Canadians Travelling Abroad? Double Check Your Credit Card Travel Plan
Travel insurance? No problem, it's covered by my credit card. But is it? Seeing the world beyond your doorstep costs money, so you may be tempted to rely on your credit card coverage for your travel insurance. The insurance may be "free," but will it have the coverage you need? Ask you credit card company the following questions to make sure you have the protection you need.
Are you covered for emergency medical care after you arrive at your destination? You need to be certain that not only do you have emergency medical protection when travelling to and from the airport, while travelling on the plane or in the taxi, but also protection if you suffer an accident or become ill after arriving at the destination. Expenses may not be covered. And if there is one reason to buy travel insurance, this is it. For a simple trip across the U.S Canada border, hospital costs can approach thousands of dollars a day. If you're in doubt, take the time to check and know how much coverage you have before leaving is infinitely better than being under or uninsured when an emergency happens.
Are there any restrictions or exclusions based on your age and health? Some travel insurance companies offer the option of a medical questionnaire for individuals 61 years of age or older with a chronic illness. This is not always available with credit card coverage.
In case of a medical emergency, will you have to guarantee and pay on site the fees charged by the health care provider? To the extent possible, most individual travel insurance companies will arrange a direct payment to you. And they will coordinate the claim with your Canadian provincial or territorial government health insurance plan.A creditr card plan may not have this benefit.
What if you can't go on your trip for some unforeseen reason? Does it include cancellation insurance before departure as well as interruption insurance during the trip? When booking your tickets, you may need to purchase additional protection, depending on the cost of the trip. You should check your credit card to see if it includes Trip Interruption or Cancellation coverage and, if so, whether the maximums are sufficient to protect your investment. If you have to return home because of a sick relative or death in the family, interruption insurance can help pay for some of the costs and help you resume their journey.
Are your "adventure" activities covered?You should verify whether your credit card travel insurance includes options for things like winter sports.
Does the insurance coverage include baggage loss, theft, or damage? Check whether the credit card travel insurance includes benefits like replacing sporting equipment or laptops. Many travelers may be concerned about baggage coverage. Remind yourself that it's important, but emergency medical is the most important component, because things can be replaced, while health can't.
Are the people travelling with you also insured? Some credit card travel insurance does not cover large families. Depending on your choice of coverage.
Can you receive assistance wherever you are in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Check whether the credit card travel insurance offers a "free call" number in multiple countries should a claim become necessary.
Basic credit card travel coverage can be retty basic. Before you take your next trip, make an appointment to read through the information that comes with your credit card to make certain you know what you are covered for and when you are covered. It is your responsibility to verify that the credit card coverage permits a top-up with another insurer without affecting the base plan.
Are you covered for emergency medical care after you arrive at your destination? You need to be certain that not only do you have emergency medical protection when travelling to and from the airport, while travelling on the plane or in the taxi, but also protection if you suffer an accident or become ill after arriving at the destination. Expenses may not be covered. And if there is one reason to buy travel insurance, this is it. For a simple trip across the U.S Canada border, hospital costs can approach thousands of dollars a day. If you're in doubt, take the time to check and know how much coverage you have before leaving is infinitely better than being under or uninsured when an emergency happens.
Are there any restrictions or exclusions based on your age and health? Some travel insurance companies offer the option of a medical questionnaire for individuals 61 years of age or older with a chronic illness. This is not always available with credit card coverage.
In case of a medical emergency, will you have to guarantee and pay on site the fees charged by the health care provider? To the extent possible, most individual travel insurance companies will arrange a direct payment to you. And they will coordinate the claim with your Canadian provincial or territorial government health insurance plan.A creditr card plan may not have this benefit.
What if you can't go on your trip for some unforeseen reason? Does it include cancellation insurance before departure as well as interruption insurance during the trip? When booking your tickets, you may need to purchase additional protection, depending on the cost of the trip. You should check your credit card to see if it includes Trip Interruption or Cancellation coverage and, if so, whether the maximums are sufficient to protect your investment. If you have to return home because of a sick relative or death in the family, interruption insurance can help pay for some of the costs and help you resume their journey.
Are your "adventure" activities covered?You should verify whether your credit card travel insurance includes options for things like winter sports.
Does the insurance coverage include baggage loss, theft, or damage? Check whether the credit card travel insurance includes benefits like replacing sporting equipment or laptops. Many travelers may be concerned about baggage coverage. Remind yourself that it's important, but emergency medical is the most important component, because things can be replaced, while health can't.
Are the people travelling with you also insured? Some credit card travel insurance does not cover large families. Depending on your choice of coverage.
Can you receive assistance wherever you are in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Check whether the credit card travel insurance offers a "free call" number in multiple countries should a claim become necessary.
Basic credit card travel coverage can be retty basic. Before you take your next trip, make an appointment to read through the information that comes with your credit card to make certain you know what you are covered for and when you are covered. It is your responsibility to verify that the credit card coverage permits a top-up with another insurer without affecting the base plan.
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