Those travelling outside Canada are well aware of the importance of having adequate travel insurance in case something happens during their journey. What many people didn’t know that that travel insurance can also come in handy when travelling within the country.
Here we’ll explore the role of travel insurance within Canada and why you should consider purchasing it even if you’re travelling from one province to another.
Medical Expense Coverage in Canada
In most provinces, there is provincial health coverage, which takes care of medical expenses you incur within the province. However, it might not cover unexpected medical expenses you incur in other provinces.
While in some provinces, there are comprehensive health insurance plans that can cover some out-of-province medical expenses, you’ll be still paying out of pocket for some bills in case you require urgent medical attention.
For example, if you travel to another province and you get into an accident and are taken to the hospital by ambulance, the ambulance costs will not be covered by your province’s insurance plan. Depending on the province, (ground) ambulance costs can go up to several hundred dollars.
If you have to be lifted by air ambulance, you might be looking at an ambulance bill of several thousand dollars. By purchasing travel insurance when travelling interprovincially, you could save yourself from incurring this tremendous expense and focus on your recovery.
Moreover, if you suffer an accident or fall ill outside your province and your medical team recommends transferring you back to your home province, you’re looking into even more expenses.
Other expenses you might incur without supplemental travel insurance when travelling outside your province may include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Prescription medication
- Dental emergency interventions
- Medical supplies
- Any treatment provided by a health care practitioner, including nurses, physical therapists, physicians and physician assistants
Fees for these products and services can also range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The rules and regulations regarding how much you pay and for what services, vary between the Canadian provinces and territories.
For example, visitors to Ontario might be exempt from paying for ambulance services if they are fully insured under their home province health care plan, the transport is deemed medically necessary by a physician (for example, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes), and you’re being transported between hospitals (either to your home province or a hospital in Ontario).
If the transport isn’t medically necessary or you are being transported to another location, you’ll pay the full costs without travel insurance.
Due to the reciprocal agreements existing between the provinces, any medical expenses you incur in a specific province or territory will be sent to the local health care insurance plan. Then, the local provincial insurance will bill you if you don’t have travel insurance.
In some cases, like in Quebec, for example, you need to pay your medical expenses (except in emergency situations) upfront. In this case, you can submit your medical expense claim to your provincial insurer.
However, because there are often variations between the billing rates of the provinces and territories, your insurer might only repay you based on their local going rate, and you will be out of pocket for the difference. This is another expense you can save yourself from by purchasing supplemental travel insurance.
Travel Protection Covers Additional Expenses
For all the reasons mentioned above, whenever you leave your home province, it’s crucial to get comprehensive travel insurance, and not just because you might face an unexpected illness or injury.
Travel medical insurance will cover your ground and air ambulance costs, emergency dental and hospital care (including medication, diagnostics, and hospital room charges), ongoing physician fees and childcare fees if you don’t have anyone to leave your child with while hospitalized.
However, it will also reimburse you for any expenses you incur while being transported or travelling back after suffering an insured loss.
This may include the cost of a travel companion, vehicle return if you can’t return your rental car due to injury, and repatriation costs. The full scope and costs of coverage depend on your insurer, so make sure you check this before purchasing a travel insurance policy.
Make sure you evaluate your risks and potential medical needs before travelling interprovincial within Canada and choose a policy that will meet your foreseeable and unforeseeable needs. Feel free to shop around to make informed decisions.
The best travel insurance will be bolstered by emergency assistance services you can reach at all times, so if you do suffer an accident or loss when visiting another province or territory, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ll get the help you need, and won’t run into obstacles due to insufficient insurance coverage.
As with the likes of critical illness cover and disability insurance, it’s important to make an informed decision about the right insurance coverage for you. However, travel insurance within Canada makes a lot of sense if you want financial protection.
Final Thoughts
Despite popular belief, travel insurance isn’t only recommended for those travelling outside Canada. Your regular health insurance may not cover some of your medical and related expenses in another province, although this varies between the different provinces.
Still, to be sure and have a smooth trip within Canada, it’s a good idea to purchase a travel insurance policy wherever you go. If you need travel insurance or are simply looking for more advice, contact Buckler Insurance today to see how we can help.
