Travel Insurance for Canadians - You Must Be Trippin

June 26 2013 by Bryson Forbes

Over the years I have heard so many horror stories about Canadians travelling abroad without adequate travel insurance. The one that sticks out in my mind as the most difficult involved a couple who were honeymooning in South Florida. With so many things to organize for the wedding the couple forgot to get travel insurance, but they were young and healthy and didn't think too much about it. Day two of the honeymoon, the groom broke his ankle jogging on the beach and it was a pretty good (or bad) break as far as ankles go, it required surgery and a pin to keep the ankle set. The bill for the two day hospital visit with surgery was just over $25,000. Not a great start to married life.

The reality is that travel insurance is a MUST for Canadians. I tell anyone who will listen to drop everything and go get an annual plan that is set to renew without you having to remember.

Tip number two is to opt for the best coverage. For most of us, the difference in cost is less than $40 or $50, to put it in perspective, our annual family plan which allows for 16 days a year of full coverage out of country is $150. Thankfully, I have never had to use it (insert the sound of me knocking on wood) but it sure gives me piece of mind when we leave Canada.

It always surprises me, especially living less an hour from the US border how most people don't think of a day trip to go shopping, or play golf, or watch an NFL game as a "trip". I spoke to friends last week whose child plays hockey with my daughter and her Grandmother was visiting from Edmonton and taking the family to Buffalo to go shopping. They hadn't even thought of travel health insurance. It seems if you aren't flying or staying over in a hotel than you are not really travelling an in turn don't need insurance.

There are lots of options for coverage, I have had positive experiences with RBC, Blue Cross and Sun Life Financial and taking an hour on the phone to review what coverage you have and what coverage you need could save you thousands down the road.

I have read letters from past clients who had serious medical situations occur without coverage that resulted in medical bills that exceed one hundred thousand dollars, I recall a letter from a couple who were forced to re-mortgage their home less than a year after finally having fully paid it off.

I know this is not my normal tone and optimistic theme, but I hope I can convince you to buy the insurance. I have no affiliation or relationship with travel insurance companies and most of the time I am pretty disturbed by banks and insurance but in this case, it's just too risky to avoid. Now what are you waiting for, go get your coverage. Do you feel you have adequate coverage today?

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