What travel insurance covers for residents of British Columbia
Planning a trip is exciting, but making sure you are properly insured is just as important. Travel insurance helps protect BC residents from unexpected costs related to medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and travel delays. Whether you are heading to another province, visiting the United States, or travelling overseas, having the right travel insurance coverage ensures you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about what could go wrong.
With more than 40 years of experience helping travellers across British Columbia, we understand that every trip is different. Some travellers plan adventure-filled vacations, while others prefer relaxing getaways or visiting family abroad. Our advisors help BC residents choose travel insurance that fits their itinerary, travel style, and destination.
Protecting yourself and your family while travelling is essential. Our insurance experts are here to guide you through your travel insurance options, so you can explore the world and return home with peace of mind.
Why Choose Westland?
We know that your insurance needs to match your goals, your lifestyle and your budget. Our expert travel insurance advisors get to know you, so that they can tailor a policy to your exact needs.
We’ll find the best coverage for you at the right price so that you can continue to live your life the way you want to.
Insurance can be complex sometimes. Let our expert insurance advisors do the heavy lifting! We’ll help you find a policy that you feel is the best fit and provides peace of mind. To learn more about the benefits of being a Westland client, click here.
Travel Insurance Explained
There are so many aspects to consider when planning a vacation. Where to stay, adventures you want to cross off your bucket list, and restaurants you’ve always wanted to try. Although not as glamorous as one of the wonders of the world, a travel insurance policy is just as important to ensure a great travel experience. Travel insurance provides financial protection for you before, during, and after your trips or extended stays. Planning your travel insurance is as important as planning the journey itself, from trip cancellation to health care expenses while away and even including lost luggage.
- Supplements your provincial health insurance
- Access to the coverage you need, including emergency medical and dental coverage, trip cancellation, trip interruption and baggage protection
- Take comfort knowing if the unexpected does happen, your benefits may offer additional protection
A travel insurance policy is important coverage for every traveller. From a health insurance standpoint, unless you have travel medical coverage through your employer or another source, this is crucial component of a travel insurance plan. When traveling outside of Canada (or even outside of Alberta, for that matter), medical bills can add up quickly. And without travel medical insurance, you and your family could be on the hook for thousands of dollars’ worth of treatment, hospital stay, and even transportations to return home.
Even if you have a great travel medical plan through work, if you invest thousands of dollars in a dream vacation and become unable to travel, you can seek reimbursement for your trip cost. You may get off to a good start on your trip but then have to cut it short due to an emergency or illness. Trip interruption benefits offer coverage for the unused portion of your trip. Delays and baggage problems that cause you issues while travelling can also be covered depending on the type of plan.
Are you a seasoned traveller? A “hang loose” adventurer? A five-star accom type? Snowbird? Or maybe a student attending school in another country? A traveller visiting Canada? A travel insurance policy can be considered as essential as your passport when checking off your “to do’s” for your next adventure.
Not all travel insurance policies will be the answer for every traveller. It depends on your purpose for travel, how long you plan to be away and even your age.
Your first step when thinking of travel insurance is to check any benefits you may have through your group plan at work – you might already have everything you need. If not, keep reading!
These are the types of travel insurance coverage that can be purchased:
- Emergency medical insurance – coverage up to $10million (depending on insurance provider)
- Travel accident coverage – provides coverage in the event that you are injured during your travels; available for single trips or as an annual policy to cover multiple trips or longer stays
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance – offers coverage for the cost of your airfare, other travel and accommodation
- Baggage insurance – for lost or delayed baggage
- Comprehensive packages – offers emergency travel medical coverage, trip cancellation or interruption, missed connections, cost of lost or delayed baggage
Who Is Travel Insurance For?
Anyone travelling outside of their home province to other parts of Canada, to the United States or around the world will benefit from travel insurance products:
- Quick getaway travellers – If you’re planning a quick getaway and your main concern is health coverage while travelling, single trip emergency medical insurance is the basic coverage you will need. This will provide worldwide emergency medical coverage. Note that if you travel often, it may be advantageous to consider an annual plan.
- Snowbirds – Canadian winters can be harsh and if your plan is to winter in a warmer climate like a Canada goose, an annual policy will cover you for multiple trips.
- Adventure travellers – Most travel medical plans will have exclusions for extreme sports and activities. But many of us seem to think repelling into a deep cavern or hanging ten while tackling that big kahuna is a great idea. Be sure to inquire about adventure or extreme sports coverage.
- “All inclusive” travellers – Regardless of the type of vacation you have booked, your travel insurance can be a five-star all inclusive. This package provides everything you need; emergency health coverage, trip cancellation and interruption, missed connections, airline and common carrier accidents, baggage loss or delay.
We’ve put together a comparison of coverages to better help find what travel insurance is right for you.
| Allianz | |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Package |
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| Emergency Medical Plan |
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| Non-Medical Package |
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| Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan |
|
| Trip Interruption Plan |
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| Youth Plan |
|
**Exclusions apply, please refer to a broker for more information**
Travel Insurance Coverage Insights
- Travellers age 65 and up must complete a simple 3-question medical questionnaire
- There is no upper age limit on outbound plans for Canadians
- Youth Plan is available up to age 29
- Visitors to Canada plans are available for trip durations up to 365 days with age restrictions based on coverage level
- International Student to Canada plan is available to foreign students up to age 60
What Factors Determine the Cost of Travel Insurance?
Not all travels are the same which means not all policies will cost the same. Aside from the type of policy and coverage that you choose, factors that affect your travel insurance price include:
- Destination
- Age
- Trip Cost
- Length of Travel
- Claims History
- Medical History
Review Your Insurance and Get a Quote with Westland
Ready to discuss your insurance needs? Our expert advisors are here to review your current insurance policies, discuss your unique risks and operations, and find the perfect insurance policy for your business. Whether it’s over email, the phone or in person we are ready to help! To get started on a quote now and see price estimates for your business coverage, click the button below. Our advisors will contact you right away and help navigate your risk management needs. Of course, we are always available to talk over the phone or in person. Check out our locations page to connect with an office closest to you!
10 Fun Facts About British Columbia
- Vancouver Island is home to a waterfall that is eight times the height of Niagara Falls. The Della Falls waterfall can be found in Srathcona Provincial Park and is a whopping 440 metres in height.
- Half of all British Columbians can be found in Vancouver and the surrounding area.
- BC is home to the world’s largest hockey stick ; how Canadian! You can find it in the city of Duncan and is 62,000 lbs and 62.48 metres long.
- Whistler is known for its beautiful views and slopes. It also has the longest unsupported cable car system in the world. This cable connects the two peaks of the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort.
- BC is one of the top three producers of blueberries and cranberries globally.
- Meares Island is home to the Hanging Tree Garden , which is between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. It features some of the oldest Western Red Cedar trees.
- You can find a quarter of all grizzly bears and black bears in BC.
- Have you ever heard of bathtub racing? Nanaimo is the Bathtub Racing capital of the world, starting in 1967. To complete, you’ll need to use a bathtub as a boat.
- Lights, camera, action! BC is the fourth-largest television and film production centre in North America.
- Wine country lives in BC. Each year BC vineyards welcome over one million visitors. Over 929 vineyards cover more than 10,260 acres of land.
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