travel insurance association of canada

Travel Insurance Office Inc.

5 reasons to choose Travel Insurance Office Inc.:

30 + years of experience - since 1991

One of Canada’s largest travel insurance brokers

We insure tens of thousands of travellers every year

Choice of products to meet your needs

The first travel insurance broker in Canada to:

Guarantee same-day service

Eliminate all administration fees and service charges

Provide a “No questions asked” refund policy

Introduce a travel insurance newsletter

Introduce paperless on-line purchasing on a consumer-friendly, safe and secure website.

Our phones are answered the old-fashioned way - by a live agent !  There are no phone buttons to push and no phone menus because we dislike them as much as you do!

Our history

We began serving travelling canadians in 1991, when each of the provincial and territorial governments announced that their government health insurance plans (ghip) would no longer cover 100% ofout-of-country emergency medical costs. we were one of the first companies to offer medical insurance to canadians who wish to travel with sufficient coverage for an unexpected medical emergency..

In the early 1990’s there was little understanding of travel medical insurance and our company was the first to inform the public by introducing the “Canada-USA Medical Insurance Newsletter” in 1992.

Our President was a founding member of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) in 1998.

Our promise to you

We will always strive to meet your needs and earn your respect. We developed a consumer-friendly website and an easy-to-use online application. We created easy-to-read insurance brochures, applications and policies. We recognized the need for superior customer service and achieved this goal early in the 1990’s. We have maintained a standard of excellence for 30+ years, that we have been told by our clients, is unmatched in the industry. Each year, thousands of clients renew their coverage with us and many of them refer their family and friends.

If you call us, you will not hear a menu and have to press a series of buttons to talk to an agent. We do not like phone menus so why should we ask you to suffer through one? When you call during business hours your call will be answered by an agent. If all of the agents are taking other calls, we will give you the option of waiting for the next available agent or leaving a message that will be returned promptly.

Our company has been serving travelling Canadians since 1991. Our employees are extremely dedicated to the company, and on average, have worked for the company for 10+ years. They are well-trained and have direct contact with the underwriters. They are the "front line" in listening to consumers, obtaining feedback, and have consequently made many excellent suggestions to improve both our products and quality of service.

We thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and wish you good health and safe travels.

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Regulators and Insurance Organizations

Ombudsnetwork.

• Centre for Financial Services - www.cfson-crcsf.ca
• Alberta Insurance Council - www.abcouncil.ab.ca
• Alberta Superintendent of Insurance - www.finance.gov.ab.ca/business/insurance

British Columbia

• Insurance Council of British Columbia - www.insurancecouncilofbc.com
• Financial Institutions Commission - www.fic.gov.bc.ca
• Insurance Council of Manitoba - www.icm.mb.ca
• Financial Institutions Regulation Branch - www.gov.mb.ca/cca/firb

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick Superintendent of Insurance - www.gnb.ca/justice

Newfoundland

• Department of Government - www.gov.nf.ca/gsl/cca/ip Services and Lands Commercial & Corporate Affairs Insurance and Pensions

Northwest Territories

• Northwest Territories Superintendent of Insurance - www.gov.nt.ca

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia Superintendent of Insurance - www.gov.ns.ca/enla/fin/fin.htm
• Global Medical Services
• Department of Executive & Intergovernmental Affairs - www.gov.nu.ca/eia.htm
• Financial Services Commission of Ontario - www.ontarioinsurance.com
• Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario - www.ribo.com

Prince Edward Island

• P.E.I. Superintendent of Insurance - www.gov.pe.ca/oag
• L'Association des Courtiers d'Assurances - www.chad.qc.ca
• Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) - http://www.lautorite.qc.ca/en/index.html
• La Chamber de sécurité financière - http://www.chambresf.com/en/

Saskatchewan

• Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan - www.insurancecouncils.sk.ca
• Saskatchewan Superintendent of Insurance - http://www.sfsc.gov.sk.ca/financial/insurance.shtml

Yukon Territory

• Yukon Superintendent of Insurance - www.gov.yk.ca/depts/
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Get Cover. Go Discover.

