Travel Insurance Quote Checklist

Here are some key questions to ask when getting a travel insurance quote. Travel insurance can be pretty complex, so this checklist is designed to help you ask some of the most important questions to help keep your finances safe, and your trip worry-free.

The Basics

These are the basics questions to ask when you get a travel insurance quote.

• What is the amount of coverage for emergency medical benefits, per person? $1 million is a good minimum, but $5 million per person is common, and many policies offer more.
• What is not included in the policy (these are called exclusions in the policy)? Common exclusions include adventure sports like scuba diving.
• Do you give direct payments to hospitals and doctors? If your policy has direct payments, you shouldn’t have to pay for your treatment out of pocket, and wait to get paid back by your travel insurer.
• What is the exact time period for the policy? Travel insurance on credit cards, especially, can be limited to specific time periods (and the amount of time you’re allowed can be based on your age).
• Does the policy include emergency medical evacuation insurance? This is important, as an air ambulance from the United States to Canada can cost around $30,000.
• Do you have a brochure or copy of the insurance policy that I can look at? This is nice to have in case of a dispute, as you’ll have a written contract to back up any claims.
• How much is the deductible? Can I get a higher delectable to save money on the premium?
• Does the policy include a personal liability cover? Liability coverage protects you if you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property.

Red Tape

Insurance companies can deny claims based on many reasons. Don’t give them a reason.

• When do I need to buy my insurance? Is it within 72 hours of buying my tickets, or can I even purchase insurance after I’ve left on my trip? (We’re only aware of one company,
• Is the policy void if I travel to a country or area where there’s an official travel warning from the Canadian government? Travel warnings and advice are also issued by the American, Australian and UK governments.
• If the coverage is on a credit card, do airfare, accommodations and transportation need to be purchased on the credit card to be covered?
• Do I need to phone you to get permission for treatment? This is important to consider, as many policies may require you to get permission for non-emergency treatment. The insurance company will research hospitals and doctors in the area, and send you to their specified doctor or hospital (based on cost, availability of treatment options, or a pre-existing financial agreement with the hospital).
• What countries is the policy valid for? Is it valid in the USA (some policies exclude coverage in the United States).
• If you have a pre-existing condition (like diabetes or heart issues), ask if the policy will cover you. A pre-existing condition is a health problem you already had when your trip started, even if you didn’t have the condition at the time you purchased your insurance.

If you don’t understand something about your travel insurance quote, read over the sample policy, or give the insurer a quick call. It’s much better to ask early than to be stuck with a huge medical bill because of a misunderstanding.

The easiest way to compare Canadian travel insurance rates is to use a comparison website.

Comparison websites, like RATESDOTCA, 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.

Click here to learn more on the RATESDOTCA website.