Before you travel, especially if you travel internationally, it’s important to review the travel insurance policy in detail (which is included as part of many employee benefit plans). You will want to fully understand what is and what isn’t covered. In particular, there are three areas which warrant close examination when it comes to international travel insurance coverage:

• COVID coverage
• The stability clause
• And trip limits

COVID Coverage

While COVID coverage has been added to most travel insurance policies, there is still variability in the coverage provided by different carriers. The first step is to check whether COVID coverage is included, either through reviewing the latest employee benefit policy, or contacting the carrier or our Benefit Strategies advisors to confirm. Depending on the level of coverage provided through your employee benefit plan, additional international travel insurance coverage can be purchased through a specific travel insurance policy.

Stability Clause

An important consideration for Canadians with pre-existing health or medical conditions that are looking to travel is determining whether they qualify for the “stability” clause included in most travel insurance coverage as part of their employee benefit plan. These clauses require your pre-existing health or medical conditions to be “stable” for a defined period of time prior to your trip, usually 90 days.

This clause is typically quite broad, encompassing any changes to your health including starting or stopping a new or existing medication, changes in dosage of an existing medication, and seeing a doctor about another condition, even if that condition is not yet diagnosed. Given the broad definition and lengthy lead-time of most stability clauses, we recommend reviewing the terms of your international travel insurance policy well in advance of any planned travel.

Trip Limits and other Limitations

Though most employee benefit plans provide travel insurance and COVID coverage, there are typically limitations around the duration of trips. Depending on how long you’re looking to travel for, it’s important to check how long you’re covered for while you’re away – whether it’s 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, or longer.

In addition, international travel insurance coverage policies typically include other limitations and exclusions around coverage listed in the terms. Given the rapidly changing situation with COVID, one important coverage point to check prior to travel is for any travel advisories issued by Global Affairs Canada.

In addition to these points, as you pack your bags and book your tickets, please check directly with your insurance provider for any further updated policy information just prior to travel to avoid any unexpected complications.

Contact Benefit Strategies Inc.

Still have questions about your benefit plans’s international travel insurance coverage. We can help. Feel free to email us or call us at 780-437-5070.