can enhance your plan with the following add-ons.

You arrived at your destination—but your suitcases didn’t. Baggage loss coverage can help you cover the cost of your items.

The pandemic continues to affect the way we travel. When you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a pandemic, Optional Protection: Pandemic is there to help cover unexpected costs.

Serious, life-changing accidents can happen when you least expect it. Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage can offer peace of mind and added protection.

Travel packages

Get complete coverage in a single package. Whether you’re taking a weekend getaway or flying south for the winter, we have options to suit your needs.

Travel resources

Advice and information to help make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Travel advice

Make your trip memorable for all the right reasons. Here’s what you can do to prepare before you leave.

Cancellation and refunds

We understand travel plans can change. If you need to cancel or change your plans, we're here help.

Travel advisories issued by the Government of Canada are the official source for destination-specific travel information. Get the latest information about entry requirements, weather concerns and travel warnings.

A travel policy contains important information about your plan’s coverage, exclusions that may apply and details about what to do during an emergency. If you already purchased a plan, it’s important to read and understand your travel policy before you leave.

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Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024: Blue Cross Travel Study

• In Our Community
• Member Savings

Take off with Canada’s #1 travel insurance provider

Enjoy the confidence and peace of mind with Blue Cross when exploring Canada or around the world

#1 in Travel Insurance

Out-of-province emergency medical expenses are not generally covered by your provincial medical plan and these expenses can be financially overwhelming.

For millions of Canadians, comprehensive emergency travel coverage offered by Blue Cross has become an essential part of their holiday plans.

As a recognized symbol of health care globally, being trusted, professional and familiar is what you need in your coverage provider when travelling out of province.

Travel Worry Free

Let Blue Cross travel coverage take care of any unexpected medical emergency costs so you can make the most of your trip.

Whether you travel frequently during the year, take regular sun destination trips or do only occasional short trips, there is a plan that’s right for you.

Blue Cross is a member of a trusted global network, including the American Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association and the International Federation of Health Funds.

Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024

The cost of travel is on the rise, but that isn’t stopping most Canadians from planning a vacation.

A ccording to a new study from Blue Cross , Canadians spent an average of $4,200 on their last vacation, and 94 per cent feel the cost of travelling is increasing .

H owever , the 2024 Blue Cross Travel Study also reveals that more Canadians are feeling optimistic about travel and are planning more trips this year.   

Find the Right Plan

We understand making the right choice for your benefits and coverage is important.

We’re here to help!

Please click below to be redirected to your local Blue Cross for more specifics, including local contact information.

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• Travel Insurance
• Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review

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Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review 2024

Updated: Jan 8, 2024, 12:49pm

Blue Cross may be a household name when it comes to extended health insurance and group plans, but the company has been offering travel insurance for almost 50 years. A huge plus to a Blue Cross policy is the ability to pick and choose your coverage options to suit your travel needs and budget. There’s no mandatory medical questionnaire, and there’s included flight delay coverage for all plans. While some payout limits are lower than other plans, this is still solid coverage for a good price.

• Customizable coverage options
• Flight delay coverage for all plans
• No mandatory medical questionnaire
• Optional pandemic coverage
• No online quote available for ages 75 and over
• No cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage
• No coverage for higher-risk sports or adventure travel
• Some lower payouts than other plans

Table of Contents

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Blue Cross began in 1929 as a way to make healthcare more accessible for patients at Baylor University hospital in Texas. Subscribers paid $0.50 a month for up to 21 days of hospitalization per year. Buoyed by the company’s success in the U.S., Manitoba became the first province in Canada to establish a Blue Cross prepaid health care plan in 1938 in response to government funding shortfalls for hospitals after the Great Depression. Ontario followed suit in 1941.

Today, Blue Cross provides group health coverage, as well as travel and life insurance through seven regional not-for-profit service organizations. These member groups include: Alberta Blue Cross (serving Alberta and Northwest Territories), Manitoba Blue Cross (serving Manitoba and Nunavut), Medavie Blue Cross (serving New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and PEI), Ontario Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross (serving British Columbia and the Yukon), Quebec Blue Cross and Saskatchewan Blue Cross. Blue Cross is part of a larger global network, including the American Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Blue Cross launched its first travel insurance policy in Canada in 1977.

Blue Cross travel insurance is underwritten by Canassurance Hospital Service Association (CHSA) or Canassurance Insurance Company.

