Whether you’re heading out on a spring break road trip or planning a summer getaway to take advantage of economical domestic flight options, travelling within our own nation is a wonderful and rewarding experience. But many Canadians aren’t aware that having travel insurance coverage to do so is still very important.
To start, you’re probably thinking, “Doesn’t provincial healthcare cover me”? While it does cover you for medical costs within Canada, provincial healthcare plans don’t cover everything; and if they do, they may only cover costs partially. In this blog post, we’ll cover the most frequent and commonly asked questions we receive from customers about travel insurance for domestic travel. Read on!
Most commonly asked questions about Emergency Medical Insurance for travel within Canada
Do I need to buy travel insurance for travel within Canada?
Yes, Emergency Medical Insurance should be considered to cover you for unexpected costs like air, sea or ground ambulance, ER fees, emergency dental services, prescription drugs, return of vehicle and more, for out-of-province travel.
As noted above, your provincial health care will cover emergency medical costs. But to avoid being out-of-pocket for the other costs associated with a medical emergency, buying Emergency Medical coverage is the way to go.
For other COVID-19 and insurance related questions, check out TuGo’s Travel Insurance FAQs.
Am I covered for COVID-19 if I’m travelling to another province?
Yes, you’ll be covered by your provincial healthcare plan for COVID-19 and other medical emergencies. That said, you may want to consider purchasing Emergency Medical Insurance for the other costs that can be incurred over and above what your provincial healthcare plan pays for, like an ambulance ride, return of vehicle and more.
For other COVID-19 and insurance related questions, check out TuGo’s Travel Insurance FAQs.
Can I get an annual plan for travel within Canada?
Yes, if you plan on travelling more than twice in a given year outside of your home province, you might want to consider a more efficient option that provides more value, in the form of an annual plan. Read more about Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical plans.
I already have a Multi Trip Annual Worldwide plan—am I covered for travel within Canada?
Yes, if you travel within Canada but outside your home province, coverage is automatically provided for emergency medical expenses.
I have a pre-existing medical condition. Can I travel to another province any time under Emergency Medical Insurance?
With a Travel Within Canada Emergency Medical plan, there is no stability requirement for pre-existing medical conditions. This means you don’t have to wait a minimum number of days (as you would if you were travelling to the US or other countries) to ensure your medical condition and related symptoms are stable.
However, there are stability requirements, even if you’re travelling within Canada, if you have a:
- Multi Trip Annual Emergency Medical Worldwide
- Single Trip Emergency Medical Worldwide
- Single Trip Emergency Medical Worldwide Excluding USA
Be sure to read up on travel insurance & pre-existing medical condition stability.
Most commonly asked questions about Non-Medical Insurance for travel within Canada
Why should I consider Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance if I’m travelling domestically?
What you may not realize about Emergency Medical Insurance is that it only provides coverage for medical costs, due to an unexpected emergency illness or injury. Missed flights, tours or non-refundable bookings won’t be covered, which is why having Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance is so worthwhile. It will reimburse for non-refundable, unused prepaid airfare, travel costs, and cancelled prepaid tours.
I know I won’t cancel. Could Trip Interruption Only Insurance still be worthwhile for domestic travel?
Yes, Trip Interruption Only Insurance is an affordable way to cover trips from disruptions or interruptions that can cause you to return earlier or later than you’ve planned, after you’ve already left on your trip. Learn more about Trip Interruption Only Insurance.
Does TuGo have a stability requirement for travel within Canada, when buying trip cancellation &/or trip interruption coverage?
Pre-existing medical conditions are covered under Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption or Trip Interruption Only plans if they are stable (applicable to the traveller, the travelling companion and their family members, business partner, employer, key employee, friend, caregiver and host at their travel destination) as follows:
For Single Trip
- On or within the 60 days before the date the insurance is purchased
For Multi Trip Annual
- On or within the 60 days before the date the trip is booked, when insurance is purchased before the date the trip is booked
- On or within the 60 days before the date the insurance is purchased, when insurance is purchased after the date the trip is booked
Is Baggage Insurance available for travel within Canada?
Yes, Baggage Insurance can be added to a Single Trip Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption or Trip Interruption Only plan before departure. It’s helpful in the event that your luggage is lost, damaged, delayed or stolen.
If I fly to another Canadian city and rent a car, would Rental Car Protection be available?
Yes, Rental Car Protection can be added to a Single Trip Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption or Trip Interruption Only plan for travel within Canada, before your departure. This coverage reimburses in the event your rental car is damaged or lost.
Have any more questions about travel within Canada coverage? Post them below!
Happy travels ahead,
Melissa
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2021, and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
