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 with us. 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 the help of our expert Travel Consultants 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

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“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 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. This is why it’s important to be prepared with travel insurance, like CAA Emergency Medical Travel Insurance, which can provide financial protection and peace of mind in case of 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 to receive coverage for 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

javarman3 | iStock

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

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

Not only can travel insurance cover your medical expenses if you encounter any unfortunate incidents during your travels or need to cancel your trip, but it can also be useful in the event that your passport or other important documents are lost or stolen. 

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

You can save money by bundling and taking advantage of CAA Travel Insurance’s vacation packageswhich 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, it’s important to immediately contact your insurance provider to report the incident. Taking this step will help ensure that any additional costs associated with the situation are covered, and experienced insurance staff can also guide you through the replacement process. 

Remember to stay calm! In the case of a missing or stolen passport, report the theft of your passport to the police or local authorities and get a written report. Then contact the closest Government of Canada office abroad to sort out an emergency passport. Embassies and government agencies often have methods of dealing with stolen passports, and remember to keep receipts and documentation provided to you by the government. 

The airline lost my dress for my daughter's wedding

littlekop | iStock

"We left for 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 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 provide coverage for expenses related to unexpected cancellations, delays, or interruptions to your trip. 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 able to receive reimbursement for expenses such as hotel accommodations, transportation, and other pre-paid expenses.  

Furthermore, with CAA Baggage Loss insurance, the customer would have coverage in case 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 providing financial reimbursement for unexpected expenses or assistance in navigating unexpected situations, travel insurance can help make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. 

Remember, always make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to protect you in case of any unforeseen emergencies. Still have questions? Our CAA Travel Consultants 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 $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. 

Policy conditions and limitations apply. 

CAA Assistance is provided by Global Excel Management. 

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