This review is based on plans from Ontario Blue Cross. If you live elsewhere in Canada, your plan offerings may differ.

Here are the key types of travel insurance coverage offered in Blue Cross travel insurance plans:

• Emergency medical insurance: If you get ill or are injured on your trip, travel medical insurance can pay for emergency medical expenses, up to the coverage limits in your plan. These expenses can include doctor and hospital bills, medication and lab work.
• Trip cancellation insurance: If you cancel a trip for a reason listed in your travel policy, such as you or your travelling companion becoming ill, weather conditions causing a massive delay or you end up losing your job, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable costs.
• Travel interruption or delay insurance: Trip interruption insurance can pay for a last-minute flight home in an emergency and money that you lose if you have to return home earlier than expected, such as non-refundable activities and hotel stays. If your flight is delayed , your insurance can cover the cost of incidentals, such as meals or accommodations, after a specified period of time, usually six, 10 or 12 hours.
• Baggage insurance: Baggage travel insurance can compensate you up to your policy limits if your luggage is lost or stolen. It will reimburse the depreciated value of your suitcases and what you packed. If your checked bags are delayed, it can reimburse you for the cost of the necessities you’ll have to buy to tide you over.
• Travel accident insurance: This coverage offers compensation in the event of accidental death or catastrophic injury from an accident during your trip. Flight Accident Insurance covers injury while you’re on a commercial plane, during a connection or in an airport. Travel Accident Insurance covers death or dismemberment, including the loss of limbs or eyesight, while on your trip.

Blue Cross allows you to customize and combine the amount of coverage you need. You can either choose the all inclusive plan or pick individual coverage options à la carte. So, for example, you could choose emergency medical coverage and baggage coverage, or trip cancellation/interruption coverage and baggage coverage.

Package Plus: This option is a combination of the most popular coverage options and includes at least one of emergency medical care and/or trip cancellation or interruption, along with accidental death or dismemberment, and baggage coverage.

Coverage for emergency medical treatment includes:

• Hospital accommodation in a semi-private or private room
• Physician fees
• Private duty nursing
• Paramedical services, such as care from a physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath or podiatrist/chiropodist (combined), up to $400 per profession
• Urgent dermatological care, up to $400 per trip
• Tests and diagnostics
• Prescription medication as part of emergency treatment
• The cost of buying or renting crunches, canes or splints, the cost of renting a wheelchair, orthopaedic devices or other medical devices
• Incidental expenses when hospitalized, such as telephone, TV, parking, etc., up to $100 per day, maximum $500 per hospitalization
• Emergency dental due to a blow to the face, up to $2,000 per accident
• Emergency dental due to pain or disease, up to $500 per trip
• Ground or air ambulance transportation

Medical coverage also covers the cost to return home if medically necessary (and includes a travelling companion or family member), as well as baggage return and pet return. If your return home is delayed due to a medical emergency, this benefit covers meals and accommodations.

Emergency Medical: If you’re only worried about medical emergencies while travelling, this benefit offers all of the medical coverage listed above.

Trip Cancellation or Interruption: This coverage option reimburses you for insured travel expenses (such as hotels or prepaid excursions) if you have to cancel, interrupt, extend or modify your trip due to a covered reason. With this coverage, you can also choose not to insure your trip, but opt in for additional trip coverage. This includes transportation expenses if you have to interrupt, modify or extend your trip, as well as a subsistence allowance for hotels and meals if your return home is delayed.

Accidental Death or Dismemberment: This coverage option offers reimbursement in the event you die, or lose the use of one or more limbs during a travel accident. The amount paid out depends on your age and the severity of the accident.

Baggage Coverage: This insures you if your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, or lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.

Flight Delay Service: This service is available at no extra cost to anyone with Blue Cross travel insurance, even if you don’t have trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage.

If your flight is delayed, you automatically receive the following benefits:

• Three hour or more delay: Access to an airport lounge. If a lounge is not available, you’ll receive $40 for each person named on the insurance contract.
• Six hour or more delay: One hotel room (per policy) plus $50 per person, up to a maximum of $200. If no hotel room is available, you’ll receive $250.

Once registered for the service, the Blue Cross system tracks your flight in real time. If it’s delayed, you’ll receive a text message or email telling you how to access your benefits. Your hotel room, if required, will be booked for you and there is no need to submit a claim later.

