Travel insurance A practical guide
The media occasionally carry horror stories of people who have experienced problems while traveling... without having travel insurance. Sometimes, family and friends even have help, for example by paying for medical care or return airfare.
Although they may seem less risky, short stays abroad are not risk-free. This can even happen on a trip to the U.S. for a few hours! Travelling without travel insurance can have serious financial consequences.
Even if you're traveling within the country, you should take out travel insurance as soon as you leave Quebec. Indeed, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) may reimburse less than the amount you would have been required to pay in the event of a health problem, leaving you with a bill to pay.
The different travel insurance offered
You may be covered by several insurance contracts. Here are a few examples:
- You may have group insurance through your employer or as a retiree
- You may be offered insurance when you purchase your trip
- You may have purchased this insurance through a certified representative
- You may be covered if you charge some (or all, in some cases) of your travel expenses to your credit card
The risks covered by travel insurance vary from one policy to another. Here are the main types of coverage:
Emergency medical care insurance
Emergency medical insurance covers you if you have an unforeseen health problem while traveling. For example, it can cover:
- Hospital care, prescribed drugs and related diagnostic services
- Out-patient services
- Physician and laboratory fees
- Prescription drugs
- Direct payment to hospitals and doctors who treat you
- Assistance in bringing a family member to your bedside
- Repatriation by air ambulance or commercial flight
Accidental death and dismemberment insurances can also be offered.
Hélène and Réjean cross the U.S. border for an afternoon. Suddenly, Hélène has a terrible stomachache, forcing Réjean to take her to hospital. Hélène could not have foreseen that she would suffer an appendicitis attack. Without insurance, this lesson will cost them dearly!
Do you have a specific health condition or chronic illness?
It's very important to understand how your current state of health may affect your travel insurance coverage.
You should contact your insurer before you travel if you have any health problems, or as soon as you change your medication.
End of the warningTrip cancellation and interruption insurance
The terms "trip cancellation" and "trip interruption" refer to two distinct types of coverage.
Trip cancellation insurance
Trip cancellation insurance covers you if your trip is cancelled for an eligible reason before departure.
This coverage could, for example, compensate you for the non-refundable portion of your trip if you fall ill (or other covered reasons) before departure.
Please note that the reasons for canceling your trip are specified in the contract. So, it's important to read them to understand the scope of your coverage as they may vary.
Trip interruption insurance
Trip interruption insurance provides coverage after your trip has already started and you are at your destination.
This cover could, for example, compensate you for the non-refundable and unused portion of pre-paid expenses, should your trip be interrupted for a covered reason.
Please note that the reasons for interrupting your trip are specified in the contract. So, it’s important to read them to understand the scope of your coverage as they may vary.
Lost/Stolen Baggage & Delayed Baggage insurance
Baggage insurance covers you up to a contractually specified amount in the event of baggage loss or theft. It may even cover the cost of replacing certain items if your luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination at the same time. Typically, this benefit is triggered after a certain amount of time, say 4-hours or 6-hours.
Ask about the coverage offered by your insurance, as not all of it may be included in your policy. Some products, for example, may not include emergency medical coverage.
Before you leave on your trip, take the time to read and understand all the details of your insurance coverage! If you have any questions, you should contact your insurance company or your insurance advisor.
Essential points to check with the insurer
Eligibility
First of all, make sure you are eligible for the coverage offered, taking into account your age, state of health and destination.
Just because coverage is included on your credit card or in your group insurance plan doesn't mean you're eligible for the entire trip!
Hélène and Réjean travel every year. For several years now, they've been covered by the insurance included with their credit card. It's a good thing they took the time to check their contract before leaving again, since they could have ended up with a bad deal. Indeed, since Réjean turned 65 this year, the coverage offered by their credit card is now reduced to 7 days instead of 30. Depending on the length of the trip, Réjean may have to purchase additional insurance coverage from his insurer. At age 70, he may not even be covered for medical insurance at all.
Limitations and exclusions
Pre-existing conditions
Please note! Some insurance contracts may not cover you if, for example, you are seen for thyroid problems before your departure, or if you have chest pain. This could be considered a pre-existing condition.
A pre-existing condition is a health problem that already exists at the time of travel. It could be a symptom or problem that you were unaware of, but for which you have consulted or have been recommended to consult.
A pre-existing condition may not be covered by your travel insurance. Find out more!
Please note! Not all insurance companies have the same definitions of these terms. Be vigilant if, before your departure, your condition or symptoms:
- have deteriorated or become more frequent
- have been treated by a health professional
- have led to a change in the type or dosage of your medication
- have been recommended for consultation or examination
Government warnings
Also check whether the Canadian government 
This link will open in a new window has issued a travel warning for your destination. Such a warning could reduce the scope of your insurance coverage.
If you are travelling abroad, don't forget to check the entry requirements of the country you're visiting. Some countries, in addition to the usual formalities such as passports and visas, also impose vaccination or screening requirements. Also check whether the country you're visiting has any travel insurance requirements.
Practice of certain activities or sports
Activities involving a greater risk of injury are often excluded from insurance coverage. Make sure you're well covered before venturing out on a climbing wall in Europe or scuba diving in the Caribbean.
Shop around for travel insurance, as coverage may vary from one insurer to another. Make a list of the activities you plan to do abroad before contacting your insurer. The insurer will usually classify precisely what is covered and what is not. You'll also be told whether special coverage is available, such as emergency evacuation. An insurer usually classifies exactly what is and isn't covered. They'll also tell you if special coverage is available, such as emergency evacuation.
Medical tourism
Medical tourism involves traveling outside Quebec for medical care, including cosmetic and dental treatments, which are considered elective and not an emergency.
With hospital waiting lists, new technologies available internationally, and sometimes lower costs elsewhere, some people may be tempted by medical tourism to access care. But beware! Your travel emergency medical insurance only covers unforeseen medical emergencies Find out more!
Exclusions during your trip
Take the time to check whether your insurance contract includes an exclusion for Covid-19 claims, or for accidents that occur during excessive alcohol consumption.
Beware of misrepresentation
It's important to avoid hiding anything. Making a false declaration to your insurer can invalidate an insurance contract, and not only that which is the subject of the false declaration.
Length of stay and duration of your insurance coverage
Are you going away for a week, or do you want to stay warm all winter? Check the duration of your coverage to make sure you're well protected for the duration of your trip. Also check whether you can extend your coverage once you're on the road, if necessary.
If your trip is scheduled to last longer than the total duration of your coverage, you may not be covered at all.
End of the warningThe importance of informing your insurer as soon as possible
Insurers usually offer an emergency telephone number (a toll-free # and a call-collect #) to call for assistance in the event of a health problem abroad. Insurers usually ask you to contact them before you go to hospital, so that they can help you.
If possible, contact your insurer immediately if you need treatment or hospitalization while outside Quebec.
Your insurer may only authorize care to stabilize your condition, and then arrange for you to be repatriated to Quebec for the remainder of your treatment.