Travel Insurance for Canadians – Why You Need it
Preparing for a trip can be hectic especially one beyond the borders of Canada. From packing all your essentials and clothes to ensuring you have all your documents in order, travelers have a lot going on. In all the hustle and bustle, one thing you can’t forget is travel insurance for Canadians. Insuring your trip is as vital as packing a swimsuit for a vacation in Hawaii or making sure you have your passport for the trip. Insurance is now essential for trips abroad due to the protection it offers travelers. Yes, you do have to shell out a little more money for it, but it will be well worth it.
While the rate of Canadians opting for travel insurance is rising, especially for international trips, there are still many who don’t know of the benefits this coverage offers. Travel insurance can help you in many ways which include:
Travel Insurance for Canadians Will Help Offer Protection From Medical Expenses
Canada is known for its comprehensive healthcare system. The government health insurance plan enables Canadians to easily seek the treatment they need at home. However, the plan has very limited coverage, less than 10%, the moment you fly outside the borders of Canada. Which leaves Canadians vulnerable on international trips. For example, medical expense in the US in case of accidents range from a couple of thousand dollars to as much as $100,000, depending on the severity of the accident. This is obviously an expense traveler’s don’t typically budget for when planning a vacation. However, an accident can happen at any time so it is better to take precautionary measures for it.
When you opt for travel insurance for Canadians you have the option of getting medical coverage which would include emergencies. You also get benefits such as medical transportation which is allocated to pay for the use of an ambulance, if needed. While you never go on vacation in hopes of getting injured and having to go to the hospital, no one really has control over accidents. You can be as careful as you like but some accidents are unavoidable and it is just smarter to have medical expenses covered in case something does happen.
Protect Your Money in Case of Cancellation
Let’s say you’ve worked hard all year just so you could take a two-week-long vacation to Barcelona. The round trip ticket alone costs you well over a grand and you’ve put in at least another grand on hotels and activities. You are already two grand in the hole before even leaving on your trip. A day before the trip a close relative passes away and you have to cancel your trip. But when you call the airline and hotel, they tell you that it is too late to cancel and they will deduct a huge chunk of the money you’ve paid.
Situations like this are more common than you think. An emergency can come up at any time, even before your long-awaited vacation prompting you to have to cancel it. Which is when travel insurance comes to your rescue. The trip cancellation benefits will have you covered for the amount you’ve prepaid and non-refundable costs associated with the trip, as long as you have a valid reason. Each insurance company provides users with a list of covered reasons for cancellation which usually include natural disasters, death of a family member, and serious injury or illness.
Coverage in Case of Lost or Stolen Luggage
While airlines will have you believe that the chances of them losing your luggage are slim, at 1%, the figures are actually slightly higher than that. There is also the chance of having luggage stolen at the airport or from your hotel room. Losing your luggage on a trip to a foreign land isn’t just inconvenient but can ruin your whole trip. You pack specific items based on the activities you plan on doing on the trip. And it can happen to anyone, even a UK Ambassador!
No matter how light you pack, lost luggage results in the loss of valuable things. Things that are either expensive or hold value to you. The last thing you want to do on your trip is to have to buy a whole wardrobe due to your luggage being lost. Not only will you waste time, but also spend money you did not budget for. Travel insurance for Canadians won’t help you find your luggage but it will have the expenses incurred, replacing what you lost on your trip, covered.
Travel with Ease of Mind Alone or with Family
Traveling is always hectic, you can be going to one of the most magical destinations yet be stressed out. The worry of an accident, misplacing your documents, missing flights, and so on. What travel insurance for Canadians does is provide you with the protection you need to in case any of these instances were to happen. This allows you to stress a little less knowing you are covered as you surf some gnarly waves or go trekking to the base camp on Everest.
Individuals traveling with kids usually experience twice the amount of stress. From having to keep an eye on your kids at all times to ensure their safety, you tend to worry more than enjoy your time off. Getting travel insurance won’t ensure your kids stay safe, however, with family coverage if an accident were to happen, your kids would be covered as dependents. Which should help put your mind at a bit of ease.
A Final Word
Most Canadians traveling are confused between whether or not they need travel insurance. With all the benefits and coverage travel insurance for Canadians has to offer, opting for it is a no-brainer. Accidents can happen at any time during your travels. Being in a foreign land, getting the treatment you need can be more complicated than you think. The last thing you want is to delay your treatment due to payment issues. Insurance can provide you the protection you need to overcome almost any unforeseen event on your trip from accidents to cancellations. Which is why you should consider it a smart investment rather than just another expense.
