Why it's important to get non-medical travel insurance? 

Snowbirds, we know you are counting down to your much-awaited escape from the cold. But while planning for your sunny getaway, it’s easy to overlook travel insurance.  

During the busy winter season, flight delays and cancellations can be a concern. So, what can you do? Our travel experts share their vacation tips and explain why it’s important to get non-medical travel insurance. 

Tips for navigating the airport during the busy winter season

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As snowbirds often travel during the busy winter season, flight delays and cancellations can be a concern. CAA advises travellers trying to navigate the chaos to take advantage of digital check-in and boarding passes so you can head straight to security when you arrive at the airport. You’ll want to be ready for security ahead of time. Make sure to have your laptop and electronics somewhere you can easily access so you don’t need to dig through your bags to find them. Also, pack liquids separately in a plastic bag and have them handy to pull out at security.  

Getting CAA trip cancellation and interruption insurance is also a good idea. It offers protection if you miss a connecting flight or must return home to handle an emergency. 

What to do to help prevent lost luggage

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Aside from flight cancellations and delays, some travellers experienced lost or delayed baggage when getting to their destination or returning home. To help prevent this from happening, pack smarter and smaller. When possible, use a carry-on only to help prevent your luggage from getting lost. 

When bringing a checked bag, add a GPS tracker. A tracker will help you locate your bag if it doesn’t arrive on the baggage belt. Also, make sure your travel insurance policy has baggage loss insurance coverage. Baggage insurance covers loss, damage, or delay to your baggage, personal items, and other essentials (like passports) due to theft or transportation hazards.

Difference between trip cancellation and interruption insurance

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The difference is trip cancellation insurance covers before you leave. It protects you if your flight is cancelled, you or your travelling companion becomes ill, or there’s inclement weather.   

Trip interruption insurance protects you after you’ve already left for your vacation. If you miss a connecting flight or need to return home to take care of an emergency, this coverage will help you complete your trip or return home.

For the best coverage, you can bundle these two insurance plans with emergency medical, travel accident, and baggage loss insurance with a CAA Vacation Package plan.   

Can you cancel my trip if I no longer want to go?

What happens if you don't want to go on the day you're set to depart? Some travel insurance companies offer broader cancellation policies. For example, CAA Travel Insurance has "Cancel for Any Other Reason" coverage. With it, you can get up to 50% back if you cancel for any reason that's not covered under trip cancellation insurance. But if you book your trip with CAA Travel, that benefit increases to 75% back. With CAA's "Cancel for Any Other Reason," you can book your trip now and change your mind up to three hours before departure.

Get non-medical travel insurance