The easy way to compare travel insurance quotes online!

Compare rates from trusted travel insurance providers

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There's plenty to sort out when planning a trip, which is why we've made it quick and easy to compare travel insurance.

Whether you're planning a day trip, weekend break, or a much longer vacation, make sure you have the right travel insurance. Find out how you can go on your trip with peace of mind.

Planning to take a couple of trips a year? Then find out why an annual multi-trip plan might be the right choice for you. Compare quotes from our panel of insurance providers today.

If you're planning a well-deserved vacation or trip, then find out why you should look to compare travel insurance plans before you leave. We're here to make the process quick and easy.

No one wants to think about a trip to the hospital, but accidents happen. Make sure you have the right emergency medical coverage for your next trip.

How to compare travel insurance with us

Tell us about your trip.

Answer a few basic questions about your upcoming trip.

Compare quotes from leading providers

We'll show you the best quotes to fit you and your trip.

You choose your policy

Purchase the best coverage for you, and get back to planning the rest of your trip!

We're a proud member of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada

We're all about helping people compare travel insurance coverage that enables them to travel with confidence. We want you to know your rights and travel fully protected.

Our latest articles

Before you travel, be sure to take a quick read of some of our latest travel articles.

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

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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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Choose your region

Read the fine print: Winnipeg couple's travel insurance claim 'not covered,' insurer says

Flood forced pair to cancel trip, but cancellation coverage didn't include specific event.

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A Winnipeg senior is questioning the value of buying flight cancellation insurance after his claim was denied.

James Parker, 78, and his wife, Rena, bought two tickets on WestJet flights to Calgary last December to visit relatives in January. They purchased the cheapest ticket option knowing they wouldn't get a refund or credit should they need to cancel, so they decided to get cancellation insurance just in case.

The insurance was a cheaper option than the more expensive tickets.

"Pre-COVID, we didn't really buy cancellation insurance," James Parker said.

Because there have been so many delays with airlines since the pandemic, Parker says he thought he would get insurance for peace of mind. After he selected his tickets and seats, he clicked on the box for cancellation insurance.

"It was $117, I think, something like that," he recalled. "It gives me a little bit of peace of mind, you know, so that's what I did."

A few weeks later, he says, they got a call that their accommodations would no longer be available because their relative's condo had flooded and she was forced to move out for six weeks. The Parkers had rented a condo in the building, but were told they would no longer be able to stay there.

WestJet refunded Parker's seat selection, but he was still out $623.72 on the cost of the flight. He filed a claim with Allianz Global Assistance Canada, thinking he would be covered. He was not. 

"I mean, it said cancellation insurance. Quite honestly, I didn't read the fine print," Parker said.

"You would think there would be some leeway … it was impossible for us at the time to to make other arrangements." 

A spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance says the trip cancellation and interruption plan offered through WestJet does not cover disasters that affect prepaid accommodations at the insured's destination.

"In general, for prepaid travel expenses to be eligible for reimbursement under trip cancellation benefits, the reason for cancellation must be listed as a 'covered reason' within the customer's policy of insurance," wrote Tayjua Squire, manager of corporate communications for Allianz Global.

She said a copy of the policy would have been provided to the customer at time of purchase.

Squire said all travellers should review their policy to understand the scenarios that are covered, and those that are not.

He believed his claim was reasonable and would therefore be reimbursed for the cancelled flights, but later learned if it's not listed as a covered reason no refund is provided.

"I thought it was unfair, and I questioned my idea about what insurance is for," he said.

94% of claims are paid: insurance association

The Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada says a recent survey showed 94 per cent of travel insurance claims are paid.

"The benefits are there for many Canadians when they're purchasing it. It's the unfortunate times when the coverage expectation doesn't line up with the actual wording of the policy," said the association's executive director, Will McAleer. 

He says policies vary and advises purchasers to become familiar with what's covered before boarding the flight. 

