We at At Our Age Travel have never wavered in our recommendation to carry sufficient amounts of Out of Country Medical Insurance whenever you travel. With the high cost of health care in the world, especially in the United States, it is an essential form of financial protection for all Canadians abroad.
As travel hits levels not seen before, even pre-pandemic, issues such as weather delays, canceled flights and busy airports are playing havoc with the best laid plans. Missed flights, tours and non-refundable bookings are not covered under any medical plans. That is why the savvy traveler may want to consider trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance.
The general title of “Travel Insurance” usually includes the Out of Country Medical along with additional coverage for trip interruption and cancellation, as well as lost baggage and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. There are other bells and whistles, such as sports activities coverage, access to airport lounges and payouts due to flight delays which may of interest in specific instances.
It is imperative that you read the policy to know exactly what coverage you have and with what limits. Package policies may sound great, and have a nicer price tag, but the amount of Out of Country Medical insurance offered will be insufficient for a serious loss. We strongly recommend buying as much out of country medical insurance as you can afford.
Adding Trip Cancellation Insurance covers the cost of a trip if something happens before you leave, causing you to cancel all or a portion of the trip. The cause must be one of the covered risks listed on your policy.
On the other hand, Trip Interruption Insurance covers you after your trip has started for events that will require you to interrupt or disrupt your trip, to return earlier or later than originally planned, again due to one of the covered risks listed in the policy.
The cancellation or delay could be the result of getting sick, losing your job, pregnancy or adoption or a natural disaster. The policy will also extend the coverage if the above happens to your family members, a traveling companion, business partner, caregiver, employer, a friend, your host at the destination, or a travel visa denial. Many of our friends have this in place because of ailing parents.
There are exclusions of course, such as if you try to cancel for reasons known to you before booking your trip, if you have an unstable preexisting medical condition, or if you just change your mind.
For the emergency medical portion of your travel insurance consider including “Cancel for any Reason” (CFAR) coverage, which covers for any reason not already listed as a covered risk in the policy. Pandemic concerns are now usually covered.
As you add each of these coverages, including lost baggage if youi choose, it does make the overall cost higher. Weigh the increased cost against the probability of any of these events happening and your financial position. In the end it may be worth it.
If you think you will need to make a claim there are a few recommendations to ensure it goes smoothly.
- See a doctor before canceling or interrupting your trip. They will provide the proper documentation stating it was medically necessary and exactly when you were advised to cancel.
- Provide documentation for the reasons, and the expenses you are claiming.
- Show proof of any refunds already received.
- Note that travel paid with points is NOT covered.
It is recommended that you never buy insurance directly through the travel provider. You will be paying their commission, and if they default you will not get a refund. It is also strongly suggested you buy your travel insurance early to cover all eventualities.