We’ve highlighted the key benefits for each coverage option available for the single trip plan when travelling outside of Canada to help you identify which is the best fit for you. One of medical or trip cancellation/interruption coverage is mandatory, but accidental death or dismemberment and baggage are optional.

The price of a Blue Cross travel insurance plan depends on factors such as the cost of your trip, your age and the amount of coverage you choose.

Here are some examples of the cost for Blue Cross single trip plans for healthy travellers based in Ontario. These quotes do not include the optional protection for pandemic related costs.

These quotes do not include baggage coverage, except for the all inclusive plan option.

Using the example of the Mexico trip, baggage can be added to the medical only plan for $19.96 (making the plan total $74.22) and to the Trip Cancellation and Interruption only plan for $19.96 (for a plan total of $142.12)

With your emergency medical coverage, you can also add an optional deductible, or the amount you will pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in, of $250, $500, $1,500, $2,500 or $5,000.

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: Yes, 50% to 75% Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,500

Related: CAA Travel Insurance Review

TD Insurance

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,000

Related: TD Insurance Travel Insurance Review

Johnson Medoc Travel Insurance

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,500

Related: Johnson Medoc Travel Insurance Review

Blue Cross offers an Optional Protection: Pandemic add-on that reimburses travel expenses normally excluded under the Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage. This add-on must be purchased with trip cancellation and interruption coverage and within five days of the first trip deposit or at least 45 days prior to the departure date.

The benefit is dependent on whether or not there is a Canadian government travel advisory in effect or not on the date the coverage takes effect.

If a travel advisory is in effect, then the pandemic is known and foreseeable, and reimbursement will only be paid due to a travel delay.

In general, when the return date must be delayed due to a diagnosis, positive screen test or contact tracing in relation to a pandemic, benefits include:

• A maximum of $250 per day per insured person, up to $2,500, for hotel and meals (trip maximum of $5,000)
• A maximum of of $500 per insured person for changing the date or replacing your ticket on your return flight (trip maximum $1,000)

If there is no travel advisory in effect, then the pandemic is unforeseeable, and the trip cancellation and coverage applies to the full extent, per the policy wording. In other words, in this case a pandemic is not considered a reason for exclusion.

Here’s how the costs compare for single trip insurance with and without the optional pandemic coverage

Blue Cross offers a preferred rates discount for snowbirds aged 55 and above travelling more than 32 days, as well as a $25 travelling companion discount and a $15 grandchildren discount.

Yes. You can buy multi-trip annual insurance if you travel more than once a year for multiple individual trips. Blue Cross offers medical only coverage, trip coverage and all inclusive coverage for four, eight, 17, 31, 60, 90, 150 or 180 days per trip.

Here’s how the prices between single trip and multi-trip insurance compare for the all inclusive and medical only plans:

Blue Cross Travel Assistance is included with all travel insurance products and is available 24/7, 365 days of the year either before or during your trip. Depending on the coverage provided by your insurance policy, emergency support includes:

• Referral to an appropriate medical facility
• Confirming medical insurance coverage to facilitate your care at the clinic or hospital
• Communicating with the physician treating you
• Coordinating repatriation when medically necessary
• Coordinating the safe return home of your dependent children if you are hospitalized
• Coordinating travel for a bedside family member if you are hospitalized for at least three days
• Coordinating the return of your vehicle if you can not due to an accident or illness
• Interpreter services for emergency calls
• Coordinating claims and payment to hospital/clinic, if applicable
• Assistance in the event of loss or theft of identification documents
• Providing information on embassies and consulates
• Referral to a lawyer in the event of a serious accident
• Settling of formalities in the event of death and repatriation of remains

When calling Blue Cross Travel Assistance, you’ll need your insurance contract number and your provincial health insurance number.

If you (or someone calling on your behalf) do not contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance before receiving medical treatment, your claim may be denied. A relative or medical staff member must contact Travel Assistance within 24 hours of starting medical treatment. It’s important to remember that certain services, such as paramedical treatment, must be approved in advance. If you need to cancel or modify your trip and you have trip cancellation and interruption coverage, you must notify Blue Cross within 48 hours of becoming aware of an event that triggers a change.

Blue Cross will not pay any medical expenses related to any medical condition that is not stable for a set period of time, either three or six months (depending on your age), before your coverage takes effect.

