With the approach of March Break, millions of Canadians will soon be packing for well-deserved getaways to other provinces and warmer climates. In fact, roughly 56% of Canadian vacationers will be travelling outside of Canada this year.

To ensure your clients stay informed and prepared while travelling out-of-province and country, be sure to share these essential travel insurance tips:

Travel Tips for Everyone

All Canadian travellers — even those going to the United States for just a day or two — need to ensure they have the proper travel insurance. This includes both medical and non-medical insurance (e.g. lost baggage and trip cancellation coverage).

Here are several other tips to keep in mind:

1. Make sure important travel documents are packed

Ensure you have packed your passport, necessary visas, and your insurance benefits card first. Other necessary documentation should also be packed ahead of time — for example, student cards, car documents, rail passes, and hostel membership cards.

2. Make copies of important documents to leave at home

In worst-case scenarios, passports, benefits cards, or other essential documents may end up lost or stolen. To eliminate the extreme consequences of  misfortune like this, always make copies of your essential documents before departure. Keep them in a safe place at home or with a trusted family member or friend.

3. Make sure travel insurance is adjusted and up-to-date

If recent changes in your life have necessitated insurance changes, make sure these are made well before setting out on your travels.

4. Obtain appropriate coverage for your travel plans

Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your travel plans and what activities you’ll be participating in, you may require unique coverage.

Ensure your clients know they can speak to you, their advisor, about making the proper adjustments to their travel coverage.

Tips for Snowbirds

“Snowbirds” are those Canadians who travel south to warmer climates during the coldest months of winter. Unlike other travellers, snowbirds spend several months away from home each time they go south, making travel insurance planning even more important. Moreover, snowbirds are often older generations of Canadians, making them more susceptible to possible health issues while travelling.

Snowbirds should:

• Get a full check up with their physician before departure.
• Fully understand their travel insurance policy, including possible limitations in coverage and any excluded pre-existing conditions.
• Know where they can obtain efficient health assistance near their destination if necessary.

Tips for University Students

For Canadian students travelling or studying in a different country or province, it’s important that the necessary travel coverage be purchased and fully understood, including limitations.

Students should:

• Know whether they are on their family’s benefits plan, their own plan, or have no travel insurance coverage.
• Purchase additional health insurance coverage before departing if necessary.
• Understand the coverage options and limits of their travel insurance plan, including any excluded pre-existing conditions.
• Know where they can obtain medical care if necessary while away from home.

Tips for Business Men and Women

HR should remind their staff and workers to bring travel documents on their trip, specifically their benefits card and a copy of their policy. Travellers should have up-to-date coverage for their travels and be aware of the coverage limitations of their policy and HSA account.

Business travellers should:

• Know that updated and complete travel insurance is necessary even when travelling to another province.
• Ensure they have the proper coverage for their specific travels — including medical and non-medical coverage.
• Ensure they understand how to file a claim when necessary.

Ensuring Your Clients Are Prepared for Travel

Benecaid offers excellent, affordable group health insurance for travel that can be customized to fit your clients’ needs or added to insurance Health Spending Account (HSA) with ease. Annual travel coverage will save clients money and eliminate the continual hassle of enrolment before every trip.

The Access Benecaid portal portal provides simple access to Benecaid clients for all their drug, dental, and travel coverage. Benecaid benefits cards and policies can be printed from the portal and stored in a safe place during travel or saved directly to their smartphone.

Any questions concerning travel coverage options available through Benecaid should be directed to your Benecaid Executive Benefits Consultant or sent by email to advisors@benecaid.com.