Why get Desjardins Travel Insurance?
Why and when should you purchase travel insurance? Whenever you leave your home province—even for a short trip—some of your medical expenses are no longer covered by your public health plan. If something happens and you wind up in the hospital, costs can quickly add up. And other unpleasant surprises, like a cancellation or lost baggage, can get expensive too.
Whether you’re travelling in Canada or abroad, here are five ways travel insurance can help you enjoy the journey.
1. Cover medical expenses outside your home province
If you suddenly have a medical issue or accident while travelling, you might unfortunately find yourself somewhere that definitely wasn’t on the itinerary, like a hospital or urgent care clinic.
In many countries, medical bills can add up quickly, and the amounts reimbursed under health plans in Quebec, Ontario and other provinces may vary. Whether you’re leaving for several weeks or several months, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can use your Emergency healthcare coverage if you have an accident or health issue. An upset stomach, food poisoning, the flu, a cut from a shell on the beach or a sprain while hiking can happen to anyone.
Your provincial health insurance is limited when you’re abroad
If you have a heart attack in the US, for instance, a three-day hospital stay could cost about $200,000—excluding doctors’ fees.1 Since provincial health insurance covers only a small portion of the cost ($100 per day of hospitalization if you’re from Quebec1), this type of unexpected event can get very expensive, very fast, and really set you back financially.
Be careful with pre-existing conditions
Travel insurance only covers sudden and unforeseen events. That means injuries and health issues you had before your departure might not be covered. It’s important to tell your insurer about any unstable pre-existing conditions when you purchase your travel insurance. Some pre-existing conditions may be covered if they’re deemed stable (medication, symptoms, etc.), based on the insurer’s criteria.
Are you away for several months a year?
Whether you’re a snowbird or a nomad, keep in mind that Quebec’s public health plan has rules about how many days you can spend outside the province each year and still maintain your coverage.
Find out what rules apply to your situation.
2. Stay active and adventurous with confidence
Some destinations can bring out your adventurous side or open the door to new thrills.
From jet-skiing to riding a camel or an elephant, your travel insurance generally covers a wide range of activities.
But keep in mind that riskier activities like ziplining, parachuting, rock-climbing and bungee jumping might not be covered outside your home province.
Renting a car during your travels?
Your auto insurance may cover you if you’re renting a car in Canada or the United States. However, if you’re renting a car somewhere else, you’ll need to consider purchasing insurance with the car rental company. Some credit cards include auto rental collision and loss damage insurance that may protect you in the event of an accident. Contact your auto insurance company or credit card provider for more information.
3. Protect yourself against baggage loss and damage
Having your baggage stolen, damaged or delayed on the way to or from your destination can be a hassle.
With Baggage coverage, you could be reimbursed if your bags are stolen or lost by your airline. If they’re delayed for more than six hours, your travel insurance may also cover the cost of basic necessities, so you can still enjoy the start of your trip.
Worried about having your ID or documents stolen? Your travel insurance may help cover the cost of replacing a passport, visa, driver’s licence or birth certificate.
4. Protect yourself against the unexpected
Everyone wants to feel safe and enjoy their trip to the fullest.
However, unexpected situations can arise before or during a trip, and Trip Cancellation or Modification coverage gives you the option to put that dream vacation on hold for another time. You may be reimbursed for certain expenses if you need to cancel or change your trip due to a serious injury, job loss, severe weather that delays your flight or other unexpected events.
However, trip cancellation expenses aren’t covered in certain situations, like if you and your partner break up, your boss won’t give you the time off, the forecast is calling for bad weather, or if your passport is expired or doesn’t arrive in time. If you need to cut your trip short for a covered cause, you may be covered for the unused portion of your trip and some additional expenses resulting from your unexpected return.
Emergency Return Trip coverage is particularly useful for snowbirds or travellers who take longer trips. If a family member dies or is hospitalized, or if a disaster occurs at your primary residence, your return flight ticket could be covered if you need to make an emergency return while you’re away.
Stay up on Canadian government travel advisories
Check the Travel advice and advisories by destination page regularly if an “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” advisory has been issued for your destination. If this happens, the cost of cancelling your trip may be covered, as long as you paid for it before the advisory was issued. But if there’s an “Avoid all travel” advisory for your destination beforehand and you decide to go anyway, the coverage won’t apply.
5. Count on travel assistance 24/7
Many companies provide free, around-the-clock telephone assistance services, so you can get support and advice every step of the way.
- Before you leave, get useful information and recommendations about any precautions to take, as well as the passport, visa and vaccination requirements for the countries you’re visiting.
- Receive assistance with lost or stolen baggage, or in the event of any legal issues.
- Get help in the event of a medical issue, including directions to a healthcare facility, test results and, if need be, a safe return home.
What to do if you have an accident or medical issue abroad
If a medical emergency occurs, contact your insurer’s travel assistance service as soon as possible before seeking medical care, if you can.
So why is travel insurance so important?
Travel insurance protects you from the unexpected. You can head off on vacation with your mind at ease and enjoy your trip to the fullest without worrying about paying for expensive medical treatment or other unpleasant surprises.
Choosing the right Desjardins travel insurance for your needs
- Take the time to check whether your credit card or group insurance plan includes travel insurance, so you don’t end up paying twice for the same coverage. You can add à la carte coverages (Baggage, Trip Cancellation or Modification, etc.) as needed.
- Is the country you want to visit too unsafe to be covered by travel insurance? Check out the Government of Canada’s Travel advice and advisories by destination web page.
- When should you purchase travel insurance? Ideally, you should take it out as soon as you book your trip, especially Trip Cancellation or Modification coverage. You can also purchase it later, as long as you haven’t already left your home province.
- Do you travel every year? With Multi-Trip Annual Insurance, travel as often as you want with a single annual insurance policy.
Want to read more?
1 Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec, Is healthcare received outside Canada covered? | Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) (gouv.qc.ca).
Travel Insurance is a product offered by Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company. Desjardins®, Desjardins Insurance™, trademarks containing the word Desjardins, as well as related logos are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.