Going on vacation outside Quebec? Travel insurance is essential!

Passport. Check. Plane ticket. Check. Accommodation details. Check. Travel insurance? 

When you’re going on a trip, particularly for months at a time, it’s important to think of the essentials you’ll need while you’re away. Just as you would ensure you’ve brought your travel documents and medication, there are other necessities you need to put on your to-do list before you leave Quebec for your getaway – like travel insurance.  

Travel insurance from Québec Blue Cross gives travellers peace of mind in case of an accident or severe illness, and offers $5 million in Emergency Medical Care coverage. To be covered, you must get the timing right and ensure you buy insurance before you travel. Québec Blue Cross travel insurance is easy to purchase and recognized by healthcare providers, which makes it an important item to check off the list.   

Here are some questions and answers to help take the guesswork out of travel insurance, as well as tips about what to do in the event of a health scare while abroad.  

It’s impossible to predict the future – anything can happen while travelling, so you have to be prepared! To be covered for any accidents or illnesses, you must have a policy in place before you leave Quebec. You will benefit from our guidance before you leave and from our outstanding assistance during your trip and upon your return, if needed. 

It’s important to make sure you’re getting an insurance plan that’s right for you and covers unexpected situations. Fortunately, there are some insurance options that can help with enroute woes, so check out the benefits of Baggage, Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage from Québec Blue Cross.

Whether you’re going to Florida, travelling across Mexico, flying to the Caribbean or to any other destination, Québec Blue Cross has the travel coverage you need. 

Let’s say you and your partner decided to rent bicycles for the day as an easy breezy way to see the sights of your sunny destination. Unfortunately, your tires hit some rocks and you fall and hurt your leg. While your first instinct might be to head to the nearest medical centre or emergency room, instead contact Blue Cross Travel Assistance, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll be able to guide you, from the moment you check in to a healthcare facility until you’re back on your feet and return to your province of residence. 

So, it’s been years since you’ve been among your friends down south and your golf swing is improving weekly. You’re not quite ready to head back home just yet? Not to worry: if you choose to stay a little longer to soak up the sun and get that sought-after hole-in-one, your travel insurance could be extended – as long as your policy isn’t expired. 

The same goes for breaks in your coverage. Many head south as the snow begins to fall in Canada, but as the holidays approach some travellers may want to return for a few weeks to be with family and friends. In these instances, Québec Blue Cross offers the “Travel Break,” which allows you to go home and then return to your vacation destination without terminating your contract. The contract isn’t effective while in the province of residence, however coverage resumes once you are at your destination.