Get money-saving tips in your inbox.

Stay on top of personal finance tips from our money experts!

News & Resources

The crazy costs of a broken arm while travelling

March 11, 2022
2 mins
young boy grumpy with a broken arm by a pool

It can happen to anyone. A simple tumble while walking on the beach, a missed step on a set of stairs, or a spill off your bicycle. It doesn’t take much to land poorly and break your arm while on holiday. Fortunately, purchasing travel insurance can help you avoid costly medical bills that could be acquired when injured in another country.

You might not think something as common as a broken arm would be financially devastating, but travel claim costs say otherwise.

Real travel insurance claims for a broken arm

No one plans on being injured while on vacation. But, the following real-life insurance claim costs from RATESDOTCA's 2021 data show how expensive a broken arm can be abroad.

Destination Travel Insurance Claim Cost ($USD)
Dominican Republic $10,000
Illinois, USA $25,000
Mexico $33,000
Florida, USA $36,000

A broken arm could break your budget without travel insurance. And, if you’re relying on your provincial health plan to cover the costs, you’ll still be left with a hefty bill to pay. For example, despite Ontario’s Ministry of Health re-instating OHIP coverage for hospital emergencies outside of Canada, coverage is very limited.

Your provincial health plan usually covers only a portion of your bills. So, a travel insurance policy is always a good idea when travelling to another country. That way even if there is an unfortunate turn of events, you don’t have the added financial burden of a five-figure hospital bill.

How much does travel insurance cost?

In 2021, we compared quotes for travellers with no pre-existing health conditions expecting to take a 10-day trip to Florida in February 2022. The following were some of the best travel insurance rates available last year for different 2022 travel scenarios.

The lowest rates quoted for each of the travellers were all for the same $5 million in coverage with no deductible.

Traveller(s) Lowest travel insurance quote ($CAD)
20-year-old traveller $22.00
A 35-year-old couple $44.00
A family of four $46.20

(Quotes are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change. Your quotes may vary depending on your personal details. Family of four example is comprised of two 50-year-olds with two teenage children.)

Take a break but protect your travels

Chances are you may not need to rely on your travel insurance coverage. Even so, travel insurance is one of the most important items you can pack when you go on vacation. Whether you just need single trip emergency medical coverage or a policy that includes the works (including trip cancellation and luggage loss), you can get travel insurance quotes within minutes to protect your well-earned adventure.

travel mascot.png

Don't waste time calling around for travel insurance

Use RATESDOTCA to shop around, and compare multiple quotes at the same time.

Finding the best travel insurance coverage has never been so easy!

RATESDOTCA Team

The RATESDOTCA editorial team are experienced writers focused on sharing stories and bringing you the latest news in insurance and personal finance. Our goal is to provide Canadians with the information and resources they need to make better insurance and financial decisions.

Latest travel articles

Travel in safety and style for your worldwide Pride celebrations
With Pride events happening around the world, summer is the perfect time to explore and celebrate identity and inclusivity.
5 mins read
Protect your home from theft while on vacation
Whether you’re gone for the weekend or for the entire summer, you want to leave your home with the assurance that your belongings are safe and will be there when you’re back. So, what's the plan?
3 mins read
How to insure your #vanlife
Whether you’re parked at a campground, a big box store parking lot, or on your own driveway, having the right insurance ensures peace of mind and financial security. Here’s what you should know about insuring your RV.
7 mins read

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay on top of our latest offers, relevant news and tips!

Thanks for joining!

You'll be hearing from us shortly - stay tuned.