Frequently Asked Questions: Annual & Individual Travel Plans
Can Travel Assistance help me find a place where I can be tested for COVID-19 while on a trip?
We cannot guarantee that Blue Cross Travel Assistance will have access to all the information regarding COVID-19 testing centres at your destination. We recommend that you contact the local health authorities for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 testing.
Do you offer a discount to clients who are vaccinated?
Vaccination has no impact on our insurance premiums.
Will being vaccinated against COVID-19 have an impact on my travel insurance coverage, insurance eligibility, or ongoing claims?
No. COVID-19 vaccination has no impact of travel insurance overage, insurance eligibility, or ongoing claims.
Will I be covered for COVID-19 while travelling if I haven’t been vaccinated?
Vaccination does not affect travel insurance coverage. Emergency Medical Care coverage covers each insured person up to $5,000,000 per trip, regardless of whether the person is vaccinated or not, as long as they meet the pre-existing condition requirements. For example, if you were diagnosed with or had symptoms of COVID-19 prior to the effective date of your contract, you will not be covered for this illness.
If myself or my travelling companion get COVID-19 during our trip, will we both be able to stay at our destination and maintain our coverage?
Your insurance contract will automatically be extended free of charge for the duration of hospitalization and for 24 hours following discharge from the hospital, or up to 72 hours when your return is postponed due to a medical emergency that started within 24 hours of the expected return date and requires emergency treatment.
If you or your travelling companion must postpone your return because you need to receive care related to COVID-19, you will also qualify for a subsistence allowance for expenses incurred, such as:
- Accommodation costs in a commercial establishment
- Meals
- Taxi transportation
- Childcare costs for dependent children who accompany your client on the trip
Does Blue Cross travel insurance cover cruises?
Yes. Cruises are included in the travel insurance coverage, as long as you meet the pre-existing medical condition requirements of your contract.
If I decide to travel to Ukraine despite the current events, will I be covered under the Emergency Medical Care benefit if something happens to me there?
The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers you in case of sudden illness or accident that may arise during your trip, as long as it is not a pre-existing condition. However, this benefit does include an exclusion for all expenses related to war, revolt or revolution or voluntary participation in a riot or insurrection.
It can be extremely difficult to access care in a war zone. In the event of an emergency or for any questions, please contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance, which will assist you with obtaining the necessary medical assistance.
If the government were to close the borders again, would you cover the costs of extending the trip, possible quarantine abroad or return to Canada?
Our responsibility is to advise and support our clients, while respecting the restrictions imposed by the various governments. Please note that:
- Subsistence allowance does not cover expenses related to preventive or mandatory quarantine before returning tonthe country, on site or upon arrival at the destination.
- Subsistence allowance expenses may be covered when a traveller must delay their return due to a medical emergency, including a medical emergency related to COVID-19.
- A medical emergency means the person is suffering from serious symptoms that require medical attention and possibly repatriation.
- We do not cover quarantine fees upon return to the country.
We advise all our clients to call us in case of any doubt or if their situation changes. Options to extend insurance coverage may be considered if a person becomes stranded abroad
How do government announcements related to essential travel affect your policies?
We are monitoring the recommendations of the Government of Canada and World Health Organization, as well as the global situation regarding the spread of the virus. The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers COVID-19 unless it is considered a pre-existing condition prior to departure.
I need written proof of your insurance coverage for COVID-19. What do I need to do?
You will find written proof of your insurance coverage for COVID-19 in the last section of your travel insurance certificate.
Are all COVID-19 variants covered by my travel insurance?
Yes. Emergency Medical Care coverage covers COVID-19 and its variants, unless it counts as a pre-existing condition prior to departure.
What happens if I don’t get tested for COVID-19 before my return date?
Please consult the website of the Government of Canada to get the latest information on this subject.
I was denied boarding on my flight back to Canada. Will the Emergency Medical Care benefit cover my expenses for subsistence allowance if I need to extend my trip?
The Emergency Medical Care benefit covers expenses for subsistence allowance only in the event of a medical emergency.