"They put policies in and they price them according to the wording that they've got, so it'll cover certain things in one policy, but maybe not another ," McAleer said.

For example, one of the "covered reasons" listed on Allianz Global's website includes a disaster "that renders your pre-booked destination accommodation uninhabitable after you book your trip." In that case, the Parkers would have been covered, but that option was not included in the WestJet policy he purchased.

"It's not unusual for insurers in the Canadian market to have many different policy wordings depending on the partner or the partnership that they're working on. And those can differ in terms of coverages and provisions," McAleer said.

Parker feels he had a valid reason to cancel his trip and should have been covered.

"It's the principle more than the money that is bothering me at the moment," he said, adding travel insurance policies need to be more nuanced.

"I understand it's a business to make money, but I think there should be leeway to deal with changes or modifications that arise, because not everything can be written down, you know? I mean, it's life," Parker said.

He said in the future he would rather buy travel insurance from a local company, and not just tick off a box and hope he will be covered if anything happens.

Winnipegger denied flight refund even though he bought cancellation insurance

About the author.

Investigative Reporter, CBC Manitoba I-Team

Caroline began her career co-hosting an internet radio talk show in Toronto and then worked at various stations in Oshawa, Sudbury and Toronto before landing in Winnipeg in 2007. Since joining CBC Manitoba as a reporter in 2013, she won a Canadian Screen Award for best local reporter, and received a CAJ and RTDNA awards for her work with the investigative unit. Email: [email protected]

• Twitter: @cbarghout
• Caroline's Facebook page

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Best travel insurance in Canada

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You’ve packed your bags, mapped your itinerary, and set your “out of office” message – it’s vacation time! But what about travel insurance?

According to a 2019 study by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada, 13% of Canadians aren’t sure if they have travel insurance before they go on vacation. Of those who have bought insurance, 17% don’t know what their policy covers.

As a professional travel writer, I find this rather alarming. Canadian health insurance is not valid outside Canada, and your provincial or territorial health plan may not cover all the costs even if you’re travelling domestically. If you suffer an accident or get sick abroad, unexpected medical bills can bankrupt you. It’s why the Canadian government  advises all travellers to buy travel insurance , and I never leave the country without it. Whether you’re taking a two-week trip or a gap year abroad, every one needs the best travel insurance in Canada, regardless of age, health status, destination, or length of vacation.

World Nomads: Best for thrill seekers

Designed for adrenaline lovers with wanderlust, World Nomads insures a long list of adventure sports, activities and volunteer/work experiences, as well as sporting equipment delay/loss/theft. You also get access to a 24/7 hotline that provides information that adventure travellers may need: weather reports and travel advisories, assistance locating the nearest trail, and finding a gear shop.

The standard policy covers emergency medical expenses up to $5 million, emergency dental, trip cancellation/interruption/delay, baggage delays/theft/damage, and more. The downside: you must be under 66 years of age to qualify.

CAA Travel Insurance: Best for families

A long-trusted Canadian institution, CAA travel Insurance offers flexible travel plans to suit every type of traveller and vacation, but their policies are particularly great for families. Their stand-alone emergency medical policy of up to $5 million in health coverage is extremely comprehensive, even including medical repatriation, emergency dental, and reimbursements for pet care and kenneling.

The Vacation Package Plan provides full cancellation/interruption insurance – ideal for prepaid, all-inclusive vacation packages – as well as family transportation and escort of children during emergencies. Anyone can buy CAA travel insurance, but members get a 10% discount.

CAA’s emergency medical plans also now include coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses for vaccinated customers. Coverage is up to $2.5 million if partially vaccinated and up to $5 million if fully vaccinated.

Blue Cross: Best for seniors and retirees

Blue Cross has been around for more than 70 years, and 1 in 4 Canadians utilize its travel insurance. Blue Cross’s emergency medical covers up to $5 million. It has special “snowbird” travel insurance packages designed for Canadians who head to warmer climates each year, making Blue Cross ideal for retirees.

