What CAA Members need to know about COVID-19.

Last Updated:

Travel insurance.

COVID-19 continues to cause concern among travellers and the general public.

This is an evolving situation and your safety continues to be of utmost importance to us.

Important information to consider:

  • Global Affairs Canada has advised all travellers to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. Canadians abroad have been urged to return as soon as possible. Travel advice and advisories are updated regularly.
  • Many countries have put in place travel or border restrictions and other measures such as movement restrictions and quarantines.
  • Airlines have cancelled flights and new restrictions may be imposed with little warning.
  • Travel supply companies have advised us that paperwork related to refunds may take time to be issued. We require the paperwork from your travel supply companies to review a claim.

We are experiencing a very high volume of inquiries related to the impacts of COVID-19. We ask for your understanding and patience. We are currently focusing on those who are currently travelling and require medical treatment, as well as those who are travelling within the next 30 days. We have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions below to help serve you better.

FAQs.

Can I still purchase travel medical insurance and/or trip cancellation and interruption for future planned trips?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance for future travel. Please note that any COVID-19 related claims will not be eligible for coverage, if the policy is issued and the departure date is after the Global Travel Advisory, or while the travel advisory continues to be in place.
I have family members planning on visiting Canada in the near future, can I still purchase travel insurance for them?
Yes, you can continue to purchase travel insurance for future travel. Please note that any COVID-19 related claims will not be eligible for coverage, if the policy is issued and the departure date is after the Global Travel Advisory or while the travel advisory continues to be in place.
Can I get a refund on my travel insurance premium?
If you purchased a MEDICAL INSURANCE plan:
Yes, you can receive a full or partial refund; as per policy terms and conditions, provided no claims have been made.
What does this government travel advisory mean to my travel medical coverage and how does it impact my coverage?

If departure from Canada was PRIOR to the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory, medical insurance would not be impacted by the advisory.

If departure was AFTER the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory, medical expenses unrelated to the travel advisory (COVID-19) would be eligible for coverage according to the terms and conditions of the policy. COVID-19 related claims would not be covered.

Please note, if your policy is set to expire, you will need to speak with your travel insurance professional as an extension or top up coverage may not offer coverage for COVID-19 related expenses.

Can I extend my coverage or purchase a Top Up for my travel medical insurance if I do not want to come back to Canada?
Yes, you can purchase an extension/Top Up to the original policy while at destination, as long as no claims have been made. As this is a change to the coverage period AFTER the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory was issued, there would be no coverage for the COVID-19 related expenses.
What if I cannot return to Canada due to circumstances outside of my control?
You will need to contact your travel insurance professional and discuss the situation directly with them.
Travel providers are issuing future travel vouchers/credits. Can I still get a cash refund against my insurance for my trip?

Travellers are eligible to submit a claim for pre-paid, non-refundable amounts if coverage was purchased prior to the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory. We encourage travellers to accept any voucher or future travel credit, as CAA Travel Insurance is extending coverage to the voucher / future travel credit. Travel vouchers/credits for future travel offered by travel suppliers are considered refunds.

If you accept the voucher/travel credit from the travel provider, CAA's Trip Cancellation Insurance will provide coverage for this future travel voucher/credits (covering only the original sum insured) for up to one year from the date the credit / voucher was issued or until you re-book the trip, whichever is first. If the voucher/credit is not redeemed, a trip cancellation claim may be submitted for the value of the voucher/credit.

If you do not accept the voucher/travel credit from the travel provider, a trip cancellation claim may be submitted to CAA Assistance. It must include a completed claim form and proof the travel voucher/credits were declined and voided with the travel supplier before the claim is processed.

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Contact your travel provider to cancel your trip.
Step 2: Have your travel provider send confirmation of their cancellation/refund policy and/or voucher/credits details that have been issued.
Step 3: Open a claim by visiting: https://claims.acmtravel.ca/accounts/login/

What happens if I make a payment towards a travel package after the advisory was issued? Will it be covered?
If the trip cancellation policy was purchased prior to the date of the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory, only the penalty amount that was in place up to that date would be protected.
Is travel within Canada included under the Global Affairs Advisory to avoid all non-essential travel?
The Global Affairs Advisory states to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice and does not apply to travel within Canada.
All Canadians have been asked to come back home, will I be covered under my trip cancellation and interruption for any expenses incurred?
Travellers who have a Trip Cancellation and Interruption policy are eligible to submit a claim related to expenses to return to Canada earlier or later than expected. You are eligible for Trip Interruption coverage if you departed before the advisory was in effect and had to interrupt the trip due to the advisory. You can submit a claim online.
I am in a country or region that has just become quarantined. Will my insurance be extended and what do I have to do?

Extension to Single Trip/Top Up: Yes, you can purchase an extension to the original policy while at destination, and no claims have been made. As this is a change to the coverage period after the March 13th Global Affairs Canada travel advisory there would be no coverage for any COVID-19 related expenses. Please contact your travel insurance professional to add a Top Up to your original policy.

New Top Up: Yes, you can purchase a Top Up, however, as it is a new policy, and purchased after the Global Affairs Canada travel advisory of March 13th there would be no coverage for any COVID -19 related expenses.