Travel insurance and COVID-19
The federal government issued an official advisory to avoid all non-essential overseas travel, and that advisory is still in effect.
COVID-19 coverage for overseas medical care
Man preparing his valid with mask and disinfectant
Travel insurance has several components. The Emergency medical care component is the one that covers you if you are injured or if you fall ill abroad. The insurer takes care of assisting you, directing you to the required care, covering your medical expenses, repatriating you if necessary, etc.
Most insurers now cover COVID-19 through their base contract or in an endorsement (for a cost), despite government warnings and regardless of the reason for the trip. However, it is important to speak to your insurer to find out the maximum compensation for medical treatment related to COVID-19 and allowances in the event of prolonged hospitalization or complications.
Some travel insurance clauses remain the same, whether related to COVID or any other conditions deemed suspicious:
The traveler must not show symptoms of illness before departure;
The insurer may require you to interrupt your trip and return home if they deem the situation too risky.
What happens with people who are not vaccinated?
For people who are not vaccinated, it is essential to speak with a travel insurance agent in order to understand the risks on an upcoming trip to Canada or abroad. Insurers will determine whether or not they cover you for COVID-19.
COVID-19 screening tests: questions to ask your insurer
As of January 7, 2021, all travelers 5 years of age or older must show proof of negative COVID-19 test before boarding the plane back to Canada. Does your travel insurance cover the costs of this test? We invite you to contact your insurer for a precise answer, since each insurance has its own conditions and limitations. On the CAA-Quebec side, medical care must be categorized as "urgent" to be covered, which implies that a screening test not necessary for medical treatment, but required for boarding, for example, will not be covered. not covered.
Here are some ideas for questions to ask your insurer:
Are the costs of a test for COVID-19 abroad reimbursed by my travel insurance?
Will I be covered for emergency medical care if I develop symptoms of COVID-19 during my quarantine at destination?
Is a positive COVID-19 result automatically considered an emergency medical situation? Or does it only become one if I need hospital care or medication?
Will my Emergency Medical Coverage be extended automatically if I test positive for COVID-19 and need to stay in the country longer?
If I have to extend my stay because of a positive test, will I have to cover the living expenses (accommodation, meals, transportation) as well as the cost of rescheduling my plane ticket for the return?
Also, be aware that the assistance services of insurers can guide you, but without guarantee it is not certain that they will be able to suggest a place to take your screening test or that you will have access to the test. They may therefore recommend that you contact the country's health authorities. It is therefore wise, before your departure, to consult your travel advisor. Knowing about health measures, he will help you find a place to take your test.
Coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption Due to COVID-19
Family on a beach playing in the sand
On this point, all insurers agree: As long as there is a government notice in force, level 3 or 4, it is impossible to be compensated if a trip is canceled or interrupted. Here are some examples to guide you better:
You book the trip of your dreams to Provence when no notice is in effect and, unfortunately, the borders close before your departure or a new notice is issued, you will be covered by your cancellation insurance;
You book a trip when there is no notice. You arrive at your destination and there are still certain health measures, including a screening test to which you get a positive response, which forces you to extend your stay. Living expenses to get through these few days will be covered, as it was impossible for you to foresee that this could happen to you as no recommendation to avoid travel was issued prior to your departure;
You book a cruise
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