Part of the package is the recently launched Serenity Service. This free perk provides a range of benefits if your flight is delayed, including access to an airport lounge or even a hotel room (depending on the length of the delay). Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered.

Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance: Best for budget travellers

Starting at only $1.36 a day, Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance offers very affordable travel insurance packages, and it’s personally been my “go-to” travel policy for years. Yes, it’s geared toward students (e.g., you can swap your travel dates at no charge due to an exam schedule conflict), but anyone between 15 and 50 years of age can purchase a policy.

The standard package includes hospital and medical up to $1 million, dental care, air ambulance evacuation, flight accident, accidental death or dismemberment, and trip interruption/cancellation insurance. Adventure and extreme sports are also covered.

Manulife CoverMe: Best for Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions

Manulife CoverMe offers highly comprehensive Canadian travel insurance packages for those travelling as a family, a visitor to Canada, or a student. You also get access to the TravelAid mobile app, which provides directions to the nearest medical facility and local emergency telephone numbers.

However, the stand-out feature is arguably TravelEase – a special policy designed to cover fully disclosed medical conditions. For travellers with pre-existing conditions, it insures a bunch of expenses for health services and transportation. It provides up to $10 million in emergency medical benefits – a unicorn in the travel insurance world.

Medipac Travel Insurance: Best for emergency medical assistance

Medipac is one of the only travel insurance companies out there that is staffed by their own team of trained medical professionals, via their Medipac Assistance hotline. Medipac’s medical professionals are your first point of contact in an emergency medical situation. This service is also helpful for dealing with foreign medical systems and helping to prevent unnecessary expenses when dealing with a large deductible.

Medipac offers several competitive features for their travel insurance plans, including no age limits, a claim-free discount, and a 90-day stability period for most pre-existing conditions. If your pre-existing medical condition isn’t covered by a standard Medipac insurance plan, Medipac also offers personalized, underwritten insurance policies to help you meet your needs.

Medipac is offering a 5% Vaccine Discount to clients who have received a minimum of one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the new MedipacMAX option. This COVID insurance option provides maximum coverage of up to $5 million USD for COVID-19, in addition to its other benefits.

Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for frequent travellers

Touted as a world leader in the Canadian travel insurance and assistance industry, Allianz Travel Insurance is a major provider of travel insurance, corporate assistance, and concierge services. It seeks to help its customers find solutions to various travel-related problems. Allianz Travel has partnered with many reputable companies, including travel agencies, airlines, resorts, websites, event ticket brokers, corporations, universities, and credit card companies.

Allianz Travel Insurance is a great choice for anyone looking for travel insurance. Its single-trip plans are perfect for those leaving home and visiting another destination (or destinations) before going back home. Its parent company, Allianz Global Assistance, has five plans to choose from, all offering different levels of protection and coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance’s annual/multi-trip plans are perfect for both personal and professional travelers who take multiple trips in a year. It offers four distinct options to choose from.

Will my provincial insurance be valid overseas?

No! If you get sick or injured overseas, the Canadian government will not cough up a dime to cover your medical costs. Here are the sobering facts:

• Canadian public health insurance is not valid outside of Canada.
• Foreign hospitals can be extremely expensive and may demand payment before treating you.
• The Canadian government will not pay a Canadian’s medical bills for an illness or accident suffered abroad. You’re on the hook for footing the bill!

Will my provincial insurance work in another province/territory?

Flash your valid provincial health card in another part of Canada, and you’ll likely be covered for some of the same services insured by your home provincial plan. This is because the provinces and territories (except Quebec) signed an agreement whereby the host province foots the bill for any medically necessary health care services and gets reimbursed by the home province later.

However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of the woods. Depending on your destination, a slew of other services may not be covered, such as an ambulance, hospital transfer, prescription drugs, transportation back to your home province, and procedures not currently approved by your home plan.

Plus, since Quebec wasn’t a signatory to the interprovincial billing agreement, you’ll likely be charged for any medical bills incurred there. For this reason, it’s recommended that you buy extra travel insurance (or verify your  credit card’s travel insurance coverage ) to cover any uninsured health care services that may crop up during your trip.

