Travel insurance: an ounce of prevention
Travel insurance: an ounce of prevention
Extrait
You put a lot of time and energy into planning your trip. But what about your travel insurance?
Fortunately, when it comes to cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost baggage, peace of mind is just a phone call away.
According to The Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA), in 2013 nearly 40% of Quebecers travelled to the U.S. or another Canadian province without travel insurance coverage.
Why buy travel insurance?
Travel insurance protects you against unexpected emergency expenses associated with medical care as a result of an illness or accident, or even expenses incurred as a result of a death outside the country.
The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) doesn’t always provide full reimbursement for expenses incurred in these types of situations. What’s more, healthcare costs are typically higher outside Quebec than they are here at home.
It is therefore essential to purchase private travel insurance to cover all or part of any expenses not reimbursed by the Régie. Taking out travel insurance before you leave will spare you any unpleasant or unexpected surprises.
A few examples
Medical treatment in the USA
| Urinaire tract infection | Food poisoning | Ear infection |
|---|---|---|
| Billed in CAD | Billed in CAD | Billed in CAD |
| $600 + prescription drugs | $750 | $1,250 |
| Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ | Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ | Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ |
| $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Amount payable by uninsured patient | Amount payable by uninsured patient | Amount payable by uninsured patient |
| $575 | $ 725 | $1,225 |
| Fall witch no broken bones | Pneumonia | Stroke |
|---|---|---|
| Billed in CAD | Billed in CAD | Billed in CAD |
| No surgery required $30,000 |
$35 000 | $62,000 |
| Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ | Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ | Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ |
| $50 | $400/day or $2,400 /6-day hospitalization | $400/day or $2,000 /12-day hospitalization |
| Amount payable by uninsured patient | Amount payable by uninsured patient | Amount payable by uninsured patient |
| $29,950 | $32,600 | $ 57,200 |
| Heart attack (without bypass) | Heart attack (with bypass) |
|---|---|
| Billed in CAD | Billed in CAD |
| $ 100,000 | $ 305,000 |
| Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ | Maximum reimbursed by RAMQ |
| $400/day or $2,000 /5-day hospitalization | $400/day or $9,200 /23-day hospitalization |
| Amount payable by uninsured patient | Amount payable by uninsured patient |
| $ 98,000 | $ 295,800 |
I am a Quebec resident. Why purchase insurance for travel within Canada?
All Canadians have health insurance. However, coverage under public plans varies from one province or territory to the next. Therefore, coverage for medical care and prescription drugs may not be the same.
When you compare the minimal cost of travel insurance to that of receiving medical care outside Quebec, it’s hard to imagine doing without. So be sure your packing list includes travel insurance with emergency medical coverage, and enjoy your trip!
*You may already have travel insurance coverage through a group or other insurance plan. Contact a SecuriGlobe : Travel Insurance agent for more information and to find out whether you need complementary coverage for the duration of your trip.*
**Certain limitations may apply depending on your insurance policy. Please contact your insurance representative for more information.
