If you get sick or injured while travelling outside of Canada, government health insurance plans will only pay a fraction of your medical expenses. Travel insurance is an affordable way to make the situation manageable.
Some hospitals charge thousands of dollars a day, not including doctors' fees or diagnostic services. Without emergency health and medical insurance, you’re responsible for those expenses. Make sure you have the coverage you need before you leave home.
Keep in mind that travel insurance doesn't cover everything; there are certain conditions, exclusions and limitations. Talk to your Financial Advisor if you have questions and read over your insurance policy carefully before you travel.
How to prepare for and handle a travel emergency
Before you leave, it’s a good idea to have a plan so you can stay safe while you are away.
- Register with the federal government before you travel out of the country. This free service notifies you in the event of an emergency abroad or at home – like a natural disaster or civil unrest.
- Program the contact information for your destination country’s Canadian embassy into your phone and bookmark the Government of Canada’s emergency assistance webpage.
- If there’s a political upheaval or a natural disaster in the country you’re visiting, or if you lose crucial travel documents, contact the embassy to get advice on what to do.
- If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact your bank immediately to deactivate your cards.
- If you have a medical emergency, contact your travel insurance provider immediately.
For more information on travel insurance, talk to your Financial Advisor.
Travel insurance does not cover everything. For complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, please refer to the policy. Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of the Co-operators group of companies and administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.