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Why Travelling Within Canada Without Travel Insurance Can Cost You

Most savvy vacationers know the importance of buying travel insurance before venturing outside of Canada. But it provides equal peace of mind when a journey takes you no further than another province

Most savvy vacationers know the importance of buying travel insurance before venturing outside of Canada. But it provides equal peace of mind when a journey takes you no further than another province

British Columbians benefit from a nationwide agreement that allows emergency out-of-province medical services to be covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) — simply present your valid BC Care Card or BC Services Card and you’ll be covered for the same amount had the expenses been incurred in B.C. (In Quebec, payment must be made at the time of treatment and will be reimbursed by MSP after you return home.)

However, despite the assurance MSP offers British Columbians, the government of B.C. encourages all residents to secure additional insurance through travel insurance private providers or extended health plans when travelling in and outside of Canada as the following are some of the services not covered by MSP:

  • prescription medications
  • ambulance services
  • emergency dental treatment
  • repatriation
  • return of vehicle

This is why travel insurance is a thorough and economical way to protect the financial security of you and your loved ones. Starting at only $20 per person, BCAA Travel Insurance provides $10 million of emergency coverage for your out-of-provinc e travel this summer. Also, families can maximize savings as BCAA offers free insurance for children when a family travel insurance plan is purchased.

Here are just three of the common situations you may encounter while travelling where BCAA Travel Insurance could save you money, time and stress:

Medical Emergency

A man wakes up in his hotel room during the night with symptoms suggesting he is suffering from a heart attack. An ambulance is dispatched to take him to the nearest hospital. Luckily, his suspected heart attack is merely severe acid reflux, but MSP doesn’t pay for ambulance services. The cost can range from $115 (in Newfoundland and Labrador) to $530 (in Manitoba), but depending on the terms of your BCAA Travel Insurance plan you may be eligible to receive full reimbursement for the ambulance services you require.

Lost Medication

A diabetic’s purse, containing all of her medications is stolen. Her BCAA travel insurance plan pays up to $150 to replace stolen medication. Diabetes prescriptions can range from $20 to $200; insulin $25 to $105; and test strips as much as $80 for a box of 100.

Dental Work

A family is soaking up the sun while enjoying some quality time in their hotel’s outdoor pool. As one of the kids is getting out of the pool, her hand slips and her mouth hits the pool deck. The result is a chipped tooth and a swollen lip so the family heads to a nearby dentist a couple of days later for emergency repair work. The cost to fix a chipped tooth can range from $200 to $1000 depending on the severity of the damage, but luckily BCAA Travel Insurance plan covers the cost of any emergency dental work that is needed while on vacation.   

Most vacations begin and end without any issues or accidents. However, if you or your family ever happen to find yourselves in an unpleasant situation, having BCAA Travel Insurance will provide you with the security and comfort you get through the toughest of circumstances — and save you money at the same time.

 

BCAA Travel Insurance is available to everyone for a single trip or as an annual plan. Plus, become a BCAA Member and save 10% off our already competitive rates. Visit bcaa.com/travel for more information.