What does the best travel insurance in Canada cover?

Every travel insurance policy is different and what’s covered depends on how much you’re willing to pay for coverage. Typical medical services that you can expect to be covered include:

• Emergency hospital and medical costs
• Ambulance and air ambulance costs
• Outpatient services
• Physician and laboratory costs
• Prescription drugs
• Direct payment to the hospitals and doctors caring for you
• Assistance with bringing a family member to your bedside
• Air ambulance or commercial repatriation home
• Return of your vehicle if you are ill and have to come home

Additional benefits may include:

• Trip cancellation for non-refundable monetary losses
• Trip interruption
• Baggage loss, rental car damage, out-of-pocket expenses
• Accidental death and dismemberment

How much coverage do I need?

Securing a policy with a minimum of $1M maximum payable is a safe bet. But don’t just look at the numbers when choosing a policy – read the fine print. Every insurer has a list of situations in which coverage is not provided, otherwise known as “exclusions.” Check whether your provider includes coverage or has provisions for the following:

• Pre-existing medical conditions: According to the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, a pre-existing condition is “something that happened (or started to happen) before you were insured.” Some policies may cover claims relating to pre-existing conditions that are “stable and controlled,” but read the definitions carefully. If you don’t declare a condition, the entire policy could be invalidated!
• Medical evacuation: Ensure the policy covers medical evacuation to the nearest hospital and/or to Canada and the costs of a medical escort to accompany you to your final destination.
• Repatriation in case of death: On the grim side, ensure that your plan covers the preparation and return of your remains to Canada.
• Adventurous Activities: If you plan on engaging in “high-risk” activities on your trip, you may need to shell out extra dough for a more comprehensive plan. Many policies don’t cover “risky” activities, such as skiing or snowboarding “out of bounds,” skydiving, scuba diving, white-water rafting, mountaineering, or participation in any rodeo activity. To cover your bases, ask questions and get specifics before purchasing a policy.

You may have to pay more to have these things included, but a few extra bucks may be worth it for peace of mind.

Should I buy “a la carte” travel insurance or get a travel credit card with free insurance?

A credit card with travel insurance is always a good thing to carry in your wallet. The  best travel credit cards in Canada  usually cover everything from emergency medical costs to trip cancellation/interruption to flight delay to rental car insurance, which could save you a wad of cash.

The  Scotiabank Gold American Express ® Card  has saved my butt a few times, and I’ve filed several travel-related claims through my card. I cancelled my trip to Portugal a few years ago due to a death in the family, and I got a full refund on my hotel deposit and flights for myself, my husband, and my baby. It totally justified the $120 annual fee.

That being said, don’t rely on your credit card to take care of all your travel insurance needs. It usually includes a basic policy, meaning it offers low (or no!) travel medical insurance as part of the package. Like any travel insurance company policy, you’ve really got to read the fine print and understand the conditions of your policy to avoid sticky situations.

For instance, the Scotiabank Gold American Express ® Card requires a cardholder to have charged at least 75% of trip expenses to make a trip cancellation/interruption insurance claim. So if you book an all-inclusive vacation for $5,000 and then cancel due to illness, at least $3,750 must have been charged onto your AMEX to qualify for a claim. If you didn’t do that, you’re out of luck.

Can I still purchase insurance if i’ve already started my vacation?

The short answer: most insurance providers won’t cover you after your departure date. However, a handful of insurers (such as World Nomads) will allow you to purchase a policy while already overseas. Just know that it can come with sky-high costs and/or conditions: World Nomads has a 48-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in. The bottom line? It’s always best to buy travel insurance before leaving the country.

Can I get travel insurance for part of a trip?

Some plans offer insurance coverage options that will allow you to customize your coverage, but you’ll have to research to find one that works for your unique circumstances. Alternatively, you could take out an insurance policy for each destination and/or segment of your trip.

