Don't leave home without emergency medical travel insurance

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway in Canada or a longer vacation abroad, emergency medical travel insurance is one of the smartest purchases you can make before you leave.

Provincial health coverage is limited outside your home province, and insurance provided through credit cards or employee benefits may include restrictions on trip length, age or pre-existing medical conditions.

A standalone emergency medical travel insurance policy offers flexible, affordable protection tailored to your travel plans and personal needs.

Provincial health coverage has limits

Many Canadians assume their provincial health plan will cover them if they become sick or injured while travelling. While some coverage may apply, it is often very minimal and may not cover:

• Ground or air ambulance services – These costs can add up quickly and are rarely covered by provincial plans outside your home province.
• Prescription medications – Out-of-province or out-of-country prescriptions are typically not reimbursed.
• Emergency dental treatment – Dental emergencies are generally excluded from provincial health coverage.
• Hospital charges above provincial reimbursement rates – Many facilities charge significantly more than what your province will reimburse.
• Medical evacuation back home – Transport to your home province for ongoing care can be extremely costly.
• Accommodation and transportation for accompanying family members – These expenses are rarely covered and can add up fast.

Even a short hospital stay outside your home province or country can result in significant out-of-pocket costs.

Credit card coverage may not be enough

Some travellers rely on the travel insurance included with their credit card. While this can be helpful, there are often important restrictions, such as:

• The entire trip may need to be charged to the card – Partial purchases may void your coverage.
• Coverage may be limited based on age – Older travellers may find their card offers little to no protection.
• Maximum trip lengths may be short – Longer trips often fall outside the covered window.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusions may apply – Many cards exclude conditions diagnosed before travel.
• Coverage limits may be lower than expected – The maximums may not reflect the true cost of a medical emergency abroad.

Before relying on credit card insurance, it's important to read the policy details carefully.

Workplace benefits often have limitations

Employer-sponsored travel insurance can also provide valuable protection, but these plans may include:

• Maximum benefit amounts – There may be a cap that leaves you exposed to larger costs.
• Restrictions on trip duration – Extended travel may not be covered.
• Limited family coverage – Dependants may not be fully protected.
• Exclusions for certain medical conditions – Pre-existing conditions are a common exclusion.

Many travellers are surprised to discover their workplace coverage may not fully meet their needs.

Emergency medical insurance is affordable and flexible

Standalone emergency medical travel insurance is often more affordable than people expect, especially compared to the potential cost of an unexpected medical emergency.

Policies can be customized based on:

• Your age – Premiums are tailored to your stage of life.
• Destination – Coverage is priced based on where you're headed.
• Length of trip – You pay for the coverage you actually need.
• Medical history – Plans can account for your personal health situation.
• Coverage amount and deductible – You can adjust both to fit your budget.

This allows you to choose a plan that fits your needs and your budget.

The Government of Canada recommends buying travel insurance

The Government of Canada advises Canadians to purchase the best travel health insurance they can afford before leaving their province. This recommendation reflects the reality that medical costs can be extremely expensive and stressful without proper coverage.

Travel with peace of mind

Travel should be about making memories, not worrying about medical bills. Emergency medical travel insurance helps protect you and your family from unexpected costs and provides access to assistance when you need it most.

At VIU by HUB, we make it easy to compare emergency medical travel insurance options from trusted providers. Get a quote online and choose coverage that helps you travel with confidence.