Emergency medical coverage on many cards stops at a certain age or duration. Some cards only cover trip interruption, not trip cancellation prior to departure. The majority of claims occur prior to departure. Some cards will not cover ANY pre-existing conditions regardless of stability. You may not be covered if a family member who is not travelling with you gets sick or injured and you have to cancel your trip.

Many people assume that all their costs will be covered if they are in an accident or have an emergency while out of their province of residence but still within Canada. Government health insurance plans (MSP in BC) do not cover all emergency medical expenses incurred outside your province or territory of residence. Often, they will only cover a portion. Government health insurance will also often not pay for emergency transportation such as ambulances (land and air) ,prescription drugs required, trip cancellation and interruption expenses (hotels, meals etc.) or loss or damage to your personal property, such as luggage or video camera. Many people do not realize the extra expenses involved in emergencies can be enormous, even while still in Canada.

You need to be financially protected against the cost of unexpected emergencies that may happen prior to or during your trip. You protect your home and your belongings, so why not your vacation? You don’t want to worry about anything when you travel. No one expects to have a medical emergency away from home, or to have to cancel a trip due to an unforeseen emergency. But events happen, even to the most well-prepared travelers. You just never know.