Travelling is fun, but unplanned happenings transform the dream vacation into a quick nightmare. That’s where Travel Insurance steps in. While the comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy gives peace of mind, not everything is covered. It is thus important to understand the exclusions of Travel Insurance Plans before you buy Travel Insurance online or from a Travel Insurance Agent. This blog will look at some common exclusions to Travel Insurance Policies. It will help you make sense of what to look out for when seeking a Travel Insurance Quote in Canada.
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions
One of the largest exclusions to most Travel Insurance Policies sold in Canada is pre-existing medical conditions. Normally, if you have a medical condition that existed before you bought your policy and flared up when you are traveling, then with most policies, it will not be covered. It’s very important to know how pre-existing conditions are treated in the fine print of your Travel Insurance Plan since a few plans include coverage under certain stipulations.
- Travel for Medical Treatment
Standard Travel Insurance Policies will not cover you if the purpose of your trip is to obtain medical treatment abroad. You will need to acquire specialized medical Travel Insurance in such a case. Regular Travel Insurance Plans are usually designed for vacationers, business trips, or casual visits—not travelling for medical procedures.
- High-Risk Activities
This is one very significant point: some Travel Insurance Plans don’t cover high-risk activities. High-risk activities that mean potential danger to life, like bungee jumping, scuba diving, mountain climbing, or any kind of professional sports, usually are not meant to be covered under most Travel Insurance Policies since they increase the chance of getting hurt. Just make sure, before you go skydiving in the Rockies or surfing in Tofino, that it’s covered in your Travel Insurance Policy, or maybe extra coverage is a good investment.
- Alcohol and Drug-Related Incidents
Most Canadian Travel Insurance Policies exclude accidents that occur due to alcohol or drug use. In such a case, if you have an accident or suffer some injury while intoxicated, Canadian insurance providers are very likely to turn down your claim for compensation. This type of exclusion is part of the standard clause since the insurers intend that the policyholder be duly responsible during travel.
- Natural Disasters Known in Advance
Most Travel Insurance products for Canadians address unforeseen events like earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis that cause disruption to your travel plans. That said, if there is a forecast for a specific event at the time you buy your policy, related claims may not then be covered. For instance, if you purchase Travel Insurance after an announcement has been made about a hurricane, you will not be covered for any claims arising from that particular event.
- Travel to High-Risk Destinations
Most Canadian Travel Insurance Providers exclude countries or states with travel advisories from the Canadian government. The moment you enter a country where this has been issued due to political instability, war, or ongoing health crises, your insurance policy will not cover you.
- Personal Belongings Left Unattended
It is quite a common situation for luggage to become lost or stolen during travelling, but if you leave it somewhere in an unsupervised public place, then there is no claim. Most Travel Insurance Plans usually assure coverage as long as you are acting with reasonable care toward your property. You are probably not insured against loss if you leave your bags in the lounge at either an airport or station.
- Work-Related Cancellations
Typically, in Canada, Travel Insurance will give you your money back should you cancel as a result of illness, injury, or even loss of a family member. Generally, however, if you’re purchasing the policy because it’s required for work or business purposes, most policies don’t pay out in the event that you have to cancel the trip for work. Some insurers do offer extra coverage for cancellations due to work; should your job require a lot on the flexibility side, this could be an extra when making a purchase.
- Pandemic Coverage
The COVID-19 pandemic has showered a good deal of publicity on the rather innocuous term “pandemic coverage” in Travel Insurance. Much of the plans in Travel Insurance have moved with the times and do cover COVID-19-related issues, while others might not when it comes to other pandemics or epidemics. Always check the latest inclusions and exclusions related to health crises when obtaining a Travel Insurance Quote.
- Legal and Criminal Proceedings
Travel Insurance Plans generally do not bear legal troubles that arise while travelling. Travel Insurance will almost never be able to cover the costs of arrest or payment for legal fines. The best bet is to be conversant with the local laws and abide by them.
The Bottom Line
Know what is not covered; this is an important consideration when it comes to Travel Insurance. If planning to buy Travel Insurance online, make sure to read the exclusions section and speak to Travel Insurance Agents about specific concerns or needs. Knowing what limitations exist to your coverage will help you select the best policy for your travels and prevent any shocks while out of your home country. Be it in strolling down the cobblestone streets of Quebec City or in the vast vistas of Alberta, be sure a sound travel insurer from Canada has your back in case of an emergency.
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