For instance, you could get a World Nomads policy for the two weeks you’re scuba diving in Australia, followed by a basic Travel CUTS Bon Voyage insurance to cover a month-long trip to Europe. However, when you buy Canadian travel insurance, you must select a trip start and end date – meaning you must know the exact dates for travelling to those places.

Should I carry a printout of my policy with me at all times?

I recommend carrying the travel insurance card in your wallet and locking it up in the hotel safe with other important travel documents like my passport. But don’t rely totally on paper: Wallets get lost or stolen, luggage can be delayed or M.I.A., and papers are easy to misplace when you’re on the road. My advice is to send a copy of the policy to your email and save it on your iCloud or another storage system that can be accessed anywhere, anytime.

Recommended reads

• What’s the Added Value of a Credit Card with Travel Insurance?
• The Best Travel Rewards Programs in Canada
• Aeroplan vs. AIR MILES vs. Avion

About our author

Lisa Jackson is a freelance personal finance and travel journalist, editor, and blogger who contributes to various online and print media outlets in Canada and abroad, including The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Islands Magazine, Fodors, BRIDES, Huffington Post Canada, CAA Magazine, The Food Network, West Jet Magazine, NUVO Magazine, and many others. When she's not writing from her home office, she's busy globe-trotting to new destinations in search of her next story.

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Trip interruption and travel health insurance

If you plan to travel outside Canada—even for a day in the United States—you should buy trip interruption and travel health insurance before you leave.

On this page

Where you can get trip interruption and travel health insurance, why you should buy travel health insurance, choose the best insurance based on your needs, if you need to make a claim, if you live or work outside canada, if you need help while outside canada.

You can buy trip interruption and travel health insurance directly with an insurance company or through:

• a travel agent
• an insurance broker
• an employer’s insurance provider
• a credit card company

If you encounter a medical emergency while abroad, you should know the following:

• Your medical bills may not be paid by your personal Canadian health insurance
• Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad including a medical evacuation, if needed. It will never pay your bills up front
• Hospitals and clinics in other countries can be very expensive and may require immediate cash payment
• In some countries, hospitals and clinics will not treat you if you don’t have enough insurance or money to pay your bills
• The Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills

What your travel health insurance should cover

No matter where you’re travelling, your travel health insurance policy should always cover 3 things:

1. Medical evacuation

Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation to Canada or to the nearest place with medical care. The policy should also cover the costs of a medical escort to travel with you to your destination.

2. Pre-existing medical conditions

Ask the insurance provider to explain the definition of and the limitations and restrictions on any pre-existing conditions and tests and treatments you may have had:

• Make sure you get a written agreement that your insurance covers your pre-existing medical condition, otherwise you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
• no changes to your medical condition
• no new medical conditions, symptoms or medications during the stability period before your trip.
• a compassion clause saying that an inaccurate statement may not invalidate the entire policy
• a change-of-health clause.

3. Repatriation in case of death

Make sure that your plan includes everything to help your loved ones if you die outside Canada as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness.

Your insurance should cover:

• the preparation and return of your remains
• local cremation or burial outside Canada
• additional expenses if someone needs to travel to identify your body

Learn more about what to do if a Canadian dies outside Canada.

Why you should buy trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance is different from medical travel insurance. Trip interruption insurance provides coverage for situations that lead you to have to cancel a part of your trip once you’ve departed. It will reimburse the unused portion of your trip if you must return early, due to an unforeseen incident.

It’s also different from trip cancellation coverage, which applies only when you cancel your trip before it starts.

Research your needs. Verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of your insurance policy before you leave Canada.

When assessing a travel health insurance plan, you should ask a lot of questions:

• Plans with 100% coverage are more expensive but may save you money in the long run
• Does the plan offer continuous coverage for the length of your stay outside Canada and after your return?
• Does the plan exclude or limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit?
• Travel health insurance rarely covers routine health checkups, non-emergency care or cosmetic surgery.
• It may not cover mental health disorders.
• Does the plan cover drug or alcohol-related incidents? 
• Does the plan exclude coverage for activities such as mountaineering, skiing, scuba diving or extreme sports?
• Does it offer coverage that is renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay?
• Does the company have an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country?
• Does it pay for hospitalization for illness or injury and related medical costs at your destination?
• Does it pay your bills or provide cash advances up front, so you don’t have to pay them?

