So you’ve planned your itinerary, renewed your passport, packed your bags—and even remembered your toothbrush! Before you head off on a long adventure, you should make sure you have adequate insurance. That way, you’ll be able to travel with peace of mind knowing that you have the assistance and coverage you need—especially for emergency healthcare. Here are some tips to help you set off worry-free.
Why should you take out travel insurance?
Travel insurance gives you the freedom to fully enjoy your trip with peace of mind—especially since you know that you’re covered for the sometimes exorbitant costs of emergency healthcare abroad. Whether you’re spending a weekend or several months outside your home province, this coverage could give you the resources and assistance you need to deal with unexpected situations.
Travel insurance and emergency healthcare coverage
Travelling is an opportunity to visit wonderful places and experience different cultures and ways of life. But what if—between your visits to tourist attractions—you had to add an unexpected detour to a clinic or hospital to your itinerary? In that case, your travel insurance could cover the costs of your emergency healthcare abroad—which are often very high—and up to the maximum provided by your policy. This coverage is in addition to your provincial health insurance plan. You must be enrolled in the provincial plan (unless you have a recognized exemption) to be eligible for the coverage.
With optional coverage (like Emergency Return Trip coverage), you could—in certain circumstances like significant water damage to your principal residence—return briefly to your home province and then go back to your destination to continue your trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions: What you need to know
To be eligible for emergency medical coverage related to a pre-existing condition, the condition must generally have been stable for a certain period of time before you leave (often 6 months, but the exact period may vary depending on the policy). More specifically, you must not have developed any new symptoms, changed your treatment or been hospitalized recently.
Before leaving, check what your insurer considers to be a stable condition. If in doubt, discuss it with your insurer so you can go on your trip with confidence.
Travel insurance and cancelled plans
Travel insurance is convenient if you need to change your travel plans because of an eligible reason. You could be reimbursed for certain eligible expenses if you need to cancel your trip entirely or return home earlier than planned. Your insurer would cover eligible expenses related to modified or cancelled travel plans. That way, you would be able to be where you need to be as soon as possible, without having to worry about any unexpected costs.
Travel assistance 24/7
It’s reassuring to know that you can rely on an experienced team to help you resolve an unexpected situation wherever you are—especially in the event of a medical emergency when every single minute counts. Our travel assistance service advisors offer 24/7 support to help you in all kinds of situations, like finding nearby healthcare facilities, dealing with lost baggage or sending messages to your loved ones.
Some healthcare professionals or providers can even be paid directly by Desjardins Insurance. That way, you don’t need to pay a large amount upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement when you return. This allows you to focus on what’s important—you and your well-being—rather than on administrative tasks.
How much does travel insurance cost?
It takes just one unfortunate incident to realize how expensive it can be to receive healthcare abroad. In some cases, it’s thousands of dollars for each day of hospitalization, or even a five- or six-digit figure amount for a major surgery. Travel insurance is a wise investment that you can plan in your budget, unlike unpredictable expenses that could add up quickly.
The premium varies based on your age on the departure date, the length of your trip, the type of coverage you want and your health (if you need to complete a medical questionnaire). That’s why it’s important to choose a flexible option.
Credit card and travel insurance
Most Desjardins credit cards include complimentary travel insurance for 3 days. The exact number of days of coverage may vary from one card to another, depending on your age. It may be enough for a long weekend getaway, but if you’re going on a longer trip, you’ll need to take out extended coverage for your entire stay. Your claim could be denied if you don’t have insurance for the entire duration of your trip.
What is the best travel insurance?
Besides price, your travel insurance should first and foremost meet your needs and goals. If you’re planning to get away each year or multiple times a year, Multi-Trip Annual Insurance could be beneficial. It could also simplify some of the steps for taking out this insurance—particularly the one related to your health.
The Quattra Advantage: Exclusive to Desjardins for individuals ages 61 to 80 who need to complete a medical questionnaire
When you take out Multi-Trip Annual Insurance, your medical questionnaire remains valid for 4 years. Even if your health changes during this period, your premium won’t be affected. This advantage gives you peace of mind to travel and fully enjoy every adventure, no matter what the future holds for you.
However, it’s important to note that the exclusion for a medical condition that was not stable still applies. This means that you aren’t covered if you make a claim because of a medical condition that’s considered unstable, or because of an injury or medical condition related to that condition. Refer to your insurance policy for exclusion details.
Travel with confidence
When adventure calls, travel insurance that meets your needs will allow you to fully enjoy your trip—with peace of mind. Travel insurance is more than a simple precaution—it’s a key component for any trip. It allows you to get help at any time, financial assistance for unexpected expenses, and quick access to emergency healthcare without having to worry about costs. Treat yourself to lifelong memories and enriching experiences, knowing that Desjardins Insurance is looking out for you wherever you are.
Travelling with US dollars?
The US dollar is widely accepted in many places around the world, including in big cities in Mexico, as well as in Panama, the Caribbean and some hotels in Asia. Protect your travel budget from exchange rate fluctuations by opening your own US dollar account at Desjardins Bank. You can open an account online within 15 minutes.