Get affordable travel medical insurance in Canada
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let's get startedWhat is travel medical insurance?
Matt Hands, VP, Insurance
Medical travel insurance provides crucial coverage for unforeseen health-related expenses while you're travelling. This type of travel insurance safeguards you against the high costs of medical emergencies, hospital stays, and other health-related incidents that might occur away from home. Whether it's a sudden illness, an accident, or a need for medical evacuation, medical travel insurance ensures you receive the care you need without the financial burden.
Why do you need medical travel insurance?
Travelling exposes you to new environments and risks, making medical travel insurance an essential part of your travel plans. Without it, you could face substantial out-of-pocket expenses in case of a medical emergency. Here’s how medical travel insurance can help:
Emergency medical care
Covers costs of unexpected medical treatment, hospital stays, and doctor visits.
Medical evacuation
Ensures safe and timely transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility or back home.
Repatriation of remains
Covers the cost of returning your remains home in the unfortunate event of death abroad.
Don't overlook medical travel insurance
When planning your trip, ensure you're protected against unexpected health issues. Medical travel insurance can save you from significant out-of-pocket expenses and provide peace of mind, no matter where your adventures take you.
Do you need medical travel insurance?
Everyone can benefit from medical travel insurance, especially if you:
- Travel internationally for leisure or business.
- Have pre-existing medical conditions.
- Engage in adventurous or high-risk activities.
- Are travelling to remote areas with limited medical facilities.
That being said, if you have a good travel credit card, you may not need the extra insurance. However, even the best credit cards don’t cover everything. If you’re over 65 or have a pre-existing condition, it’s recommended you buy coverage for emergency medical treatment.
What does medical travel insurance cover?
Medical travel insurance offers comprehensive protection for various health-related scenarios. Here are some common coverages included:
- Hospital stays
Coverage for the cost of staying in a hospital for treatment.
- Physician fees
Payment for consultations and treatment by doctors.
- Diagnostic testing
Coverage for tests like X-rays, CT and MRI scans, and blood work.
- Medical procedures
Payment for surgeries and other medical treatments.
- Prescription medications
Coverage for necessary medications prescribed during the trip.
- Dental emergencies
Payment for urgent dental care needed while traveling.
- Medical evacuation
Coverage for transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility.
- Repatriation of remains
Costs associated with returning a deceased person's remains to their home country.
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How does travel medical insurance work?
Medical travel insurance works as a safety net, providing financial protection when you need medical assistance abroad. Here’s how it typically functions:
- Purchase a policy
Buy a medical travel insurance policy before your trip.
- Emergency occurrence
If you face a medical emergency while travelling, contact your insurance provider immediately.
- Receive treatment
Seek medical attention and follow the provider's guidance for covered treatments.
- Claim reimbursement
Submit necessary documents and receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.
How much medical travel insurance do you need?
The amount of coverage you need depends on various factors, such as:
- Destination: Some countries have higher medical costs than others.
- Duration of trip: Longer trips may require more coverage.
- Activities planned: High-risk activities may need additional coverage.
- Personal health: Consider your health condition and any pre-existing conditions.
What is not covered under travel medical insurance?
While medical travel insurance covers many scenarios, it also has exclusions, such as:
Pre-existing conditions
Non-medical expenses
High-risk activities
Self-inflicted injuries
Routine check-ups
How much does medical travel insurance cost?
The cost of medical travel insurance varies based on:
- Coverage amount: Higher coverage limits typically cost more.
- Destination: Travelling to countries with expensive healthcare may increase premiums.
- Age: Older travellers may pay higher premiums due to increased risk.
- Trip duration: Longer trips generally have higher premiums.
- Health status: Pre-existing conditions can increase premiums.
- Trip activities: High-risk activities like skiing can raise costs.
- High-risk destinations: Traveling to risky areas may result in higher premiums.
Policies can range from as low as $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on these factors. Get a personalized quote to know the exact cost you’ll be paying.
Canadian medical travel insurance: provincial support
While travelling within Canada, an inter-provincial agreement generally covers health care. However, check for limitations, especially if you’re from Quebec, which only covers hospital fees. Below are the provincial health coverage numbers.