If you’re driving, make sure you have driver and vehicle coverage in case you have an accident.

If you’re flying, make sure you get insurance for trip interruption, lost luggage and document replacement. You may also want to consider trip cancellation insurance.

Meet the terms of your policy

It’s your responsibility to know and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Read the fine print and ask for help if you need it.

The information you provide must be accurate and complete. If you have any questions, contact the insurance company. Ask them to send you a written explanation.

Carry your insurance information with you and leave a copy with a friend or relative at home.

Get a detailed report and invoice from your doctor or hospital before leaving the country where you received medical treatment. Trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away can be frustrating.

Always submit the original receipts for medical services or prescriptions you received abroad. Keep a copy of the documents for your files.

Effects of travel advisories on travel insurance policies

Many travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel to regions where the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory to “avoid all non-essential travel” or “avoid all travel.”

The Government of Canada is not responsible for travel insurance policies nor how Travel Advice and Advisories may affect travel insurance policies. The Government of Canada does not issue its Travel Advice and Advisories for the purpose of travel insurance coverage or refunds.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories provide information and recommendations about safety and security conditions in destinations around the world to help you make informed decisions.

We issue travel advisories when the security or health situation in a country or region may pose a significant threat to the personal safety and security of Canadians travelling or living there.

As new information becomes available, we review the level of risk. A travel advisory for a destination may be issued, upgraded, downgraded or removed.

Before you book your trip and buy insurance, check the details of any insurance policy you’re considering and the travel advice and advisories for your destination.

Travel insurance is not intended to be used when you are living outside Canada for an extended period, or permanently.

If you live abroad or you’re planning to, consider your insurance needs. Local laws may require that you have medical insurance, and you may have to include proof of medical insurance with your visa application.

If you study outside Canada

If you study or plan to study outside Canada, contact your educational institution or program administrator for advice on the insurance coverage you need.

The Government of Canada is limited in the help it can provide you when you are outside Canada.

See the services available at our consular offices outside Canada.

Our travel advice and advisories provide recommendations about safety and security conditions outside Canada to help you make informed decisions. The decision to travel is yours and you’re responsible for your personal safety abroad.

Whether you are planning a vacation or living outside Canada, sign up for the free Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that we can notify you in case of an emergency outside Canada.

For help with emergencies outside Canada, contact the:

• nearest Canadian office abroad
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa

Related links

• Say yes to travel insurance
• Bon voyage, but…
• Well on your way
• A guide to travel health insurance (Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association)
• Guide to travel health insurance (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers)

Travel Insurance Specialists (TIS)

FEATURES OF THE A LA CARTE TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN FOR THE 2023–2024 SEASON

• LIMITED TIME OFFER (see details below)
• COVID-19 is now covered like any other medical condition
• Better rates for most people with a lung condition
• Up to $5,000,000 of Coverage for emergency medical services including COVID-19
• Available up to Age 94
• One Simple Rate Table
• Annual Multi-Trip plans include coverage for trips in Canada (outside your province or territory)
• Annual Multi-Trip plans available up to 62 days per trip for most ages
• Many deductible options: Zero, US$50, US$250, US$500, US$1,000, US$5,000 and US$10,000
• A 90 or 180 day pre-existing condition stability period applies based on your answers to the Underwriting Questions
• 30 day stability option if you had a recent medication change
• Major Event Return Home benefit now included with your Single Trip Plan or Annual Multi-Trip Plan policy
• We accept cancellations and early return refund requests via telephone, mail, email or fax
• Direct Payment to Hospitals and other providers where possible
• No Top-up Fee

