All About Travel Insurance For Canada

We all know that offering naturally beautiful scenic views, Canada is a destination that tantalizes all your senses and leaves you awestruck. Packed with vivid landscapes and snow laden beauties, this country is truly a wonderland for nature buffs to explore. Not just natural wonders, Canada is profoundly known for its rich heritage and historic site visits.

Planning to visit Canada for work or for leisure? Well, then do get your Visa and travel insurance in place. Travel Insurance for Indians to visit Canada is compulsory, hence do not forget to get travel insurance before applying for the VISA. Travelling to Canada for work for higher education may expose you to certain risks in case you fall sick. The medical costs in Canada are quite high, hence it is imperative you insure your trip with a travel insurance policy.

While Canada is a tourist friendly nation, it is important to secure your belongings and travel agenda. Common mishaps such as loss of baggage or flight delays may affect your tour plan drastically. In case you fall sick or meet with an accident there, the medical treatment cost is quite high. Hence, getting travel insurance is important for your next Canada Tour.

What is travel insurance?

If you’re a permanent Canadian resident, most of your medical expenses are covered in Canada, if you travel outside of Canada, to visit your family or to explore another country, you will be limited in your medical claims. That is why you need travel insurance which is designed to pay for any emergency and unexpected costs that may occur while you are travelling. This is also ideal for visitors to Canada with temporary visas.

What does travel insurance in Canada cover?

• Medical emergencies, like a broken bone or burns can be covered for up to $10,000,000;
• Trip cancellation and trip interruptions, can be covered for up to $6,000 per insured trip;
• Baggage loss or damage can be covered for up to $3,000;
• Baggage delays can be covered for up to $1,500;
• Flight accidents can be covered for up to $25,000; and
• Acts of terrorism can be covered for up to $35 million

Who can apply for Canadian travel insurance?

If you migrate to Canada as a permanent resident and are covered under the free government health insurance plan, you are eligible to apply for travel insurance.

Only planning on visiting Canada? Visitors to Canada with travel visas or work and study permits can get convenient, flexible and affordable travel insurance, to cover medical costs while in the country.

Why You Need Travel Insurance for Canada

A first-world country known for good healthcare and friendly locals, Canada is not without its dangers.

From extreme activities to mundane accidents, here are some reasons why you want to buy travel insurance for your time in Canada.

Outdoor Activities

Fat biking, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and canoeing or kayaking are all popular outdoor activities.

You risk injuries associated with falls or crashes.

Extreme Sports

Mountain climbing, axe-throwing, heli-skiing, swimming with beluga and humpback whales, whitewater rafting, skydiving, ice climbing, and ice canoeing are some of the extreme sports you may participate in.

You’re at a higher risk of serious injuries due to falls and collisions.

Wildlife Encounters

Depending on where you hike, camp, or bike in Canada, you may encounter wildlife.

You may come across brown, grizzly, or polar bears, which can be fatal. Cougars and mountain lions can also be a problem if they feel threatened.

Moose, elk, and deer are generally calm, but if they feel threatened they kick, which can break bones.

Traffic Accidents

Roads are relatively safe in Canada, but there are always overly aggressive and distracted drivers. On some highways, long-haul truck drivers are some of the worst, especially in winter.

From minor fender benders to sliding on icy roads and hydroplaning on wet roads, minor or serious injuries are possible.

Winter Accidents

Canada can experience as much as six months of winter conditions. Icy roads when driving can be a problem, and winter sports like ice climbing and ice canoeing are a high risk for injury.

You also risk falling when walking on a sidewalk or street, especially in cities like Montreal and Quebec City where there are a lot of steep hills.

Skin Infections

Flora and insects can be problem, depending on where you travel. Black fly and horsefly bites can be horribly itchy, mosquitoes are always a problem in summer, poison ivy is prevalent in most wooded areas, and tick bites can lead to Lyme disease.

In winter, frostbite and hypothermia can occur if you’re not dressed properly.

Theft

While the risk of being robbed on the street is relatively low in Canada, there is always risk of theft when staying in hostels or at bus or train stations.

Travel Insurance Plans Explained

Always read the fine print before purchasing travel insurance. It’s tedious, but it’s the best way to make a well-informed decision.

Once you’ve selected the right plan, read the fine print again and get to know the ins and outs of your plan. If necessary, highlight important sections for quick reference in an emergency.

Many complaints regarding travel insurance plans could be resolved if the person in question read the fine print before buying their plan, and following the rules within the policy.

Insurance companies are a contract. Know your rights and protection.

Before buying travel insurance, it’s important to know the following:

• restrictions
• coverage
• exclusions
• conditions
• paperwork

Restrictions

Most travel insurance policies have age restrictions and are valid for people 70 years of age and younger. Some policies, like that offered by Blue Cross, have a maximum age of 79 years.

Similar to Thailand travel insurance, many travel insurance company websites are quite helpful, it’s best to contact them to clarify their age restrictions, as well as your eligibility based on your country of residence.

It’s also helpful to ask if there any further restrictions that you need to be aware of before making your decision.

Coverage

Medical insurance is the most important aspect of a travel insurance policy. Healthcare in Canada can be expensive, especially prescription drugs, if you don’t have insurance.

Emergency medical coverage varies quite a bit from plan to plan. If you can’t find all of the answers, contact the insurance company directly and ask.

If you’re traveling with valuables or sporting equipment, make sure those items are covered. Coverage may be offered as an add-on.

Let’s look at a breakdown of standard coverage.

Emergency Medical Coverage

As mentioned above, medical costs can add up quickly depending on the level of care you need.

Emergency medical coverage usually includes hospitalization and prescription drugs. Coverage of $150,000 is a good baseline for low risk travel in Canada.

If you’ll be doing extreme sports, coverage of at least $1,000,000 is ideal. Think about the cost of an airlift or emergency evacuation to your country of origin. Those costs add up quickly.

If you don’t have insurance, it’s also a challenge to send this huge amount of money to Canada quickly when you need it.

Think of where you’ll be traveling in Canada, how remote you’ll be, and which activities you’ll be doing.

Sicknesses

This is generally covered under emergency medical and covers costs for doctor visits, tests, and prescription drugs.

Delays

Trip delays can add up quickly and airlines aren’t always keen to give vouchers for hotels, food, and transportation.

All About Travel Insurance For Canada