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It is very encouraging to see various insurance providers working with our travel partners to help give you, our travellers, a little piece of mind with updated policies covering the known event of COVID-19.
Manulife, one of Canada's largest travel insurers and an Ensemble Preferred partner has created a whole suite of products to help us get travelling again. This is really good news and helps to eliminate one of the unknowns on many of our minds - what happens if we get sick with COVID while travelling. Effective October 1st, 2020 Manulife personal COVID travel insurance will be available for purchase.
This will be a stand alone policy which can be added to compliment to an existing policy or to enhance other travel insurance products.
✅ It includes a $5-Million emergency medical coverage UNRELATED to any travel warning as well as unrelated claims to COVID-19.
✅ It includes a $200,000 coverage for any expenses directly related to COVID-19.
✅ It also includes travel interruption benefits for quarantine and government advisories.
Two of the most important exclusions from this policy includes:
❌ Government advisory level 4 for AVOID ALL-Travel
(✅ the policy does cover Government advisory level 3 for AVOID N0N-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL)
❌ ALL CRUISES - the policy covers land based travel only i.e. resorts, hotels, etc.
Other Travel partners that now include automatic COVID-19 insurance with purchase include:
Air Canada - for travel up to 21 days. Exclusion also includes cruises as above. Click here to read the Air Canada Manulife Certificate of insurance.
Air Canada Vacations - for travel up to 21 days on an Air Canada Vacations trip only. Click here to read the Air Canada Allianz Global Assistance Certificate of insurance.
Air Transat - for travel up to 21 days. Exclusion also includes cruises as above. Click here to read the Air Transat Manulife Certificate of insurance.
Sunwing - for travel up to 21 days. Exclusion also includes cruises as above. Click here to read the Air Transat Manulife Certificate of insurance.
Westjet + Westjet Vacations - for travel up to 21 days. Exclusion also includes cruises as above. Click here to read the WestJet TuGo Certificate of insurance.
Etihad Airways - for travel up to 31 days. Exclusion also includes cruises as above. Click here to read the Etihad Airways Axa Insurance Gulf BSC Certificate of insurance.
❌ TD Travel Insurance - does NOT include coverage for any destinations at Level 3 (avoid non essential travel) or higher.
❌ TD Aeroplan Visa Credit Card Travel Insurance - does NOT include coverage for any destinations at Level 3 (avoid non essential travel) or higher.
If you are in need of Travel Insurance feel free to get in touch with us and we would be happy to provide a quote. It is now more than ever that you ensure you are properly protected with Travel Medical and Travel Interruption Insurance. Click here to learn more.
Is your credit card’s insurance enough?
A credit card can be an avid traveller’s best friend. In fact, many cards are geared specifically to people who love to get away from it all, offering travel rewards points and travel insurance.
However, every card is different and some might not offer the coverage you’re expecting. Here are some key questions to ask of your credit card’s travel insurance:
How many days does it cover?
What if you’re travelling for two weeks and it only covers you for seven days?
Does it allow top-up insurance?
Insurance companies like Manulife offer top-up insurance to help cover any part of your vacation that your card doesn’t. But some cards don’t allow you to add top-up insurance.
Do you qualify?
Your card may have an age limit for travel insurance.
Does it allow for pre-existing conditions?
Some cards are strictly against providing coverage for pre-existing conditions. So, for example, if your travel medical expenses are related to an existing heart condition, or if you have a change in medication, coverage through the credit card may not cover those expenses.
Did you use that card to pay for your trip?
In some cases, it’s not enough just to have the card – you may have to pay for the trip with that card in order for the insurance to be valid for that trip.
Does it offer more than just emergency medical coverage?
Many cards only cover you for emergency medical costs while travelling. That means you may not have trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, or coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
Is your whole family covered?
It would be a terrible surprise if your child needed medical help in another country and it turned out your card only covers your medical expenses, not your child’s. Manulife Global Travel Insurance gives the option to include coverage for your children.
Would you have to pay up front?
Your card’s insurance may want you to pay out of pocket for travel emergency medical expenses, then reimburse you later. With Manulife Global Travel insurance, whenever possible, Manulife tries to limit your out-of pocket expenses by helping to pay your emergency medical costs directly to the medical provider. Be sure to read the fine print of your credit card’s coverage before you leave. And if you need more comprehensive coverage, or if you need to fill in some gaps in your credit card’s coverage, you can easily and affordably get it from your Manulife Global Travel Insurance* consultant. Click here to learn more.
Pro Tip: Review the EXCLUSIONS of the insurance policy to better understand where you may be at risk. Did you know if you broke your arm while intoxicated your travel insurance will NOT to cover you as it is under the exclusions (intoxication due to alcohol, illegal drugs).
Saved by Travel Insurance
The Risk of contracting COVID-19 on a flight is VERY LOW
The risk of contracting COVID-19 in flight remains very low. Click here to learn more about what the aviation industry is doing to help make your flight safer.
departuresXdean - an independent agent with Personal Travel Mgmt. (BC Reg. 2806) proud members of the IGLTA and the Ensemble Travel Group.
Where do you want to go? Click here to contact me.