We all know how important it is to purchase travel protection when leaving the country. Cancellation and medical insurance comes in handy when something goes wrong.
However, many of us don’t even consider getting travel insurance when travelling within Canada.
But, do you actually need travel insurance to travel within Canada?
Provincial Health Insurance Coverage
When travelling within Canada, your provincial health plan offers basic coverage to reimburse the costs of a hospital visit following an accident or sudden illness.
Most Canadians assume that their provincial health insurance covers them anywhere in the country, but this coverage has limits you should know about before taking a trip to another province.
What is and isn’t covered when you head elsewhere in Canada will vary. Some provinces will not provide coverage for certain medical services like ground ambulance or air ambulance transportation.
Purchasing medical insurance when travelling within Canada is a good idea to ensure you've got your bases covered. Ambulance trips, emergency dental care, and medical devices are just a few examples of services not reimbursed by provincial health insurance plans.
Besides health and safety concerns, travel insurance can be helpful when it comes to travel-related situations. If you have a luggage delay, trip cancellation, flight delay, rental car fiasco, or family emergency, travel insurance will keep you covered during these unforeseen events.
Why You Should Consider Travel Insurance In Canada
Even though travel insurance is not an international prerequisite to entering Canada, there are several reasons why you should consider getting insurance coverage for your trips within the country.
1. Medical coverage: Whether you are travelling to Canada from another country, or simply travelling to a different province, travel insurance can cover you in the case of a medical emergency.
2. Unforeseen events: Travel insurance can cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, interruption protection, gear coverage, and emergency assistance. Basically, if things go horribly wrong, travel insurance can make things easier!
3. Travel advisories can affect your coverage: If the Canadian government issues a travel advisory for your destination, your insurance company may not pay your medical claim. Travel insurance can provide peace of mind and ensure you're covered even if the unexpected occurs.
4. Travel insurance can be tailored to your needs: There's no one-size-fits-all travel insurance policy, but luckily, we can help you find coverage that suits your specific needs. Whether you want full medical coverage or trip cancellation insurance, you can tailor your travel insurance to what you really need.
5. The cost of travel insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind: Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of your total pre-paid, nonrefundable trip cost. While it may seem like an extra expense, it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're protected.
Do I Need Travel Insurance To Travel Within Canada?
While it is not mandatory to have travel insurance when travelling within Canada, we highly recommend protecting yourself from unexpected medical expenses and travel disruptions.
As a Canadian traveller, it is essential to understand the limitations of your provincial health insurance plan and consider purchasing additional travel insurance to ensure a safe and worry-free trip within our beautiful country.
Remember to carefully research your needs and verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and requirements of your insurance policy before you leave.
If you need help finding a provider for domestic travel insurance, we can help.
More importantly, enjoy your travels and remember to have fun!