A medical condition is considered stable when all of the following are true:

• No new medical diagnosis has been made
• No new symptoms appears and there was no worsening or increase in the frequency of existing symptoms
• No hospitalization has taken place
• No new medication was prescribed or recommended
• No change of dosage was made to a medication already prescribed or recommended (with some exceptions)
• No new treatment or medical test is pending or has been prescribed, ongoing or recommended
• No ongoing treatment has been changed or discontinued
• No prescribed or recommended treatment, no medical advice has been ignored

In addition, Blue Cross has a number of age- and condition-specific exclusions, including:

For policyholders aged 54 and under during the three months preceding the effective date of coverage or for policyholders aged 55 to 75 travelling less than 32 days during the six months preceding the effective date of coverage:

• Any heart condition for while you have used nitroglycerine more than once in a seven-day period for the relief of chest pain
• Any pulmonary condition for which you have been treated with home oxygen or have required corticosteroid therapy

For policyholders aged 55 to 75 who are travelling 32 days or more and for people aged 76 or over, the following medical conditions are excluded unless the insurance certificate stipulates otherwise:

• During your lifetime, any illness which relates to a cardiovascular condition, kidney failure or a major organ transplant, including bone marrow, liver, lung, heart and pancreas
• During the 24 months before the effective date of coverage, any chronic pulmonary condition for which you have been hospitalized or have used cortisone tablets
• During the 12 months preceding the effective date of coverage, any illness which relates to the following conditions for which you have been diagnosed or treated: Cancer and gastrointestinal conditions, such as hepatitis C or Crohn’s disease

Travellers over age 54 who are travelling for longer than 31 days and travellers aged 76 and older can have their physician complete an optional medical questionnaire that is then submitted to Blue Cross for evaluation. The Blue Cross medical team can then decide if your pre-existing or chronic condition is approved for coverage or not.

There are a number of scenarios not covered by travel insurance and it’s critical to know what not to do before you make a claim. The following are some of the most common situations not covered by travel insurance:

• Treatment received without approval from Blue Cross Travel Assistance if the medical need was not urgent or if sufficient attempts were not made to receive prior approval
• Foreseeable treatment for a known medical condition
• Failure to comply with a prescribed treatment
• Non-urgent, experimental or optional treatment, such as routine checkups, aesthetic care, rehabilitation, convalescent care, clinical research or experimental drugs
• Continued treatment once the medical emergency is over
• Continued treatment if you refuse repatriation
• Unreasonable billing, namely any invoiced amount not considered a “customary and reasonable expense”
• A child born during the trip
• Mental health disorders
• Suicide and intentional injury
• Use of alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants
• Any illegal or criminal act
• Acts of war and civil unrest
• High-risk sports or activities, including extreme sports, motor sports, sports practiced as a paid professional, high-level sports competitions, aerial sports, combat sports, sports authorizing tackling or body checking, high-risk water sports and high-risk mountain or climbing sports
• Loss or damage of certain items such as a vehicle, personal items such as prosthetics or glasses, cash, tickets or documents, antiques or collectibles, food or animals or breakage of fragile items

To be eligible for insurance with Blue Cross, the following must apply:

• You are a resident of Canada and are covered under a government health insurance plan
• You are over 30-days old on the departure date of your trip

In addition, for travellers aged 55 and over, you must not:

• Have received medical advice not to travel
• Suffer from a medical condition in a terminal stage
• Suffer from kidney failure treated with dialysis
• Have been diagnosed with or treated for metastatic cancer in the last five years
• Have been prescribed or treated with home oxygen in the past 12 months

You can file a claim online 24/7 by visiting the Blue Cross secure electronic document filing website where you can start a new claim, submit your required documentation and follow the progress of your claim. The website currently notes that processing your claim could take up to 30 days.

In addition to your claim form you may be asked to provide:

• A medical certificate issued by the physician who treated you that confirms you received treatment and/or a medical emergency occurred either during or before your trip
• Receipts and proof of payment for the medical care and services provided or related travel expenses
• Itemized billing for the care and services provided
• Proof of your travel dates
• A supporting document, such as a police report or letter from the airline, confirming that a serious, unforeseen and non-excluded event is the cause of your claim
• Unused transportation tickets, official receipts from new return transportation or proof of reimbursement or credit.

You must submit the completed claim form within 90 days of the event, including all supporting documentation and itemized receipts.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance FAQs

Does blue cross pay for medical costs upfront.

