Why Travel Insurance is so Vital for Your Vacation

Travel insurance provides peace of mind on your vacation. Remembering to purchase an insurance policy is just as important as remembering to bring your passport. Having travel insurance is truly a life saver and can save you thousands of dollars, if anything happens on your trip. You budget for food and flights, and you should also budget for travel insurance.
We don’t like to think about getting sick or having an accident during our vacations, but it doesn’t change reality. While on vacation, we need to expect the unexpected.
A good travel insurance policy from a reputable company such as Manulife Financial will provide vital coverage for you and your loved ones in the case of a medical emergency. It will also ensure you get your money back if you have to cancel your trip, or if it gets interrupted, for any reason. And if your baggage gets lost, damaged or delayed, your insurance will pay for clothes and toiletries so you can still enjoy your vacation.

Which travel insurance provider is the best?

Not all travel insurance providers and travel insurance policies are the same. It’s important for you to carefully research your needs. Be sure to verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of your insurance policy. At TierOne Travel, we care about you and your loved ones and want you to have the best coverage possible.
“Manulife is definitely one of the best,” says TierOne Travel agent Steve Foote. “They provide worry-free coverage, which is what you want. You never know what’s going to happen on your trip. Thinking you can save money with less travel insurance is a risk you don’t want to take.”

Does Travel Insurance Cover Medical Emergencies?

Imagine having a heart attack or stroke while overseas. So scary! But at least with comprehensive travel insurance such as the Premium Protection Plan from Manulife, you won’t have to worry about hospital bills. Foreign hospitals can be very expensive. Some even refuse to treat patients who do not have enough insurance or money to pay for the cost of treatment.
Please note: The Manulife Premium Protection Plan is only available through travel agencies such as TierOne Travel.

Niall’s medical bill of nearly $65,000 accrued during vacation was paid directly by Manulife travel insurance.

Niall and his wife, Angie, were travelling in San Francisco, CA, a couple of years ago. He didn’t want to purchase any extra insurance because he had travel insurance on his credit card. But Angie didn’t want to take the gamble, so they topped up their coverage. Good thing they did, because about a week into their trip Niall started having numbness in his arms and chest. They called Manulife and were given a case number and advised on which hospital to go to. Turns out he had three blocked arteries and needed cardiac surgery. The entire medical bill of nearly $65,000 was paid for directly by Manulife.

What does the Manulife PremiUM Protection Plan cover?

Under the Premium Protection Plan, your travel insurance policy will pay for the ambulance service and all of your hospital bills, including expensive surgery, to a maximum of $10 million CAD. Manulife will even pay for a loved one to stay in a hotel room and for their meals while you are receiving medical care. And if you need to return home due to a medical emergency, your flight will be covered, along with one-way, economy airfare for your travelling companion.
Emergency dental treatment is sometimes viewed as unnecessary, but if you should receive an accidental blow to the mouth from a bicycle accident or fall, you’ll be glad to have the coverage of up to $3,000.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Trip Cancellation or Interruption?

We’ve all heard horror stories about people who had to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances and then were stuck with a huge non-refundable payment. With travel insurance from Manulife, you can rest assured this won’t happen.
The Premium Protection Plan has a ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit of 75% for non-refundable amounts seven days or more prior to departure. And should you need to cancel between six days and 24 hours from your departure, you will also receive 75% of non-refundable amounts, but it will be capped at $1500.
“That’s a huge benefit,” says Steve. “Nowadays, you can book a cruise two years out. And, generally speaking, cost savings are often available if you book your vacation in advance – sometimes even six months to a year. But who knows what could happen in that time?”
Whether due to illness, job loss or perhaps even a broken engagement prior to a planned and paid for destination wedding, having trip cancellation insurance can save you thousands of dollars.

Trip Cancellation Insurance Reimbursed Eric $19,000 When he Became Ill

Back in 2016, Eric bought travel insurance from Manulife for a non-refundable family trip to Turks & Caicos. He remembers buying it in case the kids got sick, but he was the one who ended up in hospital just one week before their flight. Thank goodness he opted for cancellation insurance, because he was reimbursed $19,000 and they were able to take their dream trip a year later.

Will I be Covered if my Baggage is Lost, Damaged or Delayed?

Baggage delays, loss or damage are a reality for many travellers. Don’t let it ruin your trip. With the right insurance policy, you will be covered for necessary clothes and toiletries, so you can keep having fun until your baggage shows up.

Is Your Credit Card’s Travel Insurance Enough?

Nowadays, many of us have travel insurance on our credit cards, which can also offer the bonus of travel reward points. Is the coverage enough though? Be sure to read the fine print before you leave. And if you need more comprehensive coverage, or need to fill in some gaps, your travel agent can find you the perfect policy.

Here are some questions to ask of your credit card’s travel insurance:

• How many days does it cover? Make sure your card covers you for the entire time you’re away, including flights to and from your destination. Some cards have set limits such as one or two weeks.
• Does it allow top-up insurance? Insurance companies such as 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 might have an age limit for travel insurance. For that matter, your travel insurance policy might as well. Always check ahead of time.
• Does it allow for pre-existing conditions? Be sure to find out if the travel insurance on your credit card covers you for pre-existing health conditions or changes in medication?
• Did you use that card to pay for your trip? In some cases, it’s not enough to just have the card. You might have to pay for the trip with that card in order for the travel 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 might not have trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption insurance, or coverage for lost or delayed baggage.
• Is your whole family covered? It would be a tragedy 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 travel insurance might require you to pay out of pocket for emergency medical expenses. It’s much more convenient if your insurance provider pays directly to your medical provider.

What Else Should I Know About Travel Insurance?

The Government of Canada will not pay your medical bills beyond its borders. Your Canadian health insurance is not valid outside of Canada.
You cannot apply for travel insurance while travelling. Be sure to allow yourself time to purchase the right policy for you and your family before you leave for your trip.
Your TierOne Travel agent is here to help. He or she can answer all your questions and provide peace of mind with the coverage you need. Some travel insurance plans, such as Manulife’s Premium Protection Plan, are only available through travel agencies such as TierOne Travel. Contact us for a quote!

Do I Need Travel Insurance if I’m Staying in Canada?

Most in-country travel can be covered by your company/work insurance, if you have it, along with your credit card’s travel insurance. However, it is always wise to check and double check. There are limits with any insurance, including your provincial government’s health plan. Some of these costs include air and ground ambulance, emergency dental treatment and prescription drugs.
If you would like to find out more about Travel Insurance, contact one of our TierOne travel specialists! They have extensive experience with, and knowledge of, travel insurance and will be able to ensure you get the coverage that is suited to your unique needs.
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” – Anonymous