Travel and group insurance coverage

Article written by: Bianca Cloutier-Lamoureux

Have you recently joined your new employer’s group insurance or benefit from a retirement insurance plan? Please be aware that your insurance coverage may vary over time and may include general limitations and exclusions. With the help of our travel insurance experts, here are some tips to follow to be able to fully understand your travel insurance protection.

Facts
It is true that government health insurance covers part of the costs in the event of a claim abroad, however, certain costs may not be covered and result in significant out-of-pocket expenses, from a few hundreds to a few hundred thousand dollars !

Protections included in my group insurance?
Before starting your shopping process, it is important to know your needs, but especially your current insurance coverage. Usually, group insurance includes an emergency medical insurance component for travel, with varying durations and amounts of coverage. Make sure you know the limits of your group insurance policy before you travel.

If you would like to further enhance your protection, did you know that it is possible to add optional «non medical» coverage, offering cancellation and interruption and protection for your luggage?

A word of advice: before obtaining a quote including trip cancellation and interruption, the value of your trip must be determined in order to properly cover all eligible costs.

Changes to your coverage
Over time, your group insurance may undergo certain changes in coverage, often based on age. For example, upon retirement, the number of days allocated per trip or the overall amount of your coverage may be reduced. If you have not traveled for a long time, we recommend contacting your insurer to confirm the details of your current cover. You could also note the variations to come in the coming years in order to avoid surprises.

My group insurance only covers a few days
If the duration of your stay exceeds the number of days allocated by your group insurance, it is essential to contact a travel insurance broker to add the excess days. However, be careful, because some companies require that you be insured by the same insurer for the entire duration of the stay for your insurance to be valid.

Plan your stay abroad carefully
Are you planning your next trip abroad? Take the time to read and understand the details of your group insurance, this is an important step in determining if your protection is sufficient.

You have questions ? To find out more about our travel insurance products, contact one of our certified representatives at 1-888-211-4444.