Although most insurers have made some changes to include COVID-19 in their coverage, several caveats remain.
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In particular, the insured must not present any “pre-existing condition”, ie no symptoms, or not be awaiting a test result, between three and six months before his departure.
Other insurance companies have instead chosen to introduce a “COVID premium”, the price of which varies from 8 to 10% more than regular travel insurance.
Once abroad, the medical coverage is the same. The warranty limits vary from $ 200,000 to $ 5 million Canadian.
However, since the federal government is pushing Canadians not to travel and the pandemic is considered a “known travel risk,” cancellation or interruption of a trip for this reason is not covered.
Insufficient insurance
Recently, some airlines are also offering “COVID insurance” with the purchase of a flight. However, these offer amounts of cover “clearly insufficient”, it is indicated.
Although it is possible to combine two different travel insurances, “some insurers limit the maximum amount they agree to pay when coordinating services,” said Patrick Boucher, vice-president of Eureka Travel Insurance.
THREE FACTORS INFLUENCE THE PRICE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE
- Travel time
- The age of the traveler
- His health
Examples of costs incurred abroad
- Average price per day for hospitalization in the United States: between $ 10,000 and $ 12,000
- Consultation with a medical specialist in California: $ 320
- Uncomplicated natural childbirth in New York: $ 28,000
- Operation for appendicitis in Florida: $ 49,000
- Emergency air repatriation from Mexico: $ 38,883
Travel to Canada
Skiing fracture in BC: $ 2,000 to $ 4,000. The RAMQ does not pay for repatriation.
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