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For Canadian citizens traveling abroad, it’s important to have travel health insurance to protect against unexpected medical emergencies. Travel health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation, and emergency medical evacuation when you are traveling outside Canada. Without travel health insurance, you may face exorbitant medical bills that can quickly drain your savings and cause financial distress.
Why Do You Need Travel Health Insurance?
Here are some reasons why you need travel health insurance for your next trip:
- Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. Even a minor illness or injury can result in substantial medical bills.
- Your provincial health insurance plan may not cover all medical expenses incurred outside Canada. The coverage is limited and varies by province.
- You may not be eligible for public health insurance in some countries, or the coverage may be inadequate.
- Insurance companies may require you to have travel health insurance before issuing a travel insurance policy that covers trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss or delay.
What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?
Travel health insurance typically covers the following:
- Emergency medical treatment for illnesses and injuries
- Hospitalization expenses, including room and board
- Diagnostic tests, x-rays, and laboratory fees
- Prescription drugs and medication
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Accidental dental treatment
- Emergency travel assistance services
How to Buy Travel Health Insurance?
You can buy travel health insurance from the following sources:
- Your employer-sponsored group insurance plan
- Your credit card company, which may offer travel insurance as a perk or benefit
- Insurance brokers and agents who specialize in travel insurance
- Online insurance marketplaces that offer quotes from multiple insurance providers
Before you buy travel health insurance, make sure you understand the terms and conditions, coverage limits, and exclusions. Read the policy carefully, and ask questions if you are unsure about any aspect of the coverage.
How Much Does Travel Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of travel health insurance varies depending on several factors, such as:
- Your age and health status
- The length and destination of your trip
- The coverage limits and deductibles you choose
- The insurance provider and policy you select
Generally, travel health insurance can cost anywhere from a few dollars per day to several hundred dollars for a longer trip. It’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers and choose the policy that offers the best value for your needs and budget.
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does my provincial health insurance cover me when I travel outside Canada? | Your provincial health insurance may provide limited coverage for medical emergencies when you travel outside Canada. However, the coverage varies by province and may not be sufficient to cover all medical expenses. |
| Do I need travel health insurance if I have travel insurance? | Yes, you need travel health insurance in addition to travel insurance. Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss or delay, but may not provide comprehensive medical coverage. |
| Can I buy travel health insurance after I have left Canada? | Yes, you can buy travel health insurance after you have left Canada, but it’s important to buy it as soon as possible to avoid any gaps in coverage. |
| What is covered under emergency medical evacuation? | Emergency medical evacuation covers the cost of transporting you to a medical facility for treatment if you are seriously ill or injured and cannot be treated locally. |
| What is the maximum coverage limit for travel health insurance? | The maximum coverage limit for travel health insurance varies by policy and insurance provider. It can range from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars. |