Even the Government of Canada strongly recommends purchasing emergency medical insurance whenever travelling outside of your province; even if you’re only away for one day!

Provincial health plans cover less than 10% of emergency, out-of-province medical expenses, and considering that a one-night stay in a US hospital costs an average of $12,000, this is a financial risk not many can assume.

You’ve carefully chosen your destination and planned your vacation down to the last detail… but you’ve heard stories and you know the unexpected can happen!

• What if you lose your job?
• What if you miss your connection or your flight is cancelled?
• What happens if your travel companion becomes ill and you need to return home with them?

When you purchase travel insurance which includes trip cancellation, it covers additional expenses if the unpredictable happens.

Here is a real-life example:

The McKenzies were vacationing in Playa del Carmen, when their youngest child, Kyle, complained of an ear infection, the day before their scheduled flight back to Canada. The resort’s doctor prescribed antibiotics and advised Kyle to return for a follow-up appointment 3 days later. Due to the risk of a ruptured eardrum, the family couldn’t fly back as planned, so they had to rebook.

Luckily, they’d bought Trip Interruption Insurance in addition to their family medical plan.

Medical costs: $296.00

Trip interruption costs:

• Additional accommodation and meals for 5 days: $1,500.00 (the benefit’s max limit)
•  Rescheduled airfare for 4: $3,920.00
• Amount paid by travel insurance $5,716.00

Many savvy travellers reply on travel insurance through their credit card or employee group benefits plan, but that coverage may be inadequate for your travel needs. It’s important to research:

• What’s the maximum amount of travel insurance coverage you’re entitled to?
• Do you need to book your trip using that credit card to enable the coverage benefits?
• What if you don’t use that credit card?
• Are your travel companions covered as well?
• Is there a limit of days covered?
• Are there age related, or other restrictions?
• Are you covered for pre-existing conditions?
• Are you covered for any sports or extreme activities while you’re away?

Gaps in your travel insurance coverage could have a financially devastating impact. If you are not completely confident in any existing coverage you may have, it’s wise to invest the time to learn about limits, restrictions and all coverage details.

Important Travel Information for all Ontario Residents

Emergency Medical Insurance, Single Trip Insurance, Travel Insurance

While OHIP previously offered very little in coverage amounts for those requiring medical care outside of Ontario, the new changes makes it more important than ever – whether traveling for work, for pleasure, as a student or a snowbird – that all Ontarians have the travel medical insurance coverage they need while abroad.

“Your credit card company may offer health and travel insurance, but don’t assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you use their card to pay for your travel arrangements.”

Are You A Frequent Out-of-Province Traveller?

Multi-trip Travel Insurance, Emergency Medical Insurance, Travel Insurance 

With approximately 90% of all Canadians living within 100 kilometres from the US border, it’s no surprise that many of us often venture to the United States! Multi-trip medical coverage is ideal for Snowbirds, those who frequently travel or take day trips outside of their province. Here’s what you need to know:

Future Travel Trends and the End of Stay-cations

Emergency Medical Insurance, Travel Insurance, Travel Tips for Canadians

The pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, and it will continue to influence how we travel. As a major provider of travel insurance for Canadians, we are predicting future travel trends in order to best serve our customers.

We think we all can agree that we’ve seen enough of the inside of our homes and that the pandemic may, at least temporarily, end the recent trend of “stay-cations”. Many of us have invested time and money inside and out to better enjoy our spaces over the last year and are ready for a change in scenery!

Brainstorming with our team of travel insurance professionals here at EasyInsure, we predict that once we can safely and freely travel again, Canadians will want to not only make up for missed vacations but will be more adventurous than ever before!

Here are our predictions:

Family travel

Canadian families will make up on missed vacations to warm weather destinations and major theme parks. However, we’ve spent a lot of time with our immediate families of late, so these vacations may include time spent with extended family members, who we’ve missed over the last year.

Road trips

Family road trips, (whether by car or RV) and taking some serious time off to explore Canada and the US will grow in popularity for a few reasons:

• The affordability and flexibility this travel option provides
• Many may continue to feel this is a safer option than flying and can do so sooner rather than waiting for international flights to resume
• Create lasting memories and educational opportunities

Buddy travel

We believe that travelling with friends will grow exponentially in the upcoming years, with a focus on activities such as golfing, adventure-based travel, (such as skydiving, deep-sea fishing, and other “bucket-list” escapades) as well as visiting party destinations such as Las Vegas, New Orleans and Key West.

Girls’ trips

We agree that women will travel in groups like never before, enjoying bonding and immersive cultural experiences, such as historically significant destinations and wine tours… and of course party destinations as well!

Cruises

We feel the cruise industry may be the last to recover completely, but once travellers feel comfortable and safe, people will return to cruising for its convenience of enjoying several destinations, exciting excursions, and unpacking only once.

A continued growth in homeowner run rentals

This trend will continue to boom, as homeowner run vacation rentals are able to accommodate the increase in family and friend/group travel.

Warm weather destinations

What Canadians wouldn’t want a tropical getaway? A change of scenery, lounging under a palm tree, and excursions will make all-inclusive and tropical destinations a popular choice for many Canadian travellers.

Bucket-list travel

We feel this pandemic may result in mainly couples or close friends finally taking their big, once-in-a-lifetime, “bucket-list” trip, to far-away and exotic locations, such as New Zealand, Bali, and Paris.

Travel insurance will be more important than ever before

One lesson we’ve all learned with the pandemic is that we cannot predict the future! This fact alone will reinforce the importance of purchasing the best travel insurance you can afford. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that most standard travel insurance policies do not cover high-risk activities, such as skydiving or even skiing, as example.

Ready to start planning?

While we might not be able to confidently book travel at the moment, now is a good time to start dreaming, making plans and begin saving. If you’re looking for inspiration, sign up for daily emails from Condé Nast Traveler