When planning a trip abroad or even within Canada, ensuring you have adequate travel medical insurance should be a top priority. Failing to do so may lead to costly consequences, particularly when facing health-related issues while away from home.
Travelling to destinations with less reliable healthcare services further underscores the importance of being adequately covered. Without proper insurance, you could find yourself in a precarious situation, requiring significant financial resources to address a sudden health emergency.
In this article, we will delve into the fundamentals of travel medical insurance, explore the key factors to keep in mind when purchasing coverage and provide guidance on comparing different platforms to secure the best possible deal for your travel insurance needs.
5 Best Travel Medical Insurance in Canada
When embarking on a journey, having reliable travel medical insurance can prove to be a significant boon. After all, mishaps are an unfortunate reality, and they can strike at any time, especially while you’re away from home.
Regardless of how careful and responsible you may be, unexpected situations can arise. Travel medical insurance protects you from the financial fallout of such unforeseen events, and you can secure it through various channels, including travel agents, insurance brokers, employer-sponsored insurance plans, and credit card companies.
To make an informed choice for your travel medical insurance, it’s essential to conduct a thorough comparison and find a provider that aligns with your specific needs and budget. Here, we present our top selections for the five best travel medical insurance providers in Canada.
1. World Nomads Travel Insurance
- Best for: Thrill-Seekers
- Cover: up to $5,000,00
- Age limit: Below 66 years old
They ensure adventure sports, activities, volunteer/work experiences, sporting equipment, and loss/theft. What makes them unique is they provide 24/7 information on an adventure, from weather reports and travel advisories to assistance locating the nearest trail to finding a gear shop. You can cover trip cancellation, baggage theft, and many more. To qualify, you must be below 66 years.
Why We Recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance
- Offers coverage for many adventure activities
- You can easily purchase coverage online
- Simple and flexible travel insurance offerings
Why We Don’t Like World Nomads Travel Insurance
- Less adapted for older travellers and snowbirds
- Some clients may prefer telephone assistance.
2. CAA Travel Insurance
- Best for: Families
- Stand-alone emergency policy: Up to 5,000,000
- Age limit: Anyone
CAA is a Canadian institution that offers comprehensive and flexible travel insurance plans to suit every type of traveller and vacation. Their coverage includes medical repatriation, emergency dental and pet care, and kenneling reimbursements.
Their vacation package plan renders full cancellation insurance, which is ideal for prepaid and all-inclusive vacation packages. Family transportation and escort of children during emergencies are also part of it. Members get a 10% discount and coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses.
However, this benefits vaccinated members travelling during a Government of Canada-issued Level 3 (avoid non-essential) travel advisory. You get a cover of up to $2.5 million if partially vaccinated and up to $5 million if fully vaccinated.
Why We Recommend CAA Travel Insurance
- Enjoy 24/7 customer service.
- Easy to apply for coverage or file a claim online.
- Membership with CAA gives a 10% discount on travel insurance packages
- Extensive coverage for emergency medical intervention.
Why We Don’t Like CAA Travel Insurance
- It only offers special discounts to CAA members.
3. Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance
- Best for: Budget Travellers
- Emergency medical benefit: up to $1,000,000
- Age limit: Between 15 and 50
- Editors Choice: Travel CUT
They start at only $1.36 daily and offer students affordable travel insurance packages. Due to exam schedule issues, students can swap their travel dates at no charge. The standard package includes adventure, sports, dental care, air ambulance evacuation, flight accident, and trip cancellation insurance.
Why We Recommend Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance
- Covers high-risk activities and extreme sports
- Easy, intuitive online purchase
- Affordable, starting at $1.36/day
- Travel CUTS has a hassle-free TIC emergency assistance 800 number available 24/7 to find a local doctor.
Why We Don’t Like Travel CUTS Bon Voyage Insurance
- You must be under the age of 50 to get Travel CUTS insurance.
4. Manulife CoverMe Travel Insurance
- Best for: Canadians with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
- Coverage: up to $10,000,000
- Age limit: Anyone
Manulife Cover travel insurance plan offers comprehensive emergency travel medical insurance packages for those travelling as a family, a visitor to Canada, or a student. They give you access to the Travel Aid mobile app. The app provides directions to the nearest medical facility and local emergency telephone numbers.
Moreover, they have a ” TraveEase” policy with fully disclosed medical conditions. Customers with pre-existing conditions enjoy health services and goods transportation systems. Moreover, they are seen as unicorns in the travel insurance world.
Why We Recommend Manulife Travel Insurance
- Up to $10 in emergency medical benefits
- Coverage for a single trip or multiple trips
- Save money if you are travelling within Canada
- Clear explanation of what the plans cover
- Several offers depending on your profile
Why We Don’t Like Manulife Travel Insurance
- Those above age 60 must fill out a medical questionnaire
- If you cannot call before seeking treatment, you pay 20% of the expense out of pocket.
5. Medipac Travel Insurance
- Best for: Emergency Medical Assistance
- Age limit: No age limit
Medipac is one of the travel insurance companies in Canada that is staffed by its own team of trained medical professionals.
You can get through these teams via their Medipac Assistance hotline. Their teams of medical professionals are your first point of contact in an emergency medical situation.
They offer several features for their travel insurance plans, like a claim-free discount, and operates a 90-day stability period for most pre-existing condition.
Medipac also offers personalized and underwritten insurance policies for various customers’ needs, offers a 5% Vaccine Discount to customers who have received a minimum of one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and gives the new MedipacMAX option by providing COVID insurance and maximum coverage of up to $5 million for COVID-19.
