Why You Need Travel Insurance Health Coverage for Your Next International Trip

When you’re planning your next international adventure, you don’t want to think about the worst-case scenario. But preparation is important, and before jetting off to explore the Great Barrier Reef, climb Machu Picchu or taste the delicious street food in Bangkok, you want to make sure you have travel insurance with health coverage.  

Whether it’s a snorkeling mishap, a broken leg or a bout with food poisoning, ending up in a foreign hospital can cost a lot of money. Fortunately, many  travel credit cards in Canada offer travel health insurance as a benefit, as do banks, insurance companies, and other providers. 

What is travel health insurance? 

Travel health insurance is a type of temporary health insurance that can help cover the cost of your medical bills if you’re hurt or become ill while travelling outside of Canada. 

What should travel health insurance cover? 

Before travelling, you want to confirm that your travel health insurance covers the following: 

• Medical evacuation. Ensure your policy covers the costs associated with evacuating you to Canada or the nearest location with medical care. Ideally, you want your policy to cover the costs of a medical escort travelling with you.  
• Pre-existing conditions. Ask your insurance provider if they cover pre-existing conditions. There may be limitations and restrictions around pre-existing conditions. Some insurers require that there be no changes or new symptoms or medications related to your pre-existing condition for a certain amount of time before your travel.  
• Repatriation in case of death. You want to confirm your insurance covers costs related to your death in case you pass away due to an accident or illness while travelling outside of Canada. This can include the preparation and return of your remains or burial or cremation abroad.  

Who needs travel health insurance? 

Anyone who plans to travel outside of the country, even for a day, should consider travel health insurance. Once you leave Canada, your medical bills may not be covered by your personal Canadian health insurance.  

Some foreign hospitals may not even treat you if you don’t have enough money to cover your medical bills, which can leave you and your loved ones scrambling to find the funds needed to get care.  

Where can you get travel health insurance? 

You can get travel health insurance from several places, including:  

• Your credit card. Some travel credit cards offer benefits that include different types of travel insurance coverage, including medical insurance.  
• An insurance company. Many insurance companies sell travel health insurance plans.  
• Your employer. Some employers’ benefits programs may offer health insurance coverage that includes coverage for international travel.   
• Your bank. Several Canadian banks offer travel insurance that includes health coverage.  
• A travel agent. You may be able to purchase travel insurance through your travel agent or online through an airline, hotel or travel booking site.   

How to choose the best travel health insurance for your needs  

The best travel health insurance for you will depend on your specific needs. Make sure you understand your coverage before travelling. Some factors to consider when assessing your travel insurance needs include:  

• Length of coverage. Does your plan cover you for the entire length of time you’ll be out of the country?  
• Location of coverage. Does your health insurance limit or exclude coverage in certain regions or countries? 
• Activity coverage. If you’re into extreme sports like skiing or scuba diving, ask if your policy excludes certain activities.  
• Age restrictions. Does your provider have limitations or exclusions for travellers above a certain age?  
• Claims limits. What are the coverage limits for different medical services?  
• Deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. If your plan has a deductible, know how much it is and whether you can afford it. 
• Travel assistance. Ask if your insurance provider offers access to 24/7 emergency travel assistance—for instance, help finding a hospital or doctor overseas.  

Are you properly covered? 

Before venturing out on your next international trip, make sure you’re protected. With the proper coverage, you may be able to avoid huge out-of-pocket costs if you’re hurt or get sick and require medical attention.  

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Name: Sonakshi Murze

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