Tips and Updates about Travel Health Insurance > Protect Your Travels: Navigating Insurance Amidst Climate Change
Tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and wildfires—these once-rare events are becoming alarmingly common in our increasingly unpredictable world. In Canada alone, the impact of climate change is unmistakable: wildfires ravaging Jasper, Alberta; a devastating hailstorm in Calgary; and severe flooding in St. John, New Brunswick. While these events often make headlines, have you ever considered how they might affect your travel plans? More importantly, have you examined your travel insurance policy in light of such risks? Are you as protected as you think?
The rise in extreme weather events is leading to significant disruptions for travellers—widespread flight cancellations, unexpected hotel closures, and increased health and safety risks. As a savvy traveller, it’s important to fully understand your insurance coverage, particularly regarding trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits. Make sure it aligns with your specific needs. Here are some tips to help you stay prepared and protected.
Understand Your Coverage
Two of the most common and widely recognized types of travel coverage are emergency medical care, which covers unexpected health issues requiring medical attention abroad, and trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, which protects against unforeseen events that could disrupt your plans.
Disruptions caused by climate change, such as extreme weather events, generally fall under trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. This type of coverage reimburses you if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances like severe weather.
Many group insurance plans and credit card providers offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, giving travellers a safety net when plans change unexpectedly. Additionally, insurance purchased through an insurer, broker, or travel agency often allows you to customize your coverage, ensuring it suits your specific needs.
Check Your Coverage Amounts
It’s vital to carefully review the coverage amounts provided by your trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance to ensure they meet your needs. Here are some important factors to consider:
- Sufficient coverage: Ensure the coverage amounts are sufficient for your entire trip, including all travellers in your party. Coverage limits vary by insurer, so it’s essential to know the exact amount you are entitled to.
- Cancellation coverage: Confirm that your insurance covers trip cancellations. This usually includes reimbursement for non-refundable expenses paid in advance, such as airline tickets, hotel bookings, and car rentals. Additionally, check if expenses like show tickets or planned activities are eligible for reimbursement. If you are in Quebec and booked through a travel agency licensed by the Office de la protection du consommateur, you may be able to recover certain amounts. For detailed information, visit the website. It’s also important to check with airlines about refund or assistance options. Keep in mind that most insurers and airlines consider travel credits equivalent to refunds.
- Interruption and delayed return costs: Verify that your insurance covers trip interruptions or delays. Insurers generally reimburse additional expenses incurred from changes in travel dates. If your ticket is non-refundable, many policies will cover the cost of purchasing a new one.
- Extended stay expenses: If your return is delayed by several days, ensure you have enough coverage for meals and accommodations to manage any additional costs at your destination. These costs can vary widely by country and have increased in recent years, so it is important to check your policy limits.
Read Your Contract Carefully
While it may seem overwhelming, taking the time to thoroughly read your travel insurance policy is essential to fully understand your coverage. Familiarize yourself with the insured risks, limitations and exclusions, as these may vary significantly between insurers.
For instance, many travellers don’t realize that numerous insurers will cover trip cancellation costs if your home is damaged before your departure. Similarly, if your home is damaged while you’re away, some policies may allow you to return home early. However, it’s important to note that you must have purchased cancellation insurance before the damage occurs. From the moment you book your trip, ensure you have the right coverage because life’s uncertainties can arise at any time.
Prepare Before You Leave
Before embarking on your trip, it’s essential to be informed and prepared, especially regarding potential weather conditions at your destination. For instance, if a tornado is forecasted in the country you plan to visit, check the Government of Canada’s advisories on Travel.gc.ca for the latest updates. These advisories provide current information and may even result in a change in advisory levels, which could help you qualify for a refund on your trip.
In such cases, contact your insurer or assistance provider to understand the specific steps you need to take. Keep in mind that the government advisory must still be in effect on your departure date; cancelling too early might prevent you from recovering your incurred expenses.
Practical Tips and Claims Procedures
When unexpected events disrupt your travel plans, knowing what steps to take can make a big difference. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate these situations effectively:
- Hotel damage: If your hotel suffers significant damage, check the Government of Canada’s website to see if a travel advisory is in effect. Some insurance policies allow you to cancel your trip under these conditions.
- Unexpected disruptions to your stay: If you’re alerted to an approaching tornado or other severe weather during your stay, prioritize your safety. Follow local authorities’ instructions, take shelter as directed, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The safety of you and your loved ones should always come first.
- Post-disaster travel disruptions: If a natural disaster occurs and, while you’re safe, you can’t reach the airport for your scheduled departure—leading to missed flights and extra costs— here’s what to do:
- Extra costs: Keep receipts and documentation for any additional costs incurred, such as meals or extra hotel nights.
- Proof of cancelled flights: Contact your airline to obtain documentation showing that your flight was cancelled.
- Submit a claim: Contact your assistance provider or visit their website to learn about the claims process. Many providers allow electronic claim submissions. Fill out the necessary forms, attach your receipts and explanations, and submit your claim.
Conclusion
As a traveller, it’s crucial to be well-informed about your rights and responsibilities when it comes to travel insurance. Remember the Travel Health Insurance Association (THIA) four Golden Rules:
- Know your health: Be aware of your medical history and any known conditions, as they may affect your coverage.
- Know your trip: Understand the potential risks associated with your destination so you can choose the right coverage.
- Know your policy: Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions to know what is covered and what isn’t.
- Know your rights: Know your claim procedures and the services you are entitled to, which will help you handle any issues that may arise.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be better prepared to handle unexpected events and fully enjoy your trip. When planning your next adventure, be proactive, stay informed, and take the time to ensure you’re ready to face the unpredictability of travel, knowing your insurance has you covered. Bon voyage!