5 Surprising benefits of travel insurance every traveller should know
4 Minute Read
Summary
- Travel insurance offers protection beyond emergency care, covering cancellations, interruptions, assistance, and repatriation costs.
- Coverage applies before departure and during trips, including medical coordination, evacuation, and unexpected return arrangements.
- Understanding these benefits helps travellers reduce financial risk and stress when plans change unexpectedly.
Planning a trip is exciting, from choosing your dream destination and booking flights to picking out the perfect outfits and imagining new adventures. With all this anticipation, it’s easy to forget about travel insurance. Having the right coverage in place lets you focus on the journey, knowing you're prepared for the unexpected.
Before you set off on your next journey, discover these five surprising benefits of CAA Travel Insurance* that every traveller should know. You might be surprised by how much protection it really offers.
Protection if a trip is cancelled
With airfare, accommodations and other travel expenses rising, the cost of a trip can add up quickly. Many of these expenses are paid in advance, making travel a significant financial commitment for many travellers.
When a trip must be cancelled before departure, having protection in place can help prevent those costs from being lost. CAA Trip Cancellation coverage may help reimburse eligible, non‑refundable expenses if an unexpected event prevents a traveller from leaving as planned.
This coverage can apply in situations such as a sudden illness or injury, a death in the family or another unforeseen emergency that makes travel impossible.
Coverage when a trip is interrupted
Even the most carefully planned trip can be disrupted by a sudden illness or injury, a family emergency back home, or circumstances beyond your control, like severe weather or widespread airport disruptions. You might also encounter issues once you reach the airport, like being denied boarding or refused entry at customs due to health regulations imposed by the government or mistaken identity.
When travel plans fall apart, you could face unexpected costs for new flights, hotels, or meals during long delays. If you need to end your trip early because of an emergency, CAA Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse you for eligible expenses and reduce the financial burden of last-minute changes.
Emergency medical care and evacuation
Medical emergencies can be overwhelming, especially when they happen far from home. CAA Travel Insurance provides support from the first call, arranging transportation to a suitable hospital, coordinating medical transfers, and helping manage care.
Our plans include up to $5 million in Emergency Medical coverage1 for unexpected needs, including hospital stays, physician services, tests, and prescriptions. If you're hospitalized for several days, the policy can also help reunite your family and assist with returning a vehicle.
Behind the scenes, CAA’s 24/7 emergency assistance2 team connects you with medical care, provides interpretation, keeps family informed, and coordinates payments with hospitals where possible.
Support with repatriation arrangements
Some of the most important benefits of travel insurance are the ones travellers hope they will never need. While it can be difficult to think about, travel insurance can also support families during the most serious and emotional emergencies.
If a traveller passes away while abroad, CAA Travel Insurance can help manage both the financial and practical responsibilities that follow.
This support may include arranging and paying for the return of remains to Canada, a process that often involves complex paperwork, coordination with local authorities and time-sensitive logistics.
In certain circumstances, the policy may also help with the cost of a qualified medical attendant, other than an immediate family member, when recommended by the attending physician.
These arrangements can cost tens of thousands of dollars, adding financial strain at an already difficult time. Travel insurance can help ensure families aren’t left managing both grief and unexpected expenses.
Access to 24/7 emergency assistance
One of the most valuable yet overlooked benefits of travel insurance is access to round‑the‑clock travel assistance. CAA Travel Insurance offers access to a global emergency assistance team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This team can help guide travellers to appropriate physicians or hospitals at their destination, when possible, and arrange multilingual interpreter services to support clear communication.
Assistance may also include monitoring care to help ensure treatment is medically necessary, communicating with family members or physicians at home on a traveller’s behalf, and, where available, arranging direct payment to hospitals and medical providers.
Having experienced support available at any hour can make a meaningful difference when navigating medical or travel-related emergencies in an unfamiliar setting, helping reduce stress and allowing travellers to focus on their recovery.
Travel safe with CAA
CAA Travel Insurance offers coverage options for Canadians that go beyond what many credit card or group plans provide. CAA Members save up to 20%3 on policies. Travellers can visit a CAA Store, call 1-800-705-1803, or get a quote online.
*CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. A Medical Questionnaire is required if you are 60 years of age and older. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
3Applies to CAA Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by Membership expiry date). Up to twenty percent (20%) savings applies to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Subject to change without notice. Excludes Visitors to Canada Insurance. CAA Everyday, Classic®, and Plus® Members save 10%. CAA Premier® Members save 20% at CAA Stores or by calling 1-800-705-1803. CAA Premier Members save 10% and earn 10% in CAA Dollars® when booking online.
1.CAA Assistance is provided by Xodus Travel Services Inc.
2.Up to $5 million CAD. Maximum $25,000 for all Emergency Medical Insurance benefits for Canadian residents without active Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP); and/or without GHIP authorization to cover trip days in excess of 212 days in Ontario in a 12-month period. Visit caaneo.ca/termsandconditions for offer details and full Membership Terms and Conditions.
®CAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association.