According to the company, Blue Cross Travel Assistance is part of a worldwide assistance network that includes hospitals, clinics, medical escorts, and air and land carriers and “when the situation allows, we pay the medical costs directly to the provider so you don’t have to pay anything upfront or out of your pocket.”

Does Blue Cross cover COVID-19?

Emergency medical care for COVID-19 is covered as long as you have not contracted or experienced symptoms prior to the effective date of your contract. This does not cover the cost of COVID-19 tests while travelling, unless one is prescribed by a physician due to a medical emergency or sudden illness.

Does Blue Cross offer coverage extensions?

Yes. Your coverage is automatically extended for 24 hours starting on the final day of your trip due to a transportation delay. If you or your travelling companion are hospitalized, your coverage is extended for the period of hospitalization and the 24-hour period after discharge. If your return home is delayed due to a medical emergency that started within 24 hours before your scheduled return date and required emergency treatment, your coverage is automatically extended for up to 72 hours.

You can also request an extension if you want to stay longer on your trip, provided you apply before the expiry date of your policy, you are still eligible for insurance and your health has not changed since your departure. Your request may be denied if you have a claim in progress or the Canadian government has a new travel advisory in effect or recommends travellers return home.

Does Blue Cross require a medical questionnaire?

No. Unlike other insurance providers, a medical questionnaire is not mandatory, but is offered to travellers over age 54 who are travelling for longer than 31 days and travellers aged 76 and older. All travellers answer a basic health declaration to confirm eligibility that asks questions such as, has your doctor advised you not to travel, do you suffer from a terminal illness and do you suffer from kidney failure treated through dialysis. A medical questionnaire, which is completed by your physician, is optional but is recommended if you have pre-existing conditions. Your answers to these questions will be assessed by the Blue Cross medical directors and if you have pre-existing conditions that do “not present an increased risk, it will be covered.”

Does Blue Cross have any age restrictions?

Yes. Travellers must be at least 30 days old. If you are 85 years or under, the maximum number of days you can purchase until the annual multi-trip plan is 120 days. If you are 80 years old or under, you can purchase multi-trip insurance for maximum days of 150 or 180 days. Travellers age 76 and above can not get a quote online and must call the Customer Relations Centre for assistance.

When does my coverage with Blue Cross begin?

In general, if you purchase cancellation coverage, it begins the day you buy your policy and ends the day when you make a claim or leave on your trip. Your interruption coverage, if purchased, begins when you leave home. Your delay coverage begins once an insured risk prevents you from returning home as scheduled.

Can I get a refund with Blue Cross?

You can request a cancellation and full refund of your contract before the effective date of the contract (or the date the coverage begins) or during the 10 days following the date of purchase, with some exceptions.

Does Blue Cross offer a free look period?

Yes. Blue Cross gives you 10 days after purchase to review and cancel your contract if you’re not satisfied with it, unless you have made or intend to make a claim related to the contract, the contract is for a period of 10 days or less or if the contract was purchased within 11 days before the trip and includes the trip cancellation or interruption coverage.

Fiona Campbell is a Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor Canada. She started her career on Bay Street, but followed her love for research, writing and a good story into journalism. She is the former editor of Bankrate Canada, and has over 20 years of experience writing for various publications, including the Globe and Mail, Financial Post Business, Advisor’s Edge, Mydoh.ca and more.

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Why I have travel insurance

Home > Why I have travel insurance

By Zandalee

I can’t quite tell you when the travel bug bit me — but it did and I have had it ever since. Luckily, I’ve never been infected by anything dangerous due to my travels. But when you’re travelling to foreign countries, that is a risk. When you’ve decided to leave the comfort of your home, your routine, your country, your language — there are always risks. For this reason, it has been very important to my family to always have travel insurance, it’s one of those things you hope you never have to use, but when you do, you are so insanely thankful that you have it. 

A few years ago I planned a pretty big trip. My mom and I were going to South Africa to visit my brother and my new niece, and then heading to Italy after that. It just so happened that my sister decided to go to South Africa for 6 months before us as well. One month into her trip, she broke her leg and ended up in a hospital in a coma. Not what she had planned for her time there at all. Don’t worry she’s okay now — she’s home in Canada and her leg healed and she did wake up.

