Travel Insurance and COVID-19
Travel insurance.
For many Canadians who have been anxiously awaiting to return to travel, the news of the Canadian government no longer advising against non-essential travel is exciting, yet the planning or booking of future travel should be done cautiously as the pandemic is not over.
Travellers need to understand how the border requirements and regulations are continually changing travel. As a reminder, travel advisories are issued for many reasons and coverage restrictions apply based on the travel advisory. It is important for travellers to always monitor Global Affairs Canada as a trusted source of travel advice by visiting travel.gc.ca.
Protecting the safety of CAA travellers
Travellers still need to be mindful of the risks of travelling internationally at this time. It is important to research the destination’s COVID-19 situation before booking to understand the type, timing and costs of COVID-19 tests that may be required. Confirm your ticket’s change, cancellation, or refund policies in case of a disruption on your trip.
The removal of the Level 3 COVID-19 global travel advisory (avoid non-essential travel) applies to all travellers, regardless of vaccination status (fully, partial, or unvaccinated).
CAA Travel Insurance emergency medical plans include coverage for COVID-19 related illnesses that may occur when travelling, no matter vaccination status, at a time when the Canadian government no longer has a Level 3 travel advisory (i.e., ‘Avoid non-essential travel’) for COVID-19.
If the Canadian government re-issues another Level 3 advisory related to COVID, CAA Travel Insurance Emergency Medical plans will continue to include coverage up to $2.5 million CAD if partially vaccinated, or up to $5 million CAD if fully vaccinated, for COVID-19 related illnesses that may occur when travelling. Please click here to read the policy endorsement to make sure you meet the requirements before you travel.
Due to the continuously changing circumstances, it’s also recommended to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance when travelling again. Having this coverage in case you do run into a problem can provide you more peace of mind.
CAA Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage provides both Cancel for Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason coverage, along with Denied Boarding/Entry provided government requirements are followed.
CAA has identified key considerations that potential travellers may not be aware of
Anyone who is considering travel should make sure they prepare by planning in advance and remember that travel requirements and regulations are continually changing.
Key Considerations for Travel and COVID-19
Important information to consider:
- If a destination experiences a significant increase in COVID cases, local governments can prioritize citizens over tourists, should health services become strained, leaving Canadian travellers without the necessary support in a time of need regardless of one’s insurance coverage.
- Concerns around the availability of care at a destination applies to any ailment, including but not limited to COVID-19.
- Many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines.
- The Canadian government advises that if you choose to travel, you should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departing. Be aware that although you are better protected against serious illness if you are vaccinated, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. If you’re unvaccinated, you remain at increased risk of being infected with and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 when travelling internationally. You should continue avoiding non-essential travel to all destinations.
We have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions below to help serve you better.
FAQs.
It is always best to ensure that when you're planning a trip to first check if there are any travel advisories issued by Global Affairs Canada for the destination you want to visit. There are four Government of Canada travel advisory levels:
- Exercise normal security precautions (Level 1)
- Exercise a high degree of caution (Level 2)
- Avoid non-essential travel (Level 3)
- Avoid all travel (Level 4)
Yes, CAA does. CAA’s Trip Cancellation and Interruption plan have many great flexible benefits. A few of them are:
- The Cancel For Any Reason benefit allows you to book a trip, which can include flights, hotels, tours and if on the day of departure, you feel unsettled about going, you can cancel your trip and receive a refund of up to 50% of what you spent. Better yet, if you have this travel insurance and booked your trip with CAA Travel, you would get back up to 75%. However, the Cancel For Any Reason benefit is only appliable if you purchased your policy within 72 hours of booking your travel arrangements and there is no government travel advisory Level 3 or 4 in place. Refer to page 30 in our policy guide.
- The Interruption For Any Reason benefit provides you the ability to return home due to any unforeseen interruption once you’ve been at your destination for a minimum of 48 hours. Again, check to see if, upon booking your trip and purchasing the Trip Cancellation and Interruption plan, there is no government travel advisory at a Level 3 or 4 for the destination you plan to visit. Click here to review the endorsement.
- The Denied Boarding/Entry benefit helps with the unplanned expenses of failing mandated tests at screening checkpoints, which is a fact of travel for the foreseeable future. If you’re denied entry at customs or security checkpoints due to health regulations set by government authorities, this coverage can help protect your travel investment and extra costs associated with delayed travel.
Yes, if the government issued travel advisory is at a Level 1 or Level 2.
Unfortunately, if the government re-issues a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory related to COVID, you will not be covered. To be eligible for COVID coverage, you must adhere to the COVID-19 vaccination protocols and schedules outlined by the Ministry of Health and receive at least one Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination 14 days or more prior to your departure date.
- If there is no Level 3 or 4 travel advisory issued for COVID at time of booking your trip, then yes everyone in your family will be covered for any COVID-19 related illnesses.
- If the Government re-issues a Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel for COVID-19), and both you and your spouse have received at least one Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination 14 days or more prior to your departure and your children do not meet Health Canada's minimum age requirement for a COVID-19 vaccination, everyone is eligible and covered for any COVID-19 related illnesses.
Yes, you can purchase an extension/Top Up to the original policy while at the destination, as long as no claims have been made. Read the COVID-19 coverage conditions.
Please note, if your policy is set to expire, you will need to speak with your travel insurance professional for extension or top up & coverage clarification.