With so many sources
selling travel insurance these days, Canadians are under the impression that
they are fully covered for any medical or other risks and emergencies when they travel to the USA and
abroad.
Whether you are going
overseas, to another province or just crossing the border for milk and gas to
Bellingham or Buffalo, here are some real reasons to purchase travel insurance
for your trip:
Your employee
benefits plan coverage may be limited. Some do not cover a spouse or dependents
and some limit the number of travel days covered and the amounts payable. Some
also limit the number of claims in one calendar year.
Your credit card
coverage may be limited. Your coverage
may only apply to trips purchased on that particular card or may be limited to
less days than what you are traveling.
Your government
health insurance will more than likely not cover all emergency expenses. Out of country insurance can be costly and
the government plan will only cover the basics.
Purchasing full
coverage from your travel agent, will more than likely offer you unlimited
coverage for eligible medical expenses. As well, Up-front payment of these
expenses whenever possible and a 24 hour, multilingual medical assistance with
a toll free or collect phone call to help you through the process.
There is always a
chance that your mode of transportation is delayed or cancelled. Your luggage may be damaged or lost, or you
may have to cancel your trip or return earlier or later than expected due to a
family emergency.
Your travel advisor
can help you understand the necessity of purchasing insurance as well as which
insurance to purchase.
As travel counsellors,
we see on a weekly basis, where insurance has helped people in their most
sensitive times and when there was nothing that could be done, without a huge
charge, when insurance was not covered.
Did you know that
there is insurance that will cover you if you have purchased a business class
points ticket and have to return earlier or later than expected due to a
covered emergency? Can you imagine how hard it is to get your ticket changed to
a new points seat when an emergency occurs, especially a business class points
seat? With an upgraded insurance, for only $5.00 above the regular
cancellation/interruption insurance price, you would be covered to fly back on
a paid business class seat on whatever airline gets you home. Really consider purchasing this insurance the
next time that you fly, even if you have not purchased your points ticket
through an agent. They are happy to help
you out with the insurance at any time.
