Ontario Blue Cross has provided health and safety products to residents of Ontario for more than 65 years.
The company also offers a long list of travel insurance products.
Advantages
- Automatic renewal options
- A transparent overview of eligibility and pre-existing condition stability periods while you’re getting a quote. Blue Cross Ontario is the ONLY travel insurance provider that we’ve found who offers such easy access to this sort of information during the quote process.
- Many plans to choose from
Disadvantages
- Ontario Blue Cross travel policies are only for residents of Ontario
- If you’re age 76 or over, you’ll have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire
- It can be confusing to choose the right plan, with so many plan options
Overview
Ontario Blue Cross offers a variety of travel insurance products including Annual Emergency Medical Care and the Annual Plan with Package option.
It also offers the Emergency Medical Care plan, the Summertime Blue Plan, DFAIT 30-day Annual Travel Protection plan, several package plans including the Canada Package, Canada Package without Trip Cancellation, Package Plus and the Package Plus without Trip Cancellation.
The company also offers numerous Visitors to Canada Plans and a Trip Cancellation or Interruption Plan.
Annual (Multi-trip) Emergency Medical Care Plan
This plan offers emergency medical coverage of up to $5million per person per individual for multiple trips in one year. You can choose between 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days maximum trip lengths.
Other benefits include emergency travel assistance, emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up.
Annual (Multi-trip) Plan with Package Option
The plan offers emergency medical coverage of up to $5million per person. It also covers multiple trips in one year. You can choose between 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days for the maximum trip length.
There are four different plans available, with different amounts of trip cancellation benefits: Package $1,500 (with $1,500 in trip cancellation), Package $2,000, Package $2,500 and Package $5,000. All four plans include unlimited trip cancellation and $1,500 baggage.
The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up.
Emergency Medical Care Plan
This plan includes up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance for a single trip. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up. MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on this plan.
Summertime Blue Plan
This plan includes up to $5 million emergency medical insurance. It covers unlimited amount of trips from June 2nd to September 2nd, and is only available if you’re 75 years of age or younger.
Canada Package
This plan is for Canadians traveling within Canada only.
It includes up to $5 million in emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation of up to the amount of your trip, unlimited trip interruption cover and up to $1,500 baggage amount among other benefits. There’s a 182 day maximum trip length.
If your trip cost per person is over $15,000, you’ll need to phone a representative to learn more. MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on this plan.
The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up.
Canada Package without Trip Cancellation
This plan is for Canadians traveling within Canada only, and includes $5 million emergency medical insurance, unlimited trip interruption, up to $25,000 accidental death or disbursement, up to $75,000 air flight accident, up to $500 baggage amount among other benefits.
There’s a 182 day maximum trip length. If your trip cost per person is over $15,000, you’ll need to phone a representative to learn more. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up.
Package Plus
This plan is for a single trip, and offers $5 million in emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation for the amount of your trip, unlimited trip interruption, and up to $1,500 baggage insurance. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up.
Package Plus without Trip Cancellation
This plan is for a single trip, and offers $5 million in emergency medical coverage, but no trip cancellation or interruption coverage. There’s $1,500 baggage insurance. The pre-existing condition stability period is 3 months for ages 54 and under, and six months for ages 55 and up
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
This plan is for a single trip, and offers trip cancellation up to the value of your trip, and unlimited trip interruption. No emergency medical insurance or other benefits are included. For pre-existing conditions, a 3-month period of stability is required before the insurance purchase date.
DFAIT 30-day Annual Travel Protection
Ontario Blue Cross offers a 30 day annual multi-trip plan specifically for members of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and their dependents. The annual premium is $125 for an individual and $250 for a family. Coverage is for an unlimited number of trips per year, with a maximum of 30 days allowed for each trip.
You can learn more about policy by contacting Ontario Blue Cross.
Comparison Chart for Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance Plans
| Plan | Medical Insurance Coverage | Deductible | Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Baggage | Maximum Age and Maximum Length of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Emergency Medical Care Plan | 5 million | 0 |  | | No age limit. Maximum trip length of 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Annual Plan with Package option | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 or $5,000. Trip interruption unlimited. | $1,500 | No age limit. Maximum trip length of 17, 31, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Emergency Medical Care Plan | 5 million | 0 | | | No age limit. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Summertime Blue | 5 million | 0 | | | 75 years and below. Unlimited amount of trips from June 2nd to September 2nd. |
| Canada Package | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | $1,500 | No age limit. 182 day maximum trip length. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Canada Package without Trip Cancellation | 5 million | 0 | | $1,500 | No age limit. Dependent children aged less than 31 days will not be covered by this plan. |
| Package Plus | 5 million | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | $1,500 | No age limit |
| Package Plus without Trip Cancellation | 5 million | 0 | | $1,500 | No age limit |
| Trip Cancellation and Interruption | | 0 | Trip cancellation up to the amount paid for your trip. Unlimited trip interruption. | | No age limit |
Tips for Saving with Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance
- Applicants with other Ontario Blue Cross policies may qualify for discounts if they get travel insurance.
- MasterCard Ovation Gold cardholders can get a discount on the Emergency Medical Single Trip Plan and the Canada Package Plan.
- If you’re traveling more than once per year, you may save money with a multi-trip plan.
- A family plan may save you money if you’re traveling with children.
Refunds
- You need to submit your refund from the agent you got your policy from. You can may get a pro-rated refund for an unused part of your policy if you haven’t made a claim. All refunds are subject to a $25 administrative fee.
- You must make a refund claim in writing.
You Need to Know
- Ontario Blue Cross travel insurance products are underwritten by Ontario Blue Cross Insurance.
- You need a valid Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan (except for Visitor’s to Canada plans).
- You need to depart from and return to your province of residence at the end of the trip.
Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan is designed for non-Canadians and their families travelling in Canada or to returning Canadians that are not eligible for a Canadian government health insurance plan.
You can choose from medical coverage of $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000 coverage for non-Canadian visitors and their families. Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Foreign Student Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan provides up to $100,000 coverage for foreign students age 49 and under while studying in Canada. Students must have a full time status with a learning institution in order to qualify. Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance. The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Foreign Worker Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan is designed for foreign workers aged 69 and below who are not eligible to enroll for group insurance. This plan includes up to $100,000 coverage for non-Canadians who are working in Canada Benefits include emergency medical care, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance
To get this plan, you will need to successfully complete the necessary medical test required by the Canadian government and are required to have proof of active employment during the period of coverage.
The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
Immigrant Visitors to Canada Plan
This plan is for Landed Immigrants to Canada who are age 69 or younger. Coverage includes up to $100,000 for Canadians waiting for the processing their Canadian citizenship. Benefits include emergency care medical cover, emergency travel assistance, and emergency vehicle return and subsistence allowance. The maximum length of this plan is 365 days.
You need to get this plan before you arrive in Canada or within the first 30 days of arrival in Canada. If you get this plan after you arrive in Canada, there’s a 72 hour waiting period.
How to Learn more
You can learn more about Ontario Blue Cross Travel Insurance plans online or by phone at 416-646-2585 (Toronto) or outside Toronto at 1-866-732-2583.
Want to Learn more and Compare Ontario Blue Cross’ Travel Insurance Rates?
The easiest way to compare Canadian travel insurance rates is to use a comparison website.
Comparison websites, like Kanetix.ca, let you compare quotes for travel insurance from several different companies at once. Type in a few details about your trip, and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice. Check out our review of Kanetix.ca.