Taking a vacation? Think again before relying solely on your credit card’s travel insurance! 

You’ve heard the stories. Canadians go off on a luxurious vacation down south where they hope to get away and enjoy time as a couple or with friends. A health-related emergency comes up and they think they’re covered under their credit card’s travel medical coverage. Little did they know that they were not eligible for that coverage after all and ended up having to pay thousands or tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Whoa! 

You think you have travel medical insurance under your credit card but the truth is, there might be many stipulations that prevent you from obtaining the protection you will need in the event of an emergency. Being treated in a hospital outside of Canada is not something you want to have to go through when you’re not covered. The cost of getting travel insurance prior to your trip isn’t huge, but should be considered for any holiday getaway. 

What you need to know about travel insurance eligibility

Underwriting (the process of assessing your health) is done when you make the claim rather than when you buy the coverage. If you’re 65 or older, it may be harder to find credit card insurance in which you’re eligible. If you have health issues, you may qualify for emergency medical coverage. Speak to a licensed insurance advisor to know what your options are.

Types of travel insurance:

• All inclusive travel insurance

• Trip cancellation and trip interruption

• Single trip insurance

• Multi-trip insurance

• Top-up insurance

• After-departure insurance

Some tips on travel insurance: 

Check what’s covered: Check what you’re covered for under the travel insurance plan before you go. Are you covered for cancellation, lost or stolen equipment, medical expenses, adventurous activities, and personal liability. Is it a safe country to visit? Check with your insurance provider before you go on your trip. 

See how to make a claim: Learn what to do in the event that you will need to make a claim. Ensure you can provide all the right information, keep a record of your treatments, inform your insurance company of any changes to your health, and stay informed.

Choose the right amount of insurance: Traveling regularly can lower your costs. There may be options for multi-trip insurance plans vs single time use. If you go on a trip more than once a year, it may be worth considering this. 

Extend coverage if needed, and if possible: Your policy can last longer if you plan on traveling for longer than anticipated. You may be able to extend the policy but check with your insurance company to confirm.

Where else can you get travel insurance?

Get started with travel insurance from a travel agent, your current employer, or an insurance brokerage company like us! Credit cards do offer travel insurance but ensure you have the right coverage for your trip so you can depart on it worry-free.