TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Aug. 21, 2012) – With more than half
(52 per cent)* of Canadians intending to take a vacation outside the
country this winter, it’s important for travellers to be aware that
provincial health insurance pays only a small portion of out-of-country
medical expenses.
“It’s necessary to have private travel insurance to be fully protected
against unexpected medical emergencies encountered during foreign or
inter-provincial travel,” says Martha Turnbull, past president of the
Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA).
A registered nurse, as well as a travel insurance professional, Ms.
Turnbull cautions travellers that although travel insurance plans have
generous benefits, they have exclusions and limitations, and it’s especially
important to know the state of one’s own health when buying insurance.
Ms. Turnbull suggests the following guidelines for travellers assessing
and buying travel insurance.
Know your own health:
Know what conditions your doctor is treating you for, what medications
you have been prescribed, if and when changes have been made to your
medications (your pharmacist can help).
Ask for the results of any investigations, tests, specialists’ findings
or why you are being referred to a specialist.
If you have any unanswered questions about your health, ask your doctor
to review your medical records with you.
Understand your insurance travel medical insurance policy:
Since every insurer has different approaches to covering pre-existing
conditions, it’s critical to read and understand the benefits, exclusions,
limitations, eligibility, and especially pre-existing conditions.
Understand key definitions such as: stable, controlled, treatment,
emergency.
Understand the definition of pre-existing condition because policies
vary among insurers. Some policies may cover pre-existing conditions
that are considered stable and controlled for a specific period (such
as 90 days) prior to departure or booking date (which applies to trip
cancellation & trip interruption coverage). Some may not cover any
pre-existing or related condition, so understand how this applies to
you.
When completing the travel insurance policy medical questionnaire,
take your time. Read it well. If you have any questions, contact the
issuing insurance company for clarification and don’t hesitate to ask
your doctor for help or for access to your medical records.
DO NOT minimize your health status to get a lower premium. Inaccurate
or incomplete answers could invalidate your claim and leave you stuck
with the bill.
When insuring travel arrangements for trip cancellation or interruption
benefits:
Book your travel insurance as soon as you place a deposit on your trip
and try to purchase your travel using a major credit card. If the travel
supplier goes out of business or suspends operations, you may be
able to recover some of your costs through the credit card company.
Travel insurers do not cover financial solvency of airlines, cruise
lines or other travel suppliers.
If there is a change in your health or medication, or if you are referred
for tests or to a specialist, contact your insurance company to determine
if this could result in any changes to your coverage.
If you’re awaiting test results, a referral to a specialist, or a decision
on surgery, but want to book travel, consider it very carefully – it
may be better to delay your travel until after you are stable and
have recovered. Adds Ms. Turnbull: “Travel insurance plans are offered
by many different insurance companies in Canada and as such there are
many coverage, price and benefit options available. “To make the best
choice, you need to be informed and understand your insurance.
About THIA. THIA is the national organization representing travel insurers,
brokers, underwriters, re-insurers, emergency assistance companies,
air ambulance companies and allied services in the travel insurance
field.