Health Insurance for Travel: 101 Guide

While Canada's healthcare system offers excellent coverage at home, things change once you step outside the province.

Whether you're heading on a quick weekend getaway or a long-term adventure, unexpected medical costs can quickly add up abroad. That's where travel health insurance comes in.

In this guide, we'll explain why travel health insurance is essential, what it covers, and how to choose the right plan for your next trip.

Key Takeaways

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses when travelling outside your home province or country, including emergencies, hospital stays, and medical evacuations.
Canadian provincial healthcare doesn't fully cover medical costs abroad, making travel health insurance essential to avoid hefty bills.
Travel health insurance policies often include non-medical benefits like trip cancellations, lost luggage, and repatriation.

What is Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance is a policy designed to cover unexpected medical expenses while travelling outside your home province or country.

It typically includes coverage for emergency medical treatments, hospital stays, doctor visits, and sometimes even medical evacuation if necessary.

For example, if you're travelling to the U.S. and you break your leg while hiking, the medical costs could be steep, as healthcare is private and expensive. Travel health insurance would help cover those costs, preventing you from facing a huge bill.

Some medical plans also cover non-medical incidents like trip cancellations or lost luggage. Still, the primary focus is ensuring you have healthcare access if something goes wrong.

It's essential to read the policy carefully, as coverage can vary widely depending on the plan, especially for pre-existing conditions.

Why is Health Insurance Important When Travelling?

Medical insurance is crucial when travelling because your provincial or territorial healthcare plan may not cover medical services outside Canada or even fully within another province.

If you face a medical emergency abroad, like a car accident or illness, you could be responsible for the entire cost, which can add up quickly, especially in countries with high medical fees like the United States.

Even common issues like food poisoning or a minor injury can result in a hefty hospital bill. Without travel health insurance, you'd have to pay out-of-pocket, which could derail your travel plans and leave you financially stressed.

Another reason health insurance is important when travelling is access to emergency medical evacuation.

Suppose you're in a remote area or a country with inadequate medical care. In that case, insurance can cover the cost of flying you to the nearest hospital or even back to Canada for treatment, which can be incredibly expensive without coverage.

Travel insurance offers peace of mind, letting you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about potential medical costs. It's an essential safeguard, ensuring that any health emergencies won't jeopardize you financially.

What Does Travel Health Insurance Typically Cover?

Travel health insurance typically covers a range of medical emergencies and services that could arise while you're away from home. Coverage can vary by plan, but most policies protect the following essentials:

Emergency medical care: Hospital stays, doctor visits, and urgent care for unexpected injuries or illnesses.
Prescription medications: Coverage for medications needed due to a disease or injury during your trip.
Medical evacuation: Transport to the nearest medical facility or back to Canada if necessary.
Repatriation: Costs related to bringing you back home in case of severe illness or death.
Dental emergencies: Coverage for unexpected dental treatments, such as repairing a broken tooth.
Trip interruption or cancellation due to health issues: Refunds for unused portions of your trip if a medical emergency forces you to return home.

How Does Travel Health Insurance Differ from Regular Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance differs from regular health insurance in a few key ways, primarily in scope and purpose. While your regular health insurance covers most medical expenses within your home province or territory, travel health insurance is designed to offer protection when you're away, especially abroad.

It tends to focus more on emergencies during your trip than ongoing or routine healthcare needs.

One of the major differences is the temporary nature of travel health insurance. Regular health insurance is usually continuous, providing coverage year-round.

Travel health insurance, on the other hand, is purchased for a specific trip or a set period, only covering you while you're away from home. It kicks in when your regular insurance is insufficient, particularly in international settings.

Additionally, travel health insurance often includes benefits like medical evacuation or repatriation, which aren't part of standard health insurance plans.

These services ensure that, in a serious situation, you can be transported to a medical facility that meets your needs or even brought back to your home country if necessary.

How to Compare Travel Health Insurance Providers?

When reviewing different providers, it's important to consider coverage, cost, and the specific benefits offered by each plan. Below are some key elements to guide you when comparing providers.

Coverage Limits and Exclusions

One of the most important factors is the coverage limit—how much the insurance company is willing to pay for a claim. Some providers may have high limits for medical expenses, while others might cap them at lower amounts.

Also, take note of any exclusions. These are the medical conditions or scenarios that the policy won't cover, such as pre-existing conditions or certain adventure sports. Make sure you know exactly what is and isn't included before deciding.

Cost of the Premium

The cost of travel health insurance can vary widely between providers, so it's essential to get quotes from several companies. When comparing costs, consider not only the premium but also what you're getting for the price. A lower-cost plan might seem appealing, but it could have higher deductibles or more exclusions. Balancing cost with coverage is key to finding the best value.

Additional Benefits

Beyond medical coverage, some travel health insurance providers offer extra perks like trip cancellation, baggage loss reimbursement, or emergency travel assistance.

While these benefits aren't directly related to a medical insurance plan, they can add value to your policy and give you peace of mind during your trip. Compare which providers offer these extras and decide if they're worth the added premium.

Customer Service and Claims Process

The ease of filing a claim is another factor to consider. Some providers have better reputations for customer service and more straightforward claims processes.

Look for reviews or testimonials from other travelers about their experiences with specific insurance companies. If an emergency arises, you want to ensure you can quickly and easily get the assistance you need.

How to File a Claim with Travel Health Insurance?

Here's a step-by-step guide to filing a claim as smoothly as possible.

