A multitude of things can happen to your baggage while you travel. Your baggage could be delayed, damaged or even lost. By insuring your baggage, you are protected from the unexpected cost of replacing your belongings, up to the coverage amount purchased.

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You should purchase baggage insurance any time you are planning to check-in any baggage. This option should be strongly considered when you are aware of any lay-overs or connecting flights. It is especially crucial to have when you are planning to embark on a cruise.

A Canadian passport is the only documentation accepted as proof of your Canadian citizenship and identity in all countries, and should therefore be brought with you at all times when traveling abroad. Children must also have their own passport as it is no longer acceptable to simply add their name to a parent’s passport. To learn more about Canadian passports, visit the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Passports-FAQ.

Yes, in order to avoid frustrating delays in the case of an emergency, you should always carry the details of your insurance with you; whether it be the actual policy or simply a wallet card displaying your name and policy number. It may also be helpful to tell a friend or a relative, both at home and at your destination, how to contact your insurer. NEVER carry your passport, travel tickets, ID, cash, credit cards and insurance documents together. Doing so leaves you at risk for identity theft and complete loss of your resources.

The chaos of vacation planning can be overwhelming and in the midst of confirming flights and hotels, many forget to insure their most valuable asset – their health. Unexpected accidents or illnesses can happen at any time, regardless of your location.

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while travelling outside of the province. At best, your Medicare Card will cover only a portion of the bill.

It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary travel insurance policy as some credit card companies offer their cardholders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies require an additional premium to include travel coverage. Others require that you pay for your travel arrangements using that specific card. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirement before departure. Some hospitals may even refuse to admit you unless you are able to present proof of insurance or are able to pay for their services on the spot. Such situations can be easily avoided by purchasing the appropriate coverage for your specific needs abroad.

Be sure to ask what is included within your policy. For example:

• Does the insurer provide a worldwide emergency hotline that I can call if I am in need of emergency services?
• Is the Emergency Assistance Centres open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
• Will I be served in my language?
• Are the operators qualified to help me in case of a serious medical issue?
• Will I have to pay out-of-pocket directly and wait to be reimbursed by the insurance company or do I give the hospital/medical centre my insurance card and let them handle it?
• Does my insurance provide medical evacuation if necessary?
• Does it pay for a doctor or nurse to accompany me if evacuated? (This can cost as much as $100,000 without insurance)
• Are there any exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions?
• If I should pass away while travelling will my coverage pay for my remains to be brought back to Canada? (This can cost as much as $10,000 without insurance)

Whether travelling by plane, train, boat, car or even motorcycle the right insurance is available to cover your specific needs.

By planning ahead you can protect yourself, your family and your finances while putting your mind at ease and truly enjoying your travels.

Trip cancellation insurance provides coverage if you are unable to travel due to:

• an unexpected injury/health issue suffered by you or your travel companion;
• an unexpected death in the family or your travel companion’s family
• a warning issued by Foreign Affairs and Int’l Trade Canada, etc.

There are numerous acceptable reasons for cancellation and this varies between different insurance companies.  Cancellation insurance will reimburse any monetary loss you’ve incurred, up to the policy’s maximum.

You may find you need cancellation insurance when you purchase a trip well in advance. The risk for any of the above-mentioned issues will naturally be higher. For example, should you break your leg before your trip, you may not be inclined to go play in the sand with a cast. An example of interruption insurance could be: while travelling, you are advised that a natural disaster caused your principal residence to become uninhabitable, so you will inevitably decide to return home. In this instance, interruption insurance will provide you with an economy class plane ticket to return home.

International travel can present serious health risks if you have not been appropriately immunized. You should have a brief risk assessment with your physician several weeks prior to your departure. This will ensure that you are adequately protected. For example: proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required to enter certain countries, so a little research on your destination will likely save you from headaches or possible illnesses while on travelling abroad.