General Travel Insurance Questions and Answers

Disclaimer: These questions have been answered to the best of our knowledge but we cannot guarantee the accuracy of all answers because some questions require further reading of your policy document to become truly specific, and/or due to human error. This information is provided as a helpful starting point, but please read your policy document before obtaining the insurance for more specific answers to your questions.

Q: Why do visitors or seniors need to compare travel insurance companies?
A: We quote all of Canada's top insurance companies so you can see how prices can differ, and choose the policy wording that fits your situation. Prices vary a lot, especially if you are taking medications for various ailments. Maybe you need the plan that covers 'return of vehicle' better than other plans. Maybe you need to find the plan that covers you to go mountain climbing - but most plans don't. You can't find the best price and the best coverage by looking at one company at a time - that would take too long without coming up with the best plan or price.

Q: Why do I need any insurance?
A: Travel health insurance protects you against large financial setbacks due to medical emergencies. No advisor would be doing you a favor to advise you to travel without travel health insurance. Without travel insurance, a broken leg or the flu could turn into a substantial medical bill, especially in the U.S., but elsewhere too. Without travel insurance, you expose yourself to unlimited financial risk.
Travel insurance will also cover items which regular health insurance will not, such as incidental hospital expenses, out-of pocket costs of accomodation and meals while a travel companion is in hospital, returning your vehicle homw when you can't, flying you home for (better) medical attention and more. You can get a plan that protects you in the event of family emergencies (that cause you to cancel or interrupt your vacation), delays, theft and last-minute plan changes happen once and a while to all travelers.

Q: How does purchasing insurance online work? Don't I have to sign the application?
A: Travel insurance is available from numerous sources : banks, insurance companies, credit unions, trust companies, or even major retailers and automobile associations - just like BestQuote, they accept applications online by identifying you through the use of your creditcard. The questions you answer and the declarations you make as part of your online application are the same as you would make on a paper application. Unfortunately, those outlets only show you one choice. With BestQuote, we show you a wider selection of choices, and give you the tools to compare coverage, so you can find the coverage you need at the right price.

Q: When I purchase a travel insurance policy from BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency, how do I receive a copy of my insurance papers before I travel (I'm leaving soon!)?
A: When you purchase a policy from us online, the insurance company will send you a 'confirmation of coverage' document which summarizes your coverage. You should print this and take it with you. A copy of the policy wording will also be emailed to you, but we will mail one to you too if you email us and ask us to send you a paper copy. You will also receive a wallet card that you can write your policy number and your insurance company's contact information on to keep on hand in case you need it.
If you have left your purchase to the last minute, don't worry. Of the six insurance companies that we offer quotes for, both Travel Guard and ETFS have enabled automatic transfer of your data to them 24/7, so your policy will be issued in seconds! When you purchase a policy from one of the other companies (GMS, TIC, Travel Underwriters or Manulife) we will process your purchase within 24 hours. You will receive a confirmatory email with details immediately after processing.

Q: Are the companies on this website reputable?
A: Yes. The companies on our website are very well regarded in the travel insurance industry and have been chosen above other travel insurance providers because of their 24/7 customer service, policy wording and financial strength as indicated by A.M. Best, an independent organization that rates the financial strength of Canadian insurance companies.

Q: How do I view the policy prior to purchase?
A: Once you have asked for a quote and been presented with your policy choices you will notice four options to help you navigate through the policy wording details: (Summary, Policy Details, Compares Details, and Download Policy). You are advised to download the policy and review it prior to purchasing. But you probably don't want to download 6 different policies and read them all before deciding which one to get. We've made it easier to compare coverage and to take a quick look at how any one area of coverage (for example dental, return of vehicle, remote evacuation, sports/activities exclusion, ect). is worded by each company.  Once you've narrowed down your choice, you can read through the policy that interests you by downloading it.

Q: When does my policy start?
A: For emergency medical single trip plans it starts on your departure date. For emergency medical multi trip (annual) plans it begins on the effective date which you may have set as the departure date of your first trip. For all-inclusive, non-medical package plans or trip cancellation plans coverage begins on the purchase date.

Q: What is the 'deposit date'?
A: The deposit date is the first date that money paid towards your trip becomes non-refundable. The first date that you have to pay a non-refundable deposit and/or deposits or reservation charges that are not 100% refundable, that is your 'deposit' date. This question is asked for those purchasing trip cancellation insurance, because most companies restrict your purchase to within a few days of your deposit date.

Q: What is a Deductible?
A: Your policy may come with a deductible, or you may choose to obtain a policy without a deductible. The deductible amount that your policy has is the amount of expenses that you must pay (deduct from the bill) before the insurance company will begin to pay for expenses. The higher the deductible amount of your policy, the lower the premium you are asked to pay. If for example, you have chosen to lower your premium by choosing a $500 deductible, if you have a claim, you will need to pay the first $500 of expenses, and then the insurance company will cover the rest (of the eligible expenses). On your quote screen, will find it easy to change the deductible and see how it affects your premium.

Q: To obtain a travel visa, I need medical and evacuation travel insurance. Do you offer this type of coverage?
A: Yes, we do. Get a quote for Emergency Medical coverage for Canadians, look through the policy details for the evacuation coverage you need, and get the policy that covers your second and third most important criteria as well. Then you're good to go.

Q: I have travel insurance from my credit card, isn't that more convenient?
A: It may be convenient, but it might be more expensive and it might not be the coverage you think you have. Once you take into account the annual fees that you credit card company will charge you to provide annual coverage, you'll probably be able to find a better travel insurance plan (higher coverage, better wording) for a lower cost. It is very important for you to read the coverage that you have through your credit card company to determine if it includes emergency medical insurance coverage.
Some credit cards might seem like they provide 'travel insurance' when their policy only covers accidental death when you pass away on a common carrier! Other's have low coverage, or a time limit to be aware of. Also, be mindful that most credit card companies only offer coverage for those under 65.

Q: On the quote I received, it lists prices for traveller 1 and traveller 2 but they don't add up to the number shown for 'Net Final Premium'. Why is that?
A: The numbers for each traveller are the actual rate for that traveller, but the Net Final Premium quoted has to take into account any minmum policy fees that apply, or any discounts (for travelling as companion's etc) or premiums (for deductible choices). The premium listed under Net Final Premium is accurate. We wanted to ensure that a person can view the premium for each traveller, because occasionally a traveller will not be covered after they answer the medical questions. In that case, the quote will display 'not qualified' beside that traveller.

For more information see:

Q&A for Canadians

Q&A for Visitors to Canada

Q&A for Medical Issues