COVID-19 and Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
As vaccinations rollout across the country, eager Canadian travellers begin to plan their future travel. CAA Travel Insurance aims to protect Canadians with coverage that makes sense in this post-pandemic world. To help you book with confidence, COVID protection enhancements have been made with new interruption coverage, and emergency medical coverage expansions for those who are travelling during a Level 3 travel advisory.
Expanding COVID-19 emergency medical coverage.*
Canadian travellers that have received one vaccine dose of Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccinations at least 14 days prior to departure, will receive up to $2.5 million in coverage, per insured.
Canadian travellers that have received all vaccine doses of Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccinations at least 14 days prior to departure, will receive up to $5 million in coverage, per insured.
Newly purchased Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance enhancements.
Denied Boarding/Entry
Coverage is for travellers who are denied entry at customs, or security checkpoints, due to health regulations set by government authorities.
Interruption for Any Other Reason
A new benefit allowing policyholders to interrupt their trip for a reason that is not included in insured risks or excluded in our trip cancellation and Interruption provisions.
- Reimbursement of 75% of the unused nonrefundable portion of your fully prepaid travel arrangements booked through CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) up to the amount indicated as the Sum Insured prior to departure on your Declaration Page (except the prepaid cost of your return transportation ticket home) up to $2,500 if you elect to interrupt your trip prior to the scheduled return date and time for any other reason.
- Reimbursement of 50% of the unused nonrefundable portion of your fully prepaid travel arrangements up to the amount indicated as the Sum Insured prior to departure on your Declaration Page (except the prepaid cost of your return transportation ticket home) up to $2,500 if you elect to interrupt your trip prior to the scheduled return date and time for any other reason.
- Reimbursement of up to $1,000 for the extra cost of a one-way economy airfare via the most cost effective route to return you to your home or any additional fees incurred to change the dates of your original return ticket when such an option is available to you.
Scenario 1
Hotel booking: $1,800
Day tours/excursions: $325
Sum Insured on the policy: $3,325
Three days into the trip, the traveller receives a call from home that a family member has been suddenly admitted to hospital ICU unit. At the time of the purchase of this policy the family member was undergoing testing for Covid as well as a diagnosis. However, since all the requirements for Interruption for Any Other Reason have occurred, the traveller may submit a claim and contact CAA Assistance with respect to the Interruption for Any Other Reason coverage.
Coverage applies for: $1,593.75 (75% of the prepaid travel arrangement i.e., hotel ($1,800) and day Tours ($325) = $2,125).
Up to $1,000 for the extra cost 1- way economy airfare via the most cost-effective route to return home or any additional fees incurred to change dates of the original return ticket. (Note: The amount received in a claim is based on the sum insured prior to departure and will be pro-rated based on what is unused.)
Scenario 2
Flight (return airfare) business class: $1,200
Resort booking: $2,000
A traveller has been in Cuba for a total of four days when they find out that they must return home early as their cat at home has taken ill and may need to be put down. However, since all the requirements for Interruption for Any Other Reason have occurred, the traveller may submit a claim and contact CAA Assistance with respect to the Interruption for Any Other Reason coverage.
Coverage applies for: $1,000 (50% of the prepaid travel arrangement i.e., resort booking ($2,000) = $1,000).
Up to $1,000 for the extra cost 1- way economy airfare via the most cost-effective route to return home or any additional fees incurred to change dates of the original return ticket. (Note: The amount received in a claim is based on the sum insured prior to departure and will be pro-rated based on what is unused.)
Scenario 3
Flight (return airfare) business class: $1,200
Tour: $2,500
Sum Insured on the policy: $0 sum insured prior
A traveller has been in Puerta Plat for one week when they find out that they must return home early as a family member who was sick prior to departure, has ended up in hospital. However, since all the requirements for Interruption for Any Other Reason have occurred, the traveller may submit a claim and contact CAA Assistance with respect to the Interruption for Any Other Reason coverage.
Coverage applies for: Up to $1,000 for the extra cost 1- way economy airfare via the most cost-effective route to return home or any additional fees incurred to change dates of the original return ticket.
The reason the answer is only the ticket to return home, as the amount insured prior to departure is $0. The traveller is still entitled to the ticket home amount maximum of $1,000.
Coverage Condition
Must have a cause of interruption that occurs 48 hours or more after your arrival to trip destination.
Scenarios where coverage for a trip interruption claim, under the endorsement, is excluded:
- The traveller completed security and Covid-19 screening in his home country security checkpoint. The traveller failed to bring proof of his insurance or vaccination to destination. The traveller was denied entry into the country after disembarking from the aircraft as he did not have proof of his insurance or vaccination which was required for entry into the country.
- The traveller is flagged by security/immigration due to similarities of the name, with a banned person on a no-fly list. The traveller was previously given a lettered exemption to travel with. The traveller forgot this letter and was denied boarding.
