Planning a trip soon? Make your travel worry-free by ensuring you have the right travel insurance. Travel insurance offers more than just protection from unexpected risks and losses; it provides peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your journey. Blue Cross, a household name in Canada, has been providing travel insurance to Canadians for years. In this review, we will delve into Blue Cross travel insurance in Canada, examining its coverage, costs, and pros and cons.
Blue Cross Travel Insurance is a trusted provider offering coverage for Canadian travelers. They introduced their first travel insurance policy in Canada in 1997.
With over 80 years of experience in providing quality healthcare, Blue Cross has become the go-to choice for Canadians seeking reliable coverage. It has received the #1 ranking in travel insurance for five consecutive years.
Blue Cross delivers insurance through seven regional not-for-profit service organizations, including Alberta Blue Cross, Manitoba Blue Cross, Medavie Blue Cross, Ontario Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, Quebec Blue Cross, and Saskatchewan Blue Cross. Blue Cross travel insurance is underwritten by Canassurance Hospital Service Association (CHSA) or Canassurance Insurance Company.
It’s important to note that travel insurance plans can vary by location. If you need more information, you can contact the dedicated phone numbers for your province or territory.
Blue Cross offers a variety of travel insurance plans with the following coverage options:
Blue Cross allows you to customize and combine these coverage options based on your specific needs, and you can choose between all-inclusive or individual coverage.
The Package Plus option combines popular coverages for trips anywhere in the world and includes:
Blue Cross offers two types of plans depending on the length of your trip and the number of trips you plan to take in a year:
The single-trip plan is designed for travelers embarking on a single journey, lasting up to a maximum of 366 days. It offers various coverage options suitable for travelers of all ages, including seniors. This plan covers:
Additionally, the Single-Trip Annual Insurance includes flight delay service, Blue Cross Travel Assistance, and 24/7 accessibility.
The Multi-Trip Annual Insurance offers customizable 12-month coverage for an unlimited number of trips throughout the year. Its features include:
Similar to the Single-Trip plan, the Multi-Trip Annual Insurance also includes flight delay service, Blue Cross travel assistance, and 24/7 accessibility.
To be considered an insured person, you must meet the eligibility requirements, purchase the travel insurance before your departure date, buy insurance for the entire trip’s duration, and pay the premium in full before the contract’s effective date.
Before filing a claim, it’s essential to understand what Blue Cross travel insurance does not cover. Here are some common scenarios that are typically not covered:
Blue Cross offers comprehensive travel insurance for seniors, typically including coverage for:
Seniors traveling abroad may also be eligible for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions and extended trip durations. To be eligible for Blue Cross travel insurance for seniors (if you are aged 55 and over), you generally should not:
If you are from Ontario, you can obtain a quote by visiting the Ontario Blue Cross website. Answer questions about your residency, public healthcare plan coverage for the travelers, trip details, and desired coverage. After providing the necessary information, you will receive a personalized quote containing the total cost of insurance for both single-trip and multi-trip plans. If you decide to proceed with the purchase, you can complete the transaction by providing the required information and payment details.
The cost of Blue Cross travel insurance depends on several factors, including:
Here are some sample insurance costs for single-trip plans for Ontario-based travelers:
Blue Cross Travel Insurance offers several benefits, including:
While Blue Cross Travel Insurance has numerous advantages, there are some potential downsides to consider, including:
If you’re exploring alternatives to Blue Cross Travel Insurance, here are a few options to consider:
soNomad is an insurtech company based in Quebec that provides affordable emergency medical travel insurance for Canadian travelers, including coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. They offer multi-trip annual travel insurance plans for frequent travelers.
Allianz, one of Canada’s largest insurance providers, offers a range of travel insurance plans with extensive coverage options, including coverage for single and multiple trips, as well as coverage for dependent children.
CAA is a not-for-profit organization that provides travel insurance and related services to its members. They offer customizable coverage options for vacation packages, emergency medical situations, and trip cancellations and interruptions.
Blue Cross has established itself as a reliable company with a long history of serving Canadians. Their range of insurance plans is designed to meet the diverse needs of travelers, and many Blue Cross travel insurance reviews highlight their ability to provide tailored coverage.
Whether or not travel insurance is worth it depends on your specific circumstances. It’s often a good idea to consider travel insurance if:
However, for domestic trips with minimal prepaid expenses and if your credit card provides adequate travel insurance coverage, standalone travel insurance may not be necessary.
