How to prepare for the unexpected while travelling

Have you ever had a travel experience that didn't quite go as planned? Did your luggage get lost, or did you get sick while on vacation? Well, you're not alone! 

CAA reached out to our Members to hear their unexpected travel stories, and you'll be surprised by the range of experiences they shared. From a mother-of-the-bride losing her luggage and having to borrow a dress for her daughter's wedding to getting food poisoning in Las Vegas, our Members have been through it all. We've enlisted our expert Travel Agents to share advice on how to prepare and protect yourself when the unexpected happens. Travel mishaps can happen to anyone, no matter how seasoned a traveller you are. So, get ready to learn valuable tips to make your future travels as smooth and stress-free as possible.

I won a 24-hour Vegas trip and got food poisoning

“I won a 24–hour trip to Las Vegas off the radio. My fiancé and I were so excited and tried to pack as many fun activities into the 24 hours as possible. Soon after landing, we went for lunch, and I got food poisoning. I was so sick for the rest of the trip that I could barely leave our hotel room. I really tried to put on a brave face and continue our plans. We had booked a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant, but I had to leave halfway through, and my fiancé had to get his food to go. We were so disappointed and did not have a chance to go back and do the trip right. We hope to return someday!” – CAA Member 

Travel is an incredible opportunity to explore new destinations, try new foods, and make unforgettable memories. Unfortunately, sometimes unexpected events can derail even the most carefully planned trip. That is why it’s important to be prepared with travel insurance, such as CAA Emergency Medical Travel Insurance, which can provide financial protection and peace of mind in unexpected situations. 

In a situation like this, if the traveller had purchased CAA Emergency Medical Travel Insurance1 before their trip, they could have been eligible for coverage of medical expenses related to their illness, including doctor’s visits, prescription medication, and hospitalization2 if necessary. While travel can be unpredictable, CAA’s Emergency Medical Travel Insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected situations. Travellers can feel confident that they are covered for unexpected medical expenses and other travel-related issues that may arise. 

I went to Mexico and lost my ID

“Went to visit my sister in Mexico (she lives there) and went to the duty-free shop and put my passport into the duty-free bag. When we arrived at my sister's, we were so excited to see each other that we threw the bag out, including my ID. When we realized what we had done, we had to dumpster dive to try to find the bag. Lots of fun. We never did find it.” – CAA Member 

Losing important documents like a passport while travelling can be stressful and overwhelming. In these cases, travel insurance, such as CAA Travel Insurance, can help ease some of the stress.  

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses if you experience an unfortunate incident during your trip or need to cancel, and it can also help if your passport or other important documents are lost or stolen. 

Check whether your trip cancellation and interruption insurance plan will cover the cost of travel to return home if your passport or visa is lost or stolen. Also, get baggage insurance to cover the cost of replacing your travel documents. CAA Travel Insurance offers both protections in our vacation package plans.  

You can save money by bundling and taking advantage of CAA Travel Insurance’s vacation packages, which include multiple coverages like medical emergencies, flight accidents, lost personal travel documents, delayed baggage, trip cancellation and interruption. 

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of losing your passport, contact your insurance provider immediately to report the incident. This step helps ensure any additional costs are covered, and experienced insurance staff can also guide you through the replacement process. 

Remember to stay calm! If your passport is missing or stolen, report the theft to the police or local authorities and get a written report. Then, contact the closest Government of Canada office abroad to arrange an emergency passport. Embassies and government agencies often have procedures for handling stolen passports. Keep receipts and any documentation provided by the government. 

The airline lost my dress for my daughter's wedding

"We left for our daughter’s wedding in Panama on a Thursday, and the wedding was on Sunday. But the airline cancelled the first connecting flight, and after many cancellations and delays, we made it on Sunday morning with little sleep. I thought things couldn’t get worse, but…they lost our luggage. As the mother of the bride, I had to borrow a dress from one of the guests." – CAA Member

Unfortunately, the customer had to go through such a stressful experience during what should have been a joyous occasion. CAA Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can cover expenses related to unexpected cancellations, delays, or interruptions to your trip. Additionally, Flight Delay Benefit is a travel delay support service offered at no additional cost to eligible travellers. When a registered flight is delayed by two hours or more, travellers may receive either airport lounge access or a monetary allowance.

In this case, if the customer’s flight was cancelled and they could not make it to their daughter’s wedding on time, they may have been eligible for reimbursement for expenses such as hotel accommodations, transportation, and other prepaid costs.  

Furthermore, CAA Baggage Loss insurance would cover the customer in the event of lost or delayed luggage. In addition to these benefits, CAA Travel Insurance also offers 24/7 multilingual assistance³, so the customer would have access to a team of professionals who could provide support and guidance throughout their journey.  

While unexpected events can happen during a trip, travellers can have peace of mind knowing they are protected with the right travel insurance, such as CAA Trip Cancellation, Interruption insurance, and Baggage Loss insurance. Whether it provides financial reimbursement for unexpected expenses or help navigating unexpected situations, travel insurance can make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. 

Remember to always have comprehensive travel insurance to protect you in case of any unforeseen emergencies. Still have questions? Our CAA Travel Agents are happy to help you with your travel insurance. Book an appointment or call 1-800-267-8713 to speak with a travel expert today, or go online to get a CAA Travel Insurance quote. 

CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire is required if you are 60 years of age and older. Quotes are valid for 30 days.  

Up to $10 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. 

Policy conditions and limitations apply. 

CAA Assistance is provided by Xodus Travel Services Inc. 

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