Travel Insurance BC
A trip should be something you look forward to, not something you spend worrying about. Whether you're leaving British Columbia for a weekend, travelling internationally, visiting family, taking a cruise, or planning several trips throughout the year, unexpected events can quickly become expensive.
Travel insurance can help protect you from eligible costs related to medical emergencies and, depending on the coverage you choose, unexpected cancellations, interruptions, delays, baggage issues and other covered events. At Cascade Insurance Agencies, we can help you understand your travel insurance options and choose coverage that fits your trip, your needs and your circumstances.
Why Travel Insurance Matters for BC Travellers
Your BC health coverage should not be treated as a substitute for travel insurance when you leave the province or country.
Medical treatment outside Canada can cost significantly more than the amounts covered by BC's Medical Services Plan. The Province of British Columbia recommends purchasing additional medical insurance for travel outside Canada, even if you are leaving the country for only a day.
The Government of Canada also recommends travel health insurance and advises Canadians to understand their coverage before leaving the country.
The right travel insurance can provide valuable financial protection when an unexpected illness, injury or other covered event affects your plans.
Travel Insurance Helps Protect
- Eligible medical expenses outside your home province
- Eligible cancellation and interruption costs, depending on your policy
- Eligible baggage, delay and related covered expenses
Coverage depends on the policy and insurer. Speak with a Cascade Insurance advisor to understand your options before you travel.
What Can Travel Insurance Cover?
Travel insurance isn't one single type of protection. Coverage can vary depending on the policy, insurer and plan you choose.
Emergency Medical Insurance
An unexpected illness or injury away from home can result in significant medical expenses. Depending on the policy, emergency medical travel insurance may provide coverage for eligible expenses such as emergency hospital care, physician services, ambulance transportation, emergency medical treatment, eligible prescription medications, emergency transportation or medical evacuation, and other covered emergency medical expenses. The Government of Canada specifically recommends checking that travel health insurance provides appropriate medical evacuation coverage and understanding how the policy treats pre-existing medical conditions.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Sometimes circumstances change before you ever leave home. Trip cancellation coverage may reimburse eligible prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses when you have to cancel your trip before departure because of a covered event. Depending on the policy, this could include eligible expenses associated with flights, accommodations, tours or other prepaid travel arrangements.
Trip Interruption Insurance
Trip interruption coverage applies after your trip has begun. If a covered event forces you to return home early or otherwise interrupts your trip, your policy may help cover certain eligible costs associated with the interruption. Trip cancellation and trip interruption are different protections, which is why it is important to understand what your particular policy includes.
Baggage and Personal Effects
Lost, damaged or delayed baggage can disrupt a trip quickly. Depending on your travel insurance plan, coverage may be available for eligible losses involving baggage, personal belongings or essential purchases required because your baggage has been delayed.
Travel Delays
A significant covered travel delay can mean additional expenses you did not budget for. Some travel insurance policies may provide benefits for eligible costs resulting from covered delays, subject to the terms, limits and conditions of the policy.
Single-Trip or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?
How often you travel can help determine which type of travel insurance makes sense.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
Single-trip coverage is designed for one specific trip.
It may be a good fit if you travel occasionally or want coverage tailored to a particular vacation, business trip or journey.
Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
If you travel several times throughout the year, a multi-trip or annual plan may be more convenient.
Instead of arranging a new policy for every trip, eligible travellers may be able to obtain coverage for multiple trips during the policy period, subject to the maximum trip duration and other terms of the plan.
B&W similarly distinguishes between single-trip and annual multi-trip insurance for frequent travellers. A Cascade insurance representative can help you understand which option may be appropriate based on how frequently you travel and the length of your trips.
Neither option is universally better. The right choice depends on your travel frequency, trip length and the available policy terms.
Travelling Outside Canada?
Even a quick trip across the border can expose you to medical expenses that may not be fully covered by your provincial health plan.
BC advises residents that out-of-country medical care can cost considerably more than provincial reimbursement amounts and recommends additional private medical travel insurance.
Travel insurance is worth considering for:
Travelling Within Canada?
Travel insurance isn't only for international vacations.
Depending on your circumstances and existing coverage, travel within Canada can still create risks involving emergency transportation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage and other unexpected expenses.
Before travelling, it is worth understanding what your provincial health coverage, employee benefits, credit cards and existing insurance already provide and where gaps may remain.
