Travel insurance

The most common exclusions on emergency medical coverage are:

• pre-existing conditions that weren’t stable before you left;
• routine or elective care, such as checkups, planned treatment or care you travelled to get;
• travel to a region under an ‘Avoid non-essential travel’ or ‘Avoid all travel’ advisory, if you left after it was issued;
• some sports and activities, unless you add coverage.

Trip cancellation coverage doesn’t pay for a reason you knew about when you bought it, or for changing your mind. Most medical plans also pay less if you don’t call the assistance line before treatment, or as soon as you can. Each policy lists its own exclusions and limits.

Most plans cover you worldwide, but Government of Canada travel advisories can limit that. If the advisory for your destination is ‘Avoid non-essential travel’ or ‘Avoid all travel’ when you leave, you generally won’t be covered there, even for an emergency unrelated to the reason for the advisory. If an advisory is issued while you’re away, some plans keep covering you for a limited time so you can leave. If it’s issued after you book, trip cancellation insurance may refund your non-refundable costs if you decide not to go.

If you have a medical condition, a stability period is the time before you leave during which that condition must not have changed. Each policy defines this, but it usually means no new treatment or medication, no change in dose, no new or worse symptoms, no hospital stay or referral to a specialist, and no tests or results still pending. Some routine changes, such as switching to a generic version of the same drug, usually don’t count. On an annual plan, the stability period counts back from each departure, not from the day you bought the plan.

The period depends on your age, the length of your trip and your answers to the health questions. It’s often 90 or 180 days. If the condition changes inside that period, it may not be covered on your trip, even if the change seemed minor. Some plans offer an optional rider, at extra cost, with a shorter stability period. It’s only needed if your health changed during the standard period. If your health changes after you buy, tell us before you leave, so we can check your options.

Call the assistance number on your policy before you get treatment. The assistance team confirms your coverage, directs you to an appropriate clinic or hospital, and can often arrange for the insurer to pay the facility directly. In a serious emergency, go to the nearest hospital and have someone call for you as soon as possible. Many plans pay less if no one calls. Keep all original receipts and medical records for your claim.