With provincial health care plans providing increasingly limited coverage for emergency medical costs outside of Canada and even within Canada, many are facing costs that are only partially covered or not at all.
On its website, the Ontario government strongly advises people to purchase additional health insurance every time they leave Canada to cover any expenses not covered by the provincial health insurance plan.
While many clients already have medical travel insurance as part of their benefits packages at work. Some credit cards also offer emergency medical and other coverage if used to pay for tickets.
But brokers are urging clients to find out what coverage they may already have and where gaps in coverage may be before heading off on holiday. Those conversations are leading to new business for brokers.
If clients need additional travel insurance, they can buy it on an as-needed basis. For frequent travellers, there is multi-trip coverage that can offer some savings.
The cost and coverage depends in part on the typical length of trip you make and will need topping up if you are going to take a longer holiday that usual.
Travel insurance can also be more than just emergency medical coverage.
Flying in Canada in winter is not for the impatient. With ice storms and blizzard-delaying flights not uncommon, there is the possibility of delayed flights and missed connections.
If the delay is caused by weather, the airline is unlikely to provide any compensation, potentially leaving you on the hook for a night in a hotel or an uncomfortable sleep on a bench in the airport.
Travel delay insurance can take the sting out of an unplanned layover due to a missed connection, while baggage delay insurance can help cover the cost of a new toothbrush and other necessities if your checked luggage doesn't arrive with you.
