Do Canadians Really Need Travel Insurance?

Travel is exciting, whether it is a spontaneous weekend getaway or a six-week family vacation abroad. But travel also comes with risks. Flights can be delayed, bags can be lost, and medical emergencies can happen when you least expect them.

That leaves many Canadians asking:

Do I really need travel insurance, or is it just an extra expense I can skip?

The short answer is that travel insurance is less about “if” you will need it and more about protecting yourself from the very real financial and personal stress that comes with the unexpected.

Let’s look at what travel insurance covers and why it matters.

Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

Even if you are healthy, accidents and sudden illness can happen to anyone, anywhere. While your provincial health plan covers many medical costs inside Canada, that coverage drops off quickly once you leave your province or the country.

Most hospitals abroad charge foreigners directly, and bills can be staggering. For example, according to MIT Health, a three-night stay in a U.S. hospital averages US$30,000. That figure does not include tests, medications, or follow-up care.

Emergency medical travel insurance helps cover:

• Hospital stays and emergency room visits
• Doctor consultations
• Ambulance transportation
• Emergency dental care
• X-rays, lab work, and medication

Without insurance, even a minor mishap abroad could cost you thousands.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

Imagine this: your flights, hotel, and tours are all booked and paid for. A week before departure, a family emergency forces you to cancel. Without insurance, those non-refundable costs could disappear.

• Trip cancellation insurance reimburses prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel for a covered reason, such as illness, injury, a death in the family, or visa issues.
• Trip interruption insurance steps in if you need to cut your trip short. It can cover unused travel arrangements plus the cost of a last-minute flight home.

This coverage is especially valuable for international trips where costs are higher and cancellation penalties are stricter.

Baggage Loss, Damage, or Delay

Few things sour the start of a trip like lost luggage. Beyond the inconvenience, replacing clothing, sporting equipment, or medical devices can be expensive. Travel insurance can reimburse you for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage so you are not left stranded without essentials.

Dependent (and Even Pet) Care

If you are travelling with kids, an unexpected hospital stay can create a whole new layer of stress. Who will look after them? Some travel insurance plans provide coverage for dependent care, helping cover the cost of caregiving if you are hospitalized.

Some plans even extend coverage to your pets.

Peace of Mind Above All

At its core, travel insurance is not just about money. It is about knowing that if something goes wrong, you will have support when you need it most.

It is the difference between being stranded with a $20,000 bill and having a 24/7 support line to guide you through the emergency. For most Canadians, the cost of travel insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Ready to Protect Your Next Trip?

At Aeva.ca, we make it easy to compare health care plans that include Emergency Travel Medical Insurance. Some plans include it automatically while others offer it as an optional add-on.

Before you book your next adventure, make sure you are covered. Visit Aeva.ca to find the right plan for you.