Basic Emergency Medical Coverage

• EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES including COVID-19 $5,000,000
• Emergency Paramedical/Professional Services $250 per practitioner
• Emergency Ambulance Transportation Eligible expense
• Emergency Dental Due to an Accidental Blow to the Mouth $2,000
• Emergency Relief of Dental Pain $300
• Removal of a Cast or Stitches after an Emergency $300
• Child Return under your care Eligible expenses
• Vehicle Return $2,500
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation Eligible expenses
• Major Event Return Home $3,000
• Subsistence Allowance $1,500 per person
• Expenses Related to your Death $5,000 per person
• Bedside Companion Travel Eligible expenses
• 24 Hour Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
• See the policy for full details. NOTE: All premiums, benefits, and maximum amounts payable are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified. All deductibles are in US dollars (US$) and apply to each claim occurrence.

Basic Emergency Medical Coverage applies to Annual Multi-Trip Plans (8 Day, 16 Day, 32 Day and 62 Day options).

Deductible Choices (Optional)

The policy has a US$50 deductible per claim. You have the option to change your deductible to ZERO, US$250, US$500, US$1,000, US$5,000, or US$10,000.

Buy down your Pre-Existing Condition Clause (Optional)

The pre-existing condition stabilty period that you qualify for (either 90 days or 180 days) is based on the answers that you have provided to the Underwriting Questions on the A La Carte Option Worksheet. If you qualify for a pre-existing condition stability period of 180 days prior to any departure date, you have the option to "buy-down" the stability period for pre-existing condition coverage to 90 days. If you choose this option, the policy will cover eligible expenses for a medical condition that was stable in the 90 days prior to the departure date of any trip.

Also, if you had a replacement, elimination or an increase/decrease in dosage or frequency of a medication that does not treat a heart condition or a lung condition, and was prescribed more than 45 days prior to your departure date, you can reduce the stability period for the medical condition that the medication treats to 30 days prior to any departure date.

This insurance covers treatment required only as a result of a medical emergency and has other terms, conditons, limitations and exclusions which may affect your coverage. For a full description, click on the Policy Wording link at the top of this page to review the full policy. Please refer to Section 4 of the A La Carte Travel Insurance Policy for the exclusions.

Marketed by Travel Insurance Specialists Snowbird medical insurance experts for over 25 years

Underwritten by Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.

We are a founding member of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada.

Note from the President:

Certain provinces and territories are discussing the elimination of reimbursement from the Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) for Out-of-Canada claims. Ontario has already announced this change. Other provinces and territories will likely follow.

We would prefer not to raise rates to cover this extra claim cost, so we have done something fair and reasonable. This is called GHIP Replacement Cost.

If your province or territory does not offer reimbursement for any Out-of-Canada medical expenses at the time you have a claim under this policy and there are eligible medical expenses for a Hospital or Emergency Room (ER) visit , you will be required to pay US$260 for the GHIP Replacement Cost. This US$260 charge cannot be waived.

However, if you only have eligible medical expenses at a stand-alone clinic, dentist or doctor's office, the charge for the GHIP Replacement Cost will not apply.

The charge for the GHIP Replacement Cost is in addition to any deductible amount you have on this policy.

• British Columbia
• Saskatchewan
• Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• Northwest Territories
• Québec
• Colombie-Britannique
• Nouvelle-Écosse
• Nouveau-Brunswick
• Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
• l'île du Prince-Édouard
• (territoires du) Nord-Ouest

It is your responsibility to be aware of the Government of Canada travel advisories at www.travel.gc.ca  prior to any departure from Canada and at all times while you are travelling outside of Canada. COVID-19 coverage is provided if the Government of Canada travel advisory is Level 1, 2, or 3. You must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated if you are travelling on a cruise ship outside of Canada. In the event that the travel advisory changes to 'Avoid all travel' (Level 4) while you are outside of Canada, you must return to Canada within 10 days of the advisory. If you do not return to Canada, your COVID-19 coverage will terminate on the 11 th day and thereafter.