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Many of us spend years saving up for a trip abroad and spend countless hours planning every detail of our trip itinerary. What we don’t prepare for is an unexpected pandemic or a luggage bag that suddenly grew legs and disappeared.
Things don't always go as planned and we learned this the hard way in 2020. While we can’t predict the future, we can definitely minimize the damage with a good travel insurance policy. So, if you’re planning to travel to Canada as a tourist, worker, student, or even if you’re a new permanent resident, you might want to consider getting travel insurance for your own peace of mind.
Don’t be left in the dark when it comes to finding the best insurance for your trip. Here are 7 questions to ask when choosing travel insurance for Canada.
7 Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Travel Insurance
FAQ 1. What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a policy that you select and purchase from a travel insurance company to cover you from certain financial losses during your trip. Losses can be minor like delayed baggage to significant losses like injuring yourself while hiking in Banff National Park, and, needing 20 stitches! There is nothing that can quite put a damper on your holiday like unexpected medical bills overseas.
In most scenarios, travel insurance reimburses you for your covered financial losses after you file a claim and the claim is approved.
FAQ 2. Do I Need Travel Insurance for Canada?
It really depends on your reasons for traveling to Canada. If you’re planning to explore the country as a tourist with a visitor visa then the choice is really up to you. Most visitors consider travel insurance a worthwhile investment, especially if they're undertaking high risk activities like skiing at Whistler Blackcomb.
It’s important to note that your medical provider at home may not cover you overseas and you also won’t be covered by the free public healthcare system in Canada if you do have a medical emergency. Only some work permit holders, international students and permanent residents can access free healthcare in Canada.
Learn more: Can Non-Citizens Get Healthcare in Canada?
On the other hand, if you participate in an IEC Program in Canada, including the Working Holiday, Co-Op, and, Young Professionals categories then you must get Canadian travel insurance as a strict requirement. Many applicants are rejected purely because they didn’t get travel insurance for the full duration of their work permit that ranges from one to two years.
While provinces like British Columbia offer free healthcare to IEC work permit holders, it won’t be accepted by immigration officers because it doesn’t cover things like repatriation costs.
Lastly, if you’re a new permanent resident of Canada then you might want to look at getting private health insurance until you qualify to apply for a provincial health insurance card. The waiting period is usually three months.
FAQ 3. What Should Travel Insurance Cover?
Different travel insurance packages will cover different individual needs so you would have to find a package that meets all your travel requirements. For example, planning a trip that involves many high-risk activities and travel within a few provinces of Canada would require a different travel insurance package to one which would be required for a quiet Montreal holiday. Depending on your package, below is a list of items your package could cover. You, of course, would need to verify this with your insurance company.
Types of Coverage
- Delayed or lost baggage;
- Natural disasters;
- Pre-existing health conditions;
- Stolen passport;
- Travel health insurance for medical emergencies;
- International health plans;
- Dental;
- Trip cancelation;
- Repatriation; and
- Terrorism
FAQ 4. What is the Best Travel Insurance for Canada?
You can buy travel insurance through travel agents, insurance brokers, and even your credit card company may offer limited insurance coverage. To get the best policy for the right price it’s a good idea to request a few quotes from different insurance providers to consider all your options. There are some insurance providers like Best Quote Travel Insurance that offer packages that are tailored for specific visa programs like the IEC. This means you won’t have to add additional coverage or pay for something that you won’t need.
| Travel Insurance for Canada | |
|---|---|
| Top Agencies | Additional Benefits |
| 1. Best Quote Travel Insurance | Best Quote Travel Insurance specializes in travel insurance for specific Canadian visa programs such as the IEC, Super Visa, and Student Visas. |
| 2. Cigna Global | Cigna Global specializes in international health plans |
| 3. Safe Visit | Fancy a quick trip to New York? Safe Visit covers side trips for up to 30 days. |
| 4. RBC Insurance | RBC Insurance can help you choose travel insurance based on your trip type: gap year, destination wedding, or cruise vacation. |
| 5. World Nomads | World Nomads supports community developing projects when you buy travel insurance from them. |
FAQ 5. How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
You can purchase a once-off insurance policy or if you’re a frequent visitor to Canada, you can get a more expensive annual cover that will pay out quickly. Your travel insurance premium will depend on a few factors such as your age, your trip duration, pre-existing medical conditions, your smoker status, and your policy type (single trip vs multiple trips). The overall cost of your trip will also be taken into consideration. So, an all-inclusive 21-day Canadian tour will be more expensive to insure than a trip to Canada without a lot of prepaid expenses. According to Business Insider, the average cost of travel insurance is $111.
FAQ 6: How Does COVID-19 Affect Travel Insurance?
Thousands of unexpected canceled trips and COVID-19 infections have led to a surge in demand for travel insurance. Previously, a pandemic was not considered an insured event by some insurance providers. So, it’s extremely important to choose travel insurance for Canada that offers COVID-related coverage. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is a popular insurance option for travelers amidst the pandemic that reimburses between 50%-75% of travel costs, depending on the policy.
FAQ 7. What Are the Cons of Travel Insurance?
When it comes to travel insurance, it’s important to read the terms and conditions and be very clear about the specific coverage of your policy. It’s not unheard of that a policy refuses to pay out because of certain clauses or insured events that you were not aware of.
When Do Canada’s Travel Restrictions End?
Canada has extended its travel restrictions until May 21, 2021, for all countries. It’s not the first time that Canada changed the date that will allow entry to visitors for non-discretionary purposes. This is even more reason to protect your paid-for expenses such as flight tickets and hotel accommodation with the help of a great travel insurance policy.
What Else Do You Need to Travel to Canada?
Besides travel insurance, you’ll also need a visa to enter Canada. The type of visa you need to apply for depends on what you want to do in the country. For example, if you’re planning to visit family then you’ll need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization. Or if you want to work in Canada then you’ll need a Canadian work permit which will be issued along with a temporary resident visa. Canada has over 100 immigration and visa programs that make it possible for you to enter the country and participate in many activities or call Canada your permanent home!
Need a Visa? Apply Today!
Get your visa for Canada easier and quicker by applying through migrantzone.com. We specialize in assisting our international clients to identify a visa program that’s right for their needs and take care of the entire application process on their behalf!