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible: In case of a medical emergency, immediately contact your insurance company. They can guide you through the process and ensure you receive the necessary care without delays. Many insurers have 24/7 emergency hotlines for this reason.
Get all necessary documentation: Keep detailed records of your medical treatments, prescriptions, and related expenses. Ensure you have receipts, medical reports, and any paperwork the healthcare provider provides. Without these, it can be difficult to process your claim.
Fill out the claim form: Your insurer will provide a form you must fill out. This form details your medical condition, treatment, and expenses. Make sure to complete this accurately to avoid delays in processing.
Submit the claim: Once you have the claim form and all necessary documentation, submit everything to your insurance provider. Most companies allow email, postal mail, or online portal submissions.
Follow up: After submitting your claim, it's a good idea to follow up with your insurer to ensure they've received everything. They may contact you if additional information is needed, so be prepared to respond promptly to avoid delays.

Limitations and Exclusions in Travel Health Insurance

Here are some common limitations and exclusions to keep in mind:

Pre-existing conditions: Many travel insurance policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions unless they have been declared and approved before travel.
High-risk activities: Some plans exclude coverage for injuries resulting from adventure sports or high-risk activities like scuba diving, skiing, or mountain climbing.
Mental health issues: Mental health-related emergencies, including anxiety, depression, or stress-related conditions, are often excluded from coverage.
Routine medical care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and non-emergency medical treatments are generally not covered by travel health insurance.
Drug or alcohol-related incidents: Injuries or medical issues arising from excessive use of alcohol or drugs may not be covered.
Travel to high-risk regions: Some policies exclude coverage for trips to regions with high political unrest, war zones, or areas with known health risks, such as disease outbreaks.
Pregnancy and childbirth: Medical expenses related to pregnancy or childbirth are often excluded from coverage, especially if the pregnancy was known before travel.

How to Combine Travel Health Insurance with Other Types of Insurance?

Combining travel health insurance with other types of insurance, such as trip cancellation or baggage insurance, can offer a more comprehensive safety net for your travels.

While travel health insurance focuses on covering medical emergencies, pairing it with trip insurance can protect you against non-medical issues like flight cancellations, lost luggage, or travel delays.

It's also possible to coordinate your travel health insurance with any coverage you already have, such as credit card insurance or extended benefits from your employer.

Some credit card companies offer basic travel insurance, which might include limited health coverage, but often with lower limits or more exclusions.

By understanding what your existing policies cover, you can avoid duplicate coverage and choose a travel health insurance plan that fills the gaps, ensuring you're fully protected without overpaying.

Summary: Medical Insurance while Traveling

Travel insurance coverage varies between providers, so comparing coverage limits, exclusions, and premiums is important.
Pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities may not be covered unless specified in the policy.
Non-medical benefits may include trip cancellations and lost luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions: Health Insurance for Travel

Does my regular health insurance cover me while I'm travelling internationally?

Your regular health insurance may offer some coverage while travelling internationally, but it's often limited. In Canada, provincial health plans like OHIP provide minimal coverage outside the country, typically only covering emergency services at a much lower rate than actual costs.

Any medical expenses incurred abroad could result in significant out-of-pocket payments. It's wise to check with your insurance provider to understand the specific limitations of your coverage and consider purchasing additional travel health insurance to ensure full protection.

What is the difference between travel health insurance and travel insurance?

The difference between travel health insurance and travel insurance lies in their specific coverage. Travel health insurance covers medical expenses, such as emergency hospital visits, doctor consultations, and medications, while you're abroad.

On the other hand, travel insurance is broader and includes non-medical coverage like trip cancellation, lost luggage, and flight delays. Some comprehensive travel insurance plans may bundle both, but confirming that medical emergencies are covered under any plan you choose is important.

Are pre-existing conditions covered under travel health insurance?

Pre-existing conditions may be covered under travel health insurance, but coverage often comes with limitations or higher premiums.

Some insurers offer coverage for pre-existing conditions that have been stable for a certain period, typically 90 to 180 days before the trip.

However, not all travel health insurance plans automatically include this, and coverage can vary widely. It's crucial to disclose any pre-existing conditions to the insurer and review the terms carefully to ensure you're protected while travelling.

How do I purchase health insurance specifically for a short-term trip?

Purchasing health insurance for a short-term trip is usually a straightforward process. Many Canadian insurance providers offer travel health insurance specifically designed for short trips, which you can purchase online, over the phone, or through your insurance agent.

You'll need to provide details about your trip, including travel dates and destinations, and select the coverage amount that best fits your needs.

It's important to compare plans to ensure that your policy covers potential medical emergencies, evacuation, and other health-related needs while you're abroad.

Are prescription medications covered under travel health insurance?

Prescription medications may be covered under travel health insurance, but the coverage can vary by plan. Emergency prescriptions, such as those required for urgent care while travelling, are typically included.

However, if you're taking regular medications for a pre-existing condition, the plan is less likely to cover the cost of refills abroad.

Many travel health insurance policies require you to bring enough medication to last the duration of your trip. It's a good idea to check your plan's terms to avoid surprises.

Can I extend my travel health insurance if I decide to stay abroad longer than planned?

You can usually extend your travel health insurance if you decide to stay abroad longer than planned, though it's important to notify your insurer before your original policy expires.

Most travel insurance providers allow extensions, but the process may require additional medical screening or a reassessment of any pre-existing conditions.

Failure to extend your insurance before your current policy expires could leave you uncovered, so it's best to arrange an extension as soon as you know your travel plans will change.