Travellers may not be aware of the financial or medical risks they are taking when travelling. Once a traveller steps outside their home province or territory, their provincial health plan coverage provides little to no coverage for medical expenses while travelling outside Canada, and even has limitations when visiting another province.

The emergency hospital and medical benefits provided by travel insurance can help protect against the potentially high costs resulting from an unexpected visit to the doctor or emergency room while abroad.

TravelPulse Canada went to the professionals at Allianz Global Assistance to find out how travel advisors can best help their clients understand the need for finding the right insurance for their travel.

Generally speaking, emergency medical travel insurance is a must-have when travelling abroad. In fact, the Government of Canada recommends all Canadians have some form of medical coverage in place when travelling beyond our borders. When selecting a plan, high level details such as your trip length, age and destination, but a more detailed understanding of your trip is also important, which is where travel advisors add significant value for their customer. For example, if a traveller plans to take part in higher-risk activities while on vacation, such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, parachuting or skydiving, it is important for them to be aware of what is covered by their travel insurance policy. Some policies may extend coverage, some may limit coverage and others may exclude certain activities entirely. Travel advisors should ask questions about the types of activities planned, while reminding customers to read through their policy in detail to ensure it provides sufficient coverage for their needs. Policies typically provide a 10-day free look period which allows customers to review their policy in detail and cancel for a full refund if it does not meet their needs, which can alleviate some of the pressure with their decision at time of booking.

It is also important for travellers to be aware of licenses that may be required before engaging in popular activities such as scuba diving or riding a motorbike. If they get hurt and don’t have the proper licensing or certification, they may be on the hook for unforeseen medical bills that ultimately are not covered by travel insurance due to certain exclusions.

Travellers need to know and understand just what they are getting when they rely on their credit cards travel insurance benefits. Coverage can vary greatly between credit cards and there may be restrictions on age, trip length and the benefits. If included, the emergency medical benefits offered by some credit cards might be inadequate for travellers’ needs or may be only for shorter trips. In addition, trip cancellation and baggage coverage might not be included.

It is critical that travellers review the policy wording for any existing coverage they have in place, whether through their credit card or employer, to ensure it meets their personal and travel needs. Travel advisors can help travellers ensure they are protected for their trip by highlighting the limitations and recommending a travel insurance plan with sufficient coverage for their trip.

Through its valued travel advisor relationships, Allianz Global Assistance provides travel coverage options that are competitively priced, and backed by reliable and caring emergency assistance and support to help travellers go on their journeys with confidence.