Planning a winter getaway? Here’s why travel insurance matters

Once your flights and accommodations are booked, there’s another part of your travel plans worth considering: how you’ll handle the unexpected. (Supplied/CAA)

Whether your ideal winter escape involves relaxing somewhere warm, visiting family across the country or finally exploring a destination on your list, getting away can be one of the best ways to break up the season.

Once your flights and accommodations are booked, though, there’s another part of your travel plans worth considering: how you’ll handle the unexpected.

That’s where travel insurance can help. From an illness that changes your plans to a delayed flight or an unexpected medical emergency while you’re away, the right coverage can help protect both your trip and your wallet.

Start with the kind of trip you’re taking

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to travel insurance. The coverage that makes sense for a two-week beach vacation may be different from what you need for several shorter trips throughout the year.

CAA Travel Insurance offers a range of options, including comprehensive plans, family coverage, multi-trip plans, coverage for seniors and options for eligible pre-existing medical conditions.¹

Here are some of the types of coverage you may want to consider:

Emergency medical coverage: If you become sick or injured while travelling, eligible expenses can include hospital stays, emergency medical and dental treatment, COVID-19-related illnesses and air ambulance transportation. CAA Travel Insurance offers up to $10 million CAD in emergency medical coverage.²

Trip cancellation and interruption: If an unexpected event means you need to cancel your plans or return home early, eligible trip cancellation and interruption coverage can help with certain non-refundable expenses.

Multi-trip coverage: If you travel several times a year, a multi-trip plan can provide coverage for multiple trips without requiring you to arrange a new policy every time. Depending on the plan, trips can be covered for 4, 8, 15, 30 or 60 days.³

Family coverage: Travelling with the family? Family plans can cover three or more family members under one policy.⁴

The important thing is to consider where you’re going, how long you’ll be away and what you’ve already paid for before choosing your coverage.

Your existing insurance may not cover everything

It’s easy to assume you’re already protected if you have travel benefits through your credit card, employer or another insurance policy.

But coverage can vary considerably.

There may be limits on the amount covered, exclusions that apply to certain situations or conditions you need to meet before a benefit is available. Some policies may also have deductibles or require you to pay certain expenses yourself before being reimbursed.

Before your trip, take a few minutes to review the coverage you already have. CAA’s coverage checklist can help you identify what your existing insurance covers and where there may be gaps.

More flexibility when plans change

Sometimes, the reason for changing your travel plans isn’t something you could have predicted when you booked your trip.

CAA’s Cancel For Any Reason benefit is included with eligible trip cancellation and interruption insurance coverage. When purchased within 72 hours of booking your trip, it can allow you to cancel as late as three hours before departure for any reason and receive up to 75 per cent of eligible non-refundable trip costs back, provided you booked your travel with CAA.

For a winter trip that involves flights, hotels, activities and other prepaid expenses, that additional flexibility can be valuable.

Winter weather doesn’t always stick to the forecast

Of course, even when you’re ready to leave winter behind, winter weather may have other plans.

Snow and ice can cause flight delays and disrupt carefully planned itineraries. CAA’s Flight Delay Benefit provides automatic compensation when a covered event results in a flight delay of more than two hours.

Depending on the length of the delay, you could receive a lounge pass or $50 deposited into your bank account. If the delay reaches six hours or more, the benefit provides $150 per traveller.

There’s no claim required, everyone on the policy is eligible and the benefit isn’t restricted to select airports.

Stay covered while travelling within Canada

You don’t have to leave Canada to benefit from travel insurance.

If you’re travelling outside Ontario, OHIP may not cover every expense associated with an unexpected medical emergency. For example, ambulance transportation, air ambulance transportation and prescription drugs provided outside a hospital may not be covered.

OHIP has limited coverage outside Ontario, which means travel insurance can provide an additional layer of protection for eligible hospital, paramedical and emergency dental expenses.

So whether you’re trading snow boots for sandals or simply visiting another province, it’s worth considering what could happen if you need medical care while you’re away.

Give yourself one less thing to worry about

A winter getaway should be about enjoying the change of scenery, not spending your vacation wondering what happens if something goes wrong.

Before you leave, review your existing coverage, think about the specific needs of your trip and consider whether additional travel insurance makes sense for you.

With CAA Travel Insurance, CAA Members can save up to 20 per cent⁵ on their policy. You can also get an online quote in just a few minutes.

A little preparation before you leave can help you feel more confident about your plans, wherever your winter travels take you.

CAA Travel Insurance is provided by Orion Travel Insurance and underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire is required if you are 60 years of age and older. Quotes are valid for 30 days.

¹ To have your pre-existing medical condition covered by your travel insurance policy, the medical condition must be stable as defined by your policy. Please see the policy at caaneo.ca/policy for full details.

² Up to $10 million CAD. Maximum $25,000 for all Emergency Medical Insurance benefits for Canadian residents without active Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP); and/or without GHIP authorization to cover trip days in excess of 212 days in Ontario in a 12-month period. Everyday, Classic® and Plus® Members save 10 per cent. CAA Premier® Members save 20% at CAA Stores or by calling 1-800-267-8713. CAA Premier Members save 10 per cent and earn 10 per cent in CAA Dollars® when booking online.

³ Medical Multi-Trip Plans cover 4, 8, 15, 30 or 60 days per trip depending on the plan purchased. Top-Up coverage is available for longer trips. Coverage cannot extend beyond 365 days from departure date or effective date.

⁴ Family Coverage is available for 3 or more family members insured under one policy. Premium calculation for Emergency Medical Plans equals 2 times the premium of the eldest traveller and 2.75 times the premium of the eldest traveller for the Vacation Package Plans. Family pricing is not available for Trip Cancellation & Interruption Plan. For full Family Coverage details, please see our policy at caaneo.ca/policy.

⁵ Applies to CAA Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by Membership expiry date). Up to twenty percent (20 per cent) savings applies to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Subject to change without notice. Excludes Visitors to Canada Insurance. CAA Everyday, Classic® and Plus® Members save 10%. CAA Premier® Members save 20 per cent at CAA Stores or by calling 1-800-267-8713. CAA Premier Members save 10 per cent and earn 10% in CAA Dollars® when booking online.

®CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association.