4 Travel Insurance Policies to Consider When You Leave the Country
Travelling is exciting: it means you're visiting new places, meeting new people and trying new things. As fun as travelling is, there's also a serious side. In life we just never know what can happen – and that's why it's a good idea to buy travel insurance before you leave.
Whether you're travelling across the border to the United States, down south to an exotic location or across the Atlantic, you'll want to consider different types of travel insurance policies to meet all your needs. Travellers have the option to buy full or partial insurance coverage depending on what you need, as well as the other coverage you may have with third parties, such as your employer and credit card providers.
Review all of your policies and fill in gaps where needed. This way you can take off on vacation with the comfort of knowing you and your family are safe in case you have an emergency or tragic event while travelling.
Which one of these travel insurance policies is right for you?
Out of country emergency medical insurance
According to the Government of Canada comprehensive medical insurance is a must when travelling outside of the country. “Your travel insurance should include health, life and disability coverage that will help you avoid large expenses, such as the cost of hospitalization or medical treatment outside Canada."
Flight delay or cancellation insurance
If you're hopping on a plane for your next vacation you'll want to have flight delay or cancellation insurance to protect you in case you can't make it to your destination on time. When it comes to being in the air, you never know what can happen. Weather and other circumstances can cause flights to be delayed or cancelled.
It can be expensive to book hotel stays or change accommodations at the last minute and I'm sure the last thing you want to do is spend a night or two in the airport. Flight delay or cancellation insurance can help cover the costs of hotel nights and rebooking fees if your original itinerary is interrupted due to circumstances beyond your control. It’s one of those travel insurance policies that you’re likely to be happy about if things become inconvenient.
Baggage loss or damage insurance
Could you imagine anything worse than arriving at your vacation destination, going to the baggage claim, and waiting to grab your bags – only to realize they didn't make the flight? If your luggage has ever been lost at the airport you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's a total nightmare.
I've had my luggage lost three times in the last four years. All three times, my baggage was lost by the same airline who shall remain nameless. I had to go to Target (I was in Las Vegas) and buy basic personal care items such as a hairbrush and other feminine products. This is exactly why now I always travel with a pair of underwear and socks in my carry-on.
If you're planning a vacation, get a quote on different travel insurance policies to ensure that you are ready for just about anything.