Why We Recommend Medipac Travel Insurance
- 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance
- Offers coverage of up to $5 million and coverage for COVID-19
- A variety of travel insurance options
- Plans well-adapted for long stays in the United States
Why We Don’t Like Medipac Travel Insurance
- Being above 60 might require filling out a medical questionnaire.
- You must contact Medipac to receive the maximum allowable reimbursement before seeking medical treatment.
- Lacks coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and lost luggage
What is Travel Medical Insurance?
Travel medical insurance is a unique form of health coverage tailored to the needs of those travelling abroad. It provides financial protection against healthcare expenses incurred while in a foreign country.
Essentially, this type of insurance is designed to safeguard individuals when they are outside their home country, ensuring that accidents or illnesses that may occur during their journey are covered.
The importance of travel medical insurance becomes abundantly clear when you find yourself in a situation where you require medical attention while away from home. In such instances, having the right coverage can make a significant difference in terms of your well-being and financial security during your travels.
Benefits of Travel Medical Insurance
If you’re a frequent traveller or simply concerned about potential injuries or illnesses while away from home, it’s time to explore the advantages of travel medical insurance. Here are some compelling factors to consider:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Travel medical insurance often extends a helping hand when conventional health plans fall short. This can encompass the expenses of emergency medical care, transportation, and even everyday health services like doctor visits, prescriptions, vaccinations, and more.
- Peace of Mind: Traveling with insurance means travelling with peace of mind. You’re shielded against unexpected medical costs that might crop up while you’re far from home, ensuring your journey remains worry-free.
- Immediate Care: In the event of a medical emergency, travel medical insurance offers swift access to the care you need, sparing you the stress of navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems.
- Language Assistance: Dealing with medical issues in a foreign country can be daunting, especially with a language barrier. Your travel medical insurance provider can assist you in bridging this gap and ensuring you get the care you require.
- Financial Protection: When you’re abroad, travel medical insurance provides specific safeguards. This includes coverage for evacuation and repatriation, as well as compensation for injuries sustained during your travels or due to unforeseen events like terrorist acts.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?
Travel medical insurance covers many emergencies and healthcare situations. However, it is not used for preventive treatments or regular medical care. It is meant to cover emergencies like:
- Broken body bones
- Sudden heart attacks
- Emergency strokes
- Emergency dental issues
- Medical evacuations
- Emergency transport to clinics
- Emergency repatriation
- 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
- Air ambulance or commercial home repatriation
- Return your vehicle if you are ill and have to come home.
Additional benefits may include the following:
- Trip cancellation for non-refundable monetary losses
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage loss, rental car damage, out-of-pocket expenses
- Accidental death and dismemberment
Note: Anything that makes up a medical emergency and makes you seek treatment while you are on your trip should be covered by a comprehensive travel medical insurance policy.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Not Cover?
- Pre-existing medical situations
- Medical evacuation
- Adventurous trip activities
- In the case of death.
Who Needs Travel Medical Insurance?
Purchasing travel medical insurance in Canada is a simple way to save money in an emergency. Anyone in Canada can benefit from the coverage.
Travel medical insurance is highly recommended on any trip abroad. While travelling within your own country, you don’t have to be concerned with the language barrier or finding an acceptable hospital or clinic.
However, when you’re abroad, everything changes, and you can only count on your travel medical insurance coverage. Travel medical insurance companies offer a variety of plans. The information below will help you to choose the right plan for you and your family. They include:
- Emergency Medical Plan: It may include physician services, ambulance transportation, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and more.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Travel: Available to Canadians travelling abroad, provides emergency medical insurance for COVID-19 complications, e.t.c
- All-inclusive Plan: Includes emergency Medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage loss/damage/delays, flight and travel accidents, e.t.c
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan: Covers up to the purchased amount, e.t.c
Related: Life Insurance: Get Quotes Online Easily
Final Thoughts on Travel Medical Insurance
if you’re planning your next expedition or a simple getaway, consider the incredible benefits of travel medical insurance. Travel medical insurance is not just a phrase but a crucial shield against the unexpected. With this essential coverage, you can find peace of mind, knowing that you are protected no matter where your adventures take you.
So, before you embark on your next adventure, take a moment to consider the benefits of travel medical insurance. Don’t leave your health to chance; be proactive and protect yourself.
Ready to safeguard your travels with the peace of mind that comes from travel medical insurance? Explore your options, find the perfect coverage, and embark on your adventures with confidence.
FAQs on Travel Medical Insurance
Can you get medical-only travel insurance?
Yes, most insurers will offer travel and medical insurance to people with pre-existing medical conditions. However, depending on your circumstances, you may have to pay more for cover.
Can you get travel insurance after leaving Canada?
Yes, you can, but I advise you to check the insurance company with such a policy. Some may not allow such. But World Nomads policy permits that even when already overseas. However, a 48-hour waiting time relates to coverage of any illness, starting from the date you set the policy to run.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Canadian tourist visas?
Visitors are not required to have travel medical insurance. In a few cases, travel visa applicants may need proof of medical insurance coverage.
Do Canadians need insurance to travel to other provinces?
Yes, it would be best to have insurance to travel to other provinces. Being conscious of your health situation is a plus because not all provinces in Canada offer the same coverage as your own. This difference means you may be paying out-of-pocket for your medical services. While some expenses may qualify for reimbursement from your province, it’s always the case.
Does travel insurance cover Covid-19?
Some travel insurers now offer limited travel medical coverage for COVID-19. However, it will likely only cover the medical services, quarantine, and cancellation costs if you test positive for COVID-19. Travel insurance providers are usually unlikely to cover cancellation if you cannot travel to your home due to lockdowns.