The frightening thing about injuring yourself in a foreign country and ending up in a coma is that you can’t speak for yourself. We were really lucky we had family there who knew the medical system. With the emergency medical coverage we had purchased there was a team of people in Canada who were willing to send a private plane with a doctor, nurses, and anesthetist. Included was the option to pick her up and fly her back to Canada to take care of her operation. It’s a pretty crazy scenario to me, even years later, I don’t think I can comprehend the whole situation. She had medical coverage for up to $5 million and when you think about what the company was willing to go through to take care of her, that number is pretty huge. It’s also a number that could have been coming out of our personal bank accounts had we not paid for medical travel insurance — which is a very small number in comparison. 

So, that is why I will always have medical coverage for travel. My life and safety is not worth the risk of not having it. Having travel insurance has always given me peace of mind, especially seeing it work in action like that. Now, don’t take that the wrong way and go do crazy stuff either people. That being said, purchasing medical travel insurance has never been easier thanks to Alberta Blue Cross ® . My favourite part is that I didn’t have to go in and purchase it, or even call and chat. It was all done online and my package was sent to my inbox immediately.

If you don’t travel frequently, Alberta Blue Cross ® has single trip options where you can select your departure date and return date and they quote it from there. Or, if you’re like me who tends to do multiple trips a year, you can purchase annual trip insurance — which is a great deal! Either way, there are 5 easy steps to figure out what insurance is best for you, just follow the directions and there you have it, stress-free travel. 

Alberta Blue Cross ® also recently introduced Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Baggage Coverage. If there is something that could keep you from going through with your trip whether that’s work, family circumstances or your own spontaneity, this option is great to build into your plan. Especially if you’re someone who books trips months in advance. 

I honestly can’t urge you enough to purchase travel insurance for your safety and peace of mind, so you can return home safely to start planning your next trip.

This blog was written in partnership with Zandaleea, a creative storyteller and traveller living in Calgary. To read and view more of her work, visit zandaleec.com .

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Is Blue Cross Travel Insurance in Canada worth it? 2024 Review

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Information verified by   Alexandre Desoutter

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.

Blue Cross travel insurance is a well-established insurance provider that offers coverage for Canadian travellers. With a reputation for reliability, Blue Cross is a trusted choice for those seeking reliable travel insurance solutions.

But how much does Blue Cross travel offer cost? What does it cover? What are its pros and cons? And most importantly, is it the best choice for you? Find all this and more in our complete review of Blue Cross travel insurance Canada.

5 Key Takeaways on Blue Cross travel insurance

• Provides comprehensive coverage for Canadian travellers
• Offers various plans to suit different travel needs, including single-trip and multi-trip policies
• Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage and other travel-related incidents
• May have limitations depending on specific situations and individual health conditions
• Compare Blue Cross with other providers using HelloSafe comparator and get free quotes

Our 2024 review on Blue Cross travel insurance

Blue Cross is a reputable provider in Canada, catering to travellers' needs by offering travel insurance plans. The company's policies cover a wide range of travel-related incidents, including medical emergencies, trip interruptions and baggage loss.

The company aims to provide peace of mind to travellers by protecting them from unexpected expenses while abroad. Its extensive coverage options and reputation in the insurance industry make it a good option for Canadian travellers seeking reliable travel insurance.

Let’s take a look at its pros and cons to further understand Blue Cross insurance Canada:

• Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies during travel
• Options for trip cancellation and interruption coverage
• Provides coverage for lost or delayed baggage
• Multi-trip policies for frequent travellers
• Access to a vast network of healthcare providers
• Blue cross travel insurance reviews show good customer service
• Pre-existing conditions coverage may not be all-inclusive
• Some plans may have limited coverage for extreme sports or adventure activities
• High deductibles on certain policies
• Policy costs may be higher for older travellers

Before choosing Blue Cross, be sure to compare its offer with its competitors:

Compare the best travel insurance plans on the market!

What is Blue Cross travel coverage in Canada?

What does blue cross travel insurance cover.

Blue Cross Travel Insurance Canada typically covers a range of incidents, such as:

• Emergency medical expenses during travel
• Trip interruption or cancellation under some unforeseen circumstances
• Baggage loss, delay, or theft
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
• Travel assistance services, including emergency evacuation
• Optional: Covid coverage

Below, we have outlined the features of each coverage option offered for the single-trip plan when traveling outside of Canada to assist you in selecting the most suitable option:

What is not covered by Blue Cross travel plans?

