Canadians are unaware of insurance needs for trips within Canada, says Manulife

New data from Manulife suggests that many Canadians may not realize travel insurance is necessary for trips within Canada.

While domestic travel intentions are soaring, Manulife’s ‘Travel within Canada’ products represent only approximately 10 per cent of travel insurance sales, reads a press release.

According to a recent Leger survey, 77 per cent of travellers plan to stay within Canada for their vacations. “While Canada has universal public health care, coverage varies by province,” the insurance company says.

Meaning, if your client is travelling outside of their home province or territory, and they don’t have supplemental travel insurance and are faced with a medical emergency, the costs may not be covered, including certain medical expenses, and ambulance services.

“As Canadians explore our own backyard, it’s important to make travel insurance part of trip planning,” said Pamela Wong, head of travel Insurance and general manager, affinity at Manulife Canada, in a statement. “Many people assume they are covered everywhere in Canada, but there are limitations. Travel insurance covers unexpected costs, ensuring you can focus solely on enjoying experiences and making core memories.”

Insurance tips for domestic travel

Manulife Canada has the following tips as Canadians plan their upcoming trips:

Emergency medical coverage for out-of-province travel is necessary: “Even within Canada, your provincial health plan may not cover all costs outside your home province,” says Manulife. “Travel medical insurance helps with unexpected expenses like emergency transport, prescription medication, and certain hospital bills.”

Credit card coverage may not be enough: “Not all credit cards include travel insurance, and coverage is often limited,” says Manulife. “Check your policy and top up if needed to ensure full protection for your trip. Existing coverage through your credit card or employer may only protect you up to a certain number of days and may not protect your family members.”

Consider non-medical plans or all-inclusive plans: “Non-medical plans protect against trip cancellations, interruptions, baggage loss, and even changed plans, so you can travel with confidence. All-inclusive plans cover all that, plus medical emergencies,” says Manulife.

Opt for coverage for unlimited trips: “For frequent travellers, multi-trip plans help protect you for unlimited trips within the year. They offer versatile and comprehensive protection that goes with you whenever — and wherever — you travel,” says Manulife.

Fill out forms with care: “When purchasing coverage for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to be aware of and clearly communicate everything you know about your health, especially when completing a medical questionnaire, so that you get the right coverage,” says Manulife.

“No matter where a Canadian is travelling to, they need to protect themselves, their families and the value of the trip they’ve purchased,” stated Jennifer Waver, head of travel distribution at Manulife Canada. “As people gear up to enjoy their summer vacations, it’s an important message to keep in mind.”

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