Travel Insurance Canada

The susceptibility to risks arising from unexpected situations while traveling, like losing checked-in baggage or having a medical emergency, is equally high when traveling to Canada. These risks and their impact differ in severity and frequency of occurrence, demanding a great understanding of the need to buy travel insurance. This is because travel insurance acts as a safety net, safeguarding travelers from various financial and medical risks and ensuring the well-being of their loved ones.

For travelers looking to visit Canada, there are certain factors they should consider when buying international travel insurance. While it is currently not mandatory to have insurance when traveling to Canada, it is highly advised to opt for medical coverage when visiting the country. These coverages will allow travelers to cover the cost of hospitalization, emergency out-patient treatment, ambulance, medical evacuation, etc. Moreover, other unanticipated situations like trip delay, interruption, cancellation, and loss of baggage can also be taken care of with travel insurance to Canada. This will not only prevent travelers from digging holes in their pockets but also ensure a happy and safe travel experience.

The key benefits of any insurance are derived from the coverage it offers. Apart from that, travel insurance policy also deliver protection from incurring a significant financial loss in exchange for a small upfront fee in the form of a premium.

Here are a few key benefits of availing insurance from Niva Bupa when traveling to Canada:

• Cashless claims for medical emergencies
• Financial protection from unexpected risks
• Ability to avail proper healthcare facilities
• Protection from personal liability when traveling

The coverages offered by each insurance provider differ in scope and comprehensiveness; this can create confusion and result in varying experiences. With Niva Bupa, the selection and the purchase journey are simple and convenient.

Here is a list of some of the coverages we offer to travelers visiting Canada:

• Delay or loss of checked-in baggage: This coverage offers compensation for significant delay or loss of checked-in baggage.
• Missed connecting flight:This coverage reimburses you for the extra accommodation and travel costs to reach the next destination if you miss a pre-booked connecting flight due to a late primary flight.
• Loss of passport: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of applying for a new passport if the original is lost.
• Dental treatment: This benefit provides coverage for pain-relieving dental treatmen availed under anaesthesia.
• Trip delay, cancellation, interruption: These three separate coverages offer reimbursement for part of the travel and accommodation costs if your travel is delayed, cancelled, or interrupted due to certain conditions mentioned in the policy document.
• Medical emergency (hospitalization): This coverage offers cashless claims and reimbursement for the cost of medical treatment.
• Emergency outpatient treatment: This coverage offers cashless claims and reimburses any emergency treatment under OPD.
• Medical evacuation: This coverage offers cashless claims and reimburses the transfer cost from one hospital to another if the primary hospital does not offer appropriate care.
• Emergency trip extension:If the trip is extended due to certain exceptional circumstances, this coverage offers an extension of the policy up to 7 days.
• Personal accident: This coverage offers a payout of up to the sum insured for accidental death or disability.
• Repatriation of mortal remains: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of transporting the mortal remains of the traveler or the cost of cremation in the city/country of death.

Niva Bupa offers these and more coverages bundled in three plans, allowing travelers to balance between comprehensiveness and good-to-haves. Additional coverages are also provided to different types of travelers, such as complete pre-existing medical condition coverage and study interruption coverage to students.

Besides the above-mentioned coverages, travelers must also consider the situations not covered under Canada travel insurance. That is because these specific circumstances mentioned in the policy document will lead to the rejection of a claim if any injury or loss of result from participating in them. 

Here is a list of circumstances that Niva Bupa does not cover:

• These include treatment for any injury or illness resulting from nuclear or radiological emissions, war or rebellion, and specific acts of terrorism.
• Active participation in military exercises, war games, or engagement with the enemy.
• Any loss or injury due to committing or attempting to breach the law with criminal intent
• Expenses for cosmetic or plastic surgery or any treatment to change appearance, including obesity or weight control programs. Unless in certain circumstances as listed in the policy document
• Maternity expenses
• Non-prescription or unproven drugs or treatments
• The provision of fitting of hearing aids, spectacles or contact lenses, including optometric therapy, any treatment, and associated expenses for alopecia, baldness, wigs, or toupees, medical supplies including elastic stockings, diabetic test strips, and similar products.
• If the insured person is traveling against the advice of a Doctor or is receiving or on a waiting list for specified medical treatment
• Death, injury, medical condition, or disability resulting from suicide or attempted suicide, self-inflicted wound or illness, consumption of alcohol or drugs, and depression
• Countries with travel restrictions for Indians
• Medical Tourism
• Damages due to adventure sports unless part of coverage
• Expenses related to any admission specifically for diagnostics and evaluation purposes that are not related or incidental to the current diagnosis and treatment.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this list is just a summary of the exclusions, and customers need to refer  to the policy document for the complete list. It is always vital to check the policy document before participating in an activity that can result in financial loss or harm your well-being.

