Got travel on your mind? For some, that means booking a tropical vacation. For others, it means embarking on a Canadian road trip.
Whatever your situation may be, it’s important to know what travel coverage you have and what add-ons you may need to purchase.
Nothing beats the peace of mind of knowing you’re protected if the unexpected happens while travelling. Common travel coverage options and add-ons include the following:
- Emergency medical care
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Flight delay service
- Baggage loss coverage
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Pandemic coverage
Step 1: review your current coverage
Many employer-sponsored and personal benefit plans include emergency travel coverage. However, these plans often only cover you for trips up to a certain number of days, such as 10 or 30 days per trip, and usually don’t include things like trip cancellation and interruption insurance or coverage for lost baggage. By understanding what travel coverage is included in your current plan, you can determine you may need to add on to enjoy your vacation worry free.
Not covered for emergency travel care through an existing plan?
Travel insurance keeps you protected from the financial costs of unexpected injuries and illnesses when travelling. Emergency medical care covers things like hospital services, prescription drugs, ambulance, emergency travel assistance, medical evacuation, and more. Insurance providers typically offer travel insurance for single-trip and multi-trip plans.
Check out our Emergency Medical Coverage.
Travelling within Canada?
Any travel within Canada outside of your province of residence counts towards the trip days covered by your plan.
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan provides limited coverage outside of Alberta. Without proper travel coverage, you could be left paying out-of-pocket for medical expenses. Whether you’re taking a road trip to a neighbouring province or flying across the country, make sure you have coverage for travel within Canada.
Learn more about our coverage for travel within Canada.
Step 2: find out what additional coverage you need
Need extra coverage to top up your existing insurance? Add-ons are additional travel products available to purchase that ensure you are fully covered for the entire duration of your trip. Below are some add-ons to consider for your next trip.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Trip cancellation happens when an eligible and unexpected reason forces you to have to cancel your trip—a costly ordeal if you don’t have trip cancellation insurance. This type of insurance covers prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses like airfare or hotel deposits and gives you access to flight delay service at no extra cost.
Trip interruption occurs when you’re already on your trip and you must return home, due to something like a family emergency. In this case, coverage is unlimited and includes access to flight delay service at no extra cost.
Learn more about our Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage.
Flight delay coverage
Whether due to bad weather, maintenance issues or busy air traffic, a delayed flight can leave you waiting at the airport for hours. A sudden pause in your journey means paying for additional meals or accommodation—expenses you didn’t plan for.
Learn more about our Flight Delay Service, which is included in all our travel plans.
Baggage loss coverage
Baggage loss coverage provides you with coverage for lost, stolen or damaged items; delayed baggage; and lost or stolen travel documents like passports.
Learn more about our baggage loss coverage.
Pandemic protection
Pandemic coverage reimburses you for certain expenses if you must cancel or interrupt your trip due to a pandemic. This can include things like accommodation cancellations or extensions, flight changes or cancellations, meals, transportation due to a diagnosis, positive screening test or contact tracing.
Learn more about our Optional Protection: Pandemic coverage.
Top-up coverage
If your trip is longer than the number of days covered by your existing plan, you can purchase coverage for the additional days you will be away.
Learn more about our Top-Up Insurance, which extends your period of coverage provided by us or another insurance company.
Accidental death and dismemberment
While a serious, life-changing accident that results in death is rare while travelling, it can happen—and the costs can be significant.
Learn more our Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage.
Step 3: purchase your add-ons
Once you know what coverage you have, you can add on or top up with what you’re missing. Visit our website to complete a quote and purchase your insurance online in minutes.
Enjoy your trip!
My wife and I are going on a cruise in December. We are 67 and 66. Can we get travel insurance through Blue Cross. If so, how much?
Hi Roy. We’re happy to help. To get a quote or sign up, you can visit our website at https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/plans/travel/travel-insurance-coverage.php
Thank you for the provided information. I’m planning on visiting Mexico this winter. Do you have any specific advice for me? I’m kind of scared of being kidnapped.
Travel insurance is often overlooked, but it’s a vital part of travel planning. It’s great to see an article covering the essentials of travel insurance. It’s a valuable resource for travelers to make informed choices and stay safe during their journeys.