Get travel coverage through Kanetix.ca quickly and easily.

With more and more options available for travel insurance coverage these days, who can keep track of all the particulars? What do you pay for exactly? Who needs travel insurance coverage anyways? If you've started shopping around for vacation coverage and are trying to understand it all, then you've found the right resource.

Types of travel insurance coverage and what's included

Essentially there are 3 different types of travel insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation & interruption, and baggage loss, damage & delay insurance. Each can usually be purchased separately or can be bundled into one all inclusive travel insurance policy meeting the full travel insurance coverage needs of every individual.

Emergency medical travel insurance coverage is travel health insurance coverage should you become suddenly ill or injured while away on holiday and are in need of medical attention. It provides coverage for sudden and unexpected medical emergencies. Different travel insurance companies cover different amounts. Typical travel insurance medical coverage limits are $1 million, $2 million and $5 million. What's the difference you ask? Well, that depends on you really. The more the vacation coverage the bigger cushion you have in case you have to make a claim.

Key items covered in most emergency medical travel insurance coverage policies are hospitalization, medical treatment by a physician or surgeon, X-rays and other diagnostic tests, prescription medication, and emergency dental care. Anything over and above these, like pet return, child care during hospital admittance, or meals and accommodation for travel companions are often included in what are called "deluxe", "gold", or comprehensive plans; not all travel insurance medical coverage policies include these extras so make sure you read the policy before buying. These travel health insurance coverage packages-the comprehensive, gold or deluxe-may cost a bit more than those that only cover the basics but if it's important to you then it's well worth it for the peace of mind.

Trip cancellation travel coverage is just that - vacation coverage if your trip needs to be cancelled. Policies vary but trip cancellation insurance typically covers you if you (or your travelling companion) suddenly fall ill or are injured and are admitted to hospital; there's an unexpected death in the immediate family; you're called to jury duty; or, if the Canadian government issues a travel advisory regarding your destination, for example. Usually trip cancellation travel coverage is bundled with trip interruption coverage; meaning you're covered if you need to cut your trip short for a reason detailed in your policy (for both trip cancellation and trip interruption look at the "Insured Risks" portion of the policy.)

Tip: Before settling on and buying a particular trip cancellation policy, read the policy wording first (at Kanetix you can view all of the policies online prior to purchasing so you can pick the one that is right for you.) Some trip cancellation polices require that the coverage be purchased around the same time as paying for your vacation (anywhere from within 48 hours up to 7 days depending on the provider.)

Baggage protection travel coverage protects your baggage in two ways. The first deals with loss of luggage. This type of travel insurance coverage will usually reimburse you up to $500 to $1000 if your luggage is lost in transit. If your luggage is delayed (usually by more than 12 hours), you'll also be covered; however the maximum amount is usually less than if it were a total loss. The second deals with damage to your luggage and its contents while in transit. If your luggage, or its contents, are damaged while in the possession of the company you're travelling with you'll typically be covered up to $500 to $1000. But make sure to read the policy as all travel insurance coverage companies are different with their travel coverage amounts.

Baggage protection also typically includes coverage for the costs associated with replacing your passport, driver's licence, birth certificate or travel visa should they be lost or stolen while on holiday.

Getting travel insurance coverage: Next steps

So now you know what's what; you know the basics about travel insurance coverage, specifically emergency medical travel insurance coverage, trip cancellation & interruption, and baggage loss, damage & delay insurance. What's next?

Find out if you're already covered and if you are go over the policy's details. Is your spouse covered? How about the kids? Is there a limit to the number of days you can be away? Bottom line - make sure any existing coverage is adequate.

What to look for in a travel insurance policy

Travel insurance plans are not created equal. Read the policy and ask questions like:

  • What is the maximum amount your policy will pay?
  • Will you need to pay a deductible? If so, how much?
  • Does the policy restrict your participation in certain sports or activities?
  • Is there 24-hour assistance in the case of a medical emergency?
  • If you opt to stay out of the country longer than expected, how will this affect your coverage? Can you extend it?
  • What do you have to do if you need medical attention?
  • Do you need to pay for medical services upfront?
  • What happens if your flight is cancelled due to weather?
  • Are you covered if your airline goes bankrupt?

Be prepared to answer some questions, too. The cost and extent of coverage depends on things like your health, your age, any medication you take, where you're going and how long you'll be away. Answer all questions accurately and completely, not doing so could be costly should you end up needing to make use of your travel insurance coverage.

Type of policies available and what they include: Travel insurance options for Canadians

Travel insurance shoppers at Kanetix.ca can get quotes for up to 7 people and you can get quotes for:

Single trip emergency medical insurance policies: These policies provide emergency travel health insurance coverage for a specific set of days with known departure and return dates. Single trip insurance policies are probably the best-known type of travel insurance medical coverage; however, if you travel often purchasing an annual multi-trip insurance policy could provide you with significant savings.

Multi-trip emergency medical insurance policies: Having multiple-trip emergency medical travel insurance coverage means that for one annual rate, you will have emergency medical travel health insurance coverage for every trip you take within the year. Travel insurance quotes for annual policies through Kanetix are available in 15-day and 16-day periods.

All inclusive travel insurance policies: All inclusive policies cover most of the unwelcome events that a traveller could face with the convenience of one purchase. All inclusive travel insurance is often a good value when compared to standalone policies. They provide not only the basics like emergency travel insurance medical coverage, but also trip cancellation & trip interruption insurance, coverage for baggage loss or baggage delay, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and more, depending on the policy.

Trip cancellation & interruption: Trip cancellation & interruption insurance can be purchased on its own as a standalone policy. Usually those who buy it already have sufficient emergency medical travel insurance.

Top up insurance: A top-up policy is purchased by travellers who already have emergency medical travel insurance coverage, although not for the full duration of the trip. Purchased prior to departure, it comes into effect after the original policy expires providing coverage for the remainder of the trip. Who needs top up travel health insurance coverage? Usually people who have coverage through work or a credit card but it limits the days you can be away.

Getting the Best Travel Insurance Coverage at the Lowest Price

Just like auto insurance, travel insurance coverage comes with many options that you can choose to include in your package, or not. When you use Kanetix.ca you get to compare the travel insurance coverage and costs, side by side - and then you decide to buy or not.

Getting travel insurance quotes at Kanetix also means you can choose the level of coverage you need. You can get travel insurance quotes for basic travel insurance medical coverage that covers the essentials to one that offers more benefits and higher limits. Visitors can review the highlights of each travel insurance plan before purchasing so they are comfortable with the level of travel medical coverage they will have before travelling. If you're a Canadian going out of province or abroad and you need travel insurance coverage, be sure that you're getting the best travel coverage at the lowest price possible by comparing competing travel insurance policies.

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