Travel Insurance for Seniors in Canada

Types of travel insurance coverages for seniors in Canada

Travel insurance for seniors comes in many shapes and sizes (much like other insurance plans). Each person has different travel and health needs and will need to assess the plan(s) that work best for them. You should've decided on things like:

Is this a single trip?
Single-trip policies will cover you for one trip only. This kind of insurance has a fixed start date and end date – starting on departure date and ending on return date. For instance, if you leave on March 1 and return on April 1, you would be covered for 32 days end-to-end and the coverage would be for a single trip.

Is this a multi-trip policy?
Many seniors, given the time they have, may embark on a longer trip that has multiple destinations. In those cases, you can get a policy that covers all trips within a year (also known as an annual plan). It may be limited by a certain duration per trip. It’s best to ask your provider about that.

Is this top-up insurance?
This provides extra travel insurance for seniors on top of existing coverage. The circumstances surrounding your personal health and safety needs, and the trip itself, may determine your needs around this type of coverage.

Besides answering those questions. Seniors can look at different types of coverage, which include:

Medical coverage and expenses
This is something nearly all seniors should be considering when taking a trip and can be the costliest if you fail to address it. Things like emergency transportation, hospital costs, prescription drugs, ambulance services and diagnostics may be all included in this coverage. Talk to your provider about how much coverage your trance insurance policy allows you.

Loss of baggage of personal belongings
This is usually covered within your travel insurance, including some medical insurance plans. Even your home insurance policy can include coverage for lost baggage. Talk to your provider about what is available to you within your existing insurance or if you need something extra. It typically covers loss of baggage and/or delayed arrival of your bags.

Travel delay
This can help pay for costs you incur due to delays such as bad weather, aircraft maintenance or emergency situations. Most providers have a per-day or total maximum limit per person, and some don’t kick in until a few hours after the trip has begun.

Trip cancellation or interruption
Since the days of COVID, travel has become exponentially expensive. This insurance is generally recommended for all travellers. Emergency situations happen and if you need to cancel or change plans mid-trip, you’ll want to be reimbursed for what, these days, is a very expensive item. Cancellation and interruption insurance can usually be purchased together, but interruption is also sold as a stand-alone product separate from basic travel medical insurance plans.

Accidental death and dismemberment
This coverage provides money to you or a beneficiary if there is accidental injury that causes loss of limbs, for example, or death while travelling. This, of course, does not include death or illnesses that result from natural causes.

Pre-existing medical conditions
We're all getting older. It’s more likely that as we age and travel into our senior years, there may be pre-existing medical conditions to consider. A pre-existing condition can be things like:

• Diabetes
• Heart Conditions
• MS
• Parkinson’s

The list is not exhaustive so it’s best to talk to your provider about how it interprets what a pre-existing medical condition may be. It’s important that you are honest with your provider when inquiring about travel insurance for seniors. If you leave information out, you may be at risk of not getting the coverage you need.

Many providers offering medical travel insurance for seniors will have what’s called a stability clause. This requires that your pre-existing condition be stable for a period of time (sometimes 90 days or more) prior to your trip.

Also, seniors with pre-existing medical conditions needing a more personalized travel insurance policy may find the costs higher than a “standard” policy or one for people with no pre-existing conditions. It’s best to compare costs on sites like RATESDOTCA to see who offers the best travel insurance for seniors in Canada.

Factors that impact your quote for travel insurance for seniors

Travel insurance providers, like all insurance providers, are assessing risk. The greater the risk they are taking on related to your insurance, the greater the cost will be. For this reason, providers will look at several factors when considering what impacts your quotes. This may include:

Health – Obviously if you come to the insurance table with a pre-existing condition, you will face higher travel insurance costs.

Destination – Higher risk parts of the world, with fewer resources and higher crime, for example, would influence the cost of your senior travel insurance. Make sure you read the Government of Canada’s travel advisories before booking any travel.

What you are covered for – The more you get covered, the more your travel insurance will cost. Assess what you have versus what you want before embarking on your trip and insurance needs.

Length of the trip – The length of your stay can affect your cost. The longer you are gone the higher the risk that something could happen to you, your luggage etc.

Cost – An expensive trip will mean a higher cost for your travel insurance. It’s more risk for your provider especially for cancellation and interruption coverage.

Age – With age comes wisdom. But also, health risks that your insurance provider will assess at a higher cost.

Tips for travelling seniors from Canada

Travel can be great at any age. However, before you pack those bags make sure to follow these tips to make your experience that much more enjoyable.

1. Check out exclusions in your travel insurance policy: Your travel insurance provider wants to keep risks down, so they may have exclusions within their policies for medical conditions. Even when pre-existing conditions can be covered, not everything is. Make sure to check for specific health conditions that may be excluded from your coverage. Ask your provider ahead of time what you are covered and be honest about your health issues.
   
2. Read your insurance policy thoroughly before leaving: With exclusions comes the need to carefully go through your policy and its fine print. Even if you are sure your pre-existing conditions are out in the open and known, there may be other policy limits you are unaware of. Check and double check your policy.
   Global Affairs Canada tells Canadians to strongly consider protection outside of Canada. Our health plans at home will not cover you abroad (for most things) and health costs can be very expensive abroad. Make sure you get the right coverage for your travel needs when traveling outside of Canada and that it covers your specific medical or pre-existing needs.
   
3. Check travel documents, validity and visa requirements: Before you leave, make sure you have a valid passport or photo ID. Take a picture of it and leave that with someone not traveling with you, as well.
   
4. Vaccination requirements: Talk to your doctor before you leave and have the right medicine and documentation you might need for assistance.
   
5. Travel light they say: Don’t carry too much cash or jewelry. Pack light as it may save you from lost baggage...and from back pain.