The specific exclusions may vary depending on the policy, but typical exclusions might include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions (unless specifically covered)
• Injuries or accidents related to extreme sports or risky activities
• Travel to countries or regions under travel advisories or warnings

In some cases, Blue Cross might provide coverage for stable pre-existing conditions , which are medical conditions that have been stable and controlled for a certain period before the trip. The definition of "stable" and the required stability period can vary from one policy to another. It's important for travelers with pre-existing conditions to be upfront and honest when providing their medical history during the application process. Failure to disclose pre-existing conditions accurately can lead to claims being denied later on.

Good to know

Medical or trip cancellation/interruption coverage is mandatory, while dismemberment and baggage coverage or accidental death are optional.

Is Blue Cross travel insurance available in all provinces?

Blue Cross offers coverage to travellers from all Canadian provinces, including but not limited to:

• British Columbia (Pacific blue cross travel insurance)
• Saskatchewan
• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador

For example

Blue Cross offers almost the same coverage for all provinces. For instance, Alberta Blue Cross travel coverage is similar to that of blue cross travel insurance Ontario — emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, and assistance services. The main difference lies in the specific plans and pricing available to residents of each province.

Does Blue cross have travel insurance for seniors?

Yes, Blue Cross offers travel insurance to seniors in Canada. Its offer is designed to cater to the unique needs of older travelers. These insurance plans typically offer comprehensive coverage, including the following:

• emergency medical expenses,
• trip cancellations,
• baggage loss.

They may also provide coverage for pre-existing medical conditions , as well as extended trip durations suitable for seniors traveling abroad

There are eligibility criterias for travellers aged 55, we discuss these further down on this page. Policies are tailored to accommodate the potential health risks associated with age.

How to contact Blue Cross travel insurance?

For inquiries or assistance, individuals can contact Blue Cross through their customer service channels, which may include phone numbers, email, or online chat support available on their official website.

The Blue cross travel insurance phone number numbers may vary based on your province. In Ontario, you can call Blue Cross at:

• 416-640-3444
• 1-866-732-2583

Another easy and quick way to contact Blue Cross is to login on your Blue Cross account and get in touch with the insurer through its private online channels.

Blue Cross travel insurance for visitors to Canada

Blue Cross offers insurance for visitors to Canada to provide health travel coverage and financial protection for individuals who are visiting Canada from other countries. This type of visitor travel insurance is essential for international visitors as it helps cover medical expenses in case of unexpected illnesses or accidents while in Canada.

How much does Blue Cross travel insurance cost?

The cost of Blue Cross's travel insurance is determined by several factors, including:

• the total trip cost,
• the trip destination (whether you need travel insurance for the USA or Europe, your premium will not be the same),
• the age of the traveller,
• the chosen coverage level.

Below are some examples of the costs for Blue Cross single-trip plans available to healthy travellers based in Ontario:

For the Mexico trip example, baggage coverage can be added to the medical-only plan for an additional $19.96, making the plan total $74.22. Similarly, for the Trip Cancellation and Interruption only plan, baggage coverage can be added for $19.96, resulting in a plan total of $142.12.

Additionally, with emergency medical coverage, you have the option to add an optional deductible, which is the amount you will pay out of pocket before your coverage takes effect. The deductible options available are $250, $500, $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000.

If you want to compare Blue Cross prices with other travel insurances to see what suits you best, you could use our comparator below. Get quotes and pricing information in no time and it's completely free to use.

Are you eligible for Blue Cross travel insurance?

To qualify for insurance coverage with Blue Cross, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are a Canadian resident who is covered under a health insurance plan from the government.
• You are at least 30 days old on the departure date of your trip.

Moreover, for travellers aged 55 and over, the following conditions must not apply:

• You have received medical advice not to travel.
• You are suffering from a medical condition in a terminal stage.
• You are suffering from kidney failure and treated with dialysis.
• You have been diagnosed with or treated for metastatic cancer in the last five years.
• You have been prescribed or treated with home oxygen in the past 12 months.

Blue Cross Medical Travel Insurance refers to travel insurance policies that emphasize medical coverage, ensuring that travellers have financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies while travelling.

How to make a Blue Cross travel insurance claim?

To make a claim with Blue Cross travel coverage, travellers typically need to follow these steps:

• Contact Blue Cross as soon as possible to initiate the claim process.
• Provide all necessary documentation and details related to the incident.
• Complete any claim forms required by the company.
• Cooperate with the claims adjuster, if needed, to provide additional information.

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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