What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance (like car or home insurance) that provides coverage for certain costs and losses associated with travelling. Without travel insurance, if something unexpected happens like an accident or a missed flight, you could be responsible for some of those costs yourself. These unexpected expenses can be expensive, so travel insurance can help give you greater peace of mind, knowing your travel investment is covered.

It’s easy to purchase a travel insurance plan. You can purchase online or over the phone by providing some basic details about yourself and your upcoming trip. Then you’ll be offered travel insurance options, so you can choose the plan that’s right for you.

When a covered event or loss occurs, like losing a phone or getting sick on vacation, you should file a claim under your travel insurance plan with the necessary documentation. Once that documentation is reviewed, covered out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed, subject to the terms and limitations of the insurance. 

Many travel insurance plans come with a core selection of coverages. Most of our plans at Travel Guard provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, lost luggage, and medical expenses.

You can often add coverages unique to your travel situation. For example, Travel Guard has a Golf Protector that covers the loss, theft or damage to your golf equipment. There is also Enhanced Benefits Upgrade coverage, Cruise and Tour Protector coverage, and more. It’s important to consider the type of trip you are planning when deciding what to include in your travel insurance purchase. If you have questions about what’s best for you, our specially trained World Service Centre representatives would be happy to talk it over. You can reach someone at 866-648-8422.

Additionally, with Travel Guard plans, you get access to our award-winning travel and emergency assistance services. These services are included on almost all plans and can be invaluable if something unexpected happens like a medical emergency or even a last-minute flight change. Our representatives are trained to help to get your vacation back on track, so you don’t have to figure it out alone. They can get you caught up with a tour or cruise if you miss your flight, coordinate medical emergencies, assist with finding lost luggage, and more. 

Limitations and exclusions can vary, depending on what type of travel insurance plan you choose. In general, refundable expenses, such as those that you can get back from the original company (say a cruise deposit or hotel costs), likely will not be covered because you are getting that money back from the travel supplier.

Travel insurance is for unforeseen events. This means if you purchase travel insurance after something happens the event is no longer considered unforeseen under the policy, and likely will not be covered. For example, if your luggage gets lost on a flight, then you need to have purchased your travel insurance prior to your scheduled date of departure.

For additional coverage, you can customize the travel insurance plan with the optional upgraded coverage.

Travel insurance, like any insurance, does have exclusions. So it’s important to understand your policy and the exclusions before you purchase. Read over the policy of insurance (which contains the full terms and conditions) and ask any questions you have before purchasing.

A policy of insurance document is available for every plan we offer. This document provides the details of the travel insurance, including coverages, limitations, and important exclusions. We highly recommend travellers familiarize themselves with the policy of insurance before and after purchase.

You might be thinking – but I have health insurance already, won’t that cover me? The answer is that it may not, particularly if you are travelling internationally. You should read your health insurance policy to see if it provides the coverage you need.

Also Travel Guard offers travel assistance services with most of its travel insurance plans. Our service centres are available year-round to assist with travelling logistics, issues, and scheduling. For example, if you have an accident on your trip, Travel Guard’s representatives can help you book an appointment with the doctor or find new flights home if you need to cut your trip short. You can travel more confidently with access to our award-winning travel and emergency assistance, especially if it’s overseas where you may not be as familiar with the medical or transport systems.  

Travel Guard travel insurance plans make it easy to get a quote and purchase. You can do either online at TravelGuard.ca or through our service centre, which is available at 866-648-8422.