October - Investor Education Month - AMF is source of objective information about travel insurance

Montréal - As the days draw in, many Quebeckers are planning their next sun vacation or holiday outside the province. The Autorité des marchés financiers (the "AMF") wishes to offer travellers some advice to ensure that they have adequate travel insurance.

Travel insurance protects travellers while they are outside their home province. It covers unexpected emergency expenses, such as medical care in case of an accident or sudden illness. The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec reimburses only a portion of the costs of medical services received outside Québec. Therefore, uninsured travellers may be required to pay the difference - which could be substantial. Travel insurance complements the protection offered by the Régie.

Travel insurance generally offers the following types of protection:

  • Travel assistance;
  • Emergency medical care insurance;
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance;
  • Accidental death and dismemberment insurance;
  • Baggage insurance.

Advice for consumers

Consumers planning to travel outside Québec, even if only to shop for a few hours in the U.S., should:

  • Check their travel insurance coverage under group plans and credit cards;
  • Shop around for travel insurance by contacting insurance representatives, travel agents and financial institutions;
  • Take the time to identify and understand the main coverage, limitations and exclusions of their policies;
  • Let their insurer know, before leaving, if they consulted a physician, if their health is not stable or if their medication has been changed.

Information about travel insurance is available from the AMF. Consumers can consult the brochure Québec Travel Insurance This link will open in a new windowor contact the AMF Information Centre This link will open in a new window.

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec's financial industry.

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Information:

Media only:
Sylvain Théberge: 514-940-2176

Information Centre:
Québec City: 418-525-0337
Montréal: 514-395-0337
Toll-free: 1-877-525-0337

www.lautorite.qc.ca This link will open in a new window