If you are denied boarding your flight, contact our Travel Assistance to request an extension of your insurance. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:
- From Canada or the United States: 1-800-361-6068 (toll free)
- From Mexico: 01 800 062-3174 (toll free)
- From the Dominican Republic: 1-800-203-9666 (toll free)
- From anywhere else in the world: 1-800-7328-7473 (toll free) or 514-286-8411 (collect)
*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for
more details.
Does Emergency Medical Care cover the cost of getting tested for COVID-19 while on a trip?
No. Emergency Medical Care coverages only covers diagnostic services when prescribed by a physician following a medical emergency or sudden illness.
Does Emergency Medical Care cover the cost of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while on a trip?
No. Emergency Medical Care coverage does not cover preventive care such as vaccines. It covers medical care or services required following an accident or sudden illness.
Does the Emergency Medical Care benefit cover the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine while on a trip?
Emergency Medical Care coverage covers medical care or services required as a result of an accident or sudden illness. If such care is required due to side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be covered by this insurance.
Am I covered if I decide to travel outside of my province of residence even if a warning to avoid non-essential travel is in place?
All Annual and Individual Travel Plans include the Emergency Medical Care benefit and 24/7 access to Travel Assistance. If you should contract the COVID-19 virus while travelling, the Emergency Medical Care benefit will cover you for as long as your contract is in effect.
It is important to note that given the magnitude of the crisis, the reduced availability of medical resources around the world and the measures taken by different countries to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, our assistance service is very limited in its ability to assist people in emergency situations abroad.
All travellers should be aware that there are health risks when you travel. We would generally advocate reconsidering your travel plans in order to protect the health of travellers and the Canadian public; however we understand that some travel may be necessary.
Can I extend my insurance contract if I am unable to return home as planned due to travel restrictions?
If you must extend your stay due to a situation beyond your control, promptly contact our Member Experience team at 1-833-729-0186 if you are in Canada or USA or 1-306-518-0145 (collect) from any other country to find out if you are eligible for a contract extension. Make sure you contact us before the expiry date of your contract. Please note that any request to extend your coverage will be subject to our approval.
What should I do if I contract COVID-19 or I get sick while travelling?
If you need emergency medical care during their trip, you must contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance immediately. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:
- From Canada or the United States: 1-833-729-0186 (toll-free)
- From elsewhere in the world: 1-306-518-0145 (collect)
If you cannot reach Blue Cross Travel Assistance, you should do whatever is necessary to stabilize your situation (e.g., go to a nearby hospital). Once you have received the appropriate care, contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance as soon as possible.
Am I covered if I am quarantined during my trip?
If you need to extend your trip as a result of being quarantined, contact us at 1-800-667-6853 or 306-244-1192.
*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for more details.
Can you send me a letter proving that you cover expenses related to COVID-19?
If such a document is requested by a government authority, contact our Member Experience team at 1-833-729-0186 if you are in Canada or USA or 1-306-518-0145 (collect) from any other country.
Can I change the dates of my individual travel insurance contract?
To change the dates of your individual travel insurance contract, please contact our Member Experience team at 1-306-244-1192 or the authorized representative (broker) that sold you the contract before the effective date of your contract.
I need to extend my trip because I tested positive for COVID-19. Will my contract be extended automatically?
If you need to extend your trip, contact us to find out if you are eligible for a contract extension at 1-800-667-6853 or 306-244-1192.
*The Government of Canada requires all travellers to provide a mandatory negative result from a recent COVID-19 test. Click here for more details.
I extended my contract due to quarantine and my symptoms worsened. Will I be covered for COVID-19 during this period?
If you have been placed in quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test and require emergency medical attention for this reason, contact our Travel Assistance. The numbers to reach this 24/7 service are as follows:
- From Canada or the United States: 1-800-361-6068 (toll free)
- From Mexico: 01 800 062-3174 (toll free)
- From the Dominican Republic: 1-800-203-9666 (toll free)
- From anywhere else in the world: 1-800-7328-7473 (toll free) or 514-286-8411 (collect)