Ready to travel again? With the right coverage, you can enjoy a healthy, happy trip
“The last 18 months have shown how quickly things can change—and how you never know when you may need insurance,” says Novella Troia, a CAA Travel Consultant working at the St. Anne’s store in Winnipeg. Covid-19 has irrevocably changed when, where and how we travel. But you can still explore the world. It’s best to have travel insurance in place as soon as you book a trip. Here, Troia shares the important steps to take before brushing off your suitcase.
Step 1: Plan Your Trip
- Check if Global Affairs Canada has issued a travel advisory for your destination.
- While you may have travel insurance through a work plan or credit card, consider the type of coverage you may need: medical, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage—or a combination.
- If you’re over 60, you may need to complete a medical questionnaire when getting a quote. Get a quote online at caamanitoba.com/travelinsurance or visit a CAA Store.
- Visit or call your primary care physician to discuss health risks associated with your travel plans. Get prescriptions filled to last beyond the duration of your trip.
Step 2: Prepare for the Trip
- Check visa and entry requirements for your destination country.
- Verify Covid vaccination requirements. Most countries require visitors be fully vaccinated—but variations exist among accepted vaccines. If you’re fully vaccinated, CAA Travel Insurance offers up to $5 million in coverage should you need medical treatment due to Covid-19 exposure.
- Gather information before you purchase CAA Travel Insurance.
- Destination; departure/return dates; non-refundable cost of trip per person
- Date of birth of the traveller(s)
- Medical history, including any changes to pre-existing conditions
- CAA Membership number: Members save 10%
- Deductible choice: Adding one might reduce your overall premium
- Consider CAA’s Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. If you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for any reason, you may be reimbursed up to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable travel arrangements.
- Denied boarding/entry coverage is a benefit of CAA Cancellation and Interruption plans. It covers you in the event you are refused entry in certain instances.
Step 3: Pre-departure & En Route
- Ensure your personal documents are updated. Your passport must be valid and shouldn’t be expiring within six months of your return date.
- Print or save tickets, boarding passes, visas and other government documents—and your travel insurance information (policy number, wallet card).
- Check again for any Global Affairs Canada travel advisories for your travel destination. If an advisory has been issued for your destination, contact CAA Assistance immediately.
- Emergency numbers differ from country to country; it’s typically a three-digit number (eg. 9-9-9 in the U.K.). Memorize the number before arriving.
- Share your travel plans with family or a friend: trip itinerary (tour operator, carrier and flight numbers); travel insurance policy; and passport info and photo.
Step 4: At Your Destination
- If you require urgent assistance, call the local emergency number.
- If you or your travel companion(s) need medical help, contact CAA Assistance before you seek out medical assistance.
- To reach CAA Assistance, call the number on your wallet card and provide policy number. You’ll be advised what steps to take next.
