- Travel businesses worldwide have been rocked by COVID-19, causing many travelers to postpone planned travel or rush home from their travels as borders close. Travelers looking to get travel insurance for Canada during COVID-19 are experiencing the effects of tighter travel restrictions from Canada.
Travel insurance for Canada during COVID-19: The effects of the coronavirus have also been felt in business. Irish insurance giant USIT declared bankruptcy at the end of March, citing the Covid-19 crisis as the reason. Travelers have been left stranded by USIT, but there are steps you can do to get trustworthy travel insurance in the meantime. Join our email list below to get information on travel limitations in Canada as well as advice on when to purchase insurance and reschedule your vacations.
Make sure you have the right travel insurance to protect you in the event that anything goes wrong, whether you are currently in Canada or are planning a trip there. In fact, getting insurance can even be required depending on your immigration program. It’s more crucial than ever to feel secure in your travel insurance coverage in the COVID-19 era. The most frequent queries we’ve been getting about travel insurance for Canada during COVID-19 are addressed in this post.
Synopsis: What changes have COVID-19 brought about in the Canadian travel insurance market?
There are restrictions on travel insurance for Canada during COVID-19, and obtaining it will require more effort than it did before to the crisis. Moving2Canada was informed by Bob Hornal of BestQuote, a well-known insurance provider for travelers to Canada, that “most of our visitors-to-Canada medical insurance policies are still covering claims for the coronavirus.” However, Bob cautioned that purchasers should exercise caution, saying, “Some of our insurers have started to limit this type of coverage since the start of April.” In the coming months, additional insurers could include exclusions for the coronavirus, depending on the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
A lot of insurance providers, particularly those that cover foreign travel, have completely ceased writing policies for travel abroad. Many insurance firms that continue to issue policies have included COVID-19-related exclusions that restrict coverage, particularly for emergency medical coverage for travelers to coronavirus-affected locations.
One well-known insurance company for those taking part in Canada’s Working Holiday program is TrueTraveller, which has joined the long list of companies that are currently unable to cover COVID-19-related claims. According to TrueTraveller, “For all policies, or extension policies issued from 13:00 GMT on 16 March 2020, no cover is available for any claims relating to Coronavirus or any mutation of it.” Australian insurance company Fast Cover has declared that it would not be able to offer any new coverage to customers leaving Australia before October 1, 2020.
Although I am now outside of Canada, I want to visit soon.
Which insurance companies will cover me at COVID-19 and what sort of travel insurance do I need?
Step1: Confirm that visiting Canada is both appropriate and feasible.
Please note that until the COVID-19 health crisis is under control, Canada has closed its borders to the majority of foreign nationals. Here is a list of the few exceptions to this rule. You should only visit Canada if it is really required, even if you qualify for an exemption.
Step Two: Check to see whether your insurance covers COVID-19-related claims if you intend to travel.
COVID-19 is rated as posing a high risk to Canadians by Health Canada. Since COVID-19 is a national health issue, everyone in Canada is at high risk. Therefore, you should make sure your insurance coverage covers COVID-19-related claims.
Unfortunately, it could be easier said than done to get an insurance policy that covers COVID-19-related issues. Before making a purchase and leaving for Canada, be sure to verify, double-check, and triple-check your coverage.
According to Bob Hornal of BestQuote, “it is now more important than ever to purchase the right kind of coverage, aside from checking to see if a policy still covers the coronavirus.” Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the less expensive plans. Generally, this is not a problem for younger travelers. If you do, however, have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or asthma, you must have an insurance coverage that will pay for any consequences arising from stable pre-existing medical conditions. Otherwise, you could discover that your underlying medical condition prevents you from being covered if you get a less expensive coverage and then have the misfortune of contracting the coronavirus.
It is crucial that you confirm COVID-19 coverage is included in your insurance. Is there no reference to COVID-19 in your policy? Make sure you have a written confirmation from the organization when you call or write to inquire about COVID-19 coverage.
Step 3: Verify the validity of your coverage.
Regrettably, frauds unfortunately seem to flourish at times of distress. In reaction to COVID-19, a variety of travel insurance frauds are emerging. If you’re buying travel insurance during these unstable times, take caution to stay away from these con artists.
Do your homework before making a purchase. Investigate the business providing the policy: What kind of internet reviews are there? Do they own years’ worth of credible reviews? Or do they seem to have only lately hit the market?
Examine the policies in question: Go through the whole policy. Sure. the whole affair. Verify that COVID-19-related claims will be paid for. Look for any exclusions. Keep an eye out and play detective!
The most crucial guideline for avoiding insurance scams is to assume that anything that appears too good to be true most likely is.
IEC, including the Working Holiday, is what I’m applying for.
Is it better to get my travel insurance for COVID-19 now?
Getting an insurance coverage is a necessary step if you want to go to Canada via International Experience Canada (IEC), which includes the Working Holiday program. Yet! Be not deceived. You don’t need to get your insurance coverage too long before you go for Canada since you just need it while you travel there.
You may wait to get your insurance until closer to the time of your trip because of this. Furthermore, a lot of travel insurance companies have temporarily ceased offering new coverage.
Until COVID-19 has subsided, we do not advise visiting Canada unless it is absolutely essential. (And by calmed down, we mean less limitations on social and commercial activities, no obligatory quarantine for those who may and choose to go, and a relaxation of travel restrictions.)
Be aware that those in possession of a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (POE letter) are not subject to Canada’s travel limitations. On the other hand, a CBSA source has verified that potential IEC travelers are not being allowed to board aircraft or enter at the land border. Specifically, our CBSA source said that, regardless of whether a POE letter has been given, IEC applicants who do not currently have a job or a place to reside would probably be denied admission by CBSA as non-essential for the time being. Your admission into Canada is not certain if you decide to travel during this period.
I have travel insurance and am in Canada. Are COVID-19-related claims covered for me?
Every insurance contract is unique. Verifying coverage with your provider and checking your policy are the only ways to find out the answer to this query. It’s crucial to speak with your provider directly if you have any questions regarding your coverage and to find out what will happen in the event that you need to file a COVID-19 claim.
Many insurance companies provide customers a window of opportunity within which to return from a nation in which a travel advise has been issued. Claims will no longer be covered by the supplier once this window closes. This affects travelers worldwide, including those who go via Canada. Exercise caution and make sure you have enough coverage if you decide to stay overseas.
When will be a good time to get Canadian travel insurance?
How we wish we had a response for this query. Regretfully, it is difficult to accurately anticipate the length of the COVID-19 health crisis, and the optimal time to get insurance will depend on your particular circumstances. Stay tuned to the Government of Canada’s website for updates on travel and health warnings.