Review What You Already Have
- Provincial health coverage
- Employee benefits
- Credit card travel benefits
- Existing insurance policies
Understanding existing coverage helps identify potential gaps before you travel.
What About Travel Insurance Through Your Credit Card?
Some credit cards include travel-related insurance benefits, but coverage varies significantly between cards.
Before relying solely on credit card coverage, review:
The Government of Canada's consumer guidance also recommends checking coverage you may already have through credit cards, private health plans and other insurance before purchasing additional protection.
If you are unsure what protection you already have, reviewing your existing coverage before travelling can help identify potential gaps.
- Who is insured
- Maximum trip duration
- Emergency medical limits
- Age restrictions
- Pre-existing condition provisions
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Whether the trip must have been purchased using the card
- Exclusions and limitations
- Claim requirements
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Travel Insurance
Pre-existing medical conditions are an important consideration when purchasing travel insurance.
Policies can contain specific definitions, stability periods, eligibility requirements, exclusions and limitations related to medical conditions that existed before your trip or before the policy was purchased.
Do not assume a medical condition is automatically covered or excluded.
The Government of Canada recommends asking your insurance provider to explain how the policy defines and treats pre-existing medical conditions, including applicable restrictions and limitations.
When applying for coverage, provide complete and accurate information and ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
Travel Insurance for Different Types of Travellers
Every trip is different. Cascade can help you explore available travel insurance options for a variety of travel needs, including:
Coverage, eligibility and policy requirements vary by insurer and individual circumstances.
Visitors to Canada
If you are visiting Canada, you may not have access to the same provincial health coverage available to eligible Canadian residents.
Travel medical insurance designed for visitors to Canada may be available to help protect against eligible emergency medical expenses during a stay.
Depending on available products and eligibility requirements, this type of coverage may be relevant for tourists, visiting family members, certain temporary residents, or others staying in Canada without provincial health coverage.
Talk to Cascade about available options and eligibility.
Before You Buy Travel Insurance
Travel insurance policies are not all the same. Before purchasing coverage, consider:
Most importantly, read your policy wording and ask questions about anything you do not understand before you travel.
- Where you are travelling
- How long you will be away
- How often you travel
- Your age and eligibility
- Your health and any pre-existing medical conditions
- The value of prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses
- Activities you plan to participate in
- Coverage you already have through an employer, credit card or other insurance
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Exclusions, limitations and stability requirements
Why Choose Cascade Insurance Agencies?
Insurance is easier to understand when you have someone you can talk to. Cascade Insurance Agencies has been helping individuals, families and businesses in British Columbia understand their insurance options and find coverage suited to their needs.
When you're planning a trip, our team can help you:
- understand available travel insurance options;
- compare the type of protection you may need;
- identify potential gaps in existing coverage;
- understand important policy conditions and limitations; and
- arrange appropriate available coverage based on your circumstances.
With offices in Surrey and Langley and a virtual Burnaby location, Cascade is here to help BC travellers prepare before they leave.
Local BC Insurance Guidance
Cascade Insurance Agencies has been helping individuals, families and businesses in British Columbia understand their insurance options for over 40 years.
Clear Coverage Explanations
We help you understand available travel insurance options and compare the type of protection you may need.
Coverage Based on Your Circumstances
We help identify potential gaps in existing coverage and understand important policy conditions and limitations.
Surrey, Langley + Virtual Burnaby Service
With offices in Surrey and Langley and a virtual Burnaby location, Cascade is here to help BC travellers prepare before they leave.
Travel Insurance FAQs
Protect Your Next Trip with Cascade Insurance
Whether you're taking a weekend trip across the border, a family vacation, an international adventure or several trips throughout the year, the right travel insurance can help protect you from the financial impact of unexpected events.
Talk to Cascade Insurance Agencies before you travel. We'll help you understand your options and find coverage suited to your trip and your needs.
Important Insurance Disclaimer
Coverage is subject to eligibility, underwriting requirements, policy terms, conditions, limitations, deductibles and exclusions. Coverage varies by insurer and policy. The information on this page is general in nature and does not modify or replace the terms of any insurance policy. A quote request or website submission does not bind insurance coverage. Review the applicable policy wording and speak with a Cascade Insurance Agencies representative regarding your specific coverage.