Travel insurance for visitors to Canada does not have any particular eligibility criteria. However, its basic requirements are the same as when buying any travel insurance.

• Adults should be between the ages of 18 and 70.
• Dependent children can be up to the age of 25.
• Travelers must possess and furnish mandatory documents like copies of passports, visas, income proof, and other relevant papers.

Buying travel insurance has never been simpler. With the advent of technology, insurance buyers can readily invest in the right insurance plan. Niva Bupa, with its easy-to-navigate and intuitive portal, allows travelers to insure their travel within minutes, securing their well-being and financial security.

1. Visit the Niva Bupa website and click on “Travel Insurance”.
2. Fill out the details requested in the portal, and choose whether you will go on a single trip or travel as a student.
3. Choose the country you will be traveling to from the dropdown menu, choose the date of departure and return and confirm with your phone number.
4. After filling out all these details, click “view plans.”
5. This will take you to a page where you can input the traveler’s details.
6. Once that is done, click “Next” and choose the right plan for your needs. Change the sum insured to the amount you want to insure your trip for and select any add-ons.
7. Click on “Next” after this and fill out the relevant information along with the medical declaration to purchase the plan of your choice.
8. Once the payment is complete, the policy will instantly appear on the portal and be emailed to you.

If travelers find themselves in an unfortunate financial or medical situation, they can easily avail themselves of their insurance coverages. Mentioned below are some easy-to-follow steps that they can undertake to request a claim with Niva Bupa:

1. To raise a travel insurance claim, you need first to contact your insurer.
2. In case of overseas travel, you may also contact the global Third-Party Administrator.
3. You can raise a claim online, through mail, or even physically. You can do so both while overseas or when you return to India.
4. You must submit a duly filled claim form along with the required documents based on the type of claim—for example, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, medical emergency, or death.

Besides this, one can make two types of claims in the case of a medical emergency.

Cashless Claims

1. In case of emergency hospitalization, contact Europ-Assistance (24/7 emergency contact number and email address are available on our website) within 48 hours of admission.
2. An authorisation letter will then be shared with the policyholder specifying the sanctioned amount that will be issued. In that letter, all details will be specified, including if there is any limitation on the claim, applicable deductible/co-payment, and non-payable items, if applicable. There might also be a rejection letter mentioning the reason for the rejection.

Reimbursement claims

1. In case of hospitalization, contact Europ-Assistance (24/7 emergency contact number and email address are available on our website) within 48 hours of admission.
2. You must pay directly to the hospital and collect all relevant documents (invoices, medical reports, discharge certificates, etc) in originals.
3. You must send scanned copies of these documents along with a filled & signed claim form (available on the website), ID proof, Address proof, Aadhaar Card, and age proof to Europ-Assistance.
4. A decision will be taken based on these documents. They might be approved, rejected, or requested for additional information.
5. If approved, The claim will be settled and reimbursed per the policy terms and conditions.

Indians traveling abroad must ensure they carry certain essential travel documents. These important documents include:

1. Indian Passport
2. Pre-approved Visa
3. Proof of financial ability to pay during the visit(bank statements for the past three months, etc)
4. Invitation letter (from a Canadian resident/organization, if any)
5. Proof of intention to return to India(return tickets, etc)
6. Details of accommodation in Canada (hotel booking, letter from family/friends)

This list, however, is dynamic and might change at any time, so refer to the current travel guidelines for more details.

Canada is a vast country with varying landscapes and differing temperatures throughout. This can lead to confusion about when to visit this beautiful country. It is typically favorable to travel from early May to early November. However, the best time to visit the country is mid-May to late June.

This is because compared to July to early November, when it is peak tourist season, May and June offer excellent weather and experience for reasonable prices. One thing to note, however, is that most attractions are not active during these months. Those visiting Canada from July to November must remember to book 6-9 months in advance to ensure availability and reasonable prices.

Canada is a country blessed by nature and is home to some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world. So whether you wish to experience the beauty of nature or attend some of the most anticipated festivals in North America, here are some attractions and festivals you should not miss.

1. Lake Louise, Alberta
2. Jasper National Park, Alberta
3. Tofino, Vancouver Island
4. Nova Scotia
5. Winterlude, Ottawa
6. Winter festival of lights
7. Whitehorse, Yukon
8. Whistler, British Columbia
9. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
10. Montreal, Quebec

There are numerous more attractions and festivals one can experience, and travelers